FAQ

To ensure that your Erasmus stay goes smoothly, we recommend that you contact the Erasmus Coordinator, Prof. von Harbou, as early as possible. Since the application and registration process can sometimes take time, it is advisable to submit your application at least 6 months before your planned stay abroad and to sign the necessary Erasmus documents on time. However, be aware that application deadlines vary between universities, so make sure to keep an eye on those. Additionally, scholarships from foundations and other organizations often require longer lead times, sometimes up to a year in advance. It is also crucial to refresh or learn the necessary language skills for your destination country as early as possible.

The language of instruction does not always correspond to the national language. For an Erasmus study or internship, a language level of B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is generally expected. This level allows participants to communicate and interact appropriately in everyday life as well as in study or work environments. However, some universities may require a higher level. The requirements of the partner universities can be found on their websites. In some countries, courses are also offered in English, where at least a B1 level is required. Nevertheless, it is often considered advantageous to have at least basic knowledge of the national language to better integrate into the local culture and benefit from the experience. Therefore, it is advisable to take advanced language courses early on to improve your language skills.

Tip: Some languages are offered at Ernst-Abbe-University, but the University of Jena (FSU) also has many options that you can take advantage of as a guest student.

Often, you will need to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of the language of instruction of the host country (usually a B1 certificate) when applying to the Academic International Office (International Office). Additionally, the host university may also require a language certificate. You can find this information on the website of the partner university.

Essentially, the selected courses should cover topics, fields of work, or perspectives that are interesting from the (transdisciplinary) perspective of social work. These could be modules from areas such as psychology, law, communication studies, or politics. It is not strictly necessary for these modules to be offered at EAH.

However, if you want to have the courses credited after the study abroad semester, you need to ensure that the courses are as comparable as possible to the modules at EAH in terms of thematic content, level of achievement (undergraduate or graduate), scope (SL or PL), type of assessment (presentation, term paper, etc.), number of credits, etc.

Additionally, you should research on the website of your partner university which courses you can actually take as an exchange student, and you must ensure that these courses are expected to be offered in your desired semester.

Since there may be overlaps or changes on-site at the beginning of the semester, it is always a good idea to have alternative options in mind and to be flexible.

Since 2023, the Learning Agreement for most target universities is created online and is accordingly called the Online Learning Agreement (OLA). The creation takes place on the OLA website, where you will also find an instructional video and various FAQs. More information can be found here, under section 5: Creation of the Online Learning Agreement.

For a successful study semester abroad, several important prerequisites must be considered. In addition to being open to new experiences, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the cultural and linguistic circumstances of the host country and to improve language skills if necessary. Equally important is the willingness to organize independently, ensuring timely submission of applications, clarifying funding options, and preparing for the stay. Additionally, personal commitment and perseverance are required to overcome challenges and make the most of the study abroad semester. Ultimately, almost everyone can benefit from a study semester abroad.

Your contact person at the department is Prof. Frederik von Harbou.
For questions regarding the financing of your stay abroad, you can reach out to Dr. Danny von Nordheim .

Your nomination for a specific semester and location is done through the departmental coordinator (currently Prof. Dr. von Harbou ), to whom you need to send a complete application along with your CV. He will then propose you for nomination to the Academic International Office (International Office) if applicable.
For more information, please visit here.

There are several options to finance your semester abroad:

1. Erasmus+ Funding: If you participate in the Erasmus+ program, you will be exempt from tuition fees and receive partial financial support, which depends on the respective host country and the duration of your stay.

2. Foreign BAföG: If you already receive BAföG in Germany, you should also be able to receive foreign BAföG. The amount for studying abroad can be higher. If you do not receive domestic BAföG, it may still be worthwhile to apply for foreign BAföG, as the requirements are different.

3. Scholarships: Research scholarships specifically offered for study abroad or for your field of study. Apply early, as application deadlines often occur well in advance. For example, check the scholarship database of the DAAD. A specific funding opportunity is available through the DAAD: under the PROMOS program, scholarships for study stays, travel costs, and specialized courses outside the Erasmus program are announced each year at the EAH. You can find these and other scholarship opportunities in the database of myStipendium and the Initiative for Transparent Study Funding.

4. Part-Time Job: You can also take a part-time job in the host country or possibly continue your part-time job from Germany online. However, make sure to check the current legal regulations regarding this.

For more information about various funding options, visit the EAH website.

Additionally, it is important to have at least modest savings, as Erasmus funding is disbursed in installments and there may also be delays with foreign BAföG.

"Green Travel" within the Erasmus+ framework refers to how participants can reduce their ecological footprint through sustainable travel methods, such as using public transportation (buses, trains, bicycles). Participants can apply for a travel cost subsidy that promotes the use of environmentally friendly transport options.

You should aim to earn 30 ECTS credits per semester, of which 15 ECTS should be transferable. If some or even all of the courses are not passed, it may result in a partial or even complete repayment of the scholarship. However, this has not occurred at the FB SW to date.

The benefits include:

• You do not have to pay semester fees.
• The duration of your studies remains unchanged.
• Courses completed abroad will still be credited to you.

For more information, please refer to point 7 here.

An abroad stay can extend the overall duration of your studies, as it is often unrealistic to complete all required courses from the EAH while studying abroad at the same time. Different curricula, limited course offerings, and language barriers can present challenges. While it may not be possible to credit all courses taken abroad, some, such as language courses, may still be interesting to attend. However, with diligence, preparation, and good planning, it is possible to avoid extending the duration of your studies. When creating the module comparison, you can get a good idea of which courses are likely to be credited. Keep in mind, though, that course selection may change during the semester. An extension of your studies will not negatively affect BAföG funding, as a leave of absence can be requested, which will extend your BAföG eligibility period accordingly.