New here, but not only at the h_da
You have decided to study in Germany? Have you successfully applied at h_da from your home country, applied for a visa, taken care of the financing of your studies and have you now arrived in Darmstadt to study here? Then you have already achieved a lot! But how do you go on? What should your first steps be and where can you get support or just some advice?
You are not alone!
First things first: you are not alone. Around 19 percent of the students at h_da are not from Germany, but from various countries around the world. And that is a real enrichment for campus life! At the same time, as international students you have different questions than your fellow students from Germany. For example, you have to apply for a residence permit for your studies, open a bank account or take a language course.
Support especially for international students
So there is a lot to do, and to make sure that everything goes well and that you can concentrate on your studies, h_da's central Student Advisory Service is there to help you throughout your studies. If you have questions about finding a place to live or a job, the social counselling service of the Studierendenwerk Darmstadt is the right address. The tutors from the ComeTOgether office of the Studierendenwerk can also help you with your questions.
Don't be afraid of the Aliens' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Many international students are worried that their residence permit will not be extended during their studies. However, this fear is unfounded as long as you make regular progress in your studies and can prove this to the Foreigners' Registration Office. However, you should keep in mind that you have to take care of the extension of your residence permit as early as possible, because the application process can take a while. If you are missing documents from the university for the application, simply contact the Student Service Centre by email at international@h-da.de.
Problems are there to be solved
First and foremost, you should remain calm, even if problems sometimes seem insoluble. Seek help: Contact the student advisory service, talk to your lecturers, ask in your degree program who the advisor for international students is.
A page just for you
By the way: You can find answers to many questions you might have as an international student on the website of the Student Service Centre
