Offers during the Semester

Preparatory German courses

Please find information on our preparatory German courses here.

Study-related language courses

Please find information on the language courses offered by HSBI on the Language Center pages.

You can also attend other language courses (e.g. English, French, Arabic, Chinese) at Bielefeld University’s Language Centre as an occasional student.

Please find more information on Bielefeld University’s Language Centre here.

Other language courses

There are also other language schools in Bielefeld that offer German and other language courses.


You can use the professional online language courses developed by speexx to train and improve your skills in English, Spanish, French, Italian or German. The courses are available for self-study in ILIAS. In the ILIAS repository, you will also find other courses that you can take for free. The language courses can be found under Repository > Self-learning courses > Language Trainings or directly via this ILIAS link.
Seminars and workshops

HSBI offers a variety of seminars, workshops and training courses that could also be of interest to you. This includes support on the following topics:

  • Scientific writing (workshops and individual advice)
  • Use of the library (e.g. literature research, citation methods)
  • Oral and written presentations
  • Application training
  • Exam nerves
Please find more information here.
Association for International Students

ViSiB is a non-profit association that has been working for international students since 1985.
The association awards scholarships for which you can apply through the International Office.

Please find more information on the association’s page.
Psychosocial counselling

Since the International Office wants you all to feel as comfortable as possible during your time here, we would like to draw your attention to an important service: Our university offers advice and support for the most diverse challenges in life: If you feel tired, overwhelmed, lonely or need advice, Student Advising and Counselling is your point of contact!

The consultation is free of charge, strictly anonymous and without any obligation.

This is a service for any minor or major emotional problem, and everything discussed there is kept confidential between you and the advisers.

Your contact persons are Ulrike Rehm and Barbara Husemann. Their offices are located in HSBI’s A building on the third floor: Rooms A 345 or A 340, respectively. They can be contacted by e-mail at psb@hsbi.de.

Do you feel that counselling at HSBI not anonymous enough? Then you can ask Ms Rehm or Ms Husemann for free counselling addresses in the city of Bielefeld; contact points that also offer a service in English.

Please note: You are welcome to seek advice at the International Office at any time, but Student Advising and Counselling is the best address for emotional support. You can go there directly without informing the International Office if you wish.

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Information & offers on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/advisory-service/psychological-wellbeing/

Activities for international students

The International Office offers numerous activities for international students every semester. Registration for the activities will be approximately two weeks before the start of the activity by e-mail at international.office@hsbi.de.

If an activity is fully booked, we will be happy to put you on a waiting list.

 

Activities in the winter term 2025/2026

 14 October / 11 November / 09 December – Chat & Snack

Join us for Chat & Snack – an open international meet-up where German and international students connect over casual conversation and tasty snacks. A great chance to make new friends and grow your network in a relaxed setting! No registration required.

 

30 October – Pumpkin Carving

Get into the Halloween spirit with our Pumpkin Carving event! Meet other international students and enjoy a fun, hands-on activity – spooky creativity encouraged! We will send an e-mail with information on how to sign up 2 weeks in advance.

 

07 November – International Dinner

Taste the world at our International Dinner! Bring a small dish or snack from your home country and share your culture with fellow students in a warm, festive atmosphere. We will send an e-mail with information on how to sign up 2 weeks in advance.

 

04 December – End-of-year Party

Celebrate the season at our Christmas Party! Discover German holiday traditions and share your own end-of-year customs with fellow students from around the globe. We will send an e-mail with information on how to sign up 2 weeks in advance.