To make the start in Germany and at the HSBI easier, the international office offers information and orientation days, the so-called Welcome Weeks.
During the Welcome Weeks the students of English-taught study programmes will receive important information about studying at HSBI and life in Germany and get to know their fellow students. The Welcome Weeks will take place from 07 September - 02 October 2026 online, on Bielefeld Campus and in the city.
The first three weeks of the Welcome Weeks’ sessions will be held online only, the fourth week will bring together all international first-term students at the campus. To attend online, students can click the link below at the specified times. This link will be active for all sessions that are offered online during the orientation days, except for the German courses (see below)..
Zoom: https://t1p.de/welcomeweeks
The data protection declaration for Zoom usage can be found at the following link (the page is German, but you can download the English declaration): https://www.hsbi.de/dvz/zoom
German Courses:
There will be three language courses offered. You will find digital course materials with the links below. The links for the live online sessions will be announced in due time.
- Introduction to German Culture & Language - A1: https://www.hsbi.de/elearning/ilias.php?baseClass=ilrepositorygui&ref_id=1551603
- German Course Level B 1.1: https://www.hsbi.de/elearning/ilias.php?baseClass=ilrepositorygui&ref_id=821783
- Deutsch für den Beruf (B1/B2): https://www.hsbi.de/elearning/ilias.php?baseClass=ilrepositorygui&ref_id=1705602
Programme
Week 1 - Online
Monday, 07 September 2026
- 2.30-3.00 p.m.: Welcome by the faculty and the international office
- 3.00-8.00 p.m.: German Course
Tuesday, 08 September 2026 – Friday, 11 September
- 3.00-8.00 p.m.: German Course (every day of the week and there will be 3 courses available)
Week 2 - Online
Monday, 14 September 2026
- 9.00-10.00 a.m.: Welcome and introduction to HSBI
- 10.00-11.00 a.m.: Welcome by the study programme’s coordinator, introduction to the faculty, information on the course schedule and lecture period
- 11.00-12.00 a.m.: Student Advising and Counselling (ZSB) – What is the ZSB and which services do they offer? What is the difference between ZSB and IO? Where and when can you contact ZSB?
- HSBI IT and Library Services – User account, campus card, wi-fi, printing, e-mail, literature etc.
- 1.00-2.00 p.m.: IT Tutorial – How do I use HSBI’s online services?
- 3.00-8.00 p.m.: German Course
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
- 9.00–10.00 a.m.: Living in Germany – What do I need to consider as an international student in Germany? How do I register at the Citizens’ Registration Office? Do I need an appointment with the Immigration Office? What is the 'Rundfunkbeitrag'?
- 10.00–11.00 a.m.: Studying in Germany – How does the German higher education system work? What are ECTS and modules? What is the difference between lectures, seminars and tutorials? Where do I find the course catalogue?
- 11.00–12.00 p.m.:
- HSBI’s Support Services: Registrar’s and Examination Office – In which cases should I contact the Registrar’s and Examination Office? Where do I find it?
- Language Center – What language courses are offered by HSBI? How can I register for a language course?
- Writing Support – How do I write academic texts? Where can I train presentations? Who can give feedback on application documents?
- Praxisbüro – Who can support with internships? How to find a job? How to apply? #
- Housing – Where can I find accommodation in Bielefeld? What support does the International Office offer?
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
- 9.00–11.00 a.m.: City Registration – You are already in Germany? We book an appointment for city registration for you and accompany you to city hall
- 11.00–12.00 p.m.: Open Consultation – Any questions? Ask the International Office in this online session
- 1.00–2.00 p.m.: Meet your Tutor – Get in touch with a senior student and fellow students of your study programme to chat and network
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Thursday, 17 September 2026
- 9.00–12.00 p.m.: Math Tutorial
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Friday, 18 September 2026
- 9.00–12.00 p.m.: Math Tutorial
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Week 3 – Online
Monday, 21 September
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Tuesday, 22 September
- 9.00–12.00 p.m.: Math Tutorial
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Wednesday, 23 September
- 9.00–11.00 a.m.: City Registration
- 11.00–12.00 p.m.: Open Consultation – Questions and answers
- 1.00–2.00 p.m.: Meet your Tutor
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Thursday, 24 September
- 9.00–12.00 p.m.: Math Tutorial
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Friday, 25 September
- 3.00–8.00 p.m.: German Course
Week 4
Monday, 28 September: Bielefeld Campus, A424
- 9.00–10.00 a.m.: Welcome Coffee
- 10.00–10.30 a.m.: Welcome of all first term students
- 10.30–12.00 p.m.: Guided Tour of Bielefeld Campus
- 12.00 p.m.: Joint lunch at the cafeteria
Wednesday, 30 September: Gütersloh Campus
- 9.00–11.00 a.m.: Welcome Breakfast
- 11.00–12.00 p.m.: Guided Tour of Gütersloh Campus
- 12.00–1.30 p.m.: City Tour Gütersloh
Thursday, 1 October: Gütersloh Campus
- 1.00–3.00 p.m.: City Tour Bielefeld
- 4.00 p.m.: Get-together at „Bar Celona“, Schloßhofstraße 73A, 33615 Bielefeld
Contact and more information:
- Benjamin Hans & Anika Steppacher
- +49.521.106-70887
- international.students@hsbi.de
