When Things Get Confusing

ISME is complex. Berlin bureaucracy is complex. University systems are complex. You'll need help navigating all of this—everyone does. Here's who to contact for what.

Who We Are: Your ISME Academic Advisors

We're Lukas Mühlethaler and Victoria Mummelthei, and we're here to help you navigate your ISME studies. Email us at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de for anything related to the program itself.

We help with:

Understanding modules, ECTS, and requirements
Transferring credits from other departments or universities
Exam questions and regulations
Thesis planning, finding supervisors, graduation
Any confusion about how ISME actually works

We can't help with:

Course choices—this is your choice after all
General FU enrollment, housing, or visa processes (see FAQs below)
IT problems or campus management technical issues
Mental health support (but we can point you to resources)

If you're not sure whether we're the right contact, email us anyway—we'll redirect you if needed.

Department Support

You're part of the Department of History and Cultural Studies, which offers some specific resources:

Office for Academic Affairs

Handles administrative matters: registration forms, module documentation, coordinating with the examination office. They're your backup when bureaucracy gets complicated.

support.points

New since 2022: Confidential drop-in support with trained psychologists right here in the department. They can help you sort through stress, mental health concerns, or just figure out what kind of support you need. Professional secrecy guaranteed. More info

Women's and Equal Chances Representative

Support for students identifying as female on equality, gender, and discrimination issues. Mediates conflicts, advises on harassment situations, and helps with academic career questions (parental leave, funding, etc.). Contact

Office Hours with Professors

When you need to discuss a specific paper, thesis topic, or exam content, schedule time with instructors directly. Most are available during semester (October-February, April-July), less so during breaks. Check their websites for current hours.

Beyond ISME: When You Need Other Help

University life involves more than just your studies. For housing, health insurance, visa issues, IT problems, mental health support, career planning, and everything else—see the FAQs below. We've organized them by the actual problems you might face.

I Don't Know Who to Ask

Start with isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de or the Info Service. They'll point you in the right direction.

Campus management is confusing—where do I learn how it works?

Info Service contact can walk you through it. Also watch the campus management intro video. And honestly? It's confusing for everyone at first.

Can I study abroad during ISME?

Yes! FU offers Erasmus+, direct exchange, PROMOS for language learning. Subscribe to the International Office mailing list here for opportunities.

Talk to us (isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de) about how it fits into your ISME schedule—usually semester 3 works well.

Everything feels like too much—where do I start?

Start with support.points or psychological counseling. They can help you break things down and figure out what support you need. This is a normal feeling—you're not the only one.

How do I meet other students?

FAWANA (student group for Middle East studies)—join their Telegram channel for events

Peer Mentoring—connects you with current students, especially helpful before/during first semester sign up

International Club—events for international and German students more info

Also: just show up to ISME events, orientation, and welcome parties. Your cohort becomes your community fast.

I don't speak German—can I still get support?

Most FU services offer English support, especially Info Service, International Office, psychological counseling, and ZEDAT. ISME operates entirely in English. If you hit a language barrier somewhere, let us know.

I got admitted—now what? Who handles enrollment?

Congrats! But enrollment isn't ISME—that's FU's central Student Services. Your admission letter has instructions. If confused, contact the Info Service. We'll see you once you're enrolled and ready to start classes.

I got rejected—who can tell me why?

Contact FU's Admissions Office—they made the decision. If you want to discuss reapplying or alternatives, you can reach out to us at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de.

I have a disability—what accommodations are available?

Counseling for Barrier-Free Studying contact—confidential support from application through graduation: exam accommodations, accessibility needs, resources.

studierendenWERK also has support services.

I have kids—what support is available?

FU has parent services, parent-child rooms, free meals for kids up to 6 in cafeterias.

studierendenWERK runs a daycare center (register early!) and offers family counseling.

Join the FU with Family mailing list to connect with other student parents.

I need health insurance for enrollment—where do I start?

Info Service or studierendenWERK can explain German health insurance requirements. This is a Germany/FU thing, not ISME-specific.

I need help with internships or career planning—who do I ask?

FU Career Service contact supports with internships, career planning, job applications.

Also talk to us about the ISME internship module and how practical experience fits into your studies.

I still don't know who to ask—help?

Email us at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de or contact the Info Service. We'll figure it out together and point you in the right direction.

I'm a refugee—are there specific resources for me?

FU's "Welcome" program info offers academic support and services to help refugees access study programs.

I'm lost in enrollment paperwork—help?

Info Service contact is your lifeline for general FU forms and processes. They know the system inside out.

I'm struggling mentally—where can I get support?

In our department: support.points info—confidential, drop-in, trained psychologists

FU-wide: Psychological Counseling Service contact—individual counseling, workshops, therapy referrals

studierendenWERK: Also offers psychotherapeutic counseling contact

All completely confidential. You don't have to struggle alone.

I'm worried about financing my studies—who can help?

studierendenWERK Social Counseling contact advises on financing options, financial support, emergency funds.

My campus account won't work / I can't access WiFi / IT help?

FUBIT handles everything technical: login issues, WiFi (eduroam), email, VPN, software, printing. They're the tech experts.

My visa situation is complicated—who helps?

Before arriving: German embassy/consulate in your country + FU's International Office contact

Already in Berlin? Pass Service contact helps with residence permits

Need a late-arrival letter from ISME? Email us: isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de

Something urgent is happening—who do I contact right now?

Mental health crisis: support.points, psychological counseling, or Berlin crisis hotlines (search "Berliner Krisendienst")

Academic emergency: isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de

Campus safety/security: the police

Don't wait for email if it's truly urgent—call or show up in person.

When do I email ISME vs. someone else?

Email us (isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de) for:

Anything about your ISME coursework, modules, or graduation
Credit transfers and course approval
Thesis questions

Don't email us for:

FU enrollment/registration → Info Service
Technical problems →FUBIT
Housing → studierendenWERK
Visa/residence permits → International Office or Pass Service
Mental health → support.points or Psychological Counseling

Where do I find housing in Berlin?

studierendenWERK housing portal for student dorms (apply early—competitive!)

Also try: WG-Gesucht, Facebook housing groups, private rental platforms. Most students live in WGs (shared apartments). The market is brutal—start searching months in advance.

Department of History and Cultural Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East (ISME)