We from ISME are committed to helping you navigate your academic journey with ease. On the following website, you can find information regarding whom to contact and how in terms of academic counseling, student resources, health and mental wellbeing, and living in Berlin. On the bottom of the page, you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Academic counseling

Get guidence from our academic advisors and professors on exams and coursework, and receive supervision to help you achieve your academic goals.

• academic advisors via isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de
• office hours with lecturers and professors for discussing examinations or supervision

Student resources

Get help with any questions you have as a student, from IT issues to opportunities abroad and contact to student groups.

• info service for all the general questions
• peer mentoring for international students
• IT matters (including software)
• international chances
• career service
• women's representative
• student group FAWANA and mailing list IsTurArIrS

Health and mental wellbeing

Take advantage of counseling services that provide support and guidance for maintaining good mental health and psychological well-being while studying.

• counseling for mental wellbeing and psychological support

Living in Berlin

Whether you're a student with kids or a refugee new to the city, find resources for housing, legal questions, and support for students with disabilities through the studierendenWERK and other counseling services.

• studierendenWERK
• pass service for questions on residence permits (once you already are in Berlin)
• students with children
• counselling for students with disabilities
• refugees

• frequently asked questions

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Academic counseling

Academic advisors

Our program's academic advisors are happy to answer your questions.

Contact us via isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de only!

Our responsibilities include the counselling with regard to the following topics:

• admission requirements specific to ISME;
• course selection and academic schedule;
• transferring credits from non-ISME courses;
• examinations and tests;
• active and regular participation in courses;
• final thesis;
• graduation

For questions of Erasmus and student mobility, please contact the relevant offices.

Office hours with lecturers and professors

Sometimes you may have the need to schedule a meeting with one of your lecturers or professors, e.g. when it comes to discussing the topic of a term paper or your final thesis. Most lecturers and professors offer regular office hours throughout the course period ("Vorlesungszeit") while during the semester break, instructors may be less available due to research or travel, so we highly advise students to communicate with instructors during the course periods (April–July, October–February) . Please consult their websites for the most current information. 

Student resources

Info-service

If you're feeling lost or overwhelmed by the administrative side of your studies at Freie Universität, the info service (LINK) is here to help. Whether you prefer to get in touch by phone, e-mail, or in person, their friendly and knowledgeable staff are available to answer any questions you may have about the campus management (LINK) or the organization of your studies. And if they can't provide an answer on the spot, they'll work tirelessly to connect you with the appropriate back office or academic advisor who can.

IT matters

At Freie Universität, the Central Office for Data Processing (ZEDAT) is the go-to place for all things computer-related – for students, the Info-Service IT (LINK), the ZEDAT Support, is the office to contact with questions about ZEDAT's tasks and services, as well as concrete problems. These tech-savvy folks are responsible for developing and maintaining the university's IT infrastructure, and they provide valuable services to students, staff, and university institutions in research, teaching, and administration.

Its tasks include in particular:

• consulting (LINK): central point of contact for questions regarding ZEDAT services, FU accounts, password reset, etc. 
• communication services: WLAN, data network, VPN, telephony, VC, e-mail, groupware, personal web presence (userpage) 
• computer workstations: PC pool for students, provision of public workstations for courses and for free practice, support of workstation computers incl. software 
• printing: poster printing, binding of papers
• toftware: low-cost software for students, procurement of software licenses for employees' workstations 
• training program: qualification courses for all members of Freie Universität

International chances

Are you already a student at Freie Universität Berlin and looking for possibilities to study abroad? Then Freie Universität's general website (LINK) will give you all the information you need when it comes to studying or doing an internship abroad, Erasmus+ and Erasmus+ worldwide, direct exchange, PROMOS for language learning, and further options. 

If you're interested in international opportunities or offers from partner universities, you'll definitely want to check out the mailing list created by Freie Universität's International Office (LINK). By subscribing to this list, you'll receive regular updates on exciting opportunities like summer/winter schools, internships, and language courses, as well as important news about program applications, deadlines, events, and more. Best of all, you can subscribe and unsubscribe independently, so you're always in control of your inbox. So why not sign up today and start exploring all the amazing opportunities waiting for you?

Also, the international club (LINK) is a group of students who want to promote the internationalization at the Freie Universität Berlin. They organize a wide range of events and activities for international and national students. 

Career service

Freie Universität's career service (LINK) supports students with all questions regarding internships, career planning and career entry.

Women's representative

The decentral women's representative of the Department of History and Cultural Studies (LINK) is there to support and advise all students identifying as female on issues relating to equality, gender, and discrimination. She's a valuable resource for anyone facing sexual harassment or conflict within the university. She's an experienced mediator who can help find solutions and inform you about your options. Additionally, she's well-versed in the hierarchical structures within the university, so she can provide a nuanced perspective on relevant situation. If you're interested in pursuing an academic career, she can also advise you on relevant issues like maternity and parental leave, financial support options, and childcare. 

Student group FAWANA and mailing list IsTurArIrS

The student group FAWANA (Fachschaft Westasien Nordafrika) are organizing peer-to-peer events at Freie Universität and beyond. 

They have a Telegram channel (LINK) where they announce their events. 

Health and mental wellbeing

support.points

Freie Universität cares about students' and staff's mental health. That's why a mental wellbeing initiative has been launched which is now setting up "support.points" at various departments, including the Department of History and Cultural Studies, starting in October 2022. The support.points (LINK) are run by trained psychologists who can help you sort out any mental health issues, suggest some initial solutions, and refer you to other support services if needed. Everything is confidential, and the staff are sworn to professional secrecy. So don't hesitate to reach out for support. 

Psychological counseling

We understand that university can be tough sometimes, and that's why there are support infrastructures to help. Freie Universität's psychological counseling service (LINK) offers individual counseling, training courses, and workshops to support your personal development and improve your study skills. Whether you're struggling with motivation, decision-making, or getting oriented at university, they've got you covered. They can also help you with anxiety about tests, writer's block, learning problems, and procrastination. And if you're dealing with stress, overload, or depression, they're here to help too. Plus, they can also support you to find therapy arrangements if needed. The staff includes licensed psychological psychotherapists and psychologists in training, who are all required to maintain confidentiality regarding any personal matters you discuss with them. So don't hesitate to reach out to them – they're here for you.

Living in Berlin

studierendenWERK

The studierendenWERK, too, is commited making sure that your studies at Freie Universität are as successful and fulfilling as possible, and that's why they offer a range of social support services (LINK), whether you're worried about financing your studies or in need of advice and guidance on studying with children, so that you can balance your studies with your family life. Additionally, if you need help with academic writing, they've got you covered with their program of workshops and writing events (LINK). And if you're dealing with any personal or emotional issues, their psychotherapeutic counseling service is here to provide support (LINK). Lastly, they also offer support to students with special needs (LINK), to ensure that everyone can succeed at Freie Universität.

Pass service

Are you already a student at Freie Universität who needs a residence permit for Germany? Don't worry, the pass service (LINK) has got your back. The team is available to assist you with any questions you might have about the application process, and they'll be with you every step of the way. 

Studying and working

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Students with children

Freie Universität provides various services for students who are parents (LINK); they may also seek guidance from the counseling center provided by the studierendenWERK (LINK) which also runs a daycare center (LINK) for 180 children, aged two months to six years, at Freie Universität. It is set amidst lush greenery and boasts a large and varied garden. Given the high demand, it is advisable to register early to secure a spot (LINK).

When it comes to daycare, well-equipped parent-child rooms (LINK) are situated in two of our departmental buildings, namely the "Holzlaube" and the building at Koserstraße 20, and for students' children aged up to six years, the university's refectories offer free meals.

You may also register for the mailing list FU with family (LINK, in German), which is available for all members of the Freie Universität; there's also a Wiki (LINK, in German) with a register of nurseries, schools, and further care facilities.

Counseling for students with disabilities

Freie Universität understands that studying with disabilities can present unique challenges, which is why they offer confidential counseling services to students seeking guidance and support. They can help with everything from the initial application process to arranging accommodations and referrals to other relevant resources. The counseling is focused on meeting the individual needs of each student and providing practical solutions to help them succeed in their studies. To arrange a consultation, visit their website (LINK).

Refugees

“Welcome to Freie Universität Berlin” (LINK) is an extensive package of academic offerings and services aimed at making it easier for people who have had to leave their homeland to gain access to Freie Universität's study programs.

Frequently asked questions

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