Ready, Study, Go – Your Pathway to Academic Success and Your First Job in Germany

• In our First Steps web-seminars for international students, we provide key information on enrollment, health insurance, finding accommodation, visa applications, and TH Köln’s digital learning platforms. Get your questions answered ahead of time, so you can begin your studies in Germany well-prepared and stress-free!
   

• Web-Seminar "How to Study at a German University": How do German universities work? How should you communicate with professors? What rules should you know? This web-seminar will answer these questions, helping you avoid confusion or frustration at TH Köln.
  Next session: tbd

• Web-Seminar "Apartment-Hunting Tips": Finding housing in Cologne can be challenging, especially from abroad. Where can I search? What does the process involve? What do I need to know? This web-seminar addresses these questions.
  Next session: tbd

• To help you settle into university life, our TH Köln Buddy Program connects international students with peers in higher semesters, both German and international, who can guide you with study tips and navigating life in Germany.
   

• At the beginning of each winter semester, we raffle off 50 spots for a "Kölsches Dinner" at a traditional Cologne brewery. This dinner offers you an exciting opportunity to meet other international students and connect with the International Affairs team.

We’ll keep you updated on your residence obligations and offer helpful tips for extending your residence permit and navigating the immigration office – both digitally and in person:

• Once a year, the immigration office of the City of Cologne hosts a large info session at the Zülpicher Straße Mensa. After a presentation on residence rights for international students (in German with English translation), you’ll have the chance to ask individual questions in one-on-one consultations with advisors.
  Next session: tbd
   
• Have questions about your student visa or residence permit? In our web-seminar “Visa, Residence Title, and the Immigration Office – Things you need to know”, we regularly update you on your duties, the immigration office, and offer useful tips for extending your permit.
  Next session: December 4, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Studying in Germany comes with costs. Securing reliable funding for your studies is key to succeeding at TH Köln. We offer a range of information sessions as well as one-on-one consultations on scholarships and job opportunities throughout your time at TH Köln.

• Web-Seminar “Student jobs in Germany - finance your studies and get ready for your career”: Every semester, we partner with the Employment Agency to offer a web-seminar that helps you navigate different types of part-time jobs in Germany. Ideally, you’ll choose a job now that helps you gain work experience and build career connections.
  Next session: November 12, 2024, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM.
   
• Web-Seminar “Side Jobs for International Students – Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”: Now that you know what type of side job you want, we’ll help you navigate taxes, social security, and employment rights. The title says it all: We’ll make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities.
  Next session: November 19, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
   
• Study Financing Consultation: Got more questions? No worries. Take advantage of our individual consultation services. Whether it’s part-time work or scholarships, our team will help you find the best options so you can focus on your studies. To schedule a consultation, send an email to Pia Büchel: ready_study_go@th-koeln.de

• On this website, you’ll find the latest updates, deadlines, and events related to the project.
   
• Want to get updates directly in your inbox? Simply send a quick message to ready_study_go@th-koeln.de to join the project’s email distribution list.

With our certificate program, you will not only learn academic skills in a series of workshops, but also professional skills that will help you move confidently through the application process and into your first job. In writing courses, you will learn academic writing and argumentation strategies for your term papers and theses. Application training, on the other hand, will prepare you for written application documents, job interviews and the German work culture.
All information on the conditions of participation, individual modules and registration for the certificate program can be found here.

After successfully completing all workshops of the certificate program, you will not only receive a certificate from us, but also the opportunity to take part in an individual, bilingual (German/English) career consultation.

The “Ready, Study, Go” LinkedIn profile serves as the digital platform for both target groups, where international students and companies can stay updated on the latest events and initiatives. Private groups for project members let you explore company profiles, discover job openings, and reach out directly. You can also share your profile in the “Ready, Study, Go” Talents group to get noticed by companies: Who are you, and what are you looking for? Follow us on LinkedIn and send us a direct message to join the groups.

Once a year, “Ready, Study, Go” organizes a bilingual career fair specifically for international students. This is your chance to meet companies in person, present yourself, and make direct contact. Along with regional companies, the immigration office and employment agency will be present to answer any legal questions. Workshops and panel discussions on best practices for integrating international professionals will round out the event. The date and location of the career fair will be posted here soon.

As part of the project, we regularly organize company visits as "taster days" where you can get a first-hand look at the work environment and gain insights into regional companies. These visits help break down barriers, build networks, and give you better access to the German job market. Take the opportunity to meet potential employers early on. Dates for the company visits will be posted here soon.

Once a year, the project team invites selected international students and company representatives who have previously participated in or hosted company visits to a boat tour on the Rhine. This event is all about informal networking. It’s a chance for personal exchanges and can help spark concrete steps toward collaboration, such as internships or working student positions.