About the program

Every year, scholarship holders of the KOSPIE Colombia Program come to us at the TU Dresden for one or two semesters. In the first semester, the focus is on participation in lectures, exercises and seminars and immersion in student life at the TU Dresden. In the second semester, the participants can then do an internship in a company here in Germany.

What does TU Dresden offer?

• Enrolment as a TU Dresden student (cost: aprox. 290€ per semester):

  • semester ticket (public transport in and around Dresden, all regional trains in Saxony and mobibikes)

  • eligibility for student dormitories (200-400 EUR/month) www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/wohnen

• Assistance (in the first days):

  • city registration

  • bank account opening

  • campus tour (with visits to the cafeteria, library sign up … and more)

• Social & cultural events (depending on availablity):

  • City tours

  • Museum and concert visits

  • Visits to relevant companies and research institutions in the area

  • Sports activities like hiking, ice skating, etc.

• Study-accompanying German course

• Coaching for job Applications to prepare for the internship search

• Extensive care offer via:
  • TU Dresden project coordination (Luise Thalheim and Cornelia Hesse)
  • Spanish and German speaking tutor during the first semester

How can I apply?

The DAAD and the home universities are responsible for the announcement, application and awarding of the DAAD-KOSPIE scholarships. Please contact the DAAD Columbia office or your degree program coordinator.

How can I choose the courses for my Learning Agreement?

Since the course lists for the future winter semester are only available in September of the same year, you must limit your pre-selection to the module handbooks for the respective degree program. The module handbook can usually be found in the study and examination regulations for the course. The best way to do this is to look for the desired degree program in the study information system (SINS) and scroll to the end of the page to the study documents area. A link to the faculty page takes you to the study regulations.

In the module overview you will find information on whether the module is offered in a winter or summer semester and whether it extends over one or two semesters. You can also find information on the courses included (lectures, exercises, seminars, tutorials, etc.

Helpful hints:

• Courses at the TU Dresden are mainly offered in German. English-language offers can only be found in isolated cases.
• You can only choose modules that are offered in the winter semester.
• Selected modules must be completed within one semester. In many cases, modules that extend over more than one semester cannot be counted as a partial grade and shown in the Trannscript of Records.
• KOSPIE scholarship holders are generally not entitled to attend courses offered within the framework of Master's programmes. These include, above all, the popular English-language Master's courses in the field of economics.
• Participation in courses must be confirmed by the respective TU Dresden faculty coordinator prior to course registration.

General information for exchange students - International Office. On this website you will find links to the individual faculties and, if available, their separate information for exchange students.

Testimonials

© Michael Kretzschmar

What is your favorite place in Dresden? My favorite place in Dresden is the old town. 5 years ago I traveled to Europe and discovered Dresden. Visiting the Frauenkirche, Fürstenzug and Zwinger made me fall in love with Dresden and knew I should come back one day to experience the city better.

What did you find difficult when you arrived? At first I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to communicate in German. Before my trip I had studied German for two years and I didn't know if that would be enough to start a new life in another country.

What do you like about the TU Dresden? The lectures were very interesting, the content of the subject is quite extensive and you can learn a lot. Maybe I couldn't do everything understand, but I am sure that I have learned a lot for my studies. I've also met some nice fellow students. You have been kind to me and have given me helped when I didn't understand or couldn't solve a task. Finally was the SLUB is my favorite part of the university. There I prepared for my exams, found many necessary books and almost felt like I was on campus.

What is the biggest difference to your home country? Germany is very efficient and everything runs almost like clockwork. I like the punctuality and the security, but i still miss the kindness. In Colombia we are even friendlier and more spontaneous. Germans can be open, but only when necessary situations. That is why it is difficult for international students to make German friends find and know who to ask for help.

Do you have any advice for students who are living abroad for the first time? A good Preparation in German will help you here, as will a good command of English. Always be open to get used to the culture and the people. And most importantly, never be ashamed of your nationality and origin. It is important for your studies that you are well prepared from the beginning of the semester. Everything is self-study and requires discipline and perseverance. Always seek help from your fellow students, the subject forum, and teachers and tutors, they will always be there for you. Get into a routine and study at home or in the library where you're sure you'll be productive. - Valentina Calderón Núñez (Colombia)