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Welcome Week
Welcome Week in winter semester 2026/2027
The Welcome Center offers various orientation events for new international students every semester.
The events for the winter semester 2026/2027 will mainly take place as of 5 October 2026. Some online events will happen before that. You will find more detailed information about the Welcome Week on these web pages in good time (please scroll down); the list of events will be continuously updated.
Discover Saarland
Our Centre for International Students (ZiS) made a little collection of the most beautiful destinations in Saarland for you.
Please also check out the leisure activities organized by:
Onboarding for Moodle, LSF and MS Teams
From 5 to 9 October, the Centre for Teaching and Learning is offering new students an onboarding programme, including the multilingual hybrid information session 'Onboarding: Digital Platforms', in which participants will familiarise themselves with the university’s key digital platforms, such as LSF, Moodle and MS Teams. There will also be workshops on artificial intelligence and effective presentation skills.
Onboarding for first semester students: LSF, Moodle and MS-Teams
Introduction to European Cultures and Intercultural Communication
This block seminar is an introductory course mainly designed for international exchange students (such as Erasmus students), but regular Saarland University students are also very welcome to join.
The course provides basic interdisciplinary knowledge on Europe from different academic fields. It also encourages students to share their experiences and perspectives on living and studying in Europe.
Registration
Orientation Sessions
The link to each event will be provided some time before the start. You can then find the link to each event below.
How to: Participation in MS Teams
Welcome Week for all new arriving international students (exchange and degree seeking students)
Monday, 05 October 2026
15:15 German language courses - semester-long German courses
The German course office is presenting their course offers and explains details of the courses.
Please sign up for the courses in time (deadline 06 October). The courses are free for students!
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05 (3rd floor)
Duration: 30 minutes
German Course application
Tuesday, 06 October 2026
14:00 Orientation 1 - Arrival and Registration procedures
City registration, visa appointments, opening a bank account and much more.
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05.1 (3rd floor)
Duration: 45 minutes
15:00 Orientation 2 - Culture differences and safety tips
How to avoid misunderstandings due to cultural differences; consent in Germany; community support offers; how to handle cases of emergency
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05.1 (3rd floor)
Duration: 45 minutes
Wednesday, 07 October 2026
14:00 Orientation 3 - Orientation 3 - Apartment rentals in Saarbrücken - Do's & Dont's
What you need to look out for when renting an apartment, during your rental period and which paperwork to deal with.
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05.1 (3rd floor)
Duration: 45 minutes
15:00 Orientation 4 - The medical system in Germany
How does the German insurance system work and what to do if you get sick during your stay?
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05.1 (3rd floor)
Duration: 45 minutes
Thursday, 08 October 2026
14:00 Orientation 5 - How to surivive in Germany
How does anything in Germany work? Why are all the stores closed on Sundays? How does the recycling system work? How to send a letter? If you have asked yourself one or more of these questions, come to our orientation!
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05 (3rd floor)
Duration: 60 minutes
15:15 Orientation 6 - How to budget
Let's talk about money! How much does living in Germany as student really cost? Join our session if you want to learn more about budgeting, saving money and using your benefits!
Location: Innovation Center (A2.1), room 3.05 (3rd floor)
Duration: 45 minutes
Monday, 12 October 2026
10:00 Official Semester Opening of Saarland University
On Monday October 12, Saarland University will celebrate the official opening for the new academic year and welcome all its new students to the campus.
The event will begin with an official greeting of the university's president and will be followed by interviews with students and other members of university.
New in 2026: this year the entire event will be interpreted simultaneously, giving you the chance to listen to all speeches in English via your headphones.
The second part of the event is an Information Fair, where you can meet the teams of different university services and get to know their offer. The represented offices include the Language Center, the German Course Office, University Sports, the Center for International Students, the Erasmus Student Network, the Family Office, the Psychological Counseling Office and many others. The official list will soon be updated and then be available on the website of the Information Fair.
Location: B4.1, entrance area and lecture hall “Audimax”
Duration: starts from 10:00 until 15:00 (approx.)
11:45 Campus Tour in English (limited places)
Come to our booth beforehand to get your ticket (free of course!)
Meeting point in front of building B4.1
11:45 Campus Tour in French (limited places)
Come to our booth beforehand to get your ticket (free of course!)
Meeting point in front of building B4.1
12:30 Campus Tour in English (limited places)
Come to our booth beforehand to get your ticket (free of course!)
Meeting point in front of building B4.1