24.10.2026| German Work Culture | FIT: Soft Skills & Employability

  • DATE

    24.10.2026

  • Time

    09:00–15:00

  • LOCATION

    F-S Building

  • Points

    2

Intercultural Communication & Cultural Awareness for Your Career in Germany

Held by Getrud Goudswaard.

Working and studying in an international environment can be both exciting and challenging. Different cultural backgrounds influence how we communicate, collaborate, negotiate, and solve problems. Developing intercultural competence is therefore a key skill for academic success and a successful career in Germany.

Workshop Content - What You Will Learn

  • Working in Germany

    Gain insights into German workplace culture and professional expectations.

  • Intercultural Perception

    Develop strategies for handling intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts.

  • Self-Reflection

    Reflect on your own cultural background and identify strategies to prepare for  your future career.

  • Communication

    Recognize different communication styles in writing, presentations, negotiations, and teamwork

Why Intercultural Competence Matters

By increasing your intercultural awareness, you can contribute to a more positive and inclusive work environment, strengthen professional relationships, and improve your ability to work effectively in international teams.

Intercultural competence is one of the most valuable skills employers seek in today's global workplace—making this workshop an important step toward your professional success in Germany.

You also have the chance to send specific topics and questions the trainer in advance  so she can prepare the workshop to your needs.

Medical Appointment

After your search for a doctor was successful, check their office hours on their homepage. To avoid waiting for the medical treatment you should call before your visit and make an appointment. If you want to go to a specialist, you may have to wait several weeks. You must first visit a general practitioner, as a referral is required to see the specialist.

    1. Please arrive on time for your appointment.
    2. At the reception you will need to present your health insurance card.
    3. If you are visiting a specialist you will also need the referral from the general practitioner.
    4. First of all, as a new patient, you will have to fill out a personal medical questionnaire every time. This questionnaire is mostly in German only, if you have any difficulties in understanding it, please ask the staff at the front desk.
    5. While filling the form you will typically be sent to a waiting room to wait until called.
    6. Patients with public health insurance do not normally have to pay for standard treatments and can simply leave once they are finished with the consultation and/or have received any necessary prescriptions or referrals.

Get to know more in this video:

 

 

Medicines and Pharmacies

 In Germany, some medicines require a prescription, while others can be purchased freely.

Prescription medicines (verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente) are only provided to patients with a prescription from their doctor. They can be acquired at public pharmacies (Apotheken) upon presentation of the physical prescription slip. Please note that Germany’s pharmacy laws are strict, meaning a prescription may be required for medicines that are sold over the counter in other countries. Medicine is not available in supermarkets.

Prescription medicines typically include a co-pay of between 5 to 10 euros, or roughly ten percent of their price. If your medication costs less than 5 euros, you pay for it yourself.

Pharmacies are typically open from Monday to Friday, although some also open on Saturday mornings as well. On Sundays, pharmacies are usually closed in Germany. The emergency pharmacy service (Apothekennotdienst) is open around the clock. In Siegen you find the actual emergency pharmacy on this homepage. There is also a list on every pharmacy door.

Learn more about medicine in Germany in this video:

24.06.26 | Day of Postponed Applications – Your Career Day | FIT: Career & Networking

📅 Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

🕐 Time: 09:00–17:30
📍 Location: AH-D 108
🌐 Language: English/ German

Students from all departments (international students welcome) can work with like-minded peers and experts to refine their application materials at various themed stations. At the same time, they can receive one-on-one advice or find inspiration through workshops and insights from local companies. The goal: to take your application one step further!

What does the event offer students?

  • Consultation appointments for a personalized review of application materials
  • Talk & Learn: Insights from and networking with companies
  • Workshop stations to refine cover letters and resumes (German / English)
  • Workshops on career orientation and motivation
  • Break activities with the university sports program
  • Snacks & drinks

Note

Registration is available at: info@career.uni-siegen.de. You can attend Career Day at any time; that is, students can choose to attend only specific events. Please check the program to see whether events are offered in German or English.

👉 Find more details and the registration link on the Career Service website here.

This event is offered by the Career Service as part of the FIT program “career competence Awareness Workshops (c2AW)”. The c2AW series contributes significantly to linking students’ personal competence profiles with job-related requirements in Germany.

This event counts for 2 points for the Employability Pass!

1 point Soft Skills & Employability
PLUS
1 point Career&Networking

Recap Workshop: Employability Assessment Training | FIT: Soft Skills & Employability


On November 14, 2025, participants attended an interactive in-person workshop designed to help them assess and strengthen their personal employability profile.

Led by employability and personal development expert Manuel Löffler, the session offered a mix of expert input, guided reflection, and collaborative exercises to support students in understanding their strengths, competencies, and development needs.

Highlights included:
✅ Assessing one’s current employability profile and identifying relevant strengths and areas for improvement
✅ Reflecting on personal, interpersonal, and professional competencies
✅ Learning which skills and attributes are especially valued in different industries
✅ Understanding how to align one’s individual profile with career goals
✅ Defining practical steps to further develop key competencies and boost employability

Participants immediately put their insights into action — from evaluating their current skill set to identifying concrete development steps for their future careers. By the end of the workshop, students left with greater self-awareness, practical strategies, and renewed confidence to strengthen their employability profile and move forward in their professional journey.

🎓 As part of the Employability Pass, this workshop contributed 2 points in the category Soft Skills & Employability.

13.12. De-stress your Studies (Stressmanagement) | FIT: Well-Being & Social Integration

Boost your well-being and self-efficacy with Mindful Self-Leadership. Student life can be challenging, this interactive workshop gives you practical tools to manage stress, build resilience and stay focused. You’ll learn simple mindfulness and movement exercises to recharge during the day and discover study routines that really work.💡🧘‍♀️

What’s included:
• Insights into student well-being
• Tools for stress, time and energy management
• Mindfulness and movement exercises
• Tips for sustainable study habits
• Exchange with other students

Counts for 3 Employability Pass points (Well-Being & Social Integration).

📅 Date: Saturday, 13 December 2025
🕘 Time: 09:00 – 16:00
📍 Room details will be communicated per Email

Location:

International Office – Universität Siegen
Sandstraße 16–18
57072 Siegen

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-de-stress-your-studies-tickets-1850624982139?aff=oddtdtcreator

In the meantime, feel free to

✅ Follow us on Instagram: @int.uni-siegen
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel

->  We’ll share all updates about the events there soon!

08.12. Workshop: Mindful Christmas Season | FIT: Well-Being & Social Integration

Learn how to feel more balanced and less overwhelmed this Christmas – with mindfulness, reflection, and community!

The holidays can be joyful – but also stressful, lonely, or overwhelming, especially when far from home or facing high expectations.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore how to care for your mental well-being during this season and beyond. Through mindfulness and practical self-care tools, you’ll learn to move through the holidays with more ease and kindness toward yourself.

💬 What to Expect:
🧘‍♀️ Gentle mindfulness & breathing exercises
💡 Tips to manage holiday stress and emotions
📝 Reflection prompts to focus on what matters most
🤝 Optional sharing in a supportive space
🎁 Simple tools to take home – no experience needed

📅 Date: Monday, 08 December 2025
🕘 Time: 13:00 – 16:30
📍 Room details will be communicated per Email

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-mindful-christmas-season-tickets-1849007865299?aff=oddtdtcreator

👉 This workshop counts for 3 points in the “Well-Being & Social Integration” category of the Employability Pass!

Location:

International Office – Universität Siegen
Sandstraße 16–18
57072 Siegen

In the meantime, feel free to

✅ Follow us on Instagram: @int.uni-siegen
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel

->  We’ll share all updates about the events there soon!

Recommendation: 06.02.25 Online-Seminar | Understanding contracts, salaries and references in Germany

Important Opportunity: Online Seminar on Rights and Obligations in the German Workplace

(Please Note: This is not part of our FIT-project and does not offer points for the Employability Pass)

Are you entering the German job market or starting a new role in Germany? Understanding your rights and obligations as an employee is essential to building a successful career. Join the online seminar from Alumniportal Deutschland to find out everything you need to know about contracts, salaries and workplace expectations in Germany.

Click here for: Seminar Description and Registration

Following topics will be addressed:

  • The German work environment: cultural nuances and professional norms.
  • Your employment rights and obligations in the workplace
  • How to evaluate job offers effectively
  • Salary structures, negotiation techniques and a breakdown of taxes and social security contributions.
  • Why professional references are important in Germany and how to use them to your advantage.

Whether you’re a young or an experienced professional, this event will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to navigate the German workplace with confidence.

Recommendation: Career Service of the University of Siegen

We want to bring your attention to the valuable opportunities offered by the Career Service of the University of Siegen that we highly recommend:

Please have a look at their WORKSHOP OFFERS in Wintersemester 2024.

These events will provide you with essential skills and knowledge for navigating the job market effectively.
The Career Service offers a comprehensive range of resources and support to help students and graduates navigate their career paths successfully.

Wishing you all the best in your job search!