Welcome Period Winter Semester 2025/26
On 3 and 4 September 2025, the HWR Berlin welcomed 216 exchange students from all over the world for the 2025/26 winter semester.
The welcome period marked the beginning of the exchange semester and offered students their first opportunity to get to know the university, their fellow students and life in Berlin.
In a series of information events, students received important information about organizational procedures during their studies, important first steps in German bureaucracy and practical tips for living in Berlin. The welcome week also offered an opportunity to connect with fellow exchange students.
To help students familiarize themselves with their new study environment, guided tours of the Schöneberg campus were organized. These tours provided an initial orientation of the facilities and study environment.
As in previous semesters, the International Office organized a series of activities this winter to introduce students to Berlin and its culture. Highlights include a visit to the ‘Berlin Global’ exhibition at the Humboldt Forum, an excursion to the Sachsenhausen Memorial, and a trip to Tempelhofer Feld to experience the colorful Festival of Giant Kites. Exchange students from both the Schöneberg and Lichtenberg campuses take part in these activities.
Following the welcome period, the students attended a two-and-a-half-week intensive German course. The course helped them to acquire or improve their language skills, while also offering many opportunities to socialize with other exchange students.
Overall, the welcome period offers international students an excellent start to their semester abroad at HWR Berlin. The coming months promise numerous opportunities to deepen academic knowledge, explore Berlin's diverse culture and gain valuable intercultural experiences – making the exchange semester a unique and enriching time.