Are you interested in cultural exchange and establishing international contacts? You don’t necessarily have to go abroad to do that – you can have international experiences at home.
JGU has a number of options which can help you get in touch with international students, improve your language proficiency, and/or gain intercultural competencies. Our team at the Gutenberg International School has collected all of these options for you. We’re sure you’ll find something!
Let’s go!
Are you interested in improving your language skills via a language course? You can do that right here in Mainz.
There are several options on campus as well as external courses at the VHS.
Are you interested in improving your language skills or learning a new language? The International Preparatory and Language Center (ISSK) offers a wide variety of language courses at varying levels. Among them are English, French, Spanisch, Chinese and Italian, to name a few. The language courses are open to and free of charge for all JGU students and employees.
A large number of language courses is offered within specific subjects. You can enroll in these with permission from the instructor. Always check the details in the course description.
Please note: The language of instruction is generally German!
The Mainz Polonicum offers a basic course in Polish language and culture (Course A / Course B) as a supplementary qualification for auditors and students from all faculties without prior knowledge of Polish. This course takes place twice a year three weeks before the beginning of the lecture period. A field trip to Poland (Warsaw or Wrocław) is part of the course.
Students who already possess Polish language skills can take part in advanced language exercises.
JGU Mainz, Goethe University Frankfurt, and the Technical University of Darmstadt cooperate in the Rhine-Main Universities program. JGU students can participate in the program free of charge. You can also take other language courses and visit intercultural events at these partner universities and even earn credits for your degree course at JGU.
You can learn various languages at the VHS Mainz. The courses focus on practical application. You can also take examinations to have proof of the language level you achieved. Please note: There are fees for taking VHS courses.
You can find more information on the website.
Are you interested in coming into contact with international students and supporting them while they are in Mainz through one of our student mentoring programs? One of these programs might be the thing for you – all of our programs are by students for students.
Are you a student of Faculty 03 and interested in becoming a welc0m3 mentor for an international student, showing them the city and introducing them to the faculty you share? Then sign up here: welcome03@uni-mainz.de! You can improve your language skills, demonstrate social commitment, and enhance your intercultural competence — internationalization@home!
Are you a student of Faculty 09 and interested in helping new international students, functioning as a contact person for them, and getting to know other students in the process? Then take part in the mentoring program for the Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Geography, and Geosciences programs! A student from an advanced semester acts as a mentor for a small group of three to four other students during the semester and answers their questions.
You can find more information and register on the website.
Are you interested in taking part in a workshop or stand-alone course to improve your intercultural skills? Then you’re in the right place. There are new options every semester. We have listed them for you here. Have fun!
Winter semester 2025/26: in cooperation with the German-Polish study program in the subject of Economics
In cooperation with the Polish study program in the Economics degree program, the Gutenberg International School offers an intercultural training course for the Polish students who come to JGU and for the non-Polish students at JGU. This workshop focuses on a discussion of intercultural topics and the conveyance of intercultural competencies, specifically on the differences in teaching and learning. Cultural models and basics of intercultural communication are discussed, and experience-based approaches are presented and gone through using the Critical Incident technique. The goal of the training is to raise awareness of intercultural differences.
Summer semester 2025: cancelled
Participants in the Japan Studies courses acquire basic Japanese language skills and first insights into the regional study of Japan. You will get to know Japanese culture and may improve your career options, as Japanese language skills are increasingly proving to be a valuable asset on the job market.
The bilingual supplementary qualification for teacher education which can be earned at JGU focuses on the challenges inherent in bilingual teaching, such as intercultural and language topics, and prepares participants for bilingual teaching. This qualification can be earned in the teaching subjects Geography, History, and Social Studies
Are you interested in the country of Israel and would like to learn more about its media, society, and politics?
Then take the courses offered by the holder of the Israel Professorship:
Are you interested in Poland and Polish culture? Then the Mainz Polonicum has the right courses for you.
