Counseling and Support for Refugees and Migrants at KIT

A Resource Center for Prospective Students and Current Students

In 2016, KIT established a dedicated office responsible for the integration of people with refugee backgrounds. In 2018, the office’s scope of responsibility was expanded to include people with migrant backgrounds who initially came to Karlsruhe for other reasons (e.g., accompanying spouses, au pairs, etc.) and who only begin to look into studying once they arrive. 

Unlike regular international applicants, who spend months or even years in their home countries researching the German education system and higher education institutions and preparing linguistically, people with refugee or migrant backgrounds initially come to Germany for other reasons and therefore require comprehensive and more intensive on-site counseling and preparation from the university. 

Counseling Services in Everyday Life

Since 2016, the Coordination Office for the Integration of Refugees and Migrants has been offering various counseling formats. The Coordination Office is based in the International Students Office (IStO) at KIT.

Together with a colleague from the Admissions Team at the IStO and two student ambassadors, they provide counseling to prospective students and current students who are refugees and migrants.

Who Uses Counseling Services

Counseling is provided via email and phone, as well as during weekly office hours, which are held alternately via Zoom or in person. From time to time, special events such as information sessions are also offered, sometimes in collaboration with PEBA’s Vocational Training Department.

The migrants∂intl.kit.edu email address receives an average of 5 to 10 initial inquiries each week. Most of those seeking advice currently come from Ukraine and Syria, followed by people from Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, as well as a few from Asian, South American, and African countries.

The Role of Student Ambassadors

The two student ambassadors—one Arabic-speaking and one Ukrainian-speaking student assistant—play a central role. Their native-language counseling significantly facilitates the exchange of information, prevents misunderstandings, and fosters cultural understanding. This service in the native language is particularly important for Ukrainian families, who often attend counseling sessions together—especially since Ukrainian students typically finish school at age 16 or 17 and are thus usually minors, while their parents often speak only limited English.

More than just Advice: Support and Networking

In addition to individual counseling, the student ambassadors support participants with refugee backgrounds in the Studienkolleg’s language courses, help organize events for international first-year students, and are thus available as points of contact from an early stage. They also represent KIT at networking events in the Karlsruhe area, such as those organized by the AniKA alliance (Arriving in Karlsruhe). This networking is essential for engaging with relevant stakeholders and providing effective referral services.

Funding, Program, and Outlook

Until the end of 2025, foundation funding made it possible to regularly support prospective students with refugee backgrounds through a guest student program at KIT; this included participation in a language course, access to the KIT library, and a preparatory program featuring intercultural workshops and campus orientation. Unfortunately, funding is no longer available.

In addition to prospective students and current students, we also regularly support academics with refugee or migrant backgrounds who are looking to navigate the German job market. Upon arriving in Germany, they often do not know where to turn and therefore reach out to universities, which serve as a “safe haven” for them. Through an extensive referral system, these individuals can be connected to various organizations and other resources in Karlsruhe and the surrounding area.

The Coordination Office is happy to assist all KIT students and staff with questions regarding refugee and migration issues. We also welcome referrals of individuals seeking advice—such as prospective students or students with refugee backgrounds—for targeted counseling. Further details and our contact information can be found on our website: https://www.intl.kit.edu/migrants.php