Universität Oldenburg, Germany

The city of Oldenburg is located in northwest Germany in the federal state of Lower Saxony. With 160,000 residents, the city is of an easily manageable size, and furnishes everything a student might want, especially social and cultural life. There are approximately 170 miles of municipal bike paths, as well as excellent public transportation, making everything in town within close reach of student housing and the university: it’s no problem getting to the castle, the museums, the city center, cinemas, the theater, coffee houses and night clubs. There are numerous green spaces, parks and woods. The nearby North Sea determines the climate: summers are cool and winters are mild. It’s a short train trip to cities like Bremen, Hamburg and Groningen (in the Netherlands); Amsterdam is only 190 miles away, just a few hours by train. 

Typically, students live in student housing facilities administered by Studentenwerk, which offers several kinds of accommodation close by the university. There are single and double apartments with their own kitchens and bathrooms available, as well as shared flats (WGs) and rooms in shared accommodations with shared kitchens. Each student residence includes washing machines and drying facilities, bicycle storage, cable television connection (the television set is not provided), and internet access. The student should apply for housing early, since there is usually a waiting list. 

OU exchange programs offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of a foreign country and to study with students from their host country at an OU partner institution. Exchange programs increase understanding and tolerance of other cultures, develop independence and confidence, improve language skills, and broaden social horizons.

Host institution exchange coordinators welcome students to the university campus and environs with an orientation. Participants live in student housing with other university students. Students pay OU tuition and get OU credit for classes taken while abroad and are eligible for OU scholarships and OU financial aid. 

Exchange programs run a semester or full year, although the academic calendar at some of our partner institutions varies substantially from OU’s. Some programs offer summer classes. Many exchange programs expect students to be able to converse in the language of the host country. Most exchange students become fluent in the language of the host country within a few months.