# Pro-Motion: Services for International Doctoral Students

**Source**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/during-your-doctorate/orientation/pro-motion
**Parent**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/during-your-doctorate

Want to meet new people? Advance your academic skills? Network? The International Office’s “Pro-Motion” project offers a comprehensive range of counseling and support services to help international doctoral students before and during their doctoral degrees and promotes intercultural skills, networking and integration.

## Services at a Glance

- Career entry workshops/ writing retreats
- Welcome meeting for new international doctoral students
- PhD Café
- Pro-Buddy Program
- Scholarship program for international doctoral students at the University of Bonn
- Assistance with government authorities (upon request)
- [German language courses](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/international-students/learning-german/in-semester-german-language-courses "German Language Courses")1
- [Intercultural training](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international/intercultural-training "Intercultural training")2\
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© Unsplash.com

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## Qualification and Further Training

We offer the following workshops and programs to assist and support you as you prepare for your career.

### Peer Monitoring Program

This 4- to 6-month peer monitoring program assists international doctoral students from the beginning to successful completion of their doctoral degree while also promoting collaboration with colleagues and exchanging advice in the peer group.

The group of at most 15 participants also meets regularly for coaching on a variety of topics, such as writer’s block, time management or supervision conflicts.

### Workshops and writing retreats

**Two-day writing retreat** (in English)\
Date: May 09/ 10, 2026 \
10:00 am - 04:00 pm\
Location: GSI Bonn\
Registration: [s.papel@uni-bonn.de](mailto:s.papel@uni-bonn.de)**\**

**Training on Intercultural Communication for doctoral students** (in English)\
Date: July 10, 2026, 09:00 am - 04:00 pm\
[Information and registration here!](https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/forschung-lehre/early-career/waehrend-der-promotion/qualifizierung/doctorate-plus-sose-2026/ausschreibungen/training-intercultural-communication-phd-students)3

**A Self-Empowerment Series** (in English)\
Dates: June 30, July 07 and 14, 2026\
04:30 - 06:30 pm\
Location: International Club\
Registration: [s.papel@uni-bonn.de](mailto:s.papel@uni-bonn.de) \
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### Other Workshops

- [Intercultural training](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international/intercultural-training "Intercultural training")2
- The [“Doctorate Plus”](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/certificate-doctorate-plus "Doctorate plus")4 qualification program by the Bonn Graduate Center
- [Certificate of intercultural competence](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international/certificate-of-intercultural-competence "Certificate of intercultural competence")5
- [Healthy Campus](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/about-the-university/healthy-campus-bonn/healthy-study-practices/seminars-workshops "Healthy Campus")6
- [Mental Health offers](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/orientation/mental-health-during-your-doctoral-studies?set_language=en)7

8

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## Networking and Integration

The following programs give you the opportunity to network and meet German and international doctoral students.

### Welcome Meeting

The Bonn Graduate Center and International Office offer a welcome meeting for the winter semester where new international doctoral students can meet new people and network, and information on counseling and support services is presented.

**Next Date: November 25, 2026**\
Contact and information:**\**[Welcome Event for Doctoral Students — University of Bonn (uni-bonn.de)](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/events-and-opportunities/welcome-event/welcome-event-2023)9

### PhD Café and other events

The **PhD Café** provides international doctoral students with an informal setting for networking and exchanging information.\
Current dates:\
March 27 and May 08, 2026, 07:00 pm\
Location: Internationaler Club, Poppelsdorfer Allee 53

**Spring Brunch**\
Date: April 25, 10:30 - 12:30 am\
Location: International Club, Poppelsdorfer Allee 53\
Registration: [s.papel@uni-bonn.de](mailto:s.papel@uni-bonn.de)

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### Pro-Buddy Program

The Pro-Buddy program is for international and German doctoral students who want to make new contacts and improve their intercultural skills.

In this program, Bonn “Buddies” help new international doctoral students start their doctoral studies and get settled in Bonn.

- [FAQs with instructions for registering (PDF)](https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/forschung-lehre/forschung-und-lehre-medien/promovierende-und-postdocs-medien/template-pro-buddy_-programm_faqs_en_feb2026.pdf)10
- [Registration for Bonn doctoral students](https://mobility-international.uni-bonn.de/mobility/BewerbungServlet?identifier=BONN01&kz_bew_pers=S&kz_bew_art=OUT&aust_prog=PRO_BUDDY&sprache=en "Mobility-Online")11
- [Registration for international doctoral students](https://mobility-international.uni-bonn.de/mobility/BewerbungServlet?identifier=BONN01&kz_bew_pers=S&kz_bew_art=IN&aust_prog=PRO_BUDDY&sprache=en "Mobility-Online")12

Events

[© Colourbox

Friday
Mar 27, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/pro-motion-phd-cafe-4)13

[Pro-Motion: PhD Café for International Doctoral Students](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/pro-motion-phd-cafe-4)13

International Club, ...

07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

The PhD Café provides international doctoral students with an informal setting for networking and exchanging information at the International Club of the ...

13

[© Manuel Nagel / Universität Bonn

Monday
Mar 30, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/international-club-chit-chat-lounge-5)14

[Chit-Chat Lounge](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/international-club-chit-chat-lounge-5)14

International Club, ...

07:00 PM - 10:00 PM

We hold a Chit-Chat Lounge every Monday together with the International Students Department of the General Students’ Committee (AStA). It gives us a relaxed ...

14

[© Manuel Nagel / Universität Bonn

Thursday
Apr 02, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/esn-easter-crafts)15

[Easter Crafts Afternoon](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/esn-easter-crafts)15

International Club, ...

03:00 PM

Join our Easter Crafts Afternoon and get creative! We’ll make small Easter decorations together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Materials are ...

15

[© unsplash.com

Wednesday
Apr 08, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/welcome-days-new-students)16

[Welcome Days: Welcome Event for New International Students](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/welcome-days-new-students)16

Auditorium Center ...

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

During this event the incoming team at the International Office would like to welcome all new international students and doctoral students to the University of ...

16

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## International Doctoral Students at the University of Bonn

In this video, you will learn more about counselling and support services for international doctoral students and get an overview of important institutions and facilities at the University of Bonn.

International Doctoral Students at University of Bonn (© Tim Küntzler/Universität Bonn)

Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube

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## Contact

Sandra Papel

[pro\_motion@uni-bonn.de](mailto:pro_motion@uni-bonn.de)

[+49 228 73-9527](tel:+49 228 73-9527)

Pro-Motion

0.001

Poppelsdorfer Allee 102

53115 Bonn (Germany)

© Karolin Skutta

### Office Hours

- by appointment

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© DAAD

The Pro-Motion project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the German Foreign Office.

## Also see

### Research in Germany

Information on research funding, career planning and tips for living in Germany.

**[Learn more](https://www.research-in-germany.org/en.html "Research in Germany")17**

### Campus International

The Campus International program seeks to promote greater intercultural exchange at the University of Bonn.

**[Learn more](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international "Campus International")18\**

### No Worries Group

Meet fellow students and share experiences and concerns in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.

**Learn more**

## Links

1. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/international-students/learning-german/in-semester-german-language-courses
2. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international/intercultural-training
3. https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/forschung-lehre/early-career/waehrend-der-promotion/qualifizierung/doctorate-plus-sose-2026/ausschreibungen/training-intercultural-communication-phd-students
4. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/certificate-doctorate-plus
5. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international/certificate-of-intercultural-competence
6. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/about-the-university/healthy-campus-bonn/healthy-study-practices/seminars-workshops
7. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/orientation/mental-health-during-your-doctoral-studies?set\_language=en
8. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/events-and-opportunities/careers-with-a-doctorate-1/careers-in-your-doctorate-registration
9. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/events-and-opportunities/welcome-event/welcome-event-2023
10. https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/forschung-lehre/forschung-und-lehre-medien/promovierende-und-postdocs-medien/template-pro-buddy\_-programm\_faqs\_en\_feb2026.pdf
11. https://mobility-international.uni-bonn.de/mobility/BewerbungServlet?identifier=BONN01&kz\_bew\_pers=S&kz\_bew\_art=OUT&aust\_prog=PRO\_BUDDY&sprache=en
12. https://mobility-international.uni-bonn.de/mobility/BewerbungServlet?identifier=BONN01&kz\_bew\_pers=S&kz\_bew\_art=IN&aust\_prog=PRO\_BUDDY&sprache=en
13. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/pro-motion-phd-cafe-4
14. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/international-club-chit-chat-lounge-5
15. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/esn-easter-crafts
16. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/events/welcome-days-new-students
17. https://www.research-in-germany.org/en.html
18. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/international/campus-international