Make the best out of your studies at TH Mannheim: Follow this gameplan and collect stamps for each completed activity.
Level up will prepare you for living in Germany, finding friends, secure your study success and kick-start your career.
Level up will also help you building up a network in Germany – on campus and off.
There are four different levels to this game:
- Intercultural competence
- Study Management
- Engagement
- Career Prep
You can play each level independently from the others, you do not have to complete them one after the other.
You can find details about the courses and activities offered for each level on the respective website.
You can find details about the courses and activities offered for each level on the respective website.
Each time you participate in one of the mentioned events or courses, have your Level up booklet stamped or pick up a proof/certificate and hand it in at the International Office.
Since some courses depend on you participation: If something comes up that prevents you from attending an event or seminar you are registered for, you are required to inform the organizer at least 24 hours before the seminar takes place.
Failure to do so might lead to your exclusion from the game.
After completing one, two or three levels, you can select a merchandise item of the corresponding section at the International Office:
- One level items e.g. bag, car tool
- Two levels items e.g. flask, bread box
- Three levels items e.g. T-Shirts
- Four levels items e.g. wearable merch
Once you have completed all four levels, you will receive a certificate of completion, which will give you an extra boost in your job application.
You might also qualify for additional networking opportunities, e.g. your very own mentor.
Level Intercultural Competence
Intercultural sensitivity will help you reflect your own culture and contrast it with other cultures you will encounter during your studies at TH Mannheim. This will be valuable for teamwork, integrating into a group of other students, feel at home in Germany and gain insights into yourself.
This level can be achieved by participating in two of the following offers/events:
From time to time, TH Mannheim organizes fun cultural events, such as the yearly Campus-Fest, or a Study Abroad Fair.
You can participate by representing your home culture, e.g. by contributing traditional food, dance or information. The details will be talked about in the planning stage.
We will inform you right here and on Instagram once there is another event on the horizon.
This system offers two students with different first languages the opportunity to learn and use a new language authentically. The partners have the freedom to manage their programme but meet regularly for language exchange.
Active participation in a language tandem will gain you a certificate - and another stamp in your Level up booklet.
Find out more on this website.
Each semester, the International Office organizes a so called “Share Square”.
During this event, students who have been abroad, students who want to go abroad and current international students can meet up, exchange ideas, talk about anxieties and solutions and have a fun time.
We will let you know here and on Instagram, as soon as there is another event planned.
Level Engagement
This level will help you become active and engage with the society on campus and off. This will help you take root in Germany.
Extra reward unlocked: If you can prove current social, civic or intercultural voluntary work, you might qualify for applying for a STIBET scholarship for particularly committed students. Additionally, you might be eligible for recommendation for the DAAD Prize.
This level can be achieved by participating in two of the following activities:
Once you have found your feet you can become a buddy for new international students and help them during their onboarding phase. Give back and help others find their feet as well.
You can complete this activity by becoming an active participation as a Welcome or Event Buddy in the Buddy program for new international students.
More information on what this entails and how to register can be found on our website.
If you participate actively in a student organization like
- at your department's “Fachschaft”,
- the student council “AStA” (on instagram) or
- a student initiative, e.g. Green Office (instagram) or Delta Racing (instagram),
you can earn a stamp for this level.
Talk to the student organization in question and ask what you have to do in order to get a certificate of participation.
You can earn a stamp for this level by actively participating in a TH Mannheim team sports event or a TH Mannheim promotion event (e.g. during a study fair, a webinar or as a student ambassador).
Find out more about the different team sports organized at TH Mannheim on instagram.
Regarding promotion events, your department might approach you.
If you currently do voluntary work ("ehrenamtlich") at a club or organization off campus (e.g. in a nursing home, refugee organization or similar), ask them to issue you a confirmation that you can hand in for Level up. It should state the duration of your engagement, the tasks you do and that the work is voluntary (so withoout renumeration).
The Freiwilligenbörse (database for voluntary work) of the city of Mannheim can help you find a good cause you want to support.
If you have been a member of a sports or cultural club ("Verein") for at least 6 months, ask them to issue you a confirmation that you can hand in for Level up.
Level Study Management
This level will help you organize your studies, learn effectively for exams and/or make the best use of your limited time.
Individual coaching
The Career Center's “Alltagscoaching” (everyday coaching) offers easily accessible support.Whether you're facing upcoming exams, feeling increasingly stressed, or need help for any other reason. Simply write to alltagscoaching@th-mannheim.de and describe your needs. Direct.Confidential.Uncomplicated.
Courses
Check the German website of the Career Center for their course program (Veranstaltungskalender). You can earn a Level up stamp in the category “Study Management” with courses geared towards time management, exam prep, stress management etc. Most courses are in German.
The University Library at TH Mannheim not only offers books and learning spaces – it also organizes short “Coffee Lectures” and seminars in academic work – usually without prior registration.
You can find out more about the courses offered as well as the requirements for gaining a certificate of participation on their German website.
Also check out their Instagram channel and subscribe.
Every semester, the psychological counseling center of Studierendenwerk Mannheim is offering a free “Course for Internationals” in the university region.
Newly arrived students are just as welcome as students who have been living here for several semesters.
It's about an exchange about the shared experience of studying abroad - more precisely in Mannheim - and about learning skills regarding intercultural competence, study organization, and overall healthy studying.
Summer semester 2026
Location: in the conference room/canteen building of the University of Mannheim (behind Mannheim Palace)
Course dates: 4 consecutive course dates on February 27th, March 6th, March 13th and March 20th, each from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Registration for the course: pbs@stw-ma.de
The health insurance company Technische Krankenkasse (TK) offers webinars in German or English in different topics and are hosted by professionals in the respective field.
The series of tailor-made lectures and webinars aim to help you develop your soft skills and improve your health at the same time. They offer you valuable tools and practical tips to help you master the challenges of studying with confidence.
For the level “Study Management”, you can attend webinars like “Crisis Management – Building Mental Strength” or “Managing Exam Anxiety”.
You can find out more on the website: The TK-StudyGuide: helping you get the most out of your studies! | TK
Level Career Prep
This level will help you prepare for a career in Germany. It will make you aware of how to apply for a job, how to rock a job interview or what to expect from a job contract.
This level can be achieved by participating in two of the following offers/events:
Individual Career Coaching
To cope with all the challenges of an increasingly complex professional world and to constantly adapt your value to the job market, you need to discover and activate existing resources beyond your technical expertise. Coaching helps you truly get to know yourself and unlock your full potential.
Together with a coach from the Career Center, you will explore possibilities until you find your own unique path.You'll then navigate this path independently. In an initial consultation, we can determine together whether individual coaching is right for you.You can easily schedule an appointment by email: y.mateos@th-mannheim.de.
Courses
Check the German website of the Career Center for their course program (Veranstaltungskalender). You can earn a Level up stamp with courses geared towards job application, career management etc. Most courses are in German.
moveMINT is a career mentoring program aimed at prospective female graduates of the so-called MINT subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology, natural sciences) who want to proactively prepare for a career in the MINT sectors and start planning their careers. In a tandem or mentoring team, all concerns can be discussed in confidence with specialists and managers from industry and business. Additional impulse events frame the program.
'moveMINT - in tandem to success' is a cooperation between the TH Mannheim and the Association of Friends of TH Mannheim (Verein der Freunde e.V., VdF).
You can find out more on this German website.
Participate in an industry partner event like Job-Walk-and-Talk and collect a stamp in your booklet.
JobTalk&Walk
The JobTalk&Walk series offers students guidance when starting their careers and at the same time gives companies the opportunity to specifically address young talent and inspire them. At the JobTalk&Walk, career starters talk about their personal experiences and provide insights into their professional practice. They report on the steps that led them to their current position and introduce their employers. Afterwards, the participants have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with the initiators. Most events are done in German, but there are some events in English as well.
JobTalk&Walk is a cooperation between the VdF and the interdisciplinary teaching-learning program kompass of the Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLL) at TH Mannheim in collaboration with the TransforMA sub-project “Campus-Community Partnerships” based at the ZLL.
More information can be found on the website (in German).
MARS – Center for Entrepreneurship specializes in digital, tech, and impact entrepreneurship, offering individual support to those interested in starting a business or self employment. It covers a wide range of services, including idea development, strategy and business plan creation, funding, patenting aid, corporate form advice, pitch training, marketing, networking with important contacts, support with digitalization and competitions or scholarships, as well as support for individual concerns. If you want to develop your entrepreneurial and future skills, the people from MARS are here for you!
Project MARS
Offers those interested in starting a business a variety of course-integrated courses, advice, coaching and access to a large network of mentors, investors, accelerators and clusters from the Mannheim startup ecosystem as well as national partners from business and science. Many courses are also accepted by the departments as electives (these would then not count for your Level up stamp collection).
Project SPACE
The StartupLab@FH project "SPACE" offers those interested in starting a business the necessary space to work and experiment on their ideas. The innovative idea creates the first prototype at SPACE, accompanied by tailor-made courses and individual support. The “idea room” is available in R108.
If you participate in an extracurricular activity with MARS, you can gain a stamp in your Level up booklet.
The health insurance company Technische Krankenkasse (TK) offers webinars in German or English in different topics and are hosted by professionals in the respective field.
The series of tailor-made lectures and webinars aim to help you develop your soft skills and improve your health at the same time. They offer you valuable tools and practical tips to help you master the challenges of studying with confidence.
For the level “Career Prep, you can attend webinars like “How to Apply Successfully” or “The Salary Negotiation”.
You can find out more on the website: The TK-StudyGuide: helping you get the most out of your studies! | TK
