Information for Guests

Since 2018, international guests from teaching, research and practice have been coming to HSBI for one week in spring to contribute their international perspectives to teaching and research at all faculties and locations. They participate in research projects, hold lectures and workshops and present their home universities. The IW programme is rounded off with numerous information offers on stays abroad and activities organised by international students.

Watch this video for some impressions of the International Week at HSBI:

You can attend the International Week if you are invited by researchers or lecturers at HSBI to participate in a research project or to contribute to a course with an international input in German or English. Participation is possible on site at HSBI’s locations (Bielefeld, Minden, Gütersloh) or virtually. You can attend the entire International Week (12–16 May 2025) or on individual days only.

There is a small supporting programme organised by HSBI’s International Office that makes it possible for you to learn more about HSBI and Germany. However, IW’s focus is on your contribution to courses and research projects and international exchange. You are also welcome to attend lectures held by other international guests. In addition, we will provide tips for further activities in HSBI’s surroundings, so that you can get to know Germany better.

You will need to organise your own arrival, accommodation and departure. The organising team will provide you with travel information and a list of accommodation options for Bielefeld, Gütersloh and Minden.

If you attend the IW virtually, HSBI will not be able to provide any funding.

If you participate in the IW on site, you have two funding options:

• If you come from a country participating in the Erasmus+ programme, you can apply for funding for a staff mobility at your home institution.
• If you are not eligible for funding through the Erasmus+ programme, you will receive an honorarium for teaching one or more courses that impart knowledge within the framework of HSBI’s curricula or teaching programmes, or for pursuing a research project during the IW:
  • Honorarium for guests from within Europe: €400 + €85 per day of participation
  • Honorarium for guests from outside Europe: €1,000 + €85 per day of participation

Please note: The possible days of attendance are 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 May. You will need to submit your travel tickets/hotel bills as proof of the days on which you have attended.

The International Office organises the payment of honoraria and grants. All honoraria will be paid out after the end of the IW and can be used, for example, to pay for travel and hotel expenses.

You will receive a digital flyer from your host with a link to the registration form. Please fill in your personal data and state on which days you would like to participate in the IW. Registration is possible until 5 January 2025.

We will try to make it possible for as many guests to participate as we can, but we only have a limited budget for honorarium payments. Please inform us if you do not require an honorarium because you can finance your stay through a grant (e.g., Erasmus+) or funds from your home university.

You and your host will receive feedback on the registration by the end of January. If it was successful, you will receive information on further planning and organisation of the International Week as well as an official invitation letter from HSBI. The Invitation Letter is, for example, needed for visa applications. You can check on this website whether you need a visa to enter Germany. If yes, make sure to apply for your visa as soon as possible at a German Mission as the issuance can take several weeks or even months.