As you consider your journey with EMMIR, it is essential to explore the opportunities available for students to work while studying. The details below will help you manage expectations, plan for living expenses if you are without a scholarship, and provide insights into the work experiences of current EMMIR students.
Finding employment and working
Many EMMIR students find employment with relative ease, often through local job centres and the student platform StudIP, used by the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (UOL).
In Oldenburg, Time Partner, a temporary employment and personnel service provider, helps international students secure jobs. However, students with visas must adhere to the 20-hour weekly work limit imposed in Germany and other partner countries. It is the responsibility of students to familiarise themselves with visa regulations in the countries where they study and ensure compliance with the conditions of their residence permits.
It is also important to note that balancing work and study during EMMIR can be challenging, particularly during the intensive first semester. Often, these 'mini-jobs' that students get are often in the third and/or fourth semesters, rather than in the first semester.
Beyond Oldenburg, students in the EMMIR programme have found other jobs during their time in Stavanger, Norway or other partner institutions, from babysitting/nannying, offering tours of the city in their native language, or doing freelancing/consulting work remotely.
Employment can help alleviate financial burdens and provide a deeper immersion into life in the host countries. Alumni are always available to share their experiences and offer valuable advice, so we recommend you reach out to the wider network.
However, it’s also important to manage expectations when seeking employment while studying during EMMIR. While many students hope for office or research-related roles, the reality is that most jobs available to international students (especially in Oldenburg) are often physically demanding and far from academic settings. These opportunities provide financial support but may differ significantly from the professional roles they envision. Understanding this early on can help students better prepare for the types of work they may encounter and navigate these opportunities with realistic expectations.
Working while studying in Oldenburg: Stories from students
Charles, Edition 10
During my first semester, I found employment quite easily. There is an organisation called Time Partner that assists students in securing jobs. They post adverts on StudIP, the online platform for UOL students. I saw an advert indicating that Time Partner was looking for part-time students and mini-jobs. I applied for a mini-job and was successful, working from October 2022 to January 2023. The job was once a week, paying €12.43 per hour at that time. This amounted to around €400-450 per month if you worked five days a month.
After submitting my thesis, I continued working. I found another opportunity on StudIP, where a student was seeking others interested in working while studying. I applied via WhatsApp and received a prompt response. I started the job the following Thursday at a newspaper printing company. Although the job was stressful, I accepted it because I needed the money. I work only on Thursdays, although Friday shifts are also available, and you can specify your preferred days based on your schedule.
I also secured a second job with Time Partner, where I was offered a three-month contract. Having worked with them previously, I contacted them again, and they confirmed a job was available. Proficiency in German language is not required for these odd jobs, although it is beneficial for professional roles. However, knowing German can be advantageous even in these positions, as some supervisors may communicate in German, which can be challenging if you are not familiar with the language.
Gabriella, Edition 7
I started doing some freelance work during my 4th semester in the EMMIR programme, alongside a paid remote internship. Balancing work and writing my thesis was incredibly intense, and at times my focus felt very divided.
While the freelance work provided financial support, expanded my professional network, and added valuable experience to my CV, it also came with challenges. I found that my academic work suffered a bit, as I procrastinated on my dissertation, which led to some stressful moments.
Ultimately, while the work experience was beneficial, it required careful time management to avoid negatively impacting my studies.
Anonymous EMMIR student
In Oldenburg, there are job centres such as Time Partner and Time Con. I visited Time Partner and inquired about job opportunities. They asked me to provide documents like my visa. These centres are accommodating to international students, with staff who speak both English and German, knowing that many international students do not speak German.
Typically, students are given work in factories, warehouses, and similar environments. These jobs offer a means to earn money and support oneself. The earnings depend on the shifts worked, with opportunities for weekend or night shifts. On average, you can earn about €90 per day at these jobs. Payments are made monthly, usually between the 10th and 15th of the following month, after calculating the total hours worked.
Students are not taxed if they earn below €520 per month. For mini-jobs, I usually make an average of €460-500 per month by working one day a week, totalling four days per month, which is quite favourable.
However, there are challenges. For students from outside Europe, such as those from Africa, adjusting can be difficult, but with support from alumni, they can manage well. Bureaucratic hurdles also exist.
Additionally, companies require safety shoes and other equipment, which is not so much a challenge as it is a requirement. Sometimes, applicants are told there are no positions for non-German speakers, but persistence is key, as there are times when employers also seek non-German speakers.
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