All partner institutions have wide-ranging experience with international exchanges and have well-developed logistical systems to coordinate the welcome and assistance of international exchange students.

At each partner institution international offices, in cooperation with the local academic host (viz. department, institute, etc.), will coordinate the logistics including housing facilities, visas, social security and other relevant information before arrival.

Upon arrival an introduction week is arranged, introducing students to their new environment and culture, and offering a survival language course in the national language, where appropriate. Students will be introduced to the local International Student Centre and other relevant student support services.

The international offices provide support during the stay, with dedicated staff offering supervision and advice. Upon arrival each student will be assigned a mentor, a native speaker, who will ensure that the student is welcomed and settled into his/her accommodation. Social and cultural integration will be facilitated by ensuring that international students are where possible co-located with native students. The International Office will offer support and advise if a student requires specific health treatment.

For coaching and counselling on academic matters, the academic staff will be available on a regular basis.

Given the mobility arrangements for the Program the services provided at UPC and UWS are crucial, for instance with respect to visas. Factual information for these institutions is given below.

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC): The UPC International Relations Office (http://www.upc.edu/ari/english/home) promotes international mobility by providing personalized assistance to foreign students in the academic and cultural integration process. It offers a wide range of services including assistance in matters related to the registration process, as well as general information about UPC (academic, sporting and cultural) aiming at social integration.

The International Relations Office informs and helps non-European students to apply for a student visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in their country as well as providing all the information necessary to cover their medical assistance in Spain.

In addition, a person from CIMNE will be appointed as a reference counsellor for each student/scholar to assist him/her in integration-related practical problems arising during the entire length of the Master's course.

Housing arrangements can be made through the Barcelona Housing Service for Students (www.bcn-housing-students.com), a specialist organisation in youth accommodation, with a stable agreement with the UPC.

In Catalonia, the Spanish and the Catalan languages are co-official. The University offers both Spanish and Catalan courses specially designed for foreign students.

It is worth noting that the UPC has a Handicapped Attention Program (PAD) to give support and facilitate the integration of either physically or sensory handicapped students. Although the university is adapted to have handicapped students, the PAD unit promotes specific technical measures and provides assistance in dealing with academic problems.


Ecole Centrale Nantes (ECN): The international office has a staff of 9 persons (2 administrative and 7 academic, each in charge of a specific world regions). The office gives the necessary assistance to ensure accomodation to students (the campus offers housing facilities), and to help them complete administrative formalities (national as well as local). An academic staff is also in charge of the academic coaching of the foreign student. A welcome party is organized each year as well as social activities during the year. French classes are available to all foreign students getting to the Ecole Centrale of Nantes.


Universität Stuttgart (US): The Universität Stuttgart possesses of two main campuses, i.e. the Vaihingen Campus and the Stadtmitte Campus. The Vaihingen Campus is located in the suburb of Vaihingen and hosts the facilities of COMMAS. The Vaihingen Campus can be reached from downtown, main station and airport via S-Bahn (subway) or by bus. Each campus has its own food court, store, bank, travel agency, copy shop, etc. The food court not only serves as a place to obtain cheap, subsidized food, but is also a place to gather information on housing, culture, etc. The Office of International Affairs is responsible for the international relations and coordinates the programmes which the Universität Stuttgart has with worldwide partner institutions. In addition, it serves as a centre for advising and counselling international students on general questions and problems affecting study and life in Stuttgart. It is also the first place to go for students and scholars who wish to study or work abroad. International students and scholars should first contact this office. The main campus in Stuttgart Vaihingen has on-site halls of residence. Apartments are equipped with shower/toilets and have access to kitchen facilities, telephone and internet. There are sports facilities, a library, shops and restaurants nearby. The city of Stuttgart and the central station can be reached by the suburban railway from the campus station within 10 minutes, the international airport within 15 minutes. Trains run every 5-10 minutes. International students and scholars who are about to join the COMMAS programme at the Universität Stuttgart can rent a room in student residence. Social programmes and weekend trips are organized by the Office of International Affairs. Guidance will be offered by bilingual advisors and tutors throughout the programme.

The Office of International Affairs offers a Welcoming Service for international students and scholars who are about to join the Universität Stuttgart. This service will give them some help to deal with initial difficulties. The Welcoming Service includes:

- Pick-up service
- help with the authorities
- buddy programme during the first months

German language classes are offered during the six weeks preceding the first semester and second semester and will continue during the programme.