An open meeting place for students | Mensa Zülpicher Straße 70
Well-Being Lounge
Opening hours
(peer support is on site)
Monday - Wednesday 11am-6pm
Thursday - Friday 11am-4pm
Peer support can be reached via Wellbeing-lounge(a)uni-koeln.de
Next events
Team
Alp
Hello! My name is Alp; I’m studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I was born and raised in Turkey, though I spent four years of my childhood in Texas, USA. I speak English and Turkish as my native languages and have been living in Germany for about three years.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading books on psychology, wellbeing and the future – specifically, the question of where our society is heading. I enjoy meditating, love picnics, cycle a lot and enjoy going for walks.
For me, wellbeing means finding harmony and balance: how content can I be in the various areas of my life – socially, mentally, in terms of health, physically and existentially/spiritually.
I’m a big fan of digital minimalism and make a conscious effort to spend less time in front of screens. Instead, I value genuine, face-to-face interactions and prefer to spend more time with people in real life.
I’m part of the Wellbeing Lounge team and look forward to meeting new people, organising leisure activities and chatting about topics such as wellbeing, mental health, daily challenges, holistic health, cultures or simply food and everyday life. If you see me in the lounge, just say hello – let’s get to know each other! Feel free to pop in, as we offer peer support.Whether you have questions about
university life, finding accommodation, looking for a job or any other topics, the Wellbeing
Lounge team is here to help. Do pop in! :)
Bruna
Hi, I’m Bruna!
I’m from Brazil and have been living in Germany for the past 10 years. I’m currently doing a Master’s in Romance Studies (Portuguese/Spanish). I’m a very active person—I love working out, gaming, and going to parties or concerts. For me, well-being is all about having time for myself and for my favorite people. In the lounge, I’m excited to meet new people and help shape the university’s leisure and free-time activities.
Fabiana
Hiii!
My name is Fabiana and I'm a psychology bachelor student here at UzK. I’m originally from Costa Rica and moved to Germany seven years ago :) I love cycling, going to parks or cafés with friends, hiking, browsing flea markets, and trying to travel to new cities or countries as often as possible. For me, well-being means good company, delicious food, music, dancing, warmth, and lots of nature. What makes me most excited about the lounge is being able to design it together with the students, promoting exchange, and generally creating a cozy, soothing atmosphere for everyone. See you there!
Irsa
My name is Irsa. I study Media studies with Media management and Economics. Originally from Albania, Cologne has been my second home for the past five years. Creativity shapes who I am, but above all, I am someone with dreams, always searching for my own voice in the media world while encouraging others to find theirs. As a student ambassador, I had the opportunity to support many students to listen, to guide, and to remind them: your path matters, and you are capable of more than you think. Well-being, to me, is found in small, genuine moments: music, nature, meaningful conversations and shared laughters I look forward to creating spaces where students can connect, feel supported, and find a sense of home in the middle of all the university hustle.
Laura
Hi, I'm Laura :)
I'm studying English Studies and Media Cultural Studies at the PhilFak.
In my free time, I love trying out new sports and cafés with my friends.
One habit that really benefits my well-being is biking to my uni classes instead of taking the tram.
Fresh air and no KVB – highly recommend. In the Well-Being Lounge,
I'm excited to create an inviting space where all students feel welcome, and to organize a variety of fun events to help you unwind from uni stress.
So drop by, I'm looking forward to seeing you!
Miia
Hey, I'm Miia and I'm studying English and Finnish Studies here in Cologne. In my free time, I love being outdoors, reading or doing crafts, going to the cinema and playing lots of Kniffel. Occasionally, I also enjoy cheering on FC St. Pauli in football.
For me, well-being means being together with people who are close to me. When you can talk about anything, laugh or cry together. Being able to rely on others, feeling less alone; afterwards, you usually feel better!
I look forward to meeting lots of different people in the lounge, discovering a slightly different side to the University of Cologne together and creating something new.
Well-Being Lounge - an open meeting space for students
Goal
Starting university is an exciting but also challenging time. New demands and a heavier workload, often accompanied by a move to a new city, bring many changes. For international students, there are additional linguistic, cultural, and organizational challenges. This often leads to uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed, and a sense of isolation. At the same time, studies show that the initial phase of university studies has a significant impact on academic success, self-confidence, sense of belonging, and individual well-being.
In order to provide students with the best possible support, the Well-Being Lounge is designed as an open, low-threshold meeting place. Here, students can get to know each other, exchange ideas, and find orientation. At the same time, the lounge also offers space to showcase the university's diverse range of services to support students.
Concept
Open meeting and information space:
- Seating, board games, bulletin board, and glass display case for advertising UzK offers for students
Peer support
- During opening hours, students and academic staff are available as “peers” for conversations, orientation, and guidance on university offers. These peer advisors are trained through a special training program.
- The lounge is deliberately not intended as a counseling center, but as a low-threshold first point of contact. Students can easily strike up a conversation here, ask questions, and be referred to suitable services and offers at the University of Cologne.
Regular events
- Game nights, speed friendings, karaoke, open mics, creative weeks
- Presentation of offers, counseling, and projects from the University of Cologne's institutions
- Theme-specific events: from study organization and mental health to sports and leisure activities
Location
The Well-Being Lounge is located in the former “International Café” on the mezzanine floor of the Mensa (Zülpicher Straße) – a central, highly frequented location on campus.
Opening hours
The lounge is available as a relaxation and study area during the opening hours of the central cafeteria.
The Peer Support team is on site for a total of 20 hours per week ( Monday to Wednesday from 11.30 am to 4pm and Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 6 pm).
Scientific accompaniment
The Well-Being Lounge is not only a practical project, but is also being scientifically monitored during its two-year pilot phase. Regular feedback rounds and evaluations provide valuable insights into effectiveness, needs, and possible further developments. This ensures that the project is continuously aligned with the needs of students.
Perspective
The Well-Being Lounge contributes to the vision of designing our campus as a living and learning space that provides holistic support to students. With a focus on peer-to-peer support, social interaction, and institutional cooperation, the lounge aims to make studying at the University of Cologne more successful, inclusive, and attractive.