Vertrauensverlust von Bildungsausländern bei Behördengängen

The survey analyses the mechanisms of decision making that affect the behaviour of foreign students and make them lose confidence when they are obliged to go to the Foreigners’ Registration Office. This survey combines qualitative and quantitative methods of research. In the qualitative analysis some of the counselors in the Foreigners’ Registration Office and in the International Offices of several universities in Cologne were interviewed. In addition, foreign students were asked to complete an online survey for the quantitative research. The results show very clearly that foreign clients associate essentially negative emotions with the Foreigners’ Registration Office and this perception is widely spread among them. Moreover, some counselors in particular districts seem to ignore existing directives and tend to abuse their power to some extent. This leads to anxiety and distrust in future visits to Foreigners’ Registration Office.