Brown-in-Germany
Tübingen Handbook 2008 -2009
Introduction............................................................................... 3 Program Contacts in Germany ........................................................... 4 Site Coordinator Info & Program Address...............................................................................4 Program Calendar ......................................................................... 5 Winter Semester 2008 /09.........................................................................................................5 Summer Semester 2009 ...............................................................................................................5 Note Regarding Arrival Dates .....................................................................................................5 Pre-departure Information .............................................................. 6 Passport and Visa............................................................................................................................6 Financial Guarantee for a Residence Permit ............................................................................6 Health Issues ..................................................................................................................................6 Pre-Departure Checklist ................................................................10 Documents Needed upon Entering the Country ........................................11 Tübingen..................................................................................12 Eberhard-Karls University ..............................................................14 Cultural Life in Tübingen ................................................................15 Movies ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Theater ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Sports.............................................................................................................................................. 15 Housing ...................................................................................16 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 16 Program Housing ........................................................................................................................... 16 Housing Deposit ............................................................................................................................ 17 Money Matters ..........................................................................18 The Euro ......................................................................................................................................... 18 German ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Bank Accounts ............................................................................................................................... 19 Common Payment Methods ......................................................................................................... 19 Traveler’s Checks ......................................................................................................................... 19 International Transactions........................................................................................................ 20 Program Budget for Tübingen................................................................................................... 20 Refund Policy ................................................................................................................................ 20 Dismissal Policy ..........................................................................22 Living and Eating Cheaply in Tübingen .................................................23 Mensa (University Cafeteria) ................................................................................................... 23 Restaurants................................................................................................................................... 23
Food shopping ............................................................................................................................... 24 Miscellaneous hints ..................................................................................................................... 25 Communications ..........................................................................26 Cell phone....................................................................................................................................... 26 Telephone: Calling Germany from the U.S. ............................................................................ 26 Telephone: Calling the U.S. from Germany ............................................................................ 26 Computers and Email ................................................................................................................... 27 Within Tübingen........................................................................................................................... 28 Outside Tübingen......................................................................................................................... 28 Arrival in Germany ......................................................................29 Police Registration, ID's and Residency Permits ................................................................. 29 The Language Course .................................................................................................................. 29 Camille Higonnet (Tübingen, 2000) on the Sprach- und Orientierungskurs .................. 30 Academics at Eberhard Karls...........................................................31 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 31 Departments .................................................................................................................................. 31 Courses............................................................................................................................................ 31 Scheine........................................................................................................................................... 33 Camille Higonnet on choosing classes:..................................................................................... 34 Cultural Events...........................................................................35 Camille Higonnet on the Trip to Berlin ................................................................................... 35 Check List: Before Leaving Tübingen ..................................................37 One month before you leave: .................................................................................................... 37 Two weeks before you leave: .................................................................................................... 37 One week before you leave: ...................................................................................................... 37 Last day before you leave: ........................................................................................................ 37 Final Thoughts: Student Experiences ..................................................38 Lisa Jacobson, Tübingen,2005.................................................................................................. 38 Alia Santini, Tübingen, 2000..................................................................................................... 38
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Introduction
This handbook is designed to assist you in the process of preparing for your journey to Tübingen and participation in the Brown-in-Tübingen program. It will answer questions about what to expect of the program. A guidebook on the Stuttgart-Tübingen-Neckar region will offer more specific information about the country. We at the OIP would like to emphasize that programs abroad require enormous flexibility, openness to change, and willingness to expect the unexpected. We stress this because past exchange students have read these same words and reiterated upon their return that these qualities were important to a successful sojourn in Germany. Students who opt for this program must understand that they are enrolling as a foreign student in a foreign university; this is by no stretch of the imagination the home campus transplanted in Tübingen. The experience differs from the U.S. university experience in many ways -- academically, socially, and emotionally. As you read this handbook, we urge you to ask yourself if you have taken the necessary steps to prepare for this challenge. Are you excited about the opportunity to develop an awareness of a different culture? An intercultural experience is always an emotionally intense and profoundly challenging experience for the participant. If you have any questions or concerns now or while abroad, please contact our office immediately. We accept collect calls from abroad in emergencies! If you encounter an emergency, and it’s not during normal business hours at Brown, you can call Police & Security at (401) 863-3322. They will reach one of us at all times. Ask them to contact the Director of International Programs, Kendall Brostuen, at home following their emergency procedure directions from our office. Brown University Office of International Programs Box 1973 Providence, RI 02912 Tel. 401-863-3555 Fax. 401-863-3311 Email: OIP@brown.edu
Enjoy your time in Tübingen!!
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Program Contacts in Germany
Site Coordinator Info & Program Address
Site-Coordinator Tübingen
Kirsten Sonnenschein Telephone: E-Mail: 011-49-7071 29-72479
kirsten.sonnenschein@uni-tuebingen.de
Contact at the Office of International Programs at Eberhard Karls University Nicole Sauer Dezernat für Internationale Beziehungen Akademischer Austausch Wilhelmstrasse 9 (Eingang Nauklerstrasse 2) Tübingen D-72074 Germany Telephone: Email: 011-49-(0)7071-29-77733 nicole.sauer@uni-tuebingen.de
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Program Calendar
Winter Semester 2008 /09
Arrival in Tübingen: Orientation begins: Winter semester begins: Winter semester ends: Public holidays (no classes): August 30, 2008 September 1, 2008 October 13 , 2008 February 14 , 2009 November 1, 2008 (All Saints) December 24 – January 6 , 2009 (Christmas)
Summer Semester 2009
Arrival in Tübingen: Orientation begins: Summer Semester begins: Summer Semester ends: Public holidays (no classes): March 1, 2009 March 2 , 2009 April 20 , 2009 July25 , 2009 May 1, 2009 (Ascension Day) May 2 - 5, 2009 (Pentecost)
Note Regarding Arrival Dates
You do not need to arrive in Tübingen until the indicated arrival dates. It is important to check with your travel agent a.s.a.p. to secure flights for these dates. You can fly into Stuttgart your Site Coordintor will pick you up at the airport.
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Pre-departure Information
Passport and Visa
Your passport MUST be up to date and valid for at least 6 months past the date of your final return to the United States. In order to enter Germany as a U.S. citizen, you do not need a specific visa. However, a financial verification entry document with the text in both languages is required (see below), and customs officials may ask to see your original letter of admission from the German university. Students who are citizens of the European Union may enter Germany just with their passport. For students who are not US citizens, make sure your necessary U.S. visa documents are up to date with Brown’s Foreign Student and Scholars Office for your re-entry to the U.S. Students who are neither American citizens nor citizens of the European Union must check the German regulations pertaining to their nationalities and secure any special entry documents that may be required. Do this early, since considerable time may be necessary for clearance to be obtained for citizens of certain countries. Consult the OIP at Brown if you have questions about the information you receive from the German Consulate.
Financial Guarantee for a Residence Permit
This document will be included in your pre-departure packet and must be completed, signed by parent or guardian and notarized. You must bring this form when you enter the country!
Health Issues
All students should have a complete physical check-up, including an eye exam, before their departure. Also, make sure to take care of any dental problems that might flare up while away from home for an entire year or semester. There are no special immunizations required for travel to Germany. The same holds true for Western Europe. If you plan to travel outside Western Europe during your stay, please check with the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/), a reputable travel clinic, and the consulate of that country for required entry documents and immunizations. If you take prescription medicine regularly, including contraceptives, take enough with you for the entire time you are away. Medicines differ from country to country and might be difficult to obtain in the exact formula you need. At customs you might be
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asked for the original prescription, so you should take it with you. It’s also good to have the doctor give you the generic names of the drugs in case you need to consult a local doctor or get an equivalent prescription while abroad. If you wear contact lenses, consider taking extra solution as well as a spare set of lenses or glasses. Remember to take a copy of your lens prescription as well in case you lose a contact or break your glasses. Health Insurance: USA Be sure to consult your insurance provider for coverage overseas, and remember that most places will ask for payment up front and expect you to get reimbursed from your insurance provider. Contact your health insurance provider for reimbursement forms, and take these forms with you when you go. This will save you time, as you won’t have to write to the U.S. office for the forms while abroad. All students on Brown programs will automatically be billed for Brown Health Insurance. This fee will vary depending on the semester away. Students on Brown programs will receive information in regards to this bill from the Office of Insurance and Risk. The bill will be waived ONLY if students return the "Health Insurance Waiver Form" to the Office of Insurance and Risk. Remember! You must return the "Health Insurance Waiver Form" for the bill to be waived! For more information, contact the Office of Insurance and Risk: 401-863-9481. If you are carrying Brown student health insurance, reimbursement forms are available at the Office of Insurance and Risk in the Brown Office Building. If you have any questions regarding Brown student insurance, you can call or write to: Cheryl Moan Brown University, Office of Insurance and Risk Box 1848 Providence, RI 02912 Ph# 401-863-9481 Email: Cheryl_Moan@Brown.EDU Travel Assistance and Emergency Insurance: USA All Brown and non-Brown students on Brown programs will be covered by International SOS Travel Insurance. Brown’s group membership number is 11BSGC000031. The services provided by International SOS range from telephone advice and referrals to full-scale evacuation by private air ambulance. The SOS network of multilingual
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specialists operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from SOS Alarm Centers around the world. Contact numbers in case of emergency are:
If calling from: U.S. or Canada Call Alarm Center in: Philadelphia, PA At this number: 1-800-523-6586 Call collect: 1-215-942-8226 Call collect: 00-215-942-8226 Call collect: 00-215-942-8226 Call collect: 44-208-762-8008 Call collect: 65-6338-7800
Mexico South and Central America Europe, CIS, Africa or the Middle East Asia, Australia or the Pacific Rim
Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA London Singapore
You can access up-to-date reports on more than 170 countries worldwide on health issues, medical care and vaccination requirements via the International SOS website— your home page for travel health and safety information. It is important to understand that, although International SOS will offer you travel, medical and security advice and services, as well as on-line access to information which many insurance companies do not offer, International SOS is NOT health insurance. Requests for reimbursement for medical care received while abroad should be submitted to your health insurance provider. Remember that your first contact should always be your site coordinator. If you are traveling and/or in a situation where you are not able to reach your contact for your coordinator, you should contact the Brown University Public Safety Office at 401-8633322 or International SOS, who will work to meet your needs immediately and will contact the University’s on-call staff in the United States while coordinating services with Brown University.
Please be aware that some of International SOS’s services carry additional charges. Should you request a service which has an additional charge, International SOS will inform you in advance and will require a credit card number in order to activate the service. If, in the event of an emergency, Brown University provides the financial guarantee to International SOS on your behalf, the University will bill you for this charge upon receipt of the actual amount by ISOS. Please know that such charges may not be billed until after you return from the trip abroad.
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Should you have any questions about the coverage, please call the Office of Insurance and Risk at 401-863-9481 or visit the International SOS website: http://www.internationalsos.com/private/Brownu/. For reference purposes, Brown’s group membership number is 11BSGC000031. Health Insurance: Germany German universities require proof of health insurance for every student. The German health insurance the program provides covers you from your day of arrival to the date you depart (or July 31 at the latest). The insurance covers costs in the event of disease and injury which have been contracted or have occurred after departure from your native country. The insurance has an upper limit of EUR 500,000. Insurance coverage includes (as of March 1, 2005): • • • • • • treatment by a licensed physician medications and bandaging materials x-ray and radiation examination and treatment inpatient treatment (You only pay the statutory patient’s contribution of 5-10 Euros per day for a maximum of 14 days) ambulance transportation costs to the nearest hospital dental treatment (in some cases you will need a proof of income in order to be freed of dentistry charges; if in needs of dental care always speak to your site coordinator first!) psychotherapeutic emergency treatment
•
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Pre-Departure Checklist
1. Prepare yourself. Read this handbook, the FAQs of Study Abroad, the General OIP Study Abroad Handbook, and a guide book on Germany and/or Tübingen. 2. Make photocopies of important documents – your passport, driver's license, health insurance card and acceptance letter from Eberhard-Karl Universitaet, and put them in a separate place from the original documents. 3. Have your medical, dental and vision check-ups as recommended. 4. Email or mail the OIP and Site Coordinator your flight itinerary. 5. Purchase electrical converters for all appliances you take with you. They can be found at any hardware or electronics store in the U.S. but are very difficult to find in Germany. Don’t use a cheap converter, as they have been known to burn out and damage appliances. Ask a reputable computer store for good quality converters. 6. Plan to have financial backup for your entire stay. Traveler’s checks, credit cards and ATM cards are options. See the Money Matters chapter for more information. 7. Pack items that are meaningful and will help you relax and in your room in Tübingen.
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Documents Needed upon Entering the Country
1. Passport - necessary for entrance to Germany. Check that it is valid for 6 months after your departure date from Tübingen. 2. passport photos - necessary university registration and student id etc. 3. Letter of Financial Support - necessary for entrance to Germany and to obtain a residency permit. This will be given to you in your Pre-departure packet. 4. Acceptance Letter from Eberhard Karls University - or acceptance letter of language course. 5. Medication and prescription documentation. Remember to keep all prescriptions in their original packaging so that customs officials know what they are. 6. The equivalent in Euro of about $200 for the first couple of days.
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Tübingen
Tübingen has been a picturesque university town since the Middle Ages. Located in southwestern Germany, this lovely city of about 83,000 inhabitants hosts Germany’s oldest university established by a member of the lower ranks of the aristocracy, Count Eberhard of Württemberg, also known as “the Bearded,” in 1477. Gabled medieval houses crowd against the ancient town wall on the bank of the river. Since Tübingen sits upstream on the Neckar, it has been spared the industrial look of a trading community. Tübingen presents the "Neckarfront", the row of houses along the Neckar River, as its traditional face to visitors and new arrivals. The picturesque gables of the stately old houses rise much like a stage set to form a charming skyline behind the world-famous Hölderlin Tower. The daily morning traffic jam on all approaches and the crowds that disperse throughout the city from the railroad station day after day make it clear that Tübingen is a highly attractive work and study site. Living here offers very special enticements. There are no long distances to cover in Tübingen and on the way from institute to library you can always find a café. You walk these same streets going to lectures and to the pubs. Tübingen is an old city, yet dominated by young people as hardly any other. In spite of its medieval aspect, it has a new residential and science suburb north of the city, with medical facilities, research institutes, and lectures halls affiliated with the university. This meeting of young and old characterizes Tübingen lifestyle and assures the attractiveness of the University. In Tübingen people live with academic tradition comfortably and naturally. They go to the movies through streets in
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which Hegel and Hölderlin walked about. They discuss contemporary culture in historical buildings, sitting at tables into which generations of students have carved their names. People study and teach in faculties in which renowned Tübingen luminaries have written academic history.
If you are looking for a cute little city where you can feel and see 500 years of German history, then this is Tübingen. If you want to take a class in a 500 years old university building or in a room at a castle then study in Tübingen. And if you enjoy the Swabian accent, something really original, you want to go to the Neckar region. If you intend to visit France and Switzerland declare Tübingen your home base. You should definitely go to Tübingen if you want to experience the original Kässpätzle and the rich southern German cuisine.
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Eberhard Karls University
The University of Tübingen was founded in 1477 by Count (later Duke) Eberhard im Bart. In 1534 Duke Ulrich I of Württemberg brought the Reformation to Tübingen, and two years later established a Protestant Theological Seminary, the Tübinger Stift, as an academic bastion of the new faith in Southern Germany. This theological institution has been of particular importance in establishing the University's reputation, and has had a significant influence on the course of German intellectual history, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since 1769 the University has born the name “Eberhard Karls Universität”, in commemoration of both its creators: Count Eberhard and Duke Karl Eugen. Until the middle of the 18th century, however, the University was only a sleepy little institution in provincial Tübingen. Then Duke Karl Eugen began a vigorous program of reform and renovation which greatly expanded and improved the University's curriculum and facilities. These improvements, in turn, became the foundation for further expansions in the 19th century: new schools (especially for the natural sciences), departments, institutes and chairs were built and created a suburb just outside of the old city. Modern medical facilities were established. The years following the First World War were particularly difficult, marked by social turmoil and eventually concessions to the political authorities of the Third Reich. At the end of World War II, however, Tübingen was one of the few German towns fortunate to have survived intact, and the University was able to quickly reorganise and resume research and education. More recently, the medical and natural sciences centers moved up into the hills north of the city. The University of Tübingen consolidated its reputation as one of the outstanding universities in Europe. The history of research in Tübingen in over 500 years, who wrote poetry here or even on occasion pursued revolutionary ideas - some of the most clever minds meet casually in the imaginary lecture hall. Some of the most famous people who were involved with the university are: Ernst Bloch, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, Friedrich Hölderlin, Friedrich Liszt, Eduard Mörike, David Friedrich Strauß, Johannes Kepler, Ludwig Uhland, Philipp Melanchthon.
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Cultural Life in Tübingen
Movies
There are five movie theaters in Tübingen, all within walking distance of the University. While Museum and Blaue Brücke tend to play hit American releases and Arsenal run more international and independent films. Admission to a regular show is EUR 6-. On a side note, if you order popcorn, don’t be surprised if it is sweet! German movie theaters often serve sugared instead of salted popcorn. Dormitories, the Clubhaus (Wilhelmstrasse 30) and the Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut (Karlstraβe 3) also show films. The local commercial theaters have daily listings in the newspaper. Otherwise, check with individual theaters. Film fans must visit Tübingen’s international film festivals in the summer and fall (CineLatino, Französische Filmtage, Sommernachtskino).
Theater
There are some fabulous theaters in Tübingen and the surrounding region. Within Tübingen, LTT (Eberhardstrasse 6) and Zimmertheater (Bursagasse 16) offer ongoing productions of many German, British and international plays. Stuttgart also offers a rich cultural life, with a ballet and opera known throughout all of Germany. The Verkehrsverein (located on the Neckarbrücke) sells a monthly calendar of events for 1,- EUR. You can also buy tickets to concerts, plays, museums and soccer games there, as well as obtaining information on bike trips, hotels etc. In general, this office functions as an information center, and since most employees there speak English, you should have no problem finding activities in Tübingen.
Sports
Check with the Sport-Institut (Wilhelmstraβe 124) for opportunities with organized sports and recreation. You can also find information on intramural sports and fitness classes there. Go early in the semester, as registration usually falls before classes start. Tübingen is near good ski areas, and outings are frequently organized. Hiking and bicycling is popular, especially in the Schönbuch, a large protected forest just north of town.
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Housing
Introduction
Since Tübingen University is funded primarily through the budget of the Baden-Württemberg state government, administrative areas, including student housing, are handled differently. All student dormitories (Studentenwohnheime) in Tübingen are controlled by the Association for Student Affairs (Studentenwerk). This is a non-profit organization that operates all over Germany. Since most universities lack what one may consider a campus, there is no on-campus housing.
Program Housing
Brown in Tübingen exchange students will most likely be accommodated at the student dorm at Hartmeyerstasse or Französisches Viertel. They are nice dorms in Tübingen one is situated on one of the hills surrounding the city with a great view of the countryside while still being very easy to reach from the city center. There are several bus-lines (5,13,17) that run from Hartmeyerstrasse directly to the city center and the university. Französisches Viertel is in the valley, close to a beautiful forest and has its own local stores and a bakery. In the summer months the quarter is easy reachable by bike. Several bus-lines run to the dorm. The apartments consist mainly of six to ten single rooms, a large kitchen, and one to four bathrooms. Exchange students will generally share the apartment with other German students. Often, the kitchen serves as the room where people meet and socialize. There are no public phones in place in the dorms. If you want your own telephone you need to have a telephone line activated or installed by the Deutsche Telekom. (For detailed information see the section on Communications). Another option is to use the pre-paid cell phone the program provides you with upon your arrival for local calls and an internet telephone provider (e.g. Skype) for calls home. 16
Housing Deposit
Please note that a deposit of approximately € 400 will be required upon your arrival in Tuebingen. You will receive this money back upon departure unless there are any fines (damages to room or furniture, lost keys etc.).
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Money Matters
The Euro
On January 1, 2002, the official currency in these 11 + 1 countries
(België/Belgique, Deutschland, España,
France, Ireland, Italia, Luxembourg, Nederland, Österreich, Portugal, Suomi + Greece) became the Euro. Officially,
national currencies appeared to be valid until 2005, although the actual banknotes and coins disappeared after February 2002. At the time of writing the Euro/US dollar exchange rate is: 1 Euro = 1.05 US$ The following coins are available: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 Euro, and 2 Euros. The following notes are available: 5 Euros, 10 Euros, 20 Euros, 50 Euros, 100 Euros, 200 Euros and 500 Euros. The different countries mint their own coins. The picture to the left shows the front of the 1-Euro-coin, which is the same on all coins. The back of the 1-Euro-coin differs from country to country. The picture shows the back sides of the German, Italian and French coins. Take most of your spending money with you in traveler’s checks (American Express or James Cook work well) or have an American credit card that you can get cash advances from (MasterCard or Visa are the most common in Germany). It’s a good idea to have a credit card anyway, in case of emergencies. You should also have between 200,- and 300,- Euro available in cash for the first few days (these are always the most expensive days until you get used to Tübingen – i.e. where to shop and eat out at
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reasonable prices). You can change money at the airport upon arrival.
German Bank Accounts
Most German banks offer student accounts, some at no fee (Kreissparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank). They usually offer a checking account including an ATM card that functions as a Euro-Card as well (that means you can use ATMs all over Europe, in some shops it even works like an Express-Check card; don’t confuse it with the new currency called EURO or the Euro-/Mastercard). They might have an option for a credit card (MasterCard or VISA) as well. Fees usually apply to all types of cards (for an ATM/Eurocard around EUR 5,- per year, for a Credit card around EUR 25,- per year). A savings account is often free of charge in general and earns a small amount of interest. We strongly recommend opening a German bank account either at the Kreissparkasse Tübingen or at the Deutsche Bank. The Site-Coordinator will assist you. Both banks provide free student accounts, have many ATMs around the city and use a system recognized around Europe.
Common Payment Methods
In Germany, you usually pay in cash (although the situation is beginning to change and credit cards are becoming more acceptable). In some supermarket chains you can use your ATM/Euro-card to pay with no extra fee. Many stores and restaurants will also allow you to pay with your ATM card. You can use a credit card in restaurants (in tourist areas) marked with the appropriate symbols (note that not all restaurants accept credit cards, and pubs usually don’t accept credit cards at all). Credit cards are widely accepted in department stores (like Hertie, Kaufhof, Karstadt), gas stations, book shops (like Osiander) and at Deutsche Bahn counters. Unfortunately they don’t accept credit cards at Woolworth or drugstores, but sometimes smaller shops do take them. Keep in mind that department stores usually have a grocery section that accepts credit cards as well.
Traveler’s Checks
Unlike in the US, it is not possible to pay with traveler’s checks in restaurants, shops or supermarkets. You can exchange them into cash at an exchange office, any bank, a travel agency or the main post office.
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We suggest buying Traveler’s Checks in Euro (then you don't pay an exchange fee when cashing them) although $U.S. checks are easily exchanged. If you want to speculate on the exchange rate, you might want to buy the checks in U.S. dollars.
International Transactions
You or your family can wire money from a U.S. account to your account in Germany. A wire transfer into a checking account will cost 25,- EUR (minimum) and takes only a few days. You also pay at least 25,- EUR to get a personal check deposited into your account, but it usually takes up to 6 weeks to be credited. You can withdraw money from a U.S. account using an ATM card. Request information from your bank about which cities in Europe their ATM system is active in and how much each transaction costs. It is fairly common for each foreign ATM transaction to cost $5.00, so you might want to plan less frequent withdrawals – maybe once a month and then deposit the money in your German account. The best and cheapest way to exchange money or transfer funds is with the help of a credit card. . You can go to every A bank with your credit card. Bank of America cooperates with Deutsche Bank and City bank also exists in Germany.T We would recommend that you get a credit card from your bank and deposit sufficient funds for the semester in your personal checking account. Mind that this doesn’t void what we suggested for the first couple of days after your arrival.
Program Budget for Tübingen
Please consult the web at www.brown.edu/OIP/costs for complete and up-to-date budget information.
Refund Policy
Withdrawal Prior to the Start of the Program: Any expenses that have been incurred by Brown on behalf of the student once the student has made a commitment to the program (in writing and/or by submitting the program deposit), will be the responsibility of the student (i.e., host institution fees, pre-payment of orientation housing, etc.) and charged to the student account. Withdrawal After the Start of the Program: If a student withdraws from a study abroad program during the first five weeks of the program, he or she is eligible for a refund of Brown tuition payments based on the schedule below. Brown is not responsible for indirect costs paid directly by the student, including, but not limited to, passport fees, vaccinations, and transportation costs.
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Withdrawal prior to program start in the first 14 days in days 15-21 in days 22-28 in days 29-35 after day 35
Refund 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% no refund
For students who leave because of a medical or family emergency, the same refund policy applies. A student who is suspended, dismissed, or withdraws while under investigation for misconduct, will not have tuition payments refunded. Students who choose to withdraw from a program abroad and, subsequently, enroll at Brown during the semester that corresponds to their semester abroad will be responsible for all costs incurred by Brown up to the time they withdrew from the program. If a student withdraws from a program, the deposit paid to confirm his or her place on the program is not refundable.
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Dismissal Policy
The Office of International Programs in consultation with the Site Personnel and the Program Faculty Directors at Brown reserves the right to dismiss a student and require that they leave immediately if in our judgment the student behaves in a manner which endangers him/herself, others on the program or the program’s continued operations. Illegal drug use is grounds for immediate dismissal.
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Living and Eating Cheaply in Tübingen
Mensa (University Cafeteria)
Your largest monthly expense is likely to be food. There are no dormitory cafeterias, though dormitories do have kitchen facilities. Usually German students are gracious about letting you use their pots and dishes, and with supermarkets within walking distance of all student dormitories, you’ll want to cook for yourself and with friends as much as possible. The most inexpensive place to get a prepared meal is in the Mensen (University cafeterias), which serve state-subsidized meals twice daily. Prices range from EUR 1.50 for a sandwich ,- to about EUR 4,- for normal cafeteria selections (Wahlessen). A daily standard-fare meal (Stammessen) of meat, vegetables, salad and soup is very popular at EUR 2.95 - or you can create your own main-course salad from a salad buffet and then pay according to its weight. There is also a daily vegetarian meal. There are five cafeterias located in Tübingen (keep in mind that these are also places where you can meet lots of native German speakers): The Main Mensa (Mensa Wilhelmstrasse, Wilhelmstrasse 13) serves lunch Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and dinner Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. (Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.). A snack-bar and a smaller cafeteria are located in the Mensa downstairs and are open through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). The Mensa Prinz Karl at Hafengasse 6 in the Altstadt (Old City), serves breakfast as well as lunch (only Wahlessen) and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). It is closed in the evenings. The Mensa Morgenstelle has a regular Stammessen and a Wahlessen. Lunch is served Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. It is closed evenings.
Restaurants
Eating at the Mensa may not be something you want to do every day, but it’s a definite way to watch your budget. There are plenty of fine restaurants and bistros in Tübingen. You’ll find lots of typically German Gaststätten serving the local Schwabian specialties, and plenty of foreign restaurants.
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One of the most affordable student hang outs is Unkel, located next to the Mensa. Here one can get a delicious personal pizza for EUR 5.-.The Bierkeller (known for its fries with ketchup and mayonnaise) serves dinner Monday through Friday and is located directly below the Neue Mensa. Stern (Lange Gasse 4) offers a daily Studentenmenü for about EUR 6,- and Tangente Jour (Münzgasse 15) in the Altstadt also serves up an affordable lunch. There are several Chinese restaurants in town. For a quick, affordable and still delicous meal try Wok-In (Wilhelmstrasse 20). For the fast food fan, the Turkish Döner Kebab is a cheap and filling lunch. There are several döner stands in Tübingen. For a traditional German meal, one of the best places in town is the Wurstküche, Am Lustnauer Tor 8. For the best Pfannkuchen in town, be sure to sample the Hades (Hafengasse 8, Pfannkuchen All You Can Eat Wednesday and Thursday for EUR 5.-). Neckarmüller may become your second home during the warmer months, and while most students opt to sit in the beer garden, the inside dining area is also quite nice. After a few months in Tübingen, hopefully you will also have sampled all of the various Eis Cafes in the city.
Food shopping
The cheapest supermarket chains in Tübingen are KAUFLAND, PLUS, ALDI ( and PENNY-MARKT. At these chains you might find a limited selection of fresh vegetables, but you usually find a good selection of non-perishable food items. TENGELMANN (Mohlstrasse) is a little more expensive but carries some organic products. Basically where you live is where you’ll shop and the PLUS Markt in the Altstadt is central no matter where your dormitory is located. In addition to supermarkets, Tübingen has a farmer's market three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) where you can buy fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and plants. For the best produce, this is the place to go. Prices tend to be the same as in the stores (if not cheaper) and the quality higher. You will want to purchase a cloth shopping bag. Unlike in America, where supermarkets offer plastic and paper bags, German supermarkets expect you to bring your own. Keep these bags with you when you go shopping, and you won’t have to waste money buying new ones.
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Miscellaneous hints
This is an unordered list of tips and tricks that should make it easier for you to settle down and not get ripped off in the first weeks. The site coordinator would love to collect additions to this list from you for future exchange students, so if you discover a great buy, let the coordinator know. A visit to the movies might cost up to EUR 8 in the more expensive areas. To save money on the movies, keep in mind that certain movie theaters have an offer called ”Kinotag.” On this day (usually Monday or Tuesday) you get up 20% off the regular price for a ticket. If you want to buy any kind of ticket for theater, museum, exhibition, etc., ask for student reduction (Studentenermäßigung). Asking costs nothing and you can often save up to 50%. Always have a 1 EUR coin with you. You will need it in order to unchain a shopping cart in the supermarket or for (emergency) domestic calls at public phones. On certain streets, you might be asked: "Hast'e ma' 'n Euro, eh?" (Could you spare me some change?), and depending on your mood it is exactly that coin that you want to give the beggar (or you answer shortly "Nee!").
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Communications
Cell phone
Brown University provides cell phones for all participants for the duration of the program. On the first day of orientation, each program participant will receive a cell phone upon a deposit of EUR 80,- for use during the semester. You will get the deposit back upon return of the functioning phone at the end of the program. The main reason for the cell phone is to stay in contact with the site coordinator, especially in emergency situations. All emergency procedures will be explained and discussed in detail on the first day of orientation.
Telephone: Calling Germany from the U.S.
There are a lot of American telephone companies that offer reasonable rates to call Germany. The best way to find out about rates is to have a look on the Internet. When calling Germany from the US, use the following country and area codes: Germany: 011 - 49 Tübingen: 7071 (from outside Germany) 07071 (from inside Germany)
Telephone: Calling the U.S. from Germany
Call by call options: You can make use of call-by-call carriers by pre-dialing a number (Vorwahl). You can find these numbers online at http://www.billiger-telefonieren.de. If you opt to use one of these Vorwahl numbers, remember that you need to dial the five digit Vorwahl, followed by the country code (001 for the US) followed by the area code and the actual local number. Please note that these rates do not apply to cellular phones! International carriers: You can choose a carrier for national and international calls besides those call-by-call options. However, your local carrier will be Deutsche Telekom, which you can also use for international calls if you wish by dialing the code for the U.S. (1) followed by the area code and the local number. Please note that local calls are not free in Germany nor is there a flat fee for local calls. You pay for each call at a rate based on the time of day you call. The dorm rooms we place our students in have phone jacks installed in the rooms, but you will have to purchase a telephone and activate a phone account. In order to activate a phone line, you go to the nearest T-Punkt (Telekom branch). They will have
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you fill in a form, then it takes between 3 and 10 business days to get phone service, depending on where you live and if the place is already wired. Besides an activation fee of EUR 50,-, you will pay a monthly fee of about EUR 12.50 for phone service. In addition to that you will have to pay for the calls. If you call the U.S. on a semi-regular basis or connect to the Internet, you can expect a monthly bill of EUR 50-75. The Welcome Package will contain information about the documents necessary for activating the telephone line. For further information contact the site personnel. Calling cards: It is advisable to have an American calling card for the first few days or even weeks since ”Deutsche Telekom“ is not the cheapest when it comes to international calls, and it will take some time for you to find your way through the jungle of German telephone companies and offers. You can also buy a German calling card – either a TCard with a Chip (the T-Card works as a calling card and as a Telefonkarte if it has the Chip) or a Telefonkarte that enables you to make calls at public phones. Many more public phones operate with these types of cards than with coins.
Computers and Email
We recommend that, if possible, you bring a laptop with you. The big computer clusters at EKU are as busy and remain open fewer hours than the labs at Brown. Remember that, although you might not need a transformer, you should definitely bring the appropriate adapter plug for the German outlet. You can get these at a hardware or electronics store. If bringing a computer with you is not an option, you will be able to apply for a student email account at the Rechenzentrum ZDV (the equivalent of the CIT at Brown). Although this building may not be the easiest to get to, it does have a large number of computers and printers. Once you establish an account, you can stop by anytime during business hours to check your email or write papers. Some buildings (such as the Brecht-Bau where you will have the Language Orientation Program) also have small computer labs with about 10 computers, but priority is given to researchers. More convenient than the ZDV is the Universitäts-Bibliothek (UB), where you can sign up to use one of the six Internet access computers a week in advance.
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Transportation
Within Tübingen
Walking may be the best way to get around the winding, hilly roads of Tübingen, but most of the dorms are a short bus-ride away from the University, and Brown will purchase a Semester-Ticket for you at the beginning of the program. In order to get this ticket you need proof of your matriculation. The ticket will be good for the entire semester and for both day and night busses.
Outside Tübingen
Given Tübingen’s prime location near France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, you’ll want to take advantage of some of the travel discounts available to students. You can purchase a BahnCard , which entitles you to 50% off all second class rail fares in Germany. The Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket is also a great deal and allows you and four friends to ride on regional trains for a group rate of EUR 28,- per day between Friday and Sunday. Plane travel is also convenient and inexpensive. The Stuttgart airport is about 30 minutes outside of Tübingen, and there is a frequent bus to the airport that runs from the Hauptbahnhof in Tübingen. The central desk in the Hauptbahnhof is where you can get train schedules and fares; for plane trips, there are several travel agents in Tübingen – the one that is most geared to student travel is the one located in the Mensa Wilhelmstrasse called Campus Reisebüro. You can also visit websites like www.ryanair.com or www.travelocity.com to find cheap fares. Other inexpensive ways of traveling are through Mitfahrzentrale (ridesharing centers, where you tell them where you want to go, and they tell you who is planning to drive there -- you pay a flat rate at the counter and share the cost of gas with the driver) or by bus.
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Arrival in Germany
The Site Coordinator will arrange to pick you up when you arrive in Tübingen, whether you fly to Stuttgart or travel to Tübingen by train. Please provide your itinerary to the OIP as early as possible. The Site Coordinator will also take you to your dorm, introduce you to the Hausmeister (landlord), and make sure you are settled in. You will receive a welcome package, which will include a schedule for the first few weeks, a course catalog (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) and other information concerning Tübingen and Eberhardt Karls University. Please Note: Shops are closed on Sundays. . If you arrive on the scheduled Saturday date, please plan to eat out in restaurants the first weekend until shops are open again.
Police Registration, ID's and Residency Permits
The Abteilung Internationale Sprachprogramme (ISP) – the department that holds courses for exchange students in Tübingen - will take care of all the paperwork required for you to register with the police, the city of Tübingen, and the university. The police registration will be done during the first week of orientation. Registration with the university is done later during the orientation course (closer to the official beginning of the academic semester). In order to obtain your residency permit, you will have to turn in your passport to those in charge of the orientation course, who will take care of all visa issues and return your passport to you. Registration with the university requires your Zulassungsbescheid, proof of health insurance, and a photo ID. You also need four passport size photos, which you can get taken in Tübingen fairly cheaply or you can bring them with you.
The Language Course
During the month of March, there is a 4-week Language and Orientation Program at the ISP that you will attend. The purpose of this course is to acquaint you with the University system, review German grammar and meet some of the other Americans who are also in Tübingen for the first time. In the spring semester, there are about 30 students in the program (there are always more in the fall). On the first day, ISP will test your oral and written German and then place you in one of the classes. The class provides a comprehensive review of German grammar. Mornings consist of a 3-hour session with a university professor. During the afternoon, there is a 2 hour language tutorial run by a Tübingen University student. This tutorial is optional but
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highly recommended. In the tutorial, students have the chance to gain further practice with that morning’s grammar topic and ask any other questions. Throughout the 4-week course, there are 3 written tests consisting of grammar and essay sections. There is also a final written examination. None of this will appear on your transcript back at your home institution, but it will prepare you to do all your coursework and write papers in German. Also contained in the program is a week-long excursion to Blaubeuren – a study center owned by the University in a small rural town. This serves as a useful introduction to Tübingen, the University, the libraries, and some of the other foreign students (mostly Americans) who are also on exchange programs.
Camille Higonnet (Tübingen, 2000) on the Sprach- und Orientierungskurs
The orientation course in Tübingen was a great way to get acquainted with the city, the university system, and Germany, culturally as well as linguistically. It was also a good way to meet other international students, though as the semester went by I spent more time with Germans than with the other exchange students, apart from a few who became close friends of mine. As far as the paperwork goes, the course took care of officially signing us up at the University, etc., which was a great help when we had just arrived and were feeling a little nervous about the whole process. On the first day of the course, we took a placement exam (written and oral) and were then separated into three levels. There were about twelve students in my level, which was a good size, since it permitted not only large discussions but also individual attention. Volker Schmidt (our group's teacher) led a relaxed but focused class, and I learned a lot about fine-tuning many aspects of my written and spoken German (debates, essays, short readings…). For one week of the course, we all stayed in a village called Blaubeuren, where Tübingen University owns an institute. Like a lot of the orientation, this allowed us to get to know a little piece of Germany outside the classroom. We went on two excursions, one through the Black Forest (including a wine-tasting stop!), and the other to Blaubeuren and the city of Ulm. At the end of the program, we all went to the opera in Stuttgart together, which was spectacular. The teachers and tutors were very helpful and remained accessible after the course, during the semester, when we had questions, etc.
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Academics at Eberhard Karls
Overview
Higher education studies are divided into an introductory stage (Grundstudium) and an advanced stage (Hauptstudium), each of which lasts at least four semesters. German students complete the introductory stage with an intermediate or preDiplom examination and the advanced stage with a Diplom or Magister degree, or with a State Examination (Staatsexamen) qualification. Neither the intermediate nor the pre-Diplom examination constitutes an academic degree or professional qualification, in contrast to the Bachelor's degree in the U.S.
Departments
Exchange students are normally enrolled as Magister students, which allows them to study one major and two minor subjects (or fields of study). For example, the German Department (Germanistik) at EKU consists of four rather independent fields of study: ”neuere deutsche Literatur“, ”deutsche Linguistik“, ”ältere deutsche Sprache und Literatur“ und ”Deutsch als Fremdsprache.“ Every field equals one minor or major field of study - so theoretically it is not possible to enroll for all fields of study the Department offers, since you can enroll in just three of them. That’s why it is important to know which courses in which departments and in which fields of study you want to get credits for at your home institution. Your major and the courses you want credit transfer from should guide your decisions about which field of study you choose to register in. Of course, you can take courses in other departments as well, but you may not get a Schein for it. The site personnel will assist you in the process of preparing a schedule.
Courses
Besides the university’s general course announcement (Vorlesungsverzeichnis), which is provided with the welcome packet, most departments also issue an annotated course announcement (Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis) containing detailed information on the courses offered in the particular department as well as time and place to meet for the class. You can purchase them at the beginning of the semester at the department offices. German students typically take 7-12 courses each semester. However, several of these will be lecture courses, with no written work. German students do not need assessment 31
and a grade in each course they take, since their degree is dependent on performance in major thesis work and final examinations, not on coursework. For a full semester’s credit at Brown, you are expected to complete 4 courses for evaluation (i.e. for a Schein – see below) each semester. Exchange students are advised to take between 4 and 6 courses decided in consultation with the Site Coordinator during the orientation. This number approximates the normal load of a German student while still allowing for your adjustment to a new culture and language. Courses at EKU generally meet once a week for either 45, 90, or 180 minutes. The type of course can vary from seminar to lecture. You should choose from the following types of courses which are offered for the introductory studies (Grundstudium): Proseminar, Seminar, Vorlesung, and Übung. Vorlesungen (lecture courses) usually do not involve any evaluation for German students. Brown students may take a maximum of two Vorlesungen for Brown credit per semester and must be especially careful to ensure that the instructor is willing to provide an evaluation on which a grade and credit can be based. Seminare and Proseminare are similar to junior/senior level courses. Übungen are usually lab courses, or include field trips and practica. Very helpful are introductory courses (Einführungskurse) where you learn about academic expectations as well as the particular format of papers in your field of studies, which will certainly differ from what you have done at Brown. Besides courses in their concentration(s), you are advised to take courses in "German as a foreign language" (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) at the Germanistik. These courses are typically designed for learners of German, and they are quite popular among exchange students because some of them include excursions. They also offer the possibility to meet other exchange
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students from all over the world who are in a similar situation at EKU. You may take one German language course for credit. This department offers a program called “Sprach-Tandem”. It means that they help you to find a native speaker whom you meet once or twice the week. Half of the time you talk German the other half English. It’s is a very good opportunity to improve your German skills and get into contact with German students. But there is no possibility to get a “Schein”.
Scheine
The maximum number of credits you can transfer from study abroad per semester is four or per year eight. For each course taken for credit, you will need to receive a Schein – a document confirming that you have completed the course and received a letter grade. Please note that the orientation language program does not count for credit. When registering for a course, it’s your responsibility to go to each professor and ensure they can give you a Schein., especially since it may not be assumed that you will receive one (German professors do not evaluate each student in a course, especially not in Vorlesungen). About four weeks before you leave Tübingen, make sure you arrange a deadline to turn in any work due with the professor, so that you can physically pick up the Scheine from her/him before you leave Tübingen. For German students, papers are often due on the first day of the next semester, but you are advised to complete all requirements by the end of the course, otherwise you will have trouble obtaining the Scheine. The requirements for Scheine may differ from course to course, like at your home institution. It is rare to have any mid-term exams, but an oral presentation is often required. In addition to that, you are generally required to write a paper of about 10 to 20 pages. Sometimes just a paper is expected at the end of the course and sometimes you have a Klausur (a written exam). Make sure that you receive all your Scheine before you leave Tübingen! This means that you will need to hand in any necessary paper or other coursework before the last day of classes. This will give the professor a chance to evaluate you and fill out the Schein before departing for break.
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You are responsible for bringing your Scheine back with you to the States. When you return to Brown, you must bring your Scheine to Maria Snead in Room 103 of the OIP in order to have your transfer credit processed. We recommend that you have the Site Coordinator photocopy your Scheine in the unlikely event that the originals are lost in transit.
Camille Higonnet on choosing classes:
The first week of classes was somewhat nerve-wracking, mostly because the whole system took a little adapting to, but it all worked out in the end. I took four courses, all for a grade. Two of them were lecture courses, and two of them were seminars. I knew that I wanted to take German literature and possibly a course in Egyptology, and the Germanistik Department in Tübingen is quite large, so there was no dearth of choice!. I took a lecture on "Sturm und Drang" (with professor Hans-Georg Kemper – an incredible lecturer), a seminar on late 19th century German prose, a lecture on the history of the German language, and a seminar in the Egyptology Department on Thebes (Tübingen is also famous for its Egyptology Department). I built my schedule around the courses I wanted to take - this was just my personal choice. Others orchestrate it so they have long weekends and can travel much while they are in Europe. My seminars met once a week for about three hours, and my lectures met once a week for two hours. Students are expected to do outside reading on their own; there are no assignments per se for the lectures, as German students do not have exams at the end of a lecture course. Foreign students, however, need a "Schein" at the end of the course in order to get credit from their universities - this means that as a foreign student, you must go to the professor of the lecture at the beginning of the semester and ask him (most of them are men…) if he will give you a test at the end of the course so he can give you your Schein. Most professors are used to this and very co-operative. To be perfectly honest, course load and "academic" life in Tübingen depends on what your goals in Germany are. If what you want to do is take a few courses, see a different city in Germany every weekend and have a lot of fun, which is what many foreign students do, it is feasible - the professors are usually not as demanding of foreign students as they are of German ones – you will pass. If, however, you want to be as "German" about it as possible and your goal is more of an academic one, your schoolwork will take time out of your schedule (the advanced seminar I took required reading a 100-200 page book a week, doing a 40-minute oral presentation, and writing a 20-page paper at the end of the semester). There is not quite as much work to do every night, since the classes only meet once a week, but keeping up with everything in German does require effort. I wouldn't say that this is easy, but I found that professors generally had more respect for foreign students who demonstrated significant effort in their classes. 34
Cultural Events
In your welcome package from the Site Coordinator, you will receive a semester calendar with university and city activities happening in Tubingen during that semester. This will give you ideas of things to do to get to know the area. For instance, the fraternities have a poling race on the Neckar River with the losing team having to drink a stein of cod liver oil. Other cultural events will be planned by the Site Coordinator. In the past they have included a regional excursion to Lake Constance (Bodensee) or the Schwäbische Alb. Also, each semester, Brown in Tübingen students visit the Brown in Berlin students – and vice versa – in May or June. This trip gives you a chance to play host and show off Tübingen, and it also allows you to see how your counterparts in Berlin are living. The program provides an individual cultural stipend for you to use to customize your own program of events according to your own interests. Save your receipts and give them to the site coordinator and she will reimburse you up to a set amount.
Camille Higonnet on the Trip to Berlin
A fun part about going to Berlin was realising how different University life is there from the life I was leading in Tübingen. Talking with the Brown students in Berlin and visiting the city with them made me more aware of what exactly it was that I liked and did not like in Tübingen. Although Berlin and Tübingen are very different, I think the trip also helped me see what was "German" (in quotation marks because I'm referring to several different "Germannesses") about both cities. We took the train to Berlin, stayed a weekend, and then took the train back on Sunday night. In three days, we managed to catch a little night life, see a couple of museums, visit the Reichstag, and get a real feel for what it's like to live in Berlin (thanks to the tours led by our fellow Brunonians).
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Understanding Berlin requires a certain mindset, and I'm sure I wouldn't have enjoyed my trip as much if I had been running around Berlin on my own. The best part of my Berlin trip was sitting in the former STASI headquarters and having a philosophical discussion with a former East-German about German reunification and what it meant to her! I think we all had a lot of fun and learned a lot; the Tübingen/Berlin exchange added a lot to my stay in Germany.
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Check List: Before Leaving Tübingen
One month before you leave:
1. Take photos and buy souvenirs as memories. 2. You will receive a letter from site-coordinator that indicates that you are canceling your rental contract. Make sure to pass this on to your “Hausverwaltung” or landlord.
Two weeks before you leave:
1. Hand in all your papers and coursework before the end of the semester. 2. Go to your Telekom branch to close your phone account. 3. Notify friends and family of your return itinerary.
One week before you leave:
1. Attend your professors’ office hours to physically obtain the ”Scheine“ for your courses. Of course, the professor will need to have graded your final papers and exams in order for you to obtain the Schein. 2. Visit your bank and close your account. 3. Fill out the form stating that you are leaving the country (polizeiliches Abmeldeformular), which will be provided by the Site Coordinator, and hand it in to the nearest police registration office (Landeseinwohnermeldeamt). 4. Set your e-mail account at EKU to forward messages to your permanent account. 5. Your account at EKU will remain active until the last day of that semester.
Last day before you leave:
1. Clean your apartment and leave it in the condition you found it in. Arrange a meeting with your Hausmeister before returning your keys to him. 2. Meet with friends at your favorite restaurant to have your favorite dish, pastry, or beverage. 3. Have excess luggage shipped home!
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Final Thoughts: Student Experiences
Lisa Jacobson, Tübingen,2005
My language skills improved tremendously, even though I believed when I arrived that I had hit a plateau in my ability to learn the language, because of all my many years of study. I had already spent time in the country and thought that my language skills weren’t going to get any better, but spending 5 months there, constantly using the language for different situations, I improved a lot. This experience is invaluable and I believe I could never have learned this much without spending time in country. All in all, the experience was wonderful and I highly recommend going to Tübingen. The city is beautiful and quaint, the people relatively friendly, the food excellent. I am personally very glad that I chose Tübingen over Berlin, because of the small town feel, the student community, and the relative safety.
Alia Santini, Tübingen, 2000
Almost everyone I have met, who has ever traveled to southern Germany, has spent a day in Tübingen -- the picturesque town on the edge of the Neckar River. Unfortunately, a day is not merely enough to take in all that this rich town has to offer. In fact, I am not convinced that the seven months I was there was even enough. You would be surprised how many individuals have passed through Tübingen and have left with the impression that it is one of the most beautiful places in all of Germany. Often Tübingen has been described as idyllic and märchenhaft (like a fairy tale), but these descriptions are somehow not enough to capture the flair and style that Tübingen fosters. One of the first things you will notice when you arrive in Tübingen is that the town revolves around a very lively, populated center marked by its cobblestone roadways and historic architecture. The town’s castle Schloβ Höhentübingen overlooks the area and provides the perfect backdrop for a picnic or a walk. The road down from the castle leads to a bustling marketplace where tourists, students, and residents alike shop, talk and enjoy a drink or a meal. One of the second things you will notice about Tübingen is that is it is a very international city. On any given day, dozens of languages will be heard and varieties of food will be tasted and this diversity is what distinguishes Tübingen from the idyllic label it has been given. One of the third things you will notice is that one-third of Tübingen’s entire population is students. Tübingen is a very young city, and with a rich and active cultural and night life, you will never feel like you are
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studying in a small town. Tübingen makes up for its small size with large events and attracts scholars, performers and historians alike with its Schwabian charm. It is hard to dislike the Schwaben (the natives of Tübingen who can be recognized by their thick, incomprehensible accents). Tübingen is a very personal city. People will greet you on the streets and in the bakeries, and with an efficient public transportation system, you will have no trouble getting around and outside of Tübingen. Stuttgart, located just one hour from Tübingen and easily accessible by train or bus provides a supplementary cultural life to Tübingen’s already-extensive offerings. You will never be at a loss for things to do in this region of Germany. In my opinion, Tübingen is one of Germany’s secret treasures. I consider it a second home -- a place I can always go back to and feel as though I never left. As an exchange student, struggling to converse in a foreign language and miles away from home, the personal touch Tübingen can offer made my study abroad experience more memorable than I can express. There is a warmth and a beauty to this small German town that begs you to get to know it -- to walk on its paths, boat down its river and get to know the thousands of people who flock to it each year to have a taste of Tübingen.
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