NYU BerlinSpring 2012 Pre-Departure Orientation

Agenda Introduction to NYU Berlin Academics Immigration RequirementsMoney Matters Calendar and Arrival InformationHousing German CultureMeeting Locals Food & Language Getting Around Staying Healthy Cultural Adjustment Staying in Touch Travel Info

What is NYU Berlin?•

NYU Berlin is one of NYU’s ten academic centers, offering fall/spring/summer study

•

Courses are taught in NYU’s own academic facilities by locally hired faculty who speak English.

•

The NYU Berlin academic center in KulturBrauerei

is a converted former brewery complex in the district of Prenzlauer

Berg. –

Classrooms

–

Offices

–

Art studio space

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Student lounge

–

Computer lab

Who is NYU Berlin?

Dr. Gabriella EtmektsoglouDr. Roland Pietsch Director

Academic Coord.

Linn FriedrichsStudent Life Coord.

John WoodDenise

Specht Program Coord.Language Coord.

Max PessiliesResident Asst

Lisa

MarquardtResident Asst.

Susan

Engel Janice

AbarbanelLanguage Coord.

Wellness Coord. Lucian CosinschiResident Asst

Who attends NYU Berlin?

•

55 Students in Fall 2011, 85+ spots for Spring 2012

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10-20% non-NYU students

•

Classes made up of NYU Berlin students only

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Students from various majors (art, politics, German studies, environ. studies, math, history etc) with various levels of German language experience

What

do I need to do before I get there?•

Confirm your spot in the program ($500 deposit and Confirmation Form)!

•

Read all

What’s Next Berlin Posts•

Obtain or renew your passport ASAP–

Email copy of ID page

•

Apply for

additional funding•

Cancel NYU Housing in NYC (NYU Students only) by Dec 1st

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Attend Pre-departure Orientation (NYU Students only) or review online version

•

Register for courses abroad this week•

Book your flight/submit NYU Traveler –

by Nov 30th

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Submit all required forms –

by Nov 30th–

Online Forms (now available!)–

Residency Permit Forms & add’l

mat’ls–

Email photo

What’s the deal with courses?–

Students must be enrolled in 12-18

credits.–

Add/drop period during first two weeks for fine-

tuning schedule.

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Unexcused absences will

negatively impact your grade!

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Exams may NOT be taken early/late.–

Most textbooks are available in Berlin.–

Access to many electronic books, journals, and articles through the NYU library (just for students who are abroad)

•

http://www.nyu.libguides.com/global

Required course–

One course in German language required; all levels offered

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If unsure about language level, placement exam can be given (email susan.engel@nyu.edu)

Who are my professors?•

High profile faculty of international reputation

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Reinhard

Isensee, Humboldt University Berlin

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Andrés Nader, Cornell University

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Eva Lezzi, Free University Berlin–

Joachim Baur, Eberhard-Karls

University Tübingen

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John Kleckner, University of Iowa

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Exceptional language instructors with many years of teaching experience

Do I need a German Visa?•

ALL students will have to apply for a residence permit AFTER arrival.

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U.S. passport holders do not need an entry visa.

•

NON-US passport holders MAY need an entry visa. Check with German consulate for more information.

The following documents are due to Polly Trigger by Nov 30:

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Copy of a valid U.S. Passport/E.U. Passport/US alien registration card

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Filled out applications for residency permit and student visa (now available on the blog –

must be handed in)–

Proof of financial resources*

* Requires at least $3000 available to you. * Shown by a bank statement in your name or in your parent/guardian’s name with a letter that states that they will take financial responsibility for you; * A copy of parent’s/guardian’s passport or driver’s license is also required if bank account is in their name.

How do I pay my tuition bill?

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E-bills ONLY, sent to NYU email address

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Must be registered for at least 12 credits

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Spring 2012 bills generated in early/mid December, and due around 1 month later

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You can authorize a parent or other individual to have access to your e-Bill

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Payment made directly to Bursar

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Housing Charge will be posted on e-Bill and must be paid in full prior to arrival

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Questions? visit NYU Bursar Web-site for details

How will I afford everything?A recent survey of NYU Global Ambassadors revealed that 1 in 3 students felt that they under-budgeted for their time abroad.

• Airfare: $1000 -

$1400 round trip from US• Laundry: 12 euro ($16) per month• Textbooks: $100 -

$180• Local travel: 53 Euro ($73) for student monthly pass• Groceries: 20 –

70 Euro ($27-$96) per week• Weekend away: 200 Euro ($275)• Average Spring Break: 300 –

600 Euro ($412 -

$825)• One night out: 20 Euro ($27)• Average Lunch out: 5-8 Euro ($6.85 -

$11)• Average Dinner out: 10-20 Euro ($13.75 -

$27)

Note: Based on feedback from students in Berlin this semester.

How can I save money?

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Create a budget and stick to it!

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Ask for student discounts. •

Buy groceries and cook (you

have your own kitchen space!).•

Take local transport (or better

still, WALK!)

•

Get a bike and use it!•

Plan your travelling as far in

advance as possible.•

Limit the amount you go out

(bars, clubbing)

How do I get to my money?•

Banking–

Will draw from your US/home-

based account

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Make sure you are comfortable with online banking

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Make sure your bank knows you will be abroad!

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ATMs–

Dispenses Euros–

Check with your bank about fees assessed for international withdrawals

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Set-up direct deposit to your personal account

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Work with NYU Bursar if you receive

student aid

What should I pack?Pack as light as you can! You are going to need space for all your souvenirs and gifts.

Suggested items•

Book bag for weekend trips and groceries is useful•

Adapters•

Battery-operated travel alarm clock•

Any medication you need (and copies of the prescription written in the generic term)•

Comfortable shoes•

Toiletries you love –

the brands are different abroad and some things can be expensive

Leave at homeLinensKitchen utensilsElectronics

Contact your airline before you pack to find out luggage restrictions.

“”

What are the dates of the program?

Feb 1

Arrival in Berlin

Feb 2 –

5

Orientation

Feb 6

Classes Begin

Mar 31 -

Apr 9

Spring Break

May 1

Holiday

May 17

Holiday

May 25

Last Day of Class

May 27

Students Depart

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Students arriving before February 1st or staying after May 27th are responsible for arranging their own housing & storage

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Please do NOT book any personal travel plans until you have arrived in Berlin.

How will I know what to do when I get to Berlin?

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You must arrive by February 1st

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Airport pick-up will be provided on arrival day if

you arrive between 9am and 12pm. Otherwise, instructions for individual travel will be provided.

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TXL airport is about 25 euro taxi ride to student housing

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Will go directly to your housing location (NOT the academic center)

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Carry NYU Berlin contact information on you.

NOTE: Once you get to the apartments, you will check in with the NYU Berlin R.A.s

to

pick up your apartment key.

What happens when I get there?

ORIENTATION IS MANDATORY!

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Topics covered:•

Staff & Faculty Introduction

•

Cell Phones

•

Courses

•

Transportation

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Banking

•

Safety/Emergencies

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Housing Policies

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Also: city tours, meeting Faculty, social time

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Orientation is Feb 2-5. You are expected to keep these days/evenings open so you don’t miss any mandatory and/or social gatherings during this time.

Where

will I live?•

NYU Berlin Housing is mandatory!

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Kitchens –

no meal plan. Get cookin’!–

Fully furnished and equipped apartments (including basic kitchen

items)

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No roommates! Everyone has their own studio apartment!

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Housing assignments will be given upon check-in.

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Wireless Internet

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German Television!

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Laundry in basement and linen service

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Common room for student lounge space and housing events

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100 Euro deposit upon check-in (returned upon successful check-out at the end of the semester)

What will my room be like?

Who will I live with?•

Live-in RAsMax -

Lisa -

Lucian

•

Other Tenants–

250 units in 3 buildings –

NYU Berlin occupies 20-30%

–

Neighbors are locals –

typical business people in town for work during the week

What’s the city of Berlin like?–

Germany’s capital and largest city

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Multicultural city with a large immigrant population (Turkish being the largest)

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Multilayered history

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World class museums, theatres, operas

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THE place for contemporary art and cutting edge galleries

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Tons of entertainment –

cafés, museums,

galleries, nightclubs, shopping, etc.

True crossroads between East and West!

How can I fit in with German culture & customs?

•

When greeting someone, shake hands.

•

Being on time, even for casually social appointments is important.

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Tipping at restaurants is between 5 to 8 percent and done right at the table with the waiter.

•

Most people will respond to you in English once they realize you are not German

•

Berlin is one of the most LGBT-

friendliest cities in Europe

How

will I meet people on the program?

•

Orientation–

Welcome Dinners

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Socializing Activities throughout

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Weekend & Day Trips–

Hamburg

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Dresden

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Leipzig

•

RA organized activities–

Soccer matches

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Hiking

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Cooking classes

How will I meet local Germans?

•

Immersion opportunities

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Language Tandems

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Humboldt U access

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Volunteering–

Must email nyu.in.berlin@nyu.edu

by

Dec 1st

if you want to volunteer while in Berlin

Join local organizations –

get into Berlin’s many scenes (art, film, politics, music etc)

What will I eat?•

Berlin foods to try–

Döner

Kebap

-

Turkish meat in a pita with vegetables and sauces.

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Bratwurst

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Grilled sausage in a roll.–

Currywurst

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Chopped sausage smothered in ketchup and curry powder.

–

“Bio”

Products –

Organic, healthy options available everywhere in Berlin

•

Shopping/cooking–

Everyone has a kitchen!

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Group dinners–

Huge markets with tons of great options for high quality produce

What

if I don’t know the language?

•

Most NYU Berlin students at Elementary German language level

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Crash course during orientation

•

Most Berliners speak very good English

•

Advice from past students–

Learn some German before going!–

Don’t be a tourist –

learn as much of

the language as possible!

How do I get around?Public transportation

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Superb public transport system (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, busses, trams)

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Two airports (TXL and SFX) served by all major airlines and low cost carriers only 30-minute subway or bus ride away from apartments!

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Great and cheap bus lines to domestic and international destinations

Commute to Academic Center–

30-40 minutes (S-bahn

S1/2 then M 10 Tram, or U2 all the way)

What

if I get sick?–

All students are enrolled in HTH, an international health coverage plan•

Free of charge for students

•

No advance out-of-pocket payment for students to see a doctor or counselor

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Credentialed, western trained, English-speaking health professionals posted on the HTH website and available to students

•

REMEMBER to register with HTH when you receive the email from them.

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Students should consult with NYU site staff if they need help making a doctor’s appointment. We make your appointments for you

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DO NOT cancel your domestic health insurance while you are abroad!!!!!!

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Crisis Response available•

Janice Abarbanel, Wellness Counselor at NYU Berlin

•

janice.abarbanel@nyu.edu

* Students with special needs, academic or otherwise, must

contact the Moses Center

prior to departure; resources and services may differ in Berlin.

–

www.nyu.edu/osl/csd*

Students with disabilities that affect their studying or exam performance and require special arrangements MUST also inform Roland Pietsch

(Academic Coordinator) before the start of the semester

*

If you take prescriptions regularly we recommend getting a full supply prior to going abroad.

–

Shipping medication internationally is illegal–

IMPORTANT: If you currently take medication regularly which is considered

to be a controlled substance, you must contact NYU Student Health Center

immediately

to ensure it will be available in Berlin.

*

If you anticipate wanting to be in on-going counselling while in Berlin, call the NYU Wellness Exchange

so they can help coordinate. Also, email berlin.studentlife@nyu.edu.

*

If you plan to receive the flu vaccine, plan to get it before the end of this semester as it may be more easily available here than at your study away site.

What

do I need to do now?

What if I get homesick?DO NOT stay in your room and stalk your friends on Facebook. Each new picture will

make you wish you were with them even more. Go out for a walk and remind yourself how amazing it is that you can do that... in Berlin. -

Fall 2011 student

Meeting people from Berlin

helps a lot--basically forming a new community of people in a foreign place goes a long way. A lot of times spending a lot of time with the same kids in the program

would make me think of life back at NYU/in NYC whereas when I spent time with people I met in Berlin, I was so curious and excited about the newness that it made me not think about what I was missing... -

Fall 2011 student

“”

There's this awkward span of time, about a month into your stay,

when everyone's homesickness kind of hits at once. It happens right when you're far enough into the process to realize you're not on vacation, you're living in another country, and you start realizing things that are different in not-so-good ways from home. You wonder "why do they do it like this? In America, it's this way"

and it gets kind of frustrating. But I was prepared

for that feeling ahead of time, and knew it was completely natural. I got through it quickly and moved on to a greater and deeper appreciation of the cultural differences

I was seeing.

-

Spring 2011 student

“

”

”“

What is cultural adjustment?

1.

initial anxiety2.

initial elation3.

initial culture shock4.

superficial adjustment5.

depression-frustration6.

acceptance of host culture7.

return anxiety8.

return elation9.

re-entry shock10.

reintegration

Source http://www.studentsabroad.com/cultureshock.html

(accessed 10/31/2011)

Study abroad is an amazing, life changing experience. Something to keep in mind is that when abroad, you will go through an emotional roller coaster ride. One second, you will be loving life and the next you will be wondering why you ever signed yourself up for this semester abroad. Just keep in mind the high points are right around the corner and that in the end, you will look back at the experience in a very positive light. So enjoy EVERY moment - good and bad.”

“

Will I feel safe in Berlin?

•

NYU Berlin’s center and housing buildings are secured entry

•

There is ALWAYS an NYU Berlin staff member on duty.

•

You will be given a phone number to call in emergencies during on-site Orientation.

•

Berlin’s crime rate is much lower than that of major cities in the U.S.

•

Help us keep you safe. Follow all staff recommendations:

•

Don’t invite strangers into the apartments. Your guests should always be in your company.

•

Always lock your doors•

Know your surroundings –

be aware

How will I stay in touch with my family and friends?

–

Set-up a video chat account (and one for your parents)

•

Skype and Google Voice most common

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Most students purchase a local cell phone

•

Pay as you go

•

Incoming calls free

•

Very affordable option

–

Unlock your smart phone ahead of time and purchase new SIM card on site

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Create a REALISTIC communication plan

•

Are you going to talk daily, weekly, or say see you next semester?

Where can I travel?•

Take advantage of planned excursions by NYU staff:

–

Hamburg (overnight)–

Dresden–

Leipzig–

Sachsenhausen

Concentration Camp

•

Use the break to travel to farther destinations:

–

Fall Break itineraries from students in Berlin now

•

Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Munich, Germany

•

Prague, Czech Republic; Barcelona, Spain; Paris, France

•

London, UK; Barcelona, Spain; Switzerland

•

Krakow, Poland•

Barcelona, Granada, and Seville in Spain

How much should I travel?Try and make the most of the experience but don't over extend

yourself either. Yes you should travel, but don't do it at the cost of seeing everything your city has to offer. I have friends

who made it to 8 different European countries over the course

of the semester but never but never got a chance see some of the city's really interesting monuments of museums.

•

Don’t miss out on local attractions:

–

East Side Gallery

–

Reichstag

–

Jewish Museum

–

Tiergarten–

Fleamarkets

and other weekend markets

“

”You cannot miss class for travel!There WILL be a short period of time (i.e. a few days) where you will have to surrender your passport! (~Week 3 or 4)

What should I do about guests?My mom, dad, brother, sister, boyfriend,

girlfriend, best friend, cousin, neighborhood is going to visit me abroad …

–

Guest policy at NYU Berlin•

Overnight guests are permitted with permission of Student Life office

•

Guests can stay no longer than one week•

All guests must adhere to NYU policies and NYUB students are responsible for their guest’s behavior

–

Immigration restrictions•

Make sure your guests know whether they must obtain an entry visa!

–

Suggested timing•

Again, wait to set up visits from guests until you see your syllabi for classes

•

You may not miss class because you have guests in town (even parents!)

Final Tips from past students…

Studying abroad was an unforgettable experience! It will be nerve-wracking and challenging speaking the language and learning your way around at first, but after a while you get used to it and enjoy every minute of your time there!

Simply remember that you are only here for a short period of time. You will inevitably miss home, but the time you have abroad is priceless and most likely the only time you will be able to be away for such a long period of time. If you miss home, call home or talk to friends on facebook, but always take a step back and understand how amazing it is that you are in Berlin for a semester.

“

”

“

”

Thank you!