the information package
TRANSCRIPT
International Relations Office
The Information Package
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Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 THE UNIVERSITY 3 1.1 Name and address 3 1.2 Locations 3 1.2.1 Wolfenbüttel campus 4 1.2.3 Salzgitter campus 8 1.2.4 Suderburg campus 9 1.3 Structure of the academic year 11 1.4 ERASMUS coordinator 11 1.5 International Students‟ Office 11 1.6 General description of the university 12 1.6.1 Structure and development 12 1.6.2 Facts and figures 13 1.6.3 Locations of the university 14 1.6.3.3 Wolfsburg – City of Volkswagen 16 1.6.3.4 Suderburg 17 1.6.3.5 Braunschweig 18 1.7 Application and enrolment 19 1.7.1 Application deadlines and place of application 19 1.7.3 Information on preparation and induction courses for ERASMUS students 21 1.7.4 Linguistic prerequisites 21 1.7.5 Information on the cost of your studies abroad 22
2.0 GENERAL PRACTICAL ADVICE 23 2.1 Formalities in the host country 23 2.2 Checklist before departure 24 2.3 Getting here 25 2.4 Cost of living 26 2.5 Accommodation 26 2.6 Health care and insurance 27 2.7 Study facilities at Ostfalia 29 2.7.1 Centre for Modern Languages (Sprachenzentrum) 29 2.7.2 Library (Bibliothek/) 29 2.8 Other useful information 31 2.8.1 Banks 31 2.8.2 Transport 32 2.8.3 Eating 32 2.8.4 Shopping for food 33 2.8.5 Other 33 2.9 Extra-curricular and leisure activities 34
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1 The University
1.1 Name and address
Name of the university: Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, Hochschule Braun-schweig/Wolfenbüttel (Ostfalia, University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel)
Address: Salzdahlumer Straße 46/48
D-38302 Wolfenbüttel Germany
President: Prof. Dr. W.-R. Umbach, Website: http://www.ostfalia.de
1.2 Locations
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1.2.1 Wolfenbüttel campus
Department of Electrical Engineering Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 Department of Computer Science/ IT Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 Department of Law Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939
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Department of Supply Engineering - Energy, Environment, Facility Management
Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 Department of Social Affairs
Tel.: +49 (0)5331 939 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 38302 Wolfenbüttel Tel.: +49 (0) 5331 939 0 Fax: +49 (0) 5331 939 10154 E-Mail: [email protected]
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1.2.2 Wolfsburg campus
Department of Public Health Services
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Rothenfelder Str. 10 38440 Wolfsburg Tel.: +49 (0) 5331 939 23005 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 23 004 Department of Automotive Engineering
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Kleiststr. 33 38440 Wolfsburg Tel.: +49 (0) 5331 939 21 005 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 21 007 Department of Business Management
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Siegfried-Ehlers-Str. 1 38440 Wolfsburg Tel.: +49 (0) 5331 939 25 005 Fax: +49 (0)5331 939 25 004
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1.2.3 Salzgitter campus
Karl Scharfenberg Faculty for Transport, Sports, Tourism & Media
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Karl-Scharfenberg-Str. 55/57 38229 Salzgitter Tel.: +49 (0) 5341 875 51005 Fax: +49 (0) 5341 875 51004
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1.2.4 Suderburg campus
Department of Construction-Water-Soil
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Herbert-Meyer-Str. 7
29556 Suderburg Tel.: + 49 (0) 5826 988 61005 Fax: + 49 (0) 5826 988 61004 Department of Trade and Social Work
Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Herbert-Meyer-Str. 7
29556 Suderburg Tel.: + 49 (0) 5826 988 63005 Fax: + 49 (0) 5826 988 63004
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Information on the cities in which the faculties of the university are located can be found in section 1.6.3.
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1.3 Structure of the academic year
The academic year begins on the 1st September and ends on the 31st August of the following year. It is split into two semesters:
The winter semester begins on the 1st September and ends on the 28th February of the following year.
The summer semester begins on the 1st March and ends on the 31st August.
The actual teaching periods are shorter:
Winter semester: 17th September -31st January Summer semester: 1st March – mid-July Examinations are taken at the end of the semester, i.c. in January and June/July. Days without teaching activities (in addition to semester break):
1st January (New Year‟s Day, Neujahr) Good Friday (Karfreitag) Easter Monday (Ostermontag) and the following Tuesday 1st May (Maifeiertag) Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) Whithsun Monday (Pfingstmontag) and the following Tuesday 3rd October (Tag der Deutschen Einheit, - Day of German Unity) Christmas (incl. 23 December and the period until New Year‟s Eve
1.4 ERASMUS coordinator
Name: Assessor Holger ZIMPEL, Head International Relations Office Address: Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel (Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences) Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 D-38302 Wolfenbüttel Germany
Tel.: (+49) (5331) 939-17500, 17505, 17515 Fax: (+49) (5361) 939-17504 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/international/international_relations_co-ordinator/
1.5 International Students’ Office
Head of the International Students’ Office
Name: Dipl.-Kffr. Kristina RÜBENKAMP (Ms.) Address: International Students„ Office
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Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Salzdahlumer Straße 46/48 38302 Wolfenbüttel
Tel.: +49 5331 939 15910 Fax: +49 5331 939 15912 E-mail: [email protected] Outgoing Student Advisor
Name: Christine STORM (Ms.)
Address: International Students„ Office Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Robert-Koch-Platz 8a 38440 Wolfsburg
Tel.: +49 5361 8922 15520 Fax : +49 5361 8922 15522 E-mail : [email protected] Incoming Student Advisor
Name: Dipl.-Wirtjur. Tanja Klonnek (Ms.) Address: International Students‟ Office Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 D-38302 Wolfenbüttel
Tel.: +49 5331 939 15920 Fax: +49 5331 939 15922 E-mail : [email protected] Website: www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/international/internationales_Buero_-_student_office
1.6 General description of the university
1.6.1 Structure and development
The establishment of Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences) in Germany is a result of the educational policy debates of the 1960s. The need to help German industry maintain its competitiveness in the international field led to an increasing demand for better qualified staff with the capacity to solve practical tasks quickly and successfully on the basis of an academic training. This was the starting-point for the Fachhochschulen. Ostfalia‟s roots, however, go further back than the 1970s: 1905 Foundation of the Christian School for Women in Braunschweig (Christlich-Soziale Frauenschule) (1939 Provincial
School for Public Welfare, 1947 Welfare State College of Lower Saxony, 1966 College of Higher Education for So-cial Work of Lower Saxony)
1928 Foundation of the Engineering School (Technikum) - a private educational establishment offering a 5-semester
course with a state-approved final examination in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in Wolfenbüttel (1949 State School of Engineering, 1968 State Engineering Academy)
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1971 The Engineering Academy was converted into a Fachhochschule -University of Applied Science (departments: me-
chanical and electrical engineering; foundation of the Department of Social Affairs by amalgamation with the College of Higher Education for Social Work in Braunschweig
1983 Formation of the Department of Versorgungstechnik (Supply Engin. - Energy, Environment, Facility Management)
1988 Formation of the Institute for Automotive Engineering (Institut für Fahrzeugbau) in Wolfsburg, new campus of the
University of Applied Science; New course in Vehicle Construction 1991 Formation of the Department of Business Management; Institutes for Recycling and Production Computer Science
(further Industrial Computer Science) founded. 1993 Take-over of buildings of the Northampton Barracks in Wolfenbüttel. Building of a fourth campus in Salzgitter; For-
mation of the Department of Transport and Traffic Management 1994 Formation of the Department of Public Health Services
1995 Formation of the Department of Production and Process Engineering (since 2000 Automotive, Production and Pro-
cess Engineering) 2000 Formation of the Department of Law
2004 The Department of Media, Sport and Tourism Management turns into the Karl-Scharfenberg-Faculty Salzgitter
Transport-Sports-Tourism-Media 2005 Centenary jubilee of vocational training of social professions in Braunschweig
2009 New additional name affix: Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften; fifth campus in Suderburg;
2010 Faculty of Social Affairs moves to Wolfenbüttel.
1.6.2 Facts and figures
Student population in the winter semester 2010/2011: 9.123
Wolfenbüttel Campus 3.972 Wolfsburg Campus 2.795 Salzgitter Campus 1.985 Suderburg Campus 371 Ostfalia is a major local employer, with 720 faculty members and staff (180 professors, 540 members of staff) (December 2010).
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1.6.3 Locations of the university
1.6.3.1 Salzgitter - Industry, history and a lot of culture
Salzgitter is a leading industrial centre in Lower Saxony. The city was founded in 1942 after construction work began on the industrial zone in 1937, built on the site of Germany‟s only iron ore deposit. This deposit was known for more than a thousand years. Ancient Germans smelted the ore in Rennoefen and as long as 50,000 years ago the first Lower Saxon,
an ice age hunter, reached Salzgitter. His final resting place was discovered in 1952. But Salzgitter has much more to offer than 54,000 jobs and an innovative economy. It covers an area of 224 km
2, has 31
districts and a population of 112,000 people. But Salzgitter stands out because the residential areas are very green, it has many recreational areas, various mixed forests and the state spa Salzgitter-Bad, which has one of the strongest natural saltwater springs in Germany (thermal saltwater wave pool). Salzgitter is also a city of culture. Historic buildings (Ringelheim Castle), public art exhibits, the monument to the history of the city, public parties and open air festivals show this side of Salzgitter. The value of leisure can never be underestimated. Salzgitter has a very contrasting leisure programme and it is a city which wants to be discovered. Salzgitter‟s inestimable advantage is the spatial separation of work and home. Homes are situated in the middle of the green countryside, but the quality of living there does not end when you leave your home. This quality can be enjoyed in many ways. For example at Salzgitter Lake with all manner of watersports: Swimming, surfing on the lake, beach volley-ball, skin diving, rowing or sailing. The ice sports hall stands not far from the banks of Salzgitter Lake and offers anything from ice hockey to ice stick shooting or ice-skating for everyone. The Salzgitter hills, with a network of nature trails 150 km long, promise relaxation. Moreover
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there is a network of 120 km for bikes. The fact that Salzgitter is a city, yet has a complete sport and leisure programme ranging from horse riding to tennis and from gliding to golf, and also has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and fitness studios, needs no further emphasis. In sporting circles Salzgitter is considered a leading city due to successes in many sports at both national and international level and excellent facilities, as well as the course on sport management at our university, which is the only course of its kind in Germany. The Salzgitter Lake is also used by rowers, canoeists, surfers and sailors and the nearby stadium is the venue for out-standing athletics meetings. In the Sports Hall Amselstieg the city can boast an indoor venue of the highest standard, in which badminton world ranking tournaments, international trampolining competitions and top class handball and football matches take place. Over 100 clubs are based in Salzgitter, both for competitive and popular sport. The Karl Scharfenberg Faculty for Transport, Sports, Tourism and Media is located on the Salzgitter campus.
1.6.3.2 Wolfenbüttel – City of Lessing
Wolfenbüttel was for centuries the political and cultural centre between the Harz Mountains and Luneburg Heath. Today the city has a population of 54,000. For more than three centuries, from 1432 until 1754, Wolfenbüttel was the residence of the Dukes of Braunschweig and Lüneburg and therefore the cultural and political centre of a large swathe of land. The residence, the largest remaining castle in Lower Saxony, still reflects the glory of that period today. In 1572 Duke Julius laid the foundation stone for the famous and outstanding Duke August Library. The famous German poet Gotthold Ephraim Lessing worked there as a librarian from 1770 until he died in 1781. He completed Emilia Galotti and wrote Nathan der Weise in the neighbouring “Lessinghaus”. This library is particularly significant because it has the
literature of all scientific subjects which were taught in the European universities of the 17th
century in its entirety. The Duke August Library has the largest collection of handwritings from the Middle Ages in Lower Saxony as well as the famous Evangeliar Heinrichs des Löwen. For these reasons the library is an internationally recognised research centre.
Another outstanding librarian was the scientist and philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
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The 600 or more remaining half timbered houses from the 16th to 18th centuries include most of the buildings on the mar-ket square, such as the town hall, the romantic Krambuden with their Laubengängen and the stream Little Venice (Klein Venedig). The Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Engineering, Computer Science, Law and Social Affairs are all located on the Wolfenbüttel campus.
1.6.3.3 Wolfsburg – City of Volkswagen
Wolfsburg, like Salzgitter, is one of the youngest cities in Germany (founded 1938) and today has a population of 124,000. Wolfsburg is a modern industrial city in the middle of the countryside – not only a young city of considerable economic influence, a city of technology, knowledge and science, but also an international city which has good relations with many cities the world over. Above all Wolfsburg is the city of the car, headquarters of Volkswagen, the biggest employer in Lower Saxony and the biggest manufacturer of cars in Europe. Volkswagen is not only an integral part of Wolfsburg, but also, economically speak-ing, the most significant part of the region. Wolfsburg, however, is also a city of culture and leisure. There you have the chance to visit the theatre, planetarium, art museum, car museum and Autostadt (auto city), as well as choosing from the various leisure and sport facilities such as the Allersee leisure park. Since the opening of Autostadt tourists from New York, Sydney or Tokyo are no longer a rare sight here. Within two years of opening Autostadt became one of Germany‟s biggest tourist attractions with 4.4 million visitors in both years. You can stay on site at the "Ritz Carlton", visit world-class art exhibitions and find enlightenment in the science centre "Phaeno".
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Tourism, sport and recreation are areas with new possibilities in Wolfsburg since the "Badeland" swimming pool and lei-sure centre, Wellness-Center, Science-Center, the Volkswagen Arena football stadium, holiday village and the "Winterwelt" (winter world), the only park of its type in Europe, have all been built. The Departments of Public Health Services and Vehicle, Production & Process Engineering and the Business School are all located on the Wolfsburg campus.
1.6.3.4 Suderburg
Suderburg is a community with a population of approx. 5,000 and is located near the city of Uelzen on the train route be-tween Hannover and Hamburg. Because of its size, it can not offer extensive cultural events, but it does, however, offer pure nature-forest-heath surroundings due to its location in the northern part of the Southern Heath nature park.
When somebody is interested in combining his educational programme with recreational activities such as swimming in Hardau lake, horseback riding in the heath and canoeing in natural rivers then he is at the right place in our "province with the extra touch".
The university grounds in Suderburg have grown integrally with the community. The educational tradition goes back more than 150 years and students are an important component of the town. Because the students always come from many countries all over the world, there is a traditionally good relationship between population and student body. All in all, it can be spoken from a family atmosphere.
No longer an Ostfala location, but close to Wolfenbüttel and Salzgitter and the heart of the region is Braunschweig.
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1.6.3.5 Braunschweig
Braunschweig, the city of Henry the Lion, is more than 1000 years old. The cathedral, the churches in the city centre, the market places, the historical buildings and of course the castle with its square and the bronze lion all serve as reminders of this rich history. The cityscape gives a feeling of security and has an atmosphere all of its own, despite the fact that Braun-schweig, with around 240,000 inhabitants and three universities, is the second biggest city in Lower Saxony.
In 1745 the "Collegium Carolinum" was founded, which has now become the Technical University. The opening of the Ducal Art and Natural History Collection (1754) was also significant in this period. This collection turned out to be the nu-cleus of the collections in the State Natural History Museum and the Duke Anton Ulrich Museum, which exhibits master-pieces by Cranach, Holbein, Van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer van Delft amongst others.
At the time of the Enlightenment music and theatre made the city a major cultural centre in Germany. In 1772 the first sig-nificant domestic tragedy in German, Lessing‟s Emilia Galotti, was performed for the first time, followed by Goethe‟s Faust I
in 1829.
Technical expertise and entrepreneurial daring were the two things that influenced the technological progress and the industrialization of business in Braunschweig. These were the foundations of a multi-layered economy, whose products were, and still are, exported all over the world. Cameras from Rollei and Voigtländer, pianos from Schimmel and Grotrian-Steinweg and vehicles from Volkswagen und MAN-Büssing are on all continents. Today Braunschweig is not only the main
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cultural and economic centre in the region, but also a research centre of the highest order. Braunschweig is a modern and forward-looking industrial city, the result of traditional industrial structures and close cooperation between research and industry. With numerous research institutions and two universities (Technical University and University for the Arts), the city has world-class scientific potential. The spectrum ranges from micro-electronics and micro-biology to aeronautics. Science and research awards of international significance promote and underline the innovative climate in this city.
There are numerous leisure possibilities. These include – next to student clubs, bars and discos - visiting the state theatre, plays and concerts, shows and balls in the Volkswagenhalle or the Stadthalle, sporting events, city festivals, markets and museums, relax in the Riddagshausen nature reserve and in the parks or active participation in one of Braunschweig‟s many clubs.
In addition to the architecturally charming buildings it is the cultural events, like the film festival, the culture night and the theatre festival, which attract visitors. In this tradition-conscious city, which has preserved its culture, there are many oppor-tunities to visit museums, go walking and enjoy nature.
1.7 Application and enrolment
1.7.1 Application deadlines and place of application
Applications from students of our partner institutions to study at the Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences must be submit-ted by the following dates:
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15 June for the following winter semester
15 December for the following summer semester.
No accommodation can be provided for late applications! Please enclose the following items with your application:
- Application form (“Bewerbungsformular”) - ECTS learning agreement (ECTS-Studienvertrag); for theses or projects please include a detailed description
of the planned project. - a transcript of records (Datenabschrift) - a copy of your passport - passport-sized photos - curriculum vitae.
In case you would like to reserve accommodation:
- please suplly an accommodation application form (Mietvollmacht).in addition to the documents above. Please send your application to:
Ms. Tanja Klonnek Incoming Student Advisor Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 38302 Wolfenbüttel. E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 5331 939 15922
1.7.2 Enrolment and submission deadlines for submitted applications:
Enrolment must be completed in the first week of the semester at the latest. If necessary these deadlines can be extended for guest students. Documents necessary for enrolment
• Antrag auf befristete Zulassung (filled in by the international students‟ office)
• balance transfer receipt from payment of semester contribution (stamped by bank) • curriculum vitae (CV) • 2 photos • proof of a German health insurance policy (Krankenversicherung), EHIC (European Health Insurance Card); see
“insurance cover (Section 2 E 3 below). Please send the balance transfer receipt, the CV, the photos and the proof of health insurance at least a month before the begin of the semester! International Students‟ Office will then complete your registration. Our tutors will help you with any problems you may have. Semester contributions (Semesterbeiträge) and student ID (Studierendenausweis)
Before enrolment can be completed, your semester contribution must be paid to Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences:
Recipient / Empfänger Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
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Bank NORD/LB Hannover
Account number / Konto - Nr. 9 650 458
IBAN DE20 2505 0000 0009 6504 58
Bank sort code / Bankleitzahl (BLZ) 250 500 00
BIC NOLADE2HXXX
For enrolment, a balance transfer receipt stamped by the bank is necessary. The semester contributions are not tuition fees, but contributions towards your use of the regional public transport, student union facilities (cafeteria, accommodation), and to the student self governing body (AStA).
You will then receive an electronic student ID card (Ostfalia-Card). This has the following functions:
• Student ID with passport photo,
• Semester ticket for regional public transport,
• Library card,
• Access to the pool rooms in the computer centre,
• Payment card in the cafeteria.
Your enrolment is valid for one semester. If you stay at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences for an additional semester, you must let the International Students‟ Office know one month before the examination period. Preparations can then be made for the second semester.
1.7.3 Information on preparation and induction courses for ERASMUS students
Winter semester
Before the start of the winter semester a German language course and an induction programme is organized at Ostfalia‟s Wolfenbüttel campus. The course is run in the two weeks prior to the beginning of the winter semester. The course is for all ERASMUS-students and takes place on the Wolfenbüttel campus of the university. Please check this against any other information sent to you before the start of your studies at the university. Every ERASMUS student will be assigned a stu-dent tutor and a personal tutor from the faculty). Summer semester
Before the start of the summer semester (end of February) ERASMUS-students will be assigned a personal tutor. In addition to a personal tutor, who takes care of organisational matters, students will have a subject tutor, who will take care of subject related matters. German language courses to accompany your main studies take place on all campuses during the semester. Check the website of the Centre for modern languages (Sprachenzentrum -http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/zaw/zs/index.html)
1.7.4 Linguistic prerequisites
Lectures and seminars at the Ostfalia are held in German. The exceptions to this are some of the lectures in Bio- and Envi-ronmental Engineering (in the Department of Supply and Environmental Engineering, i.e. Fakultät Versorgungstechnik), the Business School and the events at the International Summer Universities in Wolfsburg (ISU) and Wolfenbüttel.
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Therefore students who come as part of the ERASMUS programme should have successfully passed a German foundation course at least. Generally speaking knowledge of German at level A2/B1 of the Common European Framework of Refer-ence is recommended. Before the start of the winter semester a two-week German language preparation course takes place. Participation is strongly recommended (see 1.7.2 above). Please send proof of your knowledge of German (report or certificate) together with your application forms. German language courses to accompany your studies are organised on all campuses during the semester.
1.7.5 Information on the cost of your studies abroad
Transport: With the student card you can use busses and Straßenbahnen (tram) in the region, as well as the regional train
(RB) of the German railways (DB) free of charge. Books: You probably do not have to buy books for courses. Most books should be availale I the library (see 2.7.2). It might
be necessary, however, that you have to print out lecture notes. Printing: The price of one printed page is: black and white print: 0.04 e, colour print: 0.43 €.
Copying: To use photocopying machines on campus you can use your student ID card.
Communication: Many students buy mobile phones at the beginning of their stay.
Please note, however, that the cheap phones usually come with a two-year contract. Devices with Pre-pay- function can be bought for approximately 30 to 40 €. In order not to have unnecessary expenses, we recommend you to speak with your contact student before buying a phone. You can use the internet free of charge within the university. There are other facilities such as internet cafés. There costs for one hour generally amount to 2 €.
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2.0 General practical advice
2.1 Formalities in the host country
According to German law all foreigners (including EU citizens1!) have to register immediately after their arrival
at the residents‟ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
at the foreigners‟ registration office/ (Ausländerbehörde) to apply for a student residence permit/ (Aufen-thaltserlaubnis).
Every foreign student has to apply for a student residence permit! For the registration you will need:
a valid passport,
two photos,
a copy of your health insurance (e.g. form E 111, E 106, E 109)
letter of admission or student card from Ostfalia,
Certificate of sufficient financial funds for your living expenses.
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City Address of the registration offices Addresses of the foreigners‟ registration offices
Wolfenbüttel Bürgeramt
Stadtmarkt 6
38299 Wolfenbüttel
Phone: 05331 86 0
Landkreis Wolfenbüttel
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerabteilung
Bahnhofstr. 11
Phone: 05331 84 0
Braunschweig Stadt Braunschweig
Einwohnermeldeamt
Fallersleber Str. 1
38023 Braunschweig
Phone: 0531 470 1
Stadt Braunschweig
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerbehörde
Fallersleber Str. 1
38023 Braunschweig
Phone: 0531 470 1
Wolfsburg Stadt Wolfsburg
Bürgerdienste
Porschestr. 49
38409 Wolfsburg
Phone: 05361 28 0
Stadt Wolfsburg
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerbehörde
Porschestraße 49
38409 Wolfsburg
Phone: 05361 28 0
Salzgitter Stadt Salzgitter
BürgerCenter
Joachim-Campe-Str. 6-8
38226 Salzgitter (Lebenstedt)
Phone: 05341 839 0
Stadt Salzgitter
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerbehörde
Joachim-Campe-Str. 6-8
38226 Salzgitter (Lebenstedt)
Phone: 05341 839 0
Suderburg Gemeinde Suderburg
Bürgeramt
Bahnhofstr. 54 29556 Suderburg
Phone: 05826 980 0
Landkreis Uelzen
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerbehörde
Veerßer Str. 53 29525 Uelzen
Phone: 0581 82 136
2.2 Checklist before departure
Before you leave for Germany, please make sure to bring the following items with you:
Passport or ID card,
international student ID,
proof of health insurance protection (e.g. EHIC),
Proof of health insurance policy,
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Passport photos,
cufficient cash (it can take a few days before a bank account is set up!)
(German) Curriculum Vitae
Pillow
Quilt (or sleeping bag)
Bed linen!! If any questions arise before departure, feel free to contact: Tanja Klonnek Incoming Student Advisor Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 38302 Wolfenbüttel E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 5331 939 15920 Fax: +49 5331 939 15922
2.3 Getting here
If you arrive by plane:
• the nearesti nternational airport is Hannover airport, • from there, please use the direct train transfer from airport to central railway station (Hauptbahnhof Hannover) (ticket
price: approx. 5,00 €), • take the train to Braunschweig Hauptbahnhof (when you are going to study in Wolfenbüttel or Salzgitter), • take the train to Wolfsburg Hauptbahnhof (when you are going to study in Wolfsburg), • take the train to Suderburg Bahnhof (when you are going to study in Suderburg),
• there you will be picked up by a student of our university. It is necessary to inform us about date and time of your arrival as soon as possible (not later than four weeks before your arrival). Please arrive before 6 p.m. and not at the weekend or an official holiday. If something should go wrong ….
If you miss our contact student, ring one of the telephone numbers listed below during office hours or call your personal contact student on his/her cell phone. To be on the safe side, we are also giving you directions on how to get to Wolfenbüttel by bus: In front of the main exit of the train station in Braunschweig there is the local bus terminal. There you will find the bus stop for bus number 420 to Wolfenbüttel train station (Wolfenbüttel Bahnhof). In Wolfenbüttel you must get off the bus at the bus stop Mittelweg and walk along the street Salzdahlumer Straße until you see the main building on the right side. Contact persons at the International Students‟ Office: Tanja Klonnek
Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 Room 329 38302 Wolfenbüttel Tel.: +49 5331 939 15920 e-mail: [email protected] Kristina Rübenkamp
Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 Room 329
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38302 Wolfenbüttel Tel.: +49 5331 939 15910 e-mail: [email protected] Please keep in mind that you can not reach anyone neither by phone nor by e-mail in the office on weekends or late afternoons!
2.4 Cost of living
Average costs Accommodation 200-250 €/month Cost of living 350-400 €/month The semester contribution (which includes free use of public transportation in the area) amounts to around 100 € per se-mester. The mandatory health insurance will cost about 60 € per month. Generally there is a fee for getting a visa (around 50 €). You can find cafeterias on or near all campuses of the Ostfalia. In all of the cafeterias student pay a reduced rate. There are also supermarkets in all the cities, where the Hochschule is located, where you can buy food.
2.5 Accommodation
Accommodation will be arranged on request. Types of accommodation:
- student accommodation (individual bedroom, shared kitchen and bathroom facilities with 2-3 other students) at Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel and Wolfsburg): price: 200 – 250 €/month. - Private rooms (at Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel and Wolfsburg) 200 – 250 €/month; sometimes cheaper.
Accommodation is guaranteed for exchange students. However, we cannot guarantee that all students can get a room in a student hall of residence!
As soon as we receive the accommodation application form, we can reserve a room. Students will get an agreement to sign and will have to pay a deposit in advance. How is the accommodation equipped? Student hall of residence: Among the standard equipment in the halls are: bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. Kitchen, toilet and bathrooms are shared with the other residents. Please remember to bring bed articles as well as bed linen. Private accommodation: The private accommodation could have extras, like individual bathroom and kitchen. Internet connections are only a standard facility in the student hall rooms. There are no television sets in the rooms. If you want to organise accommodation on your own you can get a placement in a dormitory in Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel and Wolfsburg with the help of the association of student affairs/Studentenwerk Braunschweig http://www.sw-
bs.de/braunschweig Alternatively you can have a look at the notice boards on the campuses. Generally there are a lot of offers for individual appartments or shared appartements (Wohngemeinschaft / WG).
You can also contact the International Students‟ Office:
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Tanja Klonnek
Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 Room 329 38302 Wolfenbüttel Tel.: +49 5331 939 15920 e-mail: [email protected] Kristina Rübenkamp
Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48 Room 329 38302 Wolfenbüttel Tel.: +49 5331 939 15910 e-mail: [email protected] If you are handicapped or if you need accommodation for you and your spouse and/or children, please contact the Interna-tional Students‟ Office (see above).
2.6 Health care and insurance
2.6.1 Medical care We strongly recommend that you find out about health insurance benefits and payments prior to your stay at Ostfalia! Even if you hold a valid health insurance policy (Krankenversicherung), that does not mean that the Krankenversicherung is responsible for all the costs that arise regarding your health or medical care. So please check in advance to find out from your health insurance company (Krankenversicherung) which risks are covered and which benefits you are entitled to. The statutory and private insurance companies pay part of the costs for medical and dental treatment, for medication, for medi-cal aids, for stays in hospital (in-patient treatment), for treatment by therapists (such as physiotherapy) or rehabilitation measures. Your benefits and possible extra contributions may vary considerably, depending on your health insurance policy. Sometimes patients have to pay an extra contribution (Zusatzbeitrag). In addition, there are certain things and forms of treatment that patients have to pay fully themselves. Depending on the financial situation, patients can be exempted from having to pay the personal extra contribution (Zusatzbeitrag zur Krankenversicherung). You have to apply to your health insurance company for such exemption. More information is available on the Internet at: www.die-gesundheitsreform.de and www.deutsche-sozialversicherung.de. Always carry your health insurance card with you The health insurance card (Versichertenkarte) is your "entrance ticket" to all medical services covered by your health in-surance. You get the card as soon as you become a member of a health insurance company. Every time you see a doctor, you have to present your health insurance card. The doctor will settle the payments directly with the statutory health insur-ance company (does not apply for private health insurance companies). Usually you have nothing to do with this settlement of costs. However, you do have to pay a medical consultation fee per quarter (Praxisgebühr, € 10,--) if you consult a doc-tor. Free choice of doctor and hospital
As a rule, you are free in Germany to choose which doctor and which hospital you go to. However, if you are a member of a statutory health insurance company, your doctor must be registered with the panel of the German health insurance scheme. If he is not registered as a panel doctor, you will have to pay the costs of treatment yourself. When choosing your doctor, please also check the medical speciality and main treatment areas. There are general practi-tioners (Allgemeinmediziner or Hausärzte) in Germany. Normally, you go to these doctors with everyday illnesses (such as a cold or an upset stomach) or if your illness is unclear. In such cases, the general practitioner will mostly refer the patient for further diagnosis and treatment to a specialist (Überweisung). But you can also go directly to a specialist without such a referral. All panel doctors settle their payments directly with your health insurance company. Quarterly consultation fee
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On your first visit to a doctor or dentist in any quarter, you currently have to pay a consultation fee of 10 €. This consultation fee always covers just one quarter. The doctor to whom you paid the consultation fee will, if necessary, issue you with referrals to other doctors. Then you do not have to pay a consultation fee if you can present the referral. Hospital treatment
There are state, charitable, denominational, and private hospitals in Germany as well as university hospitals. As a rule, you are admitted to hospital by a doctor. But, essentially, you have the right to choose your hospital yourself. If necessary, all insured persons have the right to in-patient hospital treatment. Such a stay in hospital stay may be required, for example, when other forms of treatment are not satisfactory. The health insurance pays for items required for medical treatment in hospital, such as consultation by a doctor, nursing care, provision of medication, remedies, aids and adjuvants, accommodation and meals. However; during the first 28 days, you have to pay a small day-rate as a contribution to the costs. Some medication is only available by prescription You can obtain medication from pharmacies (Apotheken) (www.apotheken.de) and, increasingly, online, too. However, a difference is made between non-prescription drugs and prescription drugs (i.e. where you need a prescription issued by a doctor). The statutory health insurance companies only pay for prescribed medication. However, patients have to pay a small personal contribution. Please note that the German Drugs Act is very strict. Some of the drugs that are prescription free in your country (for ex-ample, antibiotics) have to be prescribed by a doctor here.
2.6.2 Students with special needs Students with special needs should discuss the necessary measures in advance with a member of the International Stu-dents‟ Office. The university will endeavour to meet your needs. Wheelchairs for disabled students are available on all campuses. To find out to what extent there are computer facilities catering for students with disabilities and what measures the univer-sity has taken to make the university more disabled friendly, please contact a member of the International Students‟ Office team. International Students’ Office
Telephone: +49 5331 939 15910, 15920 Fax: +49 5331 939 15912, 15922
2.6.3 Insurance cover Health insurance
When enrolling at the university you must provide proof of your health insurance cover. For citizens of the European Union and those states with whom a social security agreement exists, the following applies: if you have health insurance at home then you need no additional cover in Germany. Even so, you must be able to produce your EHIC (European Health Insur-ance Card) or a certificate of private insurance with an insurance scheme in Germany. For those students who are already over 30 years old there are other conditions for health insurance. Accident insurance
As a registered student you are automatically insured at no extra cost against the results of accidents which occur in direct connection with your studies, e.g. on the way to university. Personal liability insurance
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There is no personal liability insurance policy (for damage which students do to others or their property) through the univer-sity. Thus we recommend taking out a private personal liability insurance policy.
2.7 Study facilities at Ostfalia
2.7.1 Centre for Modern Languages (Sprachenzentrum)
Ostfalia‟s Centre for Modern Languages offers a variety of modern languages courses at the university‟s four different campuses. The following languages are taught:
English,
French,
Spanish,
Italian,
Portuguese,
Swedish,
Norwegian,
Russian,
Polish,
Turkish and even
Chinese. Information on these courses and on the German language courses offered by the Centre for Modern Languages can be found under http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/zaw/zs/index.html The Language Centre also offers special German language courses for international students within the framework of
the ERASMUS programme. There is a special information session at the beginning of the lecture period at each of the university‟s campuses. International students are strongly recommended to attend these meetings because the courses will tailored according to the students‟ needs. Prior to the winter semester a two week German language course is offered at the Wolfenbüttel campus for all ERASMUS students, no matter in which of the four campuses they will study. Information can be obtained through the International Students‟ Office.
2.7.2 Library (Bibliothek)
The library (http://ostfalia.de/cms/de/bib) is the centre for multimedia and information services at Ostfalia. Its range of services comprises access to scientific literature in printed form, access to electronic information, personal assistance concerning literature and information enquiries for all users at our four campuses Suderburg, Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg and Salzgitter.
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Wolfenbüttel campus
Am Exer 8 38302 Wolfenbüttel [email protected] Tel.: 05331 / 939 - 18000 Wolfsburg campus
Siegfried-Ehlers-Straße 1 38440 Wolfsburg [email protected] Tel.: 05361 / 8922 - 18300 Salzgitter campus
Karl-Scharfenberg-Str. 55 38229 Salzgitter [email protected] Tel.: 05341 / 875 - 18600 Suderburg campus
Herbert-Meyer-Str. 7 29556 Suderburg [email protected] Tel.: 05826 / 988 - 18900
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The European Documentation Centre (Europäisches Dokumentationszentrum) is located at the Wolfenbüttel campus. It
was opened in May 2003. It guarantees easy access to documents and publications of the European Union not only for research and education but also for interested members of the public.
For further information (e.g. size, inventory, opening hours, lending period) please refer to the homepage: http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/bib/
2.7.3 Computing Centre (Rechenzentrum)
The computing centre (http://ostfalia.de/cms/de/rz/) offers infrastructures for multimedia and web services. They advise you and support you with the use of the multimedia devices and the web services.
In every computing centre on all campuses there are pool rooms with computer, internet, scanner and printer that can be used by all students. There are as well self-service stations, where you can print a confirmation of enrolment.
Internet access: The easiest way of getting Internet access is via the university computer centre. All you have to do is
present your matriculation (university registration) certificate. Some of the student halls of residence also meanwhile have broadband networks. Internet access is often already calculated into the monthly rent. Wolfenbüttel: Phone: +49 5331 939-19000 e-mail: [email protected] Wolfsburg: Phone: +49 5361 8922 -19990 e-mail: [email protected] Suderburg: Phone: +49 5826 988 - 19990 e-mail: [email protected] Salzgitter: Phone: +49 5341 875 - 19990 e-mail: [email protected]
2.8 Other useful information
2.8.1 Banks
It is possible to change money in nearly every bank in Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel, Salzgitter and Wolfsburg. If you hold an EC-card, you can withdraw money from the cash machines of the banks. If you want to open a current account you need a passport. As soon as you have received Ostfalia‟s enrolment certificate you should present that to your bank, because you do not pay any bank account fees as a student. A current account (Girokonto) is a must for anyone living in Germany. Everybody who works needs a current account into which the (monthly) salary is paid. That also applies to most student jobs. So you are well advised to open a current ac-count if you want to find any kind of employment or if you want to find a paid placement (Praktikum). At the same time, regular costs, like rent, electricity, plus other bills are also generally paid through the current account. In principle your bank can let you have an overdraft facility, i.e. that your account can be overdrawn up to a certain limit. If you then overdraw, you have to pay overdraft charges known as (Dispositionsgebühren – or in short – Dispogebühren). However, these charges are quite high and your bank may not let you have an overdraft facility when you are here as an exchange student. You will not generally get any interest (or if so only very little) for any money in your account. The account holder can use the cur-rent account to withdraw (Barabhebung) or pay in (Bareinzahlung) cash, to make bank transfers (Überweisung), set up standing orders (Dauerauftrag) or direct debits (Lastschrift).
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The current account generally includes a debit car, like the Maestro card (formally known as an EC-card). You can use the card to withdraw money from cash dispensers/ATMs or to make cashless payments in shops and stores. The account holder usually has to pay for using the current account. These charges are generally settled once a quarter – or in the form of a lump-sum payment or itemised for each transaction. Some banks even offer free-of-charge current accounts. You should be aware that banks are reluctant to let exchange students have an EC-card, because you are here only for a short period of time. If you have to pay a bill or fees (for example, to register at university), you will normally do this by bank transfer. The ac-count holder hands in a payment form to the bank, which then transfers the specified sum to the specified account. Anoth-er, often cheaper, alternative is to use the self-service terminal (often located in the lobby to the bank) to make the bank transfer or just use online banking. To be able to make a bank transfer, you have to enter the recipient's name, account number (Kontonummer), name of the bank, plus the bank or sort-code (Bankleitzahl). For international transfers, you addi-tionally need to enter the SWIFT-BIC (BIC = Bank Identifier Code) and IBAN (International Bank Account Number).
2.8.2 Transport
Travelling by car:
If you would like to drive a car in Germany, you must hold a valid driving licence. The licence also specifies what kinds of vehicles you can drive (car, lorry/truck, motorbike). You must have your driving licence and vehicle registration document with you every time you take a drive – and must present these documents in the event of a police check. However, not every driving licence gained abroad is also recognised in Germany. So please find out whether your driving licence allows you to drive in Germany. You can find further information on this on the website www.fahrtipps.de Car-sharing
Travelling with a car-sharing agency is an inexpensive way of discovering Germany. This involves drivers offering a seat in their car for the specific route. In return, the people sharing the car contribute to the fuel costs. The contact between driver and passenger is made by the car-sharing agency. You can find the addresses in the Yellow Pages and in the local calen-dar of events. You pay a small fee to the car-sharing agency for its service. In addition, there are some free-of-charge web-based car-sharing agencies, such as:
• www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de
• www.mitfahrzentrale.de
You should, however, check whether you will have insurance cover if you get involved in a car accident! Public transport
As an ERASMUS student at Ostfalia, you benefit from the excellent local public transport facilities in the region. Public busses, trams and regional trains can be used free of charge on presentation of your Ostfalia-student card. If you buy a so-called weekend ticket "Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket" for use on Saturdays or Sundays may be a good idea if you are travelling as a group in the region. Deutsche Bahn offers the ticket for 32 euros. Up to five people can travel as far as they like, although only in the slower regional and local trains. If you are planning to go to places further away, your quickest option is the ICE – InterCityExpress. However, the ICE is also the most expensive train in Germany. On middle-distance routes, you might consider using a less expensive IC (In-terCity) train.
If you like long-distance bus trips, this is often a very inexpensive means of travelling. Contact the local bus companies (Yellow Pages) or national travel operators (Internet) to find out more. Eurolines (www.eurolines.com) is a company with which you can reach destinations throughout Europe and through to North Africa at reasonable rates.
2.8.3 Eating
There are student‟s dining halls at the different campuses – usually called Mensa- there may be different names on some campuses. The Mensa usually offers some kind of late breakfast, lunch and has cafeteria facilities. The usually offer at
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least one vegetarian meal. More information (in German can be found here: http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/studierende/hochschulleben/mensen.html Student accommodation is usually equipped with a kitchen facility.
2.8.4 Shopping for food
From food discounters to delicatessens (delis) – you will find something where you can buy the things you need nearby. In Germany most people prefer to buy their food in supermarkets. These have a wide range of German and foreign food products plus household articles (such as washing-up liquid or kitchen rolls) and personal hygiene items (like shampoo, toothpaste) at affordable prices. Shopping in discount stores (get the names and locations from your student tutors) is very cheap in comparison to many European countries. You can pay cash or EC-card in practically all supermarkets. Opening times vary considerably from place to place. Usual opening hours on weekdays are between 9:00 and 19:00 or 20:00; on Saturdays until 16:00 (in larger towns sometimes until 18:00 or even 20:00). Most shops are closed on Sundays. You find supermarkets that stay open on Sundays at some major rail stations in larger towns. Traders from the region mostly offer their goods at the weekly markets. This generally means fresh products, like fruit, vegetables, cheese, cold meat and fish. But the markets may also offer clothing or simple household items (crockery, pots and pans). The markets are always held on the same day of the week. You can only pay in cash at these markets. Most towns have one or more organic shops. Their product range includes fruit and veg, drinks and beverages, cheese, bread, cold meats, sweets all the way through to detergents plus skin-care and cosmetic products, practically all of them organically made, organically grown or from animal friendly farms. Organic products are mostly slightly more expensive than others, Ethnic food is available in most of Ostfalia‟s locations – please ask staff at the International Student‟s Office or your student tutor. The many restaurants and food products of foreign origin show how strongly German society has been shaped by multiculturalism. Ethnic foods have firmly established themselves in German kitchens and stomachs. The 7 million or so foreigners living in Germany today brought their eating habits with them and successfully integrated them here. Some-times, light Asian and Mediterranean foods will even outweigh the often much more substantial German cuisine. And the Germans' love of travelling has also changed eating habits. People go out to eat in an Indian or Thai restaurant, or to the local Greek or Spanish joint, or will shop in a Turkish, African or Chinese supermarket. But don't expect these dishes al-ways to taste as they do back home. Because if the label says "Vietnamese", "Moroccan" or "Italian", ethnic food may have been adapted to take account of German taste buds, so they may be less hot and spicy and often a lot richer, with an extra shot or cream or butter.
2.8.5 Other
In Germany there is a current of 220 Volt. Perhaps you need an adapter to use your electrical appliances. And do not forget to bring bed linen, a quilt and a pillow!
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2.9 Extra-curricular and leisure activities
University Student Services offer support to all students at each of Ostfalia‟s four campuses: • Students Union (http://www.asta.ostfalia.de/ ) • Student Parliament (http://stupa.ostfalia.de/ ) • Departmental Student Council (http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/fh/not_in_menu/fara_index.html )
There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities:
• • Amateur Radio Workshop • Movie Wolfenbüttel (http://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/service/movie/index.html ) • Sports (https://www.ostfalia.de/cms/de/sport/ ) • FH-JazzCombo "The Jazzsters" (http://www.jazzsters.de/ ) • Motor racing WOB Racing Team (http://www.wob-racing.de/ ) • RoboCup Team (“Wolfenbuettel Wolves”) (http://robocup.fh-wolfenbuettel.de/) • Modellbau AG (http://cup.ostfalia.de/)