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Welcome Guide
University of Applied Sciences EuropeWinter Semester 2017/2018
WELCOME TO YOUR SEMESTER ABROAD
For your orientation, we have created this guide to answer your questions on our university and life in Germany. You will also find further information on our International Office website.In case you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
1. University of Applied SciencesEurope – About us
We are the University of Applied Sciences Europe, comprised of BiTS (School of Business Leadership) and BTK (School of Art & Design). The University is part of the Laureate International Universities Network and offers hands-on, international, and personal study programs. Our three campuses in Germany are located in Berlin, Hamburg, and Iserlohn. International Students are accepted in Berlin and Iserlohn. They can chose from Business or Art & Design programs, which are completely in English.
1.a. Academic CalendarThere are two intakes per year for international students:
Summer Semester: End of March to end of June
Winter Semester: End of September to end of January
1.b. Semester Dates in 2017/18
Winter Semester 2017/18 Summer Semester 2018
Welcome Day 27.09.17 -29.09.17 13.03.18 – 15.03.18
Beginning Classes 02.10.17 19.03.18
Examination Period 02.01.18 – 12.01.18 18.06.18 – 30.06.18
Application Deadline 15.06.17 15.12.17
1.c. Equipment and LearningEnvironment
For our Business students
Computer labsWLAN on the entire campus and internal portal for all students available (access information will be given upon arrival) Library
Cafeteria
For our Art & Design students
Photographic equipment: digital and analogue photo cameras of small, medium, and large formats, digital video cameras
Lighting and sound equipment
Macs and Mac pools
Print/scan studio
Animation, green screen, and photo studios Motion design lab and sound lab
Dark room, photo studio and editing room 3D laboratory
All photographic equipment can be borrowed free of charge. In the beginning of the semester, we will help you to set up an insurance that allows you to take the university’s equipment with you - also outside the campus. The insurance will cost ca. 25 Euro for the entire semester. It is optional, but recommended to protect you from high costs in case of equipment damage.
1.d. Choosing your ProgramTo offer you an easy and comprehensible study experience, you must pick a complete study package at the location of your choice awarding you with 30 ECTS (regular workload for one semester).
UndergraduateBusiness and Management Studies – Berlin and IserlohnPhotography – BerlinCommunication Design - Berlin
PostgraduateCorporate Management – BerlinMedia Spaces – Berlin
We will provide you with the course list prior to your start at UE Germany.
1.e. Further InformationWhen we get closer to the start of the semester, you will be invited to join a Facebook group with all the other new incoming students. You will also be informed on the exact date of “Welcome Day”. You can always contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Please remember to get started hunting for a flat. We are looking forward to meeting you at University of Applied Sciences Europe!
2. LIFE IN GERMANY
BiTS and BTK are located in three very different areas of Germany: the West, the North and the East. All locations have their own characteristics which you will be able to explore. For a little help with your preparation we give some general information that apply for the whole of Germany.
2.a. ClimateWinters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though maxi mum temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F) for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the south-west. Winters are moderate, too. Still, temperatures below 0°C (32°F) are common.
2.b. Local FoodA typical German lunch or din ner consists of fried or cooked meat like pork, beef, poultry or chicken, which is accompanied by different kinds of vegetables, potatoes, dumplings or pasta. People living on the northern coasts of Germany often prefer fish like trout, perch, pike, carp and herring. Stews or casseroles are also a very famous dish for dinner, especially in the winter months.
2.c. German electrical systemIf the voltage and frequency for your device is the same as in Germany, then you only need to worry about the physical plug. The small difference between 110V and 120V is within the tolerances of most electrical devices (likewise for 220V and 240V). If the voltage for your device is not the same, then you will need a transformer or converter to convert the voltage. Giving a device a lower voltage than it was designed for is generally not dangerous; the device may not work correctly, but no dra matic failure is likely. Giving any device a voltage higher than it was designed for is dangerous and will very likely damage the device. If you put 230 volts into a device designed for 110 it may melt, catch fire or even explode. For more information on elec tricity please refer to: wikitravel.org/en/Electrical_ systems
2.d. Pre-Paid Sim CardsA pre-paid sim-card is convenient and cheap. It is usually 15-25 euros a month for internet, texts, and calls. Get one on Simyo (order your sim-card online): simyo.de, Vodafone (order one online or buy it on one of the many Vodafone shops around): vodafone.de/freikarten/callya-special/. You can also buy a sim-card in shops like LIDL, ALDI or NETTO. They are usually very cheap and simple to use. The sim-card pro vider will inform you in how to top-up etc.
2.e. Waste separation in GermanyGermany is a highly innova tive country in terms of waste separation and recycling, and has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. To help you with separating your domestic waste during your time in Germany in order to protect the environment.
GlassGlass bottles (wine, juice, cook ing oil, etc.) or any other glass articles have to be thrown into the bottle bank. Please do not dispose of any pottery or porcelain articles here. Bottle banks can be found in any district.
Paper: Newspapers, magazines, boxes, paper bags, books or anything else made of paper have to be thrown into a paper container. Please do not dispose of dirty paper (e.g. pizza cartons, etc.), laminated carton or any other paper treated with synthetics (e.g. milk cartons, etc.)
Residual waste: Cold ash, cigars, hygienic paper, dirty paper, etc. and any organic-waste has to be thrown into the grey bin of your flat or house. Please do not put in special waste like broken electrical devices, batteries or oil.
2.f. Bank AccountSetting up a German bank account might make it easier for you to handle financial matters (it is not required though). It is mostly free for students to set up an account. Some banks require an “Anmeldung“ from you together with a valid passport, but most banks are just asking for the valid passport. The most common German Banks are: Sparkasse, Volksbank, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and Postbank. Search for the bank online to find opening hours, and then go to make an appointment. Bring your Passport and Student ID. When you have set it up you will get an EC card (to pay and with draw in Germany) and an online account. The prospective bank will guide you through the process.
HOUSING IN GERMANY
Moving to a new city is always exciting. To make it a bit easier for you we put together the most important facts for you.
3.a. General AdviceIt can take you up to two months to find an apartment and up to six months to get a spot in a student dorm – so start looking in advance. Do not exclude temporarily limited offers. Competition is very high, especially in peak times like the beginning of a new term, as many students are looking for a flat, room or other form of accommodation. It will be much easier for you to find the perfect flat when you are not under the pressure of a specific timeline. Check out the surrounding area to see if a potential room or flat really suits your requirements. E.g.: Are there any supermar kets close by? Is it well connect ed to public transportation? How about bicycling, getting home in the evening, etc. Activate your social network. Often it is easier and less complicated to privately rent a place. Get connected and ask around. Usually there is always somebody that that has the missing key for your project!
3.b. DepositsIt is common to pay a deposit equal to 1-3 month’s rent, which is returned when terminating the rental contract and if there is no damage to the flat. Be careful before you store the deposit and make sure you have a signed contract first and have checked the background of the landlord: Does he/she have a website? Did you speak to other renters about him/her? Does everything work fine? Is he/she easily reachable via phone? Watch out for apartment frauds - as a general rule, do not transfer any money to the land lord before meeting him/her in person, or before you have seen the apartment.For local characteristics please see the location guides.
3.c. Useful words and abbreviations3 Z. 3 Zimmer (3 rooms)
Blk. Balkon (balcony)bezugsfertig ready for occupancy
Dachterrasse roof-deck
EG Erdgeschoss (ground floor)EBK Einbauküche (fitted kitchen)
OG Obergeschoss (upper floor)KM/Kaltmiete:
KB Küche, Bad (kitchen, bathroom)KDB Kitchen, Hallway, Bathroommöbliert furnishedNK Additional expenditures except
the monthly rent. To find out which costs are definitely included in the “NK” please ask the landlord.
monthly rent without additional expenditures(water, waste, etc.)
qm Quadratmeter (square meters)
Wfl Wohnfläche (living space)renoviert renovated
WG geeignet Wohngemeinschaft - geeignet suitable for flat-sharing
WM Warmmiete (rent which alreadyWhg. Wohnung (flat)
includes additional expenditures like water, waste, electricity and heating)
Provision/Maklergebühr commission (for agent)
4. VISA
4.a. Student VisaIf you have an EU/EFTA nationality, you will not need to apply for a student visa. If you have a non-EU/EFTA nationality, you will need to apply for a student visa. You have to apply for this at the German embassy in your home country several weeks before leaving for Germany. For your visa appointment you will need to bring (without guarantee):
a “letter of acceptance“ from our university valid passport2 passport photosapplication documents (the embassy will provide you these)financial guarantee
Please check with the German Embassy of your home country as to what other specific forms you need to submit. Additional information can be found on the website of the German Federal Office. Once you are in Germany, you have to register at the foreigners’ registration authority (Ausländerbehörde) within the first two months of arrival. They will provide you a residence permit for study purposes.
5. “ANMELDUNG”
5.a. Residence RegistrationWithin 14 days after your arrival, you must register with the local authorities “Bürgeramt” (even for a temporary stay). We will provide you with the needed documents on the “Welcome day“, and register your arrival for you.If you don’t want us to do it for you or you want to sign up earlier, follow the steps listed here:You will need to find out which Bürgeramt is closest to you. You won’t be able to register at a Bürgeramt outside your neighbourhood. You can either search online, ask your friends, or neighbours.
University of Applied Sciences Europe BerlinDessauer strasse 3-510963 Berlin ground floor A.00.35+49 (0)30 338539 [email protected]
University of Applied Sciences Europe IserlohnReiterweg 26b58636 Iserlohn+49 (0) [email protected]
