international student guide

Transcription

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
Welcome to SRH University of Applied Sciences Berlin!
A new beginning is always exciting but also means a lot of work. In order to support
you in preparing your studies abroad we put together this guide. We hope that it will
help you plan your stay in Berlin. Should you have additional questions or should you
encounter any problems, please feel free to contact us.
International Office
SRH Hochschule Berlin
Ernst-Reuter-Platz 10
10587 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 30 922 535 45
Fax: +49 (0) 30 922 535 55
[email protected]
http://www.srh-hochschule-berlin.de/en/international-focus/
Guide for International Students
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. General Information for Foreign Students
2. Your Visa and Residence Permit
a. Your Visa Application
b. Your Residence Permit Application
c. Visa Service at SRH University Berlin
3. How to find Accommodation in Berlin
a. General Information
b. Where should I stay?
c. What else should I know about renting a
place in Berlin?
d. Student Housing and Guest
Accommodation
e. Apartments and Shared Apartments
f. Temporary Accommodation
4. Financing Options
a. For German Citizens
b. For Foreign Students
5. Other Important Information
a. Health Insurance
b. Getting Around in Berlin
c. Language
d. Money
e. Phone Calls
f. Athletics
g. Employment
h. Berlin: English Resources
SRH Hochschule Berlin, International Office, January 2012
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
Here are some links to services that may be useful to you:
·
GASP University Placement and Relocation Service (http://www.gaspberlin.de/index.php) – GASP caters especially to foreign students who are new to
Germany and Berlin. As a long-time and reliable partner of SRH, they have
helped numerous SRH applicants in the past with finding a place to live, helping
to set up a bank account and offering visa support. Other services, such as
airport pick up, are also available. Contact GASP directly for a list of current
service charges and other details.
·
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)
(http://www.daad.de/deutschland/index.en.html) – The DAAD, which stands for
German Academic Exchange Service, is dedicated to educational exchanges in
Germany. They are a great resource for every international student who is
planning to study in Germany or who is currently studying in Germany. Take a
look!
·
The VOCAL Project EU (http://vocalproject.eu/) – VOCAL stands for Vocationally
Oriented Culture And Language. In this portal you will find very detailed
information about everything you need to know about living in Germany, from
finding a place to live to learning about the banking system. While you learn
about these things, you can also practice your German skills with the many
listening and reading exercises. Information is available in both German and
English.
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2. YOUR VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT
Every visa application requires lots of paperwork and lots of patience. Please do not
underestimate the process and keep in mind that you will not be able to study in
Germany without a valid visa (unless you are a citizen of a country that belongs to the
European Union).
a. Your Visa Application
It is imperative that you start your visa application process as soon as you have been
accepted at SRH to ensure that you will get your visa in time for the start of the
semester.
If you are not a citizen of the European Union, of an EEA state or of Switzerland, you
must apply for a visa at the German Embassy in your home country BEFORE you come to
Germany. Please keep in mind that visa processing times can take several months so you
should apply as early as possible. In our experience, most visa applicants have to wait 46 weeks for their visa interview appointment. Especially during summer, there might be
a considerable waiting period for an appointment. During your appointment, you must
present your documents to a Visa Officer and answer some questions about the purpose
of your stay in Germany. If your papers are complete and the Visa Officer approves, the
Embassy will then start to process your application, which can easily take additional 4-8
weeks. We recommend that you contact your German Embassy at least 3 months
before the semester starts.
Be sure to apply for a long-term national (D) visa for study purposes. The shortterm (C) “Schengen” visa is only valid for up to 3 months and will not cover your study
stay in Germany.
The documents that are required to obtain such a study visa include a valid passport, a
current photo, the acceptance letter from SRH University Berlin, proof of financial
support as well as some additional application documents. Bear in mind that visa rules
and regulations can differ considerably from country to country. It is therefore crucial
that you contact the German Embassy in your home country to find out about the
specific requirements.
Citizens of certain countries can enter Germany without a visa. From the day they arrive,
they have 90 days to report to the Ausländerbehörde (Alien’s Office) in Berlin to apply
for their residence permit. The German Embassy in your home country will be able to tell
you if you need a visa or if you can enter Germany without a visa.
When you receive your study visa, you will notice that it is only valid for 90 days. This is
not a mistake and no reason to worry. After your arrival in Berlin, you must report to the
Ausländerbehörde to convert the visa into a German residence permit.
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Important Notice for Exchange or ERASMUS Students
SRH University Berlin urges exchange or ERASMUS students to request a national (D) visa
that is valid up to 12 months instead of a 90-day national (D) entry visa. According to
§§ 6 Abs. 4, 16-18, 20 and 21 AufenthG and Art. 18 Abs. 2 SDÜ, non-EU citizens who
will stay in Germany for less than one year may obtain such a visa. Since it should cover
the entire period of your stay, you will not need to apply for a residence permit after
your arrival in Germany, which will save you time and effort.
Important Notice for Master Students Enrolled in the Tripartite Master Program
The above named national (D) 12-months visa is not suitable for Master students who
are enrolled in the Tripartite Master Program. Tripartite Master students who plan to
spend their second or third semester outside of Germany, must obtain a German
residence permit in order to complete the student visa application for the next host
country.
For example, if you are a non-EU student who is enrolled in the Master combination
Berlin-Dublin-Paris, you must first obtain a national 90-day entry visa for study purposes
from the German Embassy in your home country. After your arrival in Germany, you will
apply for a German residence permit. Once you obtained the German residence permit,
you may start your visa process for the Irish student visa at the Irish Embassy in Berlin. A
holder of the national long-term 12-months visa would have to return to his or her
home country to complete the Irish student visa application.
You will receive detailed information about the different visa application processes for
the 2nd semester during the 1st semester.
Students enrolled in the Tripartite program with the 1st semester in Querétaro or Vilnius
are urged to contact the Mexican/Lithuanian Embassy in their home country to
find out whether or not they need a student visa for Mexico/Lithuania and to start the
visa process, if necessary.
Useful Links
Ø List of all German Embassies and Consulates from the Auswärtiges Amt (Foreign
Office): http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Laenderinformationen/03WebseitenAV/Uebersicht_node.html
Ø Visa Rules and Regulations, Visa Application Forms from the Auswärtiges Amt
(Foreign Office): http://www.auswaertigesamt.de/EN/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/Visabestimmungen_node.html
Ø Information for Foreign Students from the Ausländerbehörde (Alien’s Office) in
Berlin: http://www.berlin.de/labo/auslaender/dienstleistungen/studium_en.html
Ø Information from the Ausländerbehörde (Alien’s Office) about the 12-months
national (D) visa: http://www.berlin.de/formularserver/formular.php?344170
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b. Your Residence Permit Application
You received a long-term national 90-day visa to enter Germany. This visa is valid for
only 90 days and has to be converted into an Aufenthaltsgenehmigung zu
Studienzwecken (residence permit for study purposes) at the Ausländerbehörde (Alien’s
Office) before its expiration (please check your visa expiration date).
Types of Residence Permits
Since September 1st 2011, there are two types of residence permits.
1) The new electronic residence permit (eAT) issued to third-country citizens who are
enrolled in a 3-year Bachelor or 2-year Master Program including the Tripartite Master
Program.
It is a residence permit in credit card format with contact-free chip, biometric features
(photograph and two fingerprints) and an online identification function. Your address
and personal data (height and eye colour among others) are registered on the chip.
Please refer to the information sheet of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge
(Federal Office for Migration and Refugees):
http://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Publikationen/Flyer/flyer-eATeng.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
2) The old adhesive stamp entered directly into your passport issued to thirdcountry citizens who are exchange or ERASMUS students.
On this residence permit no personal data is registered electronically.
Please note that those two different types of residence permits result in two
different processes.
Registration at the Bürgeramt
Before you can start your residence permit application, you must register at the
Bürgeramt (Registration Office) in Berlin. Take the completed registration form, your
passport and your lease to the Bürgeramt to receive your Anmeldebestätigung
(confirmation of registration). If you don’t know any German, you may want to ask a
friend for help. The registration form for the Bürgeramt is only available in German and
the Bürgeramt staff usually speaks German only.
Residence Permit Application Process
In order to help you with the residence permit application process, SRH University Berlin
established a Visa Service. This service is free of charge and gives assistance in terms of
residence permit application related issues.
That is why you have two possibilities to start the process: You handle this process on
your own (you submit the documents in person to the Alien’s Office and do all the
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administrative steps alone) or via the Visa Service of SRH University Berlin (the Visa
Service submits your documents to the Alien’s Office and picks up your residence
permit).
Be aware that the residence permit application process may take 2 months minimum or
more to complete. During this time, students are somewhat restricted as far as travelling
and working goes.
For both types of residence permits, you will need the following documents:
fully completed, readable and signed Residence Permit Application Form
copy of your study visa for Germany
valid passport
one up-to-date biometric photo
Anmeldebestätigung from the Bürgeramt (confirmation of registration)
Immatrikulationsbescheinigung from SRH University Berlin (confirmation of
enrolment)
Ø proof of financial support: You have to show that you have at least 685 € per
month at your disposal (excluding tuition fees). For example, if you are applying
for a residence permit for 6 months, you must show proof of 685 € x 6 months +
tuition fees.
Ø processing fee
Ø additional documents may be required.
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
All documents should be in German.
Important Notice
SRH University Berlin recommends that you bring all the documents with you to
Germany that you already submitted for your study visa application at the German
Embassy.
Working or Interning as a Non-EU Citizen
As a non-EU citizen you are allowed to work 90 full days or 180 half days per year. This
could also be within an internship. On the contrary, freelance work is not permitted.
These regulations are registered on your visa as well as on your German residence
permit on an additional paper.
Travelling With Your German Residence Permit
As a German residence permit holder, you can move freely within the following states
of the Schengen area, within the residence permit’s term of validity, for a total stay of
up to three months within a six-month period:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federal Republic of Germany,
Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland.
This regulation applies only to visits for touristic purposes. When travelling, make sure to
take your passport and residence permit with you.
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Useful Links
Ø Registration Form for Berlin Bürgeramt (Registration Office) – available only in
German: http://www.berlin.de/formularserver/formular.php?52009
Ø General Information about the Registration as well as addresses for Bürgerämter
(Registration Offices) – available only in German:
http://www.berlin.de/buergeramt/index.php?dienstleistung=120686
Ø Information from the Bundesgentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) about
Internships for third-national students – available only in German:
http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/zentraler-Content/Veroeffentlichungen/MerkblattSammlung/MB-ZAV-Praktikazulassung-AG-Info.pdf
c. Visa Service at SRH University Berlin
Due to the high amount of international students, SRH University Berlin launched a Visa
Service. This service is free of charge and available to all SRH students.
The Visa Service offers assistance and services in the following areas:
Ø Visa and residence permit regulations for Germany (exchange, ERASMUS, Bachelor
and Master students)
Ø Visa regulations for the countries in which we have partner universities
Important Notice: The Visa Service does not provide your visa!
SRH University Berlin urges all non-EU citizens to give the Visa Service an
update on their visa application status.
Contact Information
Ms. Gloria Thiller
[email protected], +49 30 922 535 43
http://www.srh-hochschule-berlin.de/en/international-focus/visa-service/
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3. HOW TO FIND ACCOMMODATION IN BERLIN
a. General Information
Here at SRH, we do not have a residence hall nor do we have a housing office that will
find accommodation for students. However, we put together a list for you with links
that will help you with your search for your new home in Berlin. In comparison to cities
in Western Germany or other central European capitals, Berlin has relatively low rental
rates so you should be able to find something that is reasonably priced. If you need
further assistance with your search for a place to live, please contact our partner GASP
(mentioned above). For a service charge they will find you a place from which you will
be able to reach SRH University in no more than one hour by public transportation.
b. Where should I stay?
Berlin is a big city and commutes can be long. So you should look for a place that is not
too far away from the university which is located in the district Charlottenburg.
However, Berlin’s public transportation system is very convenient. You find bus, tram,
subway and train stops at every corner. They run very frequently and are almost always
on time. If you can’t find anything near the university, you may look into renting a place
in the districts Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg or Kreuzberg. From there, it may take you
55 minutes to get to SRH, but these districts are very popular among students. Check
the website of BVG at http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/index.html to get an overview of
Berlin’s public transportation system and to find out how long it would take you to get
from your place to the university.
c. What else should I know about renting a place in Berlin?
Obviously, it is advisable that you visit and physically inspect any apartment before
signing a contract. Also, landlords usually obscure total accommodation costs by
expressing their fees either by the German words “Kaltmiete” (plain rental fee without
the utilities) and “Warmmiete” (rental fee including utility costs, except electricity). If
you are negotiating with a real estate agent instead of directly with the landlord, the
former commonly charges a commission before contract signing. In either case,
landlords will require a security deposit in advance which is usually 2 or 3 times your
“Kaltmiete”. For foreign applicants, some landlords also require proof of income, such
as proof of funds for three months of rent. Furthermore, liability insurance might also be
required. According to German law, landlords are not allowed to access security
deposits and have to provide interest upon pay back.
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d. Student Housing and Guest Accommodation
·
Studentendorf Schlachtensee (http://www.studentendorf-berlin.com/) – The
Studentendorf offers affordable housing for guests and students from all over
the world. Honored as National Heritage, Studentendorf Schlachtensee offers
multiple forms of living in 24 houses. There are about 350 rooms in joint
residences. Furthermore, they offer small apartments for individuals and couples.
·
House of Nations (http://house-of-nations.de/cms/en/home.html) – The House
of Nations offers fully furnished apartments and rooms. Most of them are located
in the center of Berlin (Mitte/Wedding). With the Semester Ticket students can
reach the different colleges using public transportation without a problem.
·
Paul-Fleischmann-Haus (http://www.paul-fleischmannhaus.com/content/e3/e200/index_eng.html) – The apartment house PaulFleischmann-Haus features apartments in various sizes and price categories. All
rooms are fully furnished. Supplementary services are available for all apartments
and can be booked individually as required. Rental is also possible on a weekly
basis.
·
Wohnheim Berlin – Fördererkreis Junge Politik e.V. (http://www.wohnheimberlin.de/eng_index.htm) – The registered society "Fördererkreis Junge Politik
e.V." offers well-situated rooms and flats for students and young people in their
training. It is located right in the city-centre, a short distance to all universities of
Berlin. Guests from all over the world create an international atmosphere.
·
Arwobau Easy Living (http://easy-living4u.de/en/index.php) – Arwobau rents
out single and shared apartments mainly to students. Most of their 6 locations
are a little far out, however, they are very reasonably priced. Foreign students
welcome and application can be completed in English.
e. Apartments and Shared Apartments
Among students, it is very common to share an apartment. In German, this is often
referred to as a “WG” which is short for “Wohngemeinschaft”. A room in a WG is
relatively cheap because all of the flatmates share the common spaces like kitchen,
bathroom and hallway. WGs are also a great way to meet new people.
·
WG-Gesucht (http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/) – Very legitimate website. This is
the right place for you if you are looking for a room in a WG, an apartment or a
house for rent or short-term let. Just type in your search criteria and all current
offers will pop up. You can also place your own ad in the section “Gesuch
aufgeben”.
·
Studenten-WG (http://www.studenten-wg.de/) – This website is very similar to
the first one, http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/, also very legitimate. Unfortunately,
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it is only available in German. However, it also provides networking options,
shared ride ads, and other services for students.
·
Craigslist Berlin (http://berlin.en.craigslist.de/hhh/) – A large classifieds section
advertising apartments for rent, short term and long term. A great resource, but
please be aware of scams! Do not send any money to anyone before you have
seen the place and signed the lease and keep in mind that a deal that seems to
be too good to be true, usually is too good to be true.
·
Apartment Databases – There are various websites listing apartment
advertisements, such as (some are only available in German):
o http://www.immobilienscout24.de
o http://onlyapartments.com/
o http://www.immonet.de/
o http://wohnungen-jetzt.de/
o http://www.immowelt.de/
·
Real Estate Companies – It is also possible to search the postings of various real
estate companies. Most real estate companies’ websites are in German only.
o http://gagfah.de/de/index.html
o http://www.gewobag.de/
o http://www.allod-haus.de/
f. Temporary Accommodation
Some students prefer to arrive in Berlin a few weeks before their studies start so that
they have enough time to look for a place to live. In this case, you may want to stay in a
youth hostel until you have found your new home. Youth hostels are a cheaper
alternative to hotels and are therefore more attractive for younger people and travelers.
The closest one to our university is the “AO Youth Hostel am Zoo” with rates starting at
€12 per night. Their website is http://www.aohostels.com/en/berlin/hostel-amzoo/hostel/info/?Seed=Herbergen-Berlin&gclid=CN-52_uOu6ICFQkrDgodnUlL6A. To
book one of the many other hostels in Berlin, check http://www.hostelworld.com or
http://www.hostelz.com. Should you prefer to stay in a hotel, here is a list of hotels that
are in walking distance to the university:
· Excelsior (http://www.grandcity-hotel-berlin-excelsior.de/index.html)
· Novotel (http://www.novotel.com/gb/home/index.shtml)
· Pension Brinn (http://www.pension-brinn.de/)
· Hotel Gates (http://www.hotel-gates.com/default.aspx?lang=en)
· Hotel Otto (http://www.hotelotto.com/en/index.html)
· Hotel Carmer (http://www.hotelcarmer16.de/index.php?lang=1&menu=0&umenu=0)
· Hotel Heidelberg (http://www.hotel-heidelberg-berlin.de/default.aspx?lang=en)
You can find and book other hotels in Berlin at
http://uk.hrs.com/europe/germany/berlin.
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FINANCING OPTIONS
Financing their studies is a challenge that many students deal with. Depending on
whether you are a German citizen or a foreign student, there are different options that
are available to you. The following links should help you to determine the best financing
options for your individual situation.
a. For German Citizens
·
BAföG (http://www.das-neue-bafoeg.de/) – Hier finden Sie alle Informationen
rund um das BAföG, die wohl bekannteste Studienförderung.
·
Studentenwerk Berlin (http://www.studentenwerkberlin.de/bub/sozialberatung/beratung_zur_studienfinanzierung_und_sozialrechtli
chen_fragen/fi_stipendien/index.html) – Das Studentenwerk Berlin informiert
über verschiedene Möglichkeiten zur Studienfinanzierung. Hier finden Sie auch
Flyer zum Thema Stiftungen und Studienkredite.
·
Bildungskredit-Infoportal
(http://www.bildungskredit.net/themen/ueberblick.html) – Bildungskredit.net gibt
einen Überblick zum Thema Finanzierung im Studium. Unter anderem wird die
Frage beantwortet, wie man die richtige Finanzierung wählt.
·
Deutsche Bank (http://www.deutsche-bank.de/pbc/pk-studium-einstieg.html) –
Mit ihrem Produkt „StudentenKredit“ bietet die Deutsche Bank eine Möglichkeit
zur Studienfinanzierung. Der Studienkredit ist auf die Bedürfnisse von
Studierenden zugeschnitten. Bewerber mit einem guten oder sehr guten B.A.Abschluss erhalten einen Leistungsbonus.
·
Stipendiendatenbank des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung
(BMBF) (http://www.stipendienlotse.de/suche_stipendien.php) – Das BMBF
bietet auf diesen Seiten eine interaktive Informationsbasis, die es potentiellen
Stipendiaten ermöglicht, sich umfassend und zielgerichtet über aktuelle
Stipendienprogramme zu informieren.
·
Stiftungen – Stipendien werden oft auch von einzelnen Stiftungen vergeben.
Hier einige Beispiele:
· Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
· Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
· Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
· Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
· Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
· Cusanuswerk Bischöfliche Studienförderung
· Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigts
· Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung
· Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
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· Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
· Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Unter der folgenden Adresse hat der Berliner Senat ein Verzeichnis aller Berliner
Stiftungen zusammengestellt:
http://www.berlin.de/imperia/md/content/senatsverwaltungen/justiz/stiftungen/sti
ftungsverzeichnis.pdf?start&ts=1276596137&file=stiftungsverzeichnis.pdf. Viele
von ihnen bieten Fördermöglichkeiten für entsprechend qualifizierte Studierende.
b. For Foreign Students
·
Scholarship Database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
(http://www.daad.de/deutschland/foerderung/stipendiendatenbank/00462.en.ht
ml) – Here you can find information on various kinds of DAAD funding for
foreign students, graduates and postdocs as well as on funding offered by other
selected organisations.
·
You may also check with your government to see if they offer scholarships to
students who study abroad.
·
We also recommend that you look into different foundations in your home
country as many of them also offer financial support to qualified students.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
a. Health Insurance
Every person residing in Germany is required by law to have health insurance. SRH
University does not offer any type of health insurance. Please arrange for your own
health insurance before you arrive in Germany or shortly after your arrival.
If you are a non-EU citizen and need to apply for a residence permit in Germany, the
Alien’s Office requires you to get health insurance through a German health insurance
company (“Krankenkasse”)*. You have the choice between private (“privat”) and
national (“gesetzlich”) health insurance. The majority of students in Germany opt for
the national health insurance which costs about 60-70€ per month and includes
coverage for your spouse and children. You will be issued an insurance card which you
can use at any doctor, dentist or hospital without paying for the treatment or
equipment (with the exception of the co-pay). With a private health insurance you need
to pay for the medical services in advance and hand in all of your receipts after your
treatment to file for a reimbursement. This can get costly. In general, we recommend
that you register for a national health insurance with a German health insurance
company within the very first days after your arrival in Germany. An example for a
health insurance company offering national health insurance for foreign students is the
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). More information is available at
http://www.tk.de/tk/tk/english/145048.
Students who do not need to apply for a German residence permit may contact their
insurance company in their home country and ask about insurance plans for students
who study abroad. Please note that your insurance should cover all expenses for
accidents and sickness in full. Furthermore, the insurance must be valid abroad and must
cover your entire stay. Before visiting a doctor, check with your health insurance
company to see if there are certain doctors or medical centers that you must use. Also,
be prepared to pay for medical services and then file a claim with your insurance
company in order to be reimbursed. However, it has happened in the past that foreign
students with private health insurance coverage from their home countries did not get
all of their money back – they were only reimbursed for the amount that the treatment
would have cost in their home country. These students may also be required to get
additional nursing care insurance coverage for their stay in Germany as this is usually not
included in foreign private health insurance policies. Check with your insurance
company for the specifics and don’t forget to take your insurance card and policy
description with you to Germany!
If there is a certain medication that you need to take on a regular basis, make sure that
you bring it with you to Germany. For medical emergencies in Germany and in other EU
countries, please call 112. This is the urgent medical care line that should only be
used in an emergency!
*This requirement may be waived for ERASMUS exchange students who only plan to study in Berlin for 35 months. However, any international health insurance policy must meet the German health insurance
requirements in order to be accepted by the Alien’s Office.
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b. Getting Around in Berlin
Berlin has an excellent public transportation system. A train or bus stop is never far
away, no matter where you are. If you are new to the city, however, it can be a little
overwhelming. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the system even
before you arrive in Berlin. Take a look at the website of the BVG, which stands for
Berlin Public Transportation Authority. At http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/index.html,
you will find information in English. Purchase your semester ticket at SRH at the
beginning of every semester, and you are ready to go!
You will also find a lot of taxis in the streets of Berlin. However, the rides can be kind of
expensive and especially during rush hour, you may be faster on the train. If you do take
a cab, ask the driver how much the trip will cost before you get in.
Berlin is also a good city for bikers. Bike paths are marked in red and can be found
pretty much anywhere. If you travel by bike, please make sure that you obey the signs
and traffic signals. After all, you are sharing the road and sidewalks with cars and
pedestrians.
c. Language
The official language in Germany is German. Older people, especially if they grew up in
former East Germany where Russian (not English) was taught in school, may not be able
to communicate in English. However, most people that you will meet in Berlin will be
able to speak at least a little bit of English. Even if their language skills are insufficient,
most people will try to help and answer questions.
Although you would be able to survive in Berlin without knowing a word of German,
getting around will of course be easier the more German you know. We encourage
students to learn some basic German before they get here. It is also possible to take
some German classes after your arrival.
SRH offers German classes to its Bachelor and Master students and encourages all
international students to attend. However, we are unable to guarantee that all students
will be able to participate as the German class may interfere with regular classes. Should
you not be able to take part in the SRH sponsored German class, you may want to enrol
in one of the classes that are offered by the “Volkshochschule” (VHS). Volkshochschulen
are schools that are specialized in adult education. You find them all over Germany.
There are several different ones in Berlin offering thousands of classes including German
as a Foreign Language (DaF). The classes are very good and cheap, however, you will
need a friend to help you find the right course and to help with the application as all of
their information is available only in German. Check
http://www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/deutsch/deutschfremd.html for available classes. There
are also several other (more expensive) language schools. The most well-known are GLS
and Berlitz.
15
d. Money
If you are staying in Germany for more than three months, you will probably need a
German bank account. A local account is much cheaper and more convenient than
using your home bank account.
Opening a bank account is a straightforward process in Germany. However you often
need to show some proof of a German address besides your national identification
document. It is therefore recommendable to register at the “Einwohnermeldeamt”
(registration office) before attempting to open an account. After opening your account,
you will receive an EC card with a corresponding PIN number. This card allows you to
withdraw cash from the majority of cash machines in Germany and Europe.
Withdrawals from machines from your own bank or associated institutions are free,
while cash machines from other institutions will charge you a fee, so make sure you find
out from your bank how much this will cost.
If you have a card from your home country, check with your bank to see if it works in
EC machines as this is an efficient way to get cash.
If you lose your EC card, notify your bank as quickly as possible. You should never give
out your PIN number, as this could allow anybody to withdraw money from your
account.
Bank opening times differ from one bank to the next, with most open weekdays from 9
am to 4 pm. Main offices tend to keep similar hours to local shops, but may also open
on Saturdays. In rural areas, banks are sometimes closed 1 to 2.30 pm. Most bank
branches have cash machines (ATMs) that allow you to withdraw cash, transfer money
and get bank statements 24 hours/day.
Germany is unusual in that it has a relatively low level of credit card usage compared to
other European countries, with many people preferring to pay in cash. As elsewhere, the
most common cards in Germany are Eurocard/Mastercard and Visa, however credit
cards are not accepted everywhere. Check a shop's door for a sticker showing which
credit cards are accepted or ask. If you have a PIN for your credit card, you can use it to
withdraw money from ATMs, but watch out for the charges as these can be high.
e. Phone Calls
Phone calls can be made from public phones, most of which accept either coins or
phone cards. Phone cards can be purchased at many newspaper stands, tobacconists,
post offices, department stores, hotels, travel agencies, etc.
Country Code Germany
City Code Berlin
Phone Codes
0049
(0)30
16
If you own a standard GSM phone with access to roaming services, you should be able
to use your phone in Germany. For details, you should check with your operator. A
cheaper alternative and perhaps the most efficient options for shorter term use, is to
buy a prepaid phone cards from O2, Vodafone, or a different operator in Germany.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Police
110
Fire Departement and Medical
112
Emergencies
To stay in touch with your family and friends back home, we recommend the use of an
internet phone program like Skype. You can download Skype for free at
www.skype.com.
f. Athletics
Since SRH is a member of the coordination committee "Hochschulsport Berlin", SRH
students may use the athletic facilities of all Berlin universities. Check the websites of the
Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin,
and other Berlin universities for more information.
g. Employment
Non-EU citizens with a residence permit for study purposes are allowed to work up to
90 days (or 180 half-days) per year. As the majority of available student jobs require the
applicant to be fluent in German, it will be very difficult for students with little or no
German language skills to find a job in Germany.
Upon availability, exceptional students may be offered a position as a student assistant
at SRH. These positions are usually compensated by a monthly salary of €400. Please be
advised that only students who have already completed their first semester at SRH may
be considered for these positions.
h. Berlin: English Resources
Even if you don’t speak any German, there is lots to do in Berlin! Check out the
following resources:
·
·
Just Landed (http://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide) –
The Just Landed Guide is designed to help you deal with the day-to-day
challenges of living, working or studying in Germany. It is full of useful
information and step-by-step guides on how things work and how to survive in
Germany.
Exberliner Magazine (http://www.exberliner.com/) – Berlin's one and only
English-language magazine: informative and entertaining
17
·
·
·
·
Sugarhigh (www.sugarhigh.de) – Sugarhigh is a bilingual daily email magazine
featuring the latest in contemporary culture in Berlin – art, music, fashion, food,
film, events and more.
Toytown (http://www.toytowngermany.com/) – Toytown Germany is the
English-language community website for Germany. Over 30,000 English-speakers
are currently active members.
ComedySportz (http://comedysportz.de/) – A fun, fast-paced comedy show
that's great fun for all ages and audiences... and its in English! An awardwinning interactive comedy show where two teams of "act-letes" compete for
audience laughs and points while improvising scenes, games, operas and
musicals based on audience suggestions.
Cinestar Theatre at Sony Center (http://www.cinestar.de/de/kino/berlincinestar-original-im-sony-center/filmprogramm/) – In the mood for a movie?
Cinestar at Sony Center shows many movies in their original version.
We hope that this information is helpful to you
and we look forward to welcoming you to
our university in the near future!
18

international student guide

Transcription

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