Middlebury School in Germany
Rheinstraße 42
D-55116 Mainz
Germany
Tel. (06131) 22 10 40 (in Germany - outside Mainz)
011.49.6131.22.10.40 (from U.S.)
Fax. 011.49.6131.55.4.33.9
Director: Heike Fahrenberg, Ph.D.
mailto:
Office hours during the semester:
Johannes Gutenberg Universität
Room/Hours TBA
International Programs
127 Sunderland Language Center
Middlebury, VT 05753
Tel. 802.443.5745
Fax. 802.443.3157
mailto:
German School
Sunderland Language Center
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
Tel. 802.443.5203
Fax. 802.443.2075
mailto:
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/german
Please note: Information in this handbook is subject to change.
Copyright 2016 by Middlebury College. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Middlebury College.
5
Table of Contents
Letter from the Director 2
Pre-Departure Information 3
Approximate Program Costs 3
Expenses 3
Student Visas 3
Customs 4
Registering with the U.S. Department of State 4
International Students 4
Travel to Germany 4
TSA Regulations 4
Airline Luggage Regulations 5
Comfort in Flights 5
Immunizations 5
List of Important Things to Pack: 6
General Packing Suggestions 6
Clothing 6
Bed and Bath Linens 6
Toiletries 6
Prescriptions 7
Electrical Appliances 7
Computers 7
Gifts 7
Moodle-Registration 7
ARRIVAL IN GERMANY 8
Immigration 8
Upon Arrival 8
How to Get to Mainz from the Frankfurt Airport (FRA) 8
Getting to your dorm 9
Taxi from the Mainz Train Station 9
Housing Office 9
How to Get to Downtown Berlin from the Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) 9
By Cab 10
By Bus 10
Temporary Accommodation 10
Orientation 10
ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 11
The Master of Arts Program 11
Program Philosophy, Mission Statement, and Learning Goals 11
Program Philosophy 11
Mission Statement and Learning Goals 12
Mission Statement 12
Learning Goal No. 1: Improvement of Language Skills 12
Learning Goal No 2: Intercultural Communicative Competence 14
University Courses 16
A) Hauptseminar – Seminar or Course / Module on the Advanced (Graduate) Level Required: Minimum 1 per semester 16
B) Proseminar – Seminar or Course / Module on the Basic Level 16
C) Übung / Übungs-Module, all levels 16
D) Vorlesung, Restricted: One Per Year 17
Program Policies 17
Language Pledge 17
Plagiarism 17
Attendance 18
Tardiness 18
Deadlines and Extension Policies 18
Exams 19
Research Papers 19
ABCs of Paper Writing and the Writing Workshop Platform 19
Navigating the German Academic World 19
Unspoken Expectations and Practical Suggestions 19
Etiquette 21
Punctuality 21
Course Materials 21
Conduct in Class 22
In-class Discussion 22
Criticism and Praise 22
Attendance--Missing class due to sickness 22
Drop Policies 22
Course Listings 23
FAQs Concerning Mainstream-Course Selection 24
Do I have to take 4 Hauptseminare per semester? 24
Do I have to write research papers for all of my classes? 24
When do I have to make the final decision about which classes I am going to take? 24
How does choosing classes work? 24
FAQs Class Work and Absences 24
How do I find a paper topic if the professor doesn’t hand out any lists? 24
How many times do I have to meet with a professor? 24
Can I get help with writing my paper? 24
Why do classes scheduled to start on the hour start 15 min. late and end 15 min. early? 24
Individual Writing-And-Composition Workshops 25
Guidelines 25
Purpose 25
Attendance 25
Cultural Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom 25
Effective Immersion and Intercultural Learning 25
Documenting your Learning Progress: Your IDI- Profile 26
Reaping the Benefits of Effective Immersion 26
Only Active Immersion can Become Effective Immersion 26
How to Turn your Experience into Insights 26
Culture, Competence and Composition: The Culture Portfolio of the School in Germany 27
Internships 28
Internships for Credit 28
Getting Started 29
Our Responsibilities: 29
Your Responsibilities: 29
Previous, current, and future internship providers: 30
Cultural Activities 30
LIVING IN GERMANY 30
Housing 30
Mainz 31
Berlin 31
Finding Your Own Housing in Germany 32
Meeting Germans 32
Character of the City 32
Meals 33
Travel 33
Travel/Ticket Agents 33
Working in Germany 34
Health and Safety 34
Sexual Harassment and Assault 34
Health 35
Drugs 35
Psychological Health and Counseling 36
Student Safety 36
Medical and Accident Insurance 36
On-Site Money Matters 37
Currency Exchange 37
Money and Banking 37
Emergency Cash 38
Credit and Debit Cards 38
Communication with Home & Friends 38
Communication and Immersion 38
Mail 38
Mainz 38
Berlin 38
Internet and E-mail 39
Language Pledge 39
Phones 39
Skype 39
Fax/Xerox 39
Semester printing account and Studicard in Mainz 39
Semester printing account and Mensacard in Berlin 40
LOCAL INFORMATION 40
Mainz 40
Emergency Services 40
U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt 40
Temporary Accommodations 40
Hospitals and Medical Services 41
Drugstores and All-Night Pharmacies 41
Public Transportation 41
Eating Establishments 41
Libraries 42
Bookstores 42
Movie Theaters 42
Department Stores 42
Markets and Supermarkets 42
Berlin 42
Emergency Services 42
Embassy of the United States Berlin 42
Temporary Accommodations 43
Public Transportation 43
Eating Establishments 43
Libraries 44
Bookstores 44
Movie Theaters 44
Department Stores 44
Grades Conversion Scale 44
Academic Calendar 44
Arrival Periods 45
Weekends and Holidays 45
Departure from Germany 45
5
5
Letter from the Director
Dear Students,
Congratulations on your decision to study at Johannes Gutenberg Universität in Mainz or Freie Universität in Berlin. I would like to personally welcome you and invite you to make the most of your time abroad.
Immersing yourself in a different culture is an exciting adventure that can be challenging at times. Try to maintain the inquisitive spirit of the explorer you've already demonstrated by signing up for study abroad. A new world awaits and welcomes you, but you should inform yourself about what to expect. This handbook is designed to answer most of your important questions before departure. Please also consult the website of the School in Germany.
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/german
Once you're here, the success of your stay depends mostly on your own initiative. Not knowing initially how everything works shouldn't hold you back. After all, going abroad is not about “knowing” but about “finding out”! If you're ready to make your stay an experience you'll cherish for the rest of your life, I'm more than willing to assist.
This handbook is a companion piece meant to be read and used in conjunction with the Guidelines for studying with a Middlebury Graduate School Abroad Handbook. Please make sure you completely understand the information provided and bring them both with you in your carry-on luggage when you come to Germany.
Welcome to Mainz and Berlin - I look forward to meeting you!
Heike Fahrenberg, Ph.D.
Director and Associate Professor
Middlebury School in Germany
Pre-Departure Information
Approximate Program Costs
The following is an estimate of program costs as of January 2016. Please remember that Middlebury College only bills you for the tuition portion and housing (if pre-arranged through Middlebury); the remaining expenses will be out-of-pocket. Figures may vary depending on individual lifestyles and situations. Please note that the "Personal" figure covers some basic necessities (local transportation, cell phone, bank fees, program-sponsored excursions, etc.) and does not, and is not intended to include students' discretionary spending (e.g. entertainment, fitness, and travel). For financial aid budgeting purposes, the exchange rate is 1€ = $1.05.
Berlin students who arrange dorm housing through Middlebury will be billed for the reservation fee only (500€ as of February 2016). This reservation fee minus 50€ will be applied to the rent once students sign their rental contract in Berlin. Most dorms ask students to pay the first month's rent plus a down payment (one month’s rent + 10€) in cash when signing the rental contract. These students should be aware that the remaining rent will have to be paid by them via bank account transfer.
Mainz students who arrange dorm housing through Middlebury will be charged for rent on their Middlebury bill in 6-month increments.
Fluctuating exchange rates make advanced planning of costs challenging. We advise that you overestimate your costs to accommodate these fluctuations.
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/grad_programs/german/dates_fees
*Tuition includes orientation, academic fees, overseas health insurance and one group trip per semester. Tuition does not include housing or food. Students in Germany are responsible for paying for their own meals and personal expenses.
Expenses
Keep in mind that the amount of money you spend ultimately depends on the lifestyle you choose. The figures above do not account for nights out or restaurant meals taken every day.
Remember to budget extra if you are planning to travel before or after your program. Plane or train travel may seem relatively inexpensive, but travel costs still add up quickly. If you are a big spender in the U.S., bringing more money would be a good idea. If you plan on regularly sampling the nightlife of your city, you should remember that this adds to your expenses, and also budget extra money for taxis.
Student Visas
Citizens of the U.S., Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, as well as EU citizens do not need to apply for a student visa to enter Germany. They may automatically apply for their permit of stay (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung) upon arrival in Germany without a visa. However, students with other passports will be required to apply for a student visa at a German Consulate in the U.S. prior to departure. While entry into Germany may be possible on a tourist visa, visas cannot be converted from a tourist to a student visa once in Germany. Unless exempted above, students cannot apply for a residence permit without a student visa, and therefore cannot be enrolled at a German university. Please note that German authorities will require you to leave and return to your home country for proper documentation before readmission.
In Mainz, the director of the School in Germany will help you complete the paperwork for a permit of stay (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung) during orientation. You are required to bring your passport to the first orientation meeting.
In Berlin, the program assistant and tutors will help you complete the paperwork for a permit of stay (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung) and enrollment with FU before the beginning of Orientation.
Getting the permit of stay may entail handing in your passport to German officials for a couple of weeks. Therefore you should plan to not leave Germany for the first 2 months after the beginning of the program to ensure that you will receive your permit of stay in due time.
Customs
If you plan to bring any new, non-U.S.-made articles of value, such as cameras, MP3 players, computers, bicycles, or jewelry that are less than six months old, you should register them with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before departure (CBP Form 4457). Alternatively, you can carry your original sales receipts to prove that you purchased them in the U.S. This avoids your having to pay a duty upon your return. Customs regulations vary from country to country; there are usually limitations on liquor, cigarettes, and other goods.
To register your items, download and complete the form available online at http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%204457_0.pdf and present it with your items to a Customs and Border Patrol Officer at an international airport.
Registering with the U.S. Department of State
All U.S. citizens are required to register themselves with the U.S. Embassy in Germany before departure from the U.S. In the event of an international, political, or family emergency, or in the event that a passport is lost or stolen, the U.S. Embassy will be much better able to assist registered citizens. Please visit the Department of State’s Web site and follow the links to register:
https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Citizenship.aspx
Registration is fast and costs nothing. Please print the confirmation page after you have registered; leave one copy at home and take one with you. Students of other nationalities should check to see if it is possible to register with their own embassy in Germany.
International Students
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require re-entry documents for some foreign nationals. If you are living in the U.S. but are a citizen of another country, check with the USCIS to determine the regulations that apply to you and be sure to obtain all necessary re-entry documents before you leave the United States.
Travel to Germany
TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration regulates what items may be carried aboard aircrafts and these regulations are subject to change. Therefore, you should consult their Web site closer to your date of departure: https://www.tsa.gov/travel
Possessing certain items while going through security may result in fines of $250 - $1,500 or, in the case of firearms, may be considered a criminal offense.
Airline Luggage Regulations
You should contact your airline to confirm exact luggage allowances. We strongly suggest you stick to these guidelines, or be prepared to pay excess baggage fees, which can be quite expensive. We also suggest that you consider insuring your luggage through a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Some travel insurance is included under the HTH Worldwide policy. Furthermore, it is possible that you may be covered under a policy held by your parents, so investigate this prior to departure. Travel insurance options can be researched at: http://www.insuremytrip.com
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements. We recommend using a student travel agency for flexibility and the best rates. Some agencies to investigate, among others, are:
STA Travel: http://b2b.statravel.com/middleburyabroad.html
StudentUniverse: http://www.studentuniverse.com
Travel CUTS: http://www.travelcuts.com
Comfort in Flights
The following recommendations should help you during the flight and may ease the effect of “jet lag” when you arrive at your destination:
· Wear loose-fitting clothes while in flight, as well as shoes that can be removed easily.
· Replenish fluids frequently. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating. Too much coffee or tea can also cause dehydration.
· Contact lens wearers should remove them or use saline solution every few hours.
· Those with sensitive skin should carry moisturizing cream.
· Take a walk around the cabin when the seat belt sign is off.
Immunizations
Although no agency requires proof of any immunizations for travel to Germany, experts recommend that travelers take certain precautions. You should ask your doctor for advice regarding inoculations. We suggest you inquire as to the advisability of tetanus and flu inoculations, as well as immunoglobulin injections for hepatitis A and/or B. You may also check the most recent CDC recommendations at: www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Some immunizations require waiting periods in excess of six months between doses and others cause brief discomfort, so, if you decide to be inoculated, we suggest you plan ahead; do not wait until only a month before you depart.
Arrival: Please consult the School in Germany calendar on the School’s webpage before purchasing any tickets and plan to arrive during the Check-in Period, unless you are searching for housing. Once you have your travel itinerary, please e-mail it to the director. If you do so early enough, we can arrange for an assistant or tutor to pick you up at the airport (Berlin) or train station (Mainz).
Make sure you do not arrive at night, on a weekend, or on any national holidays. You will find it impossible to find a place to stay or move into any pre-arranged accommodation if you do so. If you have pre-arranged your housing, we strongly recommend that you arrive in your host city during the suggested “check-in period” on each site's calendar. If you are arranging your own housing, you should plan to arrive at least one month prior to the first orientation meeting. Make good use of your time to become familiar with and adjust to your new surroundings, to arrange for cell phone and email service and shop for food and supplies. PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY IN THE MORNING. Nobody will be on duty on weekends or German holidays. Dormitory staff (holders of the room keys) will not be on duty around the clock and probably won't be in their offices on Friday afternoons either. University housing offices are only open on weekday mornings.