C.V. Starr - 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 and Off-Campus Study
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 2013 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.
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Table of Contents
Letter from the Director 4
Pre-Departure Information 5
Approximate Program Costs 5
Expenses 5
Student Visas 5
Customs 6
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program 6
Travel to Germany 6
TSA Regulations 6
Airline Luggage Regulations 6
Comfort in Flights 7
Immunizations 7
List of Important Things to Pack: 8
General Packing Suggestions 8
Clothing 8
Bed and Bath Linens 8
Toiletries 8
Prescriptions 8
Electrical Appliances 9
Computers 9
Gifts 9
International Students 9
Moodle-Registration 9
ARRIVAL IN GERMANY 10
Immigration 10
Upon Arrival 10
How to Get to Mainz from the Frankfurt Airport (FRA) 10
Getting to your dorm 11
Taxi from the Mainz Train Station 11
Housing Office 11
How to Get to Berlin from the Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) 11
By Cab 12
By Bus 12
Temporary Accommodation 12
Orientation 12
ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 13
The Master of Arts Program 13
Program Philosophy, Mission Statement, and Learning Goals 13
Program Philosophy 13
Mission Statement and Learning Goals 13
Mission Statement 14
Learning Goal No1: Improvement of Language Skills 14
Learning Goal No 2: Intercultural Communicative Competence 15
University Courses 18
A) Hauptseminar – Seminar or Course / Module on the Advanced (Graduate) Level Required: Minimum 1 per semester 18
B) Proseminar – Seminar or Course / Module on the Basic Level 19
C) Übung / Übungs-Module, all levels 19
D) Vorlesung, Restricted: One Per Year 19
Program Policies 19
Language Pledge 19
Plagiarism 20
Attendance 20
Tardiness 20
Deadlines and Extension Policies 21
Exams 21
Research Papers 21
ABCs of Paper Writing and the Tutorial Platform 21
Navigating the German Academic World 22
Unspoken Expectations and Practical Suggestions 22
Etiquette 24
Course Materials 24
Conduct in Class 24
In-class Discussion 24
Criticism and Praise 24
Attendance--Missing class due to sickness 25
Drop Policies 25
Course Listings 25
FAQs Concerning Mainstream-Course Selection 26
Do I have to take 4 Hauptseminare per semester? 26
Do I have to write research papers for all of my classes? 26
When do I have to make the final decision about which classes I am going to take? 26
How does choosing classes work? 26
FAQs Class Work and Absences 26
How do I find a paper topic if the professor doesn’t hand out any lists? 26
How many times do I have to meet with a professor? 26
Can I get help with writing my paper? 27
Why do classes scheduled to start on the hour start 15 min. late and end 15 min. early? 27
Tutorials 27
Guidelines 27
Purpose 27
Structure of Tutorials 27
The Final Draft 29
Cultural Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom 30
Effective Immersion and Intercultural Learning 30
Documenting your Learning Progress: Your IDI- Profile 30
Reaping the Benefits of Effective Immersion 30
How to Turn your Experience into Insights 31
Culture, Competence and Composition: The Culture Portfolio of the School in Germany 31
Analytical Notebook and Creative Storage Space 31
Personalized Support on Site 31
Internships 31
Getting Started 32
Our Responsibilities: 32
Your Responsibilities: 32
Previous, current, and future internship providers: 32
Cultural Activities 33
LIVING IN GERMANY 33
Housing 33
Mainz 34
Berlin 34
Finding Your Own Housing in Germany 34
Meeting Germans 35
Character of the City 35
Meals 35
Travel 36
Travel/Ticket Agents 36
Working in Germany 37
Health and Safety 37
Sexual Harassment and Assault 37
Health 38
Drugs 38
Psychological Health and Counseling 38
Student Safety 38
Medical and Accident Insurance 39
On-Site Money Matters 39
Currency Exchange 39
Money and Banking 39
Emergency Cash 40
Credit and Debit Cards 40
Travelers Checks 40
Communication with Home & Friends 40
Communication and Immersion 40
Mail 41
Mainz 41
Berlin 41
Internet and E-mail 41
Language Pledge 41
Phones 41
Skype 42
Fax/Xerox 42
Semester printing account and Studicard in Mainz 42
Semester printing account and Mensacard in Berlin 42
LOCAL INFORMATION 42
Mainz 42
Emergency Services 42
U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt 43
Temporary Accommodations 43
Hospitals and Medical Services 43
Drugstores and All-Night Pharmacies 43
Public Transportation 43
Travel/Ticket Agents 43
Eating Establishments 43
Libraries 44
Bookstores 44
Movie Theaters 44
Department Stores 44
Markets and Supermarkets 44
Berlin 44
Emergency Services 44
Embassy of the United States Berlin 45
Temporary Accommodations 45
Public Transportation 45
Eating Establishments 46
Libraries 46
Bookstores 46
Movie Theaters 46
Department Stores 46
Grades and Transfer of Credit 46
Academic Calendar 46
Arrival Periods 47
Weekends and Holidays 47
Departure from Germany 47
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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 yourimportant 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
C.V. Starr-Middlebury School in Germany
Pre-Departure Information
Approximate Program Costs
The following is an estimate of program costs as of March 2013. 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 only some basic necessities (e.g. local transportation, personal items, cell phones, laundry, cultural activities, bank fees, etc.) and is not intended to include students’ discretionary spending (e.g. travel throughout Europe). For financial aid budgeting purposes, the exchange rate is 1 € = $1.30.
Berlin students who arrange dorm housing through Middlebury will be billed for the reservation fee only (500€ as of June 2013). 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 pay for rent on the first of each month via a bank transfer.
N.B. 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 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 6 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://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_4457.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:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html
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: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel
N.B. 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://www.statravel.com
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.