PRACTICAL GUIDE TO STUDY ABROAD

University of Konstanz

Edited March 20, 2008

Section Topic Page

I. DATES 1

II. PLANNING YOUR TRIP 1

III. MONEY 4

IV. TRAVELING TO GERMANY 5

V. THE GERMAN RAIL 5

VI. ARRIVING IN KONSTANZ AND CONTACTS 7

VII. RESIDENCE LIFE 8

VIII. REGISTERING IN GERMANY 9

IX. COURSE SELECTION 9

X. SOCIAL LIFE 12

XI. EATING IN KONSTANZ 13

XII. COMMUNICATIONS WHILE IN GERMANY 14

XIII. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/TIPS 15

XIV. PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAM 16

STUDY AT KONSTANZ

I. DATES

Konstanz Language Course: Late August to early October, or Early March to early April

Spring/Fall Break: You will have approximately two weeks following the language course without any class. The German semester does not include the language course, so fewer students will be on campus and will return Mid-April or Mid-October depending on the semester.

Winter Semester: Mid-October to mid-February (St. Olaf students leave shortly before the end of the semester)

Summer Semester: Mid-April to mid-July

Note: The above dates vary within a range of about ten days from year to year.

*An accurate, up-to-date academic calendar can be found at the university site: www.uni-konstanz.de. Click on Studium, and then Termine im Studienjahr on the left-hand column. You can click the British flag to switch the language into English. Remember that Germans write the date as DD/MM/YYYY.

II. PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Travel Guides, Dictionaries, and Books on Germany

A good student oriented guidebook is Let's Go Europe or Let's Go Germany. Fodor's Germany describes more expensive options. Lonely Planet Germany is a great guide for students on a budget. It offers names of cheap hotels and restaurants, along with sites to see. Local bookstores in Germany will have regional Reiseführer that may be of help.

The Bantam German-English/English-German dictionary is inexpensive, up to date, and has twice as many entries as other dictionaries of comparable size. Any dictionary will work, but you want to make sure that it is small enough to carry around with you, and also has a good number of entries. Langenscheidt also makes many sizes of dictionaries that are reliable and durable.

Background on Germany

Read through as much as you can of Tatsachen über Deutschland. You can pick up a copy of this in the German department. Other good books in English are Ernest K. Bramsted”s Germany (Prentice-Hall, 1972) and Gordon A. Craig”s The Germans (Putnam, 1972). The second of these is more current, but a bit lengthier. Browsing the DD257-DD259 sections in Rolvaag will also be helpful.

Current Events

Read Die Zeit or Der Spiegel in Rolvaag or Stern in the German department (the latter is somewhat easier reading), or simply go to stern.de or spiegel.de and explore the websites for current events that may interest you. German students tend to be very interested in politics, so it is a good idea to be up on world events. Another good website for current events is Deutsche Welle – available in German or English found at www.dw-world.de.

What to Bring

*Documents (the University will send you important documents, some of which you will need to fill out and bring with you to Germany)

*Passport

*Extra Passport Photos. If you don’t have any, photo booths where you can have four pictures taken for about 5€, are abundant on streets and in train stations. These photos will need to be biometric. That means a no-smiling, straight-on picture of the face. For this reason it may be easiest to purchase the biometric photos in a train station photo booth. This can be done easily in Konstanz at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station).

*2 copies of your passport in case original is lost or stolen

*International student identification card

*Proof of health insurance coverage. Be sure to check with your insurance company before leaving and make sure that you are covered in Germany in the event of an emergency. Many insurance companies reimburse members after the fact, so it may be helpful to have a credit card, should you find yourself in such a situation. If you are not covered in Germany, you will be required to purchase insurance while registering at the University. The insurance costs about 50 euro.

*A youth hostel card (if planning on staying in hostels)

*Birth certificate

Luggage

TRAVEL LIGHT!! A good quality backpack is not really essential but is a good idea. It should be a multi-purpose model with zip-off components (particularly a detachable overnight bag). Remember that you will be carrying everything with you through an airport, onto a train, on a bus, and about a 2 block walk before arriving at your place of residence. Germany is a very developed country so most anything can be purchased while abroad.

*Clothing and other items

*raincoat

*collapsible umbrella

*waterproof hiking/walking shoes

*one or two warm sweaters

*slippers/shower shoes

*small flashlight

*travel alarm clock

*converter and adapter for electrical appliances -- Laptop computers require only a plug adapter, as the power supply already converts voltage.

*prescription medicines with written prescriptions for replacements or refills

**Prescription medicines cannot be sent to you**

*prescription for eyeglasses or contacts plus backup pair (either or both if you have them)

*all contact supplies (can be bought abroad)

*favorite recipes (especially for holiday cooking)

*camera/film (or batteries)

*grammar book

*dictionary

*sleep sack (a sheet folded over and sewed up two sides)

*laundry bag

*coin purse

*pictures

*towels

*athletic apparel or other items for down time

**You do not need to bring bed linens for your apartment(s), they will be provided.**

III. MONEY

Arriving with Money

-Have a couple of hundred dollars in Euros when you arrive so that you don’t have to worry about changing money immediately upon arrival. Everyday transactions are done mostly in cash so having a source of cash is important.

-Traveler's checks and credit cards work, but an ATM card is by far the easiest. However, it is best to have both an ATM and a credit card in case of emergency. Some people have encountered problems with strictly ATM cards so a combination ATM Check Card is good to have. Most ATMs will accept your American card, and charge a fee of about 5 euros.

-Travelers checks are not recommended, as they can only be cashed at banks and have bad exchange rates so they are somewhat inconvenient.

-Be sure to call your credit/debit card company and alert them to the fact that you will be in Europe. If they are unaware, they may automatically close your account and assume the card stolen.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account can be a nice convenience and help to avoid withdrawal fees. Make sure you open a bank account in the city you live in; otherwise you will not be able to close your account. You will need your passport with visa from the Bürgerbüro and your student Matrikelnummer (Student ID number) to open the account. When you register for the language course and participate in the orientation program, you will be given a list of banks that offer free checking to students.

Different Banks

-Bank of America has a partnership with Deutsche Bank, which means that if you open a bank account with them before you leave, you can withdraw money from Deutsche Bank ATMs without incurring the standard 5€ fee.

-Sparkasse has an ATM on campus and many more in the area, which may be a worthwhile convenience if you are going to be keeping much money in it.

-Deutsche Bank, Volksbank and Postbank all have free checking, but finding an ATM can sometimes be a hassle.

-You will need to open an account in Germany in order to pay a couple of fees, since all transactions with official institutions are done via money transfer bank to bank.

The GC Card

Many businesses, such as Kaufland (the grocery store closest to Sonnenbühl Ost and West) do not accept Visa or other credit cards. The GC card (Geldkarte Chip), which has a small chip rather than a magnetic strip on the back, is commonly used. If you open a checking account with one of the German banks, you will receive such a card.

Vocab:

das Konto: bank account

der Reisecheck: travelers check

ein Konto eroffnen: to open an account

einzahlen: to deposit

abheben: to withdraw

einen Check Ihrem Konto ausschrieben lassen: to have a check deposited in your account

einen Betragüberweisen: to transfer an amount (from one account to another)

IV. TRAVELLING TO GERMANY

Booking your flight

-Be sure to inquire at the International and Off-Campus Studies for advice on special deals; then shop around to find the best student rates for air fare to Germany. Booking well in advance will help you save money.

-STA travel (Student Travel Agency) provides great student rates as well as Student Universe. It is a good idea to book a flight that arrives in the morning so that you will have plenty of time to travel on to your first destination and find a place to stay. www.statravel.com, www.studentuniverse.com

*You should also plan to arrive on a weekday (morning or noontime preferably); the trains will be less crowded and the stores will be open so that you can purchase any items you may need. (See V. ARRIVING IN KONSTANZ)

Airport Options

-Zürich is close to Konstanz (1.5 hours by train) and easy to navigate. There is a train station at the Zürich airport, so you can then take the train to Konstanz for 26 CHF (Swiss Franks). Switzerland requires a visa to enter it, so you will need your letter of admission to the University of Konstanz or from the St. Olaf International studies office detailing your intent to live and study in Konstanz, Germany for the next 5 months.

-Another good place to fly into is Stüttgart (3 hours by train). It also has a Bahnhof in the basement.

-Frankfurt is the largest airport in Germany, but you will have about a 5 hour train ride to Konstanz, with at least one transfer in Stuttgart.

V. THE GERMAN RAIL

www.bahn.de is the website for the German Rail. Everything can be translated into English by clicking on the flag. Information about schedules, reservations, and discounts can be found here.

Discounts

-An option you may wish to consider is the Bahncard 50. This card costs approx. 112 euro with your student ID. It will give you 50% off all rail tickets WITHIN GERMANY. If you leave Germany via train, you will have to pay regular prices.

-If you wish to travel between countries, a Eurail pass might be a good option. www.eurail.com, www.raileurope.com, and www.statravel.com all offer information about Eurail passes.

-The Schönes Wochenende ticket provides unlimited weekend travel within the state that the ticket is purchased in. It can be shared by up to five people for between 25 and 30 euro. This can be nice for traveling around Baden-Württemburg (the German state where Konstanz is located) with friends.

*Another option is www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de. This site is like a large ride-board. When someone is traveling from one city to another and is seeking someone to ride with and split the cost of gas, they can post it on this site. It is easy to find someone driving long distances for a quarter of the cost of a train.

Buying Tickets

-When buying train tickets, the Beamten (customer service rep.) assumes you are buying a second class ticket unless you specify first class.

-There are also machines where you can enter in your departure point and desired destination. You pay at the machine and receive your ticket. They are located in every train station and are self-explanatory.

Once on Board

-After you get on the train, you will hear the Schaffner (conductor) say “Noch jemand zugestiegen?” as he passes by. He is asking for people who have just boarded the train to show him their tickets. Make sure you have your BahnCard handy too if you bought the ticket at a discount using one.

-Sections of Trains are broken into 1^st and 2^nd class. They are marked on the outside of the individual cars with a large 1 or 2. Be sure that you sit in the correct class; otherwise you risk a 60 euro fine.

Different Types of Trains

-German trains range in speed and luxury from the high-speed EC, IC and ICE expresses which only stop in major cities, to the slower Inter-Regional (IR) and Regional Express (RE) trains. These trains will stop at most small towns and villages. If traveling on the high-speed trains, it is wise to get a reservation. It costs a few euros, but it will save you from stressing out.

Train Schedules at the Station

Reading a train schedule is relatively easy. The time of departure is listed along with the Gleis (track) and some of the major cities where it will be stopping. The yellow Abfahrt (departure) schedule is the one you want to read. The white Ankunft (arrival) will tell you when trains will arrive and on which track (i.e. if you are meeting someone). These large posters are on the walls of every Bahnhof (train station). There are always conductors available to answer questions if you are having trouble.

Europeans Like to Smoke on Trains

Some trains will have smoking cars. They are marked by a cigarette in a circle. Be aware when you chose your seat.

Miscellaneous tips for traveling by train

-Taking a night train saves you the expense of a hotel or hostel, however, when over-nighting on a train it is best to be on guard, especially when sleeping for the safety of your valuables. Be sure to reserve seats on long hauls and during holiday periods, otherwise you might end up standing for several hours.

-Another thing to watch out for is that some trains have a Kurswagen or two, which at some point will be uncoupled from the train and go to another destination. Just be sure that the sign next to the door indicates the destination you want; if in doubt, ask the Schaffner or another passenger.

Train Vocabulary

-einsteigen…to board -das Gleis....track

-aussteigen..to get off -der Bahnsteig...platform

-umsteigen...to transfer -Abfahrt or ab....departure

-Zuschlag...surcharge -Ankunft or an...arrival

-der Fahrschein….ticket -Schaffner...conductor

VI. ARRIVING IN KONSTANZ AND CONTACTS

Arrival

-Be sure to contact Anja Ging with your travel itinerary. She can meet you at the train station upon your arrival and take you to your apartment. Her contact information is listed below.

-Plan to arrive on a weekday in the morning or early afternoon. You may have to meet with the Hausmeister to obtain your keys and bed sheets. He only meets with students during his office hours early in the morning and again in the afternoon. If you contact Anja before your arrival, she can help with coordinating this.

Your Contact People

Karl J. Fink kjfink@stolaf.edu

Professor Fink of the German department is the program adviser for St. Olaf College.

Kathryn A. Tuma tuma@stolaf.edu

Kathy is the Associate Director of the international studies office at St. Olaf College and deals with the abroad programs in Germany.

Nicolas B. Ege, M.A. Nicolas.B.Ege@uni-konstanz.de

Nicolas is the director concerning services for international students at the University of Konstanz.

Sabine Scheuer Exchange Programs Coordinator exchange.programs@uni-konstanz.de

Anja Ging Anja.Ging@uni-konstanz.de

Anja Ging is the adviser for incoming and outgoing North American Students. She will be your contact for any concerns you have while in Konstanz, and she can help with arrival/departure questions.

Universitat Konstanz Tel + 49 --75 31 -- 88 -- 23 84

Postfach 5560 Fax + 49 – 75 31 -- 88 – 30 37

D-78457 Konstanz

Below is a link to valuable information from the University of Konstanz that will provide students with helpful information.

http://www.uni-konstanz.de/struktur/studium/aaref/

The University’s website is useful in answering most questions

www.uni-konstanz.de

Bus Routes

To get to the University, take the number 9 (A or B) bus to the last stop, or from the EuropaHaus, the number 14 or 9A. The bus station is right outside the Konstanzer Bahnhof, across from McDonalds. The arrangements that you have made will obviously determine your next steps. As soon as possible you will need to meet with Sabine Scheuer at the International Studies Office to pick up paperwork, and consult with him as to which classes will be good ones to take. Then make sure to check in with the Hausmeister when his office is open during the week. The hours are listed on the office door.

You can find the bus routes and schedules online at: http://www.sw.konstanz.de/verkehr/omnibus/fahrplan.htm

You can also purchase paper copies for 1 euro at the school store.

Bus Passes

The main mode of transportation you will use to get around Konstanz is the bus.

-When the semester begins, you will be able to purchase a student bus pass for approx. 32 euro. However, you will not be able to purchase this until you are officially a student at the University. That means when the semester begins in Mid-April or Mid-October you will be able to purchase this student bus pass.

-When you are there for the language course during either March or September, you will be able to purchase a month long bus pass at the Guest and Information Center. This center is located on Konzilstrasse, not far from the main train station. The pass costs approx. 34 euro.

-Busses are monitored from time to time and riding without a valid ticket (Schwarzfahr) can cost you 40 euros.

VII. RESIDENCE LIFE

Paying Rent

-Because St. Olaf’s exchange program with Konstanz is relatively new, this area may still be in a state of flux. You will want to check on it before you leave.

-When you arrive in Konstanz you will want to open a bank account. After you have done so, you will give your account number to Seezeit (the company that takes care of housing), and they will withdraw the monthly amount for rent.

-In the past, students would pay a comprehensive fee to St. Olaf and then Olaf would take care of paying Seezeit. Again, you will want to check on this in the International Studies Office at St. Olaf before you depart, as it has been undergoing changes recently.

-You will also need to pay the 36€ Studentenwerk fee. Anja or another adviser in the International Studies Office in Konstanz can help you with this if you have any questions.

Housing Options

You will have four options to choose from before leaving for Germany. Below is a description of the three. You can view the different accommodations from the outside as well as a map of their location in the city at http://www.seezeit.com/Wohnen/Konstanz/index.html

-Sonnenbühl Ost – In these dorms you will either live in a tall apartment building with 16 people to a floor or in a smaller house with 12 other residents. In both cases you will have your own bedroom, which includes: a sink, bed, desk, lamp, and shelving/closet space. Sonnenbühl Ost is located close to campus (5 minute walk). There are 2 bathrooms on each floor or in each house, which you will share with your other residents. You will also share a kitchen, common space, and balcony. Each kitchen has a refrigerator with a small, lockable space designated for your own items as well as a lockable cupboard. The accommodations at Sonnenbühl Ost are older than West I or Europahaus, but provide a more social atmosphere and are the closest to campus.

-Sonnenbühl West I – These dorms are basically identical to the Sonnenbühl Ost houses. If you wish to see a picture of the Ost houses, click on Sonnenbühl West I on the link above.

-Sonnenbühl West II– This apartment complex is located very close to Sonnenbühl Ost. The rooms have been recently renovated. Each living space includes a bed, desk, shelving space, lamp, small kitchen, a very small bathroom, and a small balcony. It is still located within a 5-10 minute walk of the campus, but people may feel more isolated without any of the common spaces.

-Europa Haus – Here you will live in an apartment with three other students, two of whom will be native German speakers. Europa Haus is a generally nicer facility; however it’s about 15 minutes away from the university by bus, or 20 minutes by bike, which means some planning for commuting times.

VIII. REGISTERING IN GERMANY

The key in this step is patience. You will be doing a lot of what feels like pointless running, but once you are finished with the registration process at the university and the city, it is smooth sailing.

Registration as a Foreigner and University Registration

The registration process is your introduction to German bureaucracy. Be prepared to do a fair amount of running from office to office, filling out forms, getting documents stamped, and above all, waiting in lines! There will be an orientation program at the university for exchange students, which will walk you through the registration at the University and with the city. Be sure to ask your adviser when these programs take place so that you don’t miss out on the helpful information

Bürgerbüro

The bürgerbüro consists of the Einwohnermeldeamt (downstairs) and Auslandsamt (upstairs). Make sure you go to the Bürgerbüro early in the morning (before 9 a.m. if possible), as the lines there can get very long later in the day. If you take the bus (from Jacob Burkhardt Strasse) either the 9A, 9B, or 14, get off at the Bürgerbüro stop.

Vocab to Help with the Registration Process

Aufenhaltserlaubnis: a stamp in your passport saying that you are permitted to study in Germany for a length of time

Auslanderamt: the office for registration of foreigners where you get the Aufenhaltserlaubnis (not to be confused with the Akademisches Auslandsamt at the University)

Einwohnermelderamt: the office where you fill out a form to register with the state

Note: Both The Auslanderamt and the Einwohnermeldeamt are located in the same building (Bürgerbüro).

Immatrikulationsamt or Studiensekretariat: the university registration office

Krankenkasse: health insurance office

Matrikelnummer: your university registration number

Studentenwerk: the university organization in charge of all nonacademic areas, including food service, housing and activities (NOT student work)

IX. COURSE SELECTION

Before committing to any course you will want to run it by the head of the department from which you hope to receive credit. If you do not verify that you will receive credit, you could possibly complete a course that will not transfer to St. Olaf.

Choosing Courses/Registration

-In Germany, you do not register for courses as you do at St. Olaf. Instead, you will find the course list online, select courses that interest you, and then simply show up and attend regularly. It is a good idea to begin the first two weeks of the semester by attending 6-8 different courses, and then decide from there which courses appeal to you. The courses which you do not enjoy, you simply do not attend anymore.

-When you choose classes online, be sure to note the start and finish dates. They do not all start and end at the same time like they do at St. Olaf.

General Guidelines for Departmental Requirements at St. Olaf

Sociology: Some German sociology courses may not meet the American definition of that term; make sure that the course you take looks like Sociology and not Political Science or some other discipline.

Art History: Try to find a course with relatively broad content if at all possible. Our Art department may question the validity of a course solely on Michelangelo or Picasso (for distribution requirements). Konstanz has art courses, but not studio art.

Religion: The St. Olaf Religion Department will under NO circumstance let you count more than one course taken abroad toward the two-course requirement. You will also be expected to provide complete documentation (in the form of syllabus and class notes) in order to be granted St. Olaf credit. It is quite a hassle.

For the college-wide religion requirement you need: 1. Syllabus/course readings 2. Essay (not just oral exam). 3. Other work done in the course

For the religion major you need: 1. All of what is listed for the college-wide religion requirement 2. Essay should be exegetical (including library resources).

Konstanz has neither a Catholic nor a Lutheran theological faculty. Students at Konstanz have, on rare occasions, found a course in the History Department (for example, History of the Reformation) which transferred back as a religion course. It is best not to take a course for Religion credit at Konstanz.

Math and Sciences: Although reports have been somewhat mixed, the general consensus among previous program participants is that you should not take courses in these areas unless your background is exceptionally strong.

Courses taken for major other than German: Be sure you check with the department chair before leaving so that you know for sure how many courses from abroad will be accepted. Once you are in Germany, you can email or fax questions back to St. Olaf.

Course toward the German Major: The Sprachkurs counts in lieu of German 252. In addition, you may apply two German courses in German literature, history, art, etc. toward your German major. You may apply three courses if you study abroad for the full year. Be sure that these courses do in fact deal with some aspect of German culture. It is not always enough if Germans wrote the reading materials for the course.

** A specific course for which German major credit will definitely NOT be granted is Translation of German into English. A “cognate course” is also necessary for the German major, which may be taken abroad or on campus. The requirement is that at least 50% of the course content must deal with German culture.

Different Course Types

-Proseminar courses are considered undergraduate courses, and they will most likely fit your level of German.

-Seminar and Hauptseminar courses are upper-level, sometimes graduate level courses that may prove to be too challenging, especially if taught in German. Of course there is no harm in attending these courses early on to see if you might enjoy them.

-Vorlesung is a lecture. It can sometimes be more challenging to sit and listen to an hour and a half lecture. If you wish to take a lecture course, it might not be a bad idea to bring some type of recorder that will allow you to hear the material once more when you review.

Sprachlehrinstitut

This section of the University is geared towards international students wishing to improve their German language skills, or just about any other language. You can take courses that deal specifically with grammar or other areas of culture.

Meet the Prof

After the first session of each class it is a good idea to speak with the professor and tell him that you are an international student, and ask what you need to do to get a Schein for the course. Most of the time the professors will mention during the first class what is required of the students, but often times the requirements are different for international students. If you are there during first semester be sure and tell the professor that you will be leaving early, this will probably affect what you have to do for the class.

Books/Library:

-Konstanz’s library offers tours at the beginning of the semester, which, while boring, can be useful. The library system is similar to St. Olaf’s, but there are certain aspects that will be difficult to discover without the guided tour.

-You may not need to buy any books for your classes, as very few are actually required (unless you take English literature courses). You can check out whatever you need from the library and copy pages.

-Most of your courses will place the required readings in the Semesterapparat, a section of the library similar to closed reserve. As the semester progresses, you may find yourself wanting to buy a book or two which can be purchased at either the Uni-Buchhandlung or in city bookstores.

*If you take any English literature courses, there is a wonderful English bookstore owned by a British lady. It is near the back-side of Woolworth. The books tend to be expensive there, but it is a fun place to browse and pick up necessary books.

Documenting Your Coursework

-You will be given a course report form from the German department before departure. You will want to keep any assignments, syllabi, tests, and “Scheine” from your time at Konstanz to turn in with your course report form.

-It is a good idea to fill this form out while still in Germany. You will need to provide a list of works that you read in the class, as well as the title of any papers and assignments. If you wait, you risk forgetting and not receiving credit.

-At the end of the semester, you will be responsible for collecting the “Scheine” from your professors. The “Scheine” will indicate your grade from the course as well as the relevant information about the course title, professor, and department. You will then turn a copy of these “Scheine” into the International Studies Office in Konstanz, where they will create a transcript for you, to be sent to St. Olaf.

Vocabulary for Courses

Fachgruppe or Fakultat (Konstanz): an area of study (i.e. Fukultat Fur Kulturwissenschaften)

Referent: the university professor who is designated advisor to St. Olaf students

Schein: documentation of a successfully completed course; a “credit” at St. Olaf

Veranstatlungsverzeichnis: an annotated listing of courses for each semester put out by the individual departments (these are free from the departments)

Vorlesungsverzeichnis: University catalog and class schedule in one; also lists all faculty members and contains other information about the universityLehrveranstaltung: a university course (Vorlesung, Proseminar, Seminar)

X. SOCIAL LIFE

Meeting People

If you have never lived in a single room before, be ready for a change of lifestyle. As a rule, you will have to take the initiative in getting to know other people. Many German students may see you as “just another American” and not appear very interested. Don’t let that stop you from asking someone to make a meal with you or from teaching a few how to play an American card game or learning the popular German card game “Skat.”

UniMotion/Hochschulsport (Athletics)

-Close to the university is the UniMotion. This consists of a gym and athletic training facilities. These are not included in your comprehensive fee. If you wish to work out at the gym, you will have to pay for a gym membership independently. The cost for the 5 month period is about 150 euros.

-UniMotion and Hochschulsport (they are the same thing located in the same building) offer an incredibly wide variety of athletic clubs and groups. They are all easy to join and offer a great way to meet other students. You will need to register early for them, as some sports tend to fill up (like wind-surfing).

-You can view the website at http://www.uni-konstanz.de/hochschulsport/templates/index.php?k1=34&k2=24

Organizations

Konstanz offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations including music ensembles, political groups, and really just about anything else you might hope for. You can check them out at http://www.uni-konstanz.de/studium/index.php?cont=campus&subcont=hsg&lang=de

Other Leisure Time Activities

-Shopping in little shops downtown is a good way to get familiar with this aspect of German culture. Store hours will take a little getting used to. Virtually nothing is open on Sunday, and there are shortened hours on Saturdays, which vary depending on the store -- check store hours in advance. Even on weekdays, all stores close by 8:00PM, so you'll need to plan your shopping accordingly.

-Konstanz is home to the oldest theater in Germany. It is worth a look if you have the time.

-Youth activities through one of the churches is another possibility. In Konstanz, the SMD (Studentenmission Deutschland) meets weekly and organizes retreats. They have weekly soccer and volleyball games near the Uni. If you are interested in joining a small group, there are a number, including one especially for international students called IK (International Kreis). Contact information is available at http://www.smdkonstanz.de/

-Each university has an Auslandsreferat through which very inexpensive trips can be arranged.

Konstanz also organizes trips go to building V on the 8^th floor to learn more.

SIGHTS TO SEE NEAR KONSTANZ:

Insel Mainau and Insel Reichenau - two islands on the Bodensee; Mainau is within walking distance of the university and has beautiful displays of flowers; Reichenau has interesting old churches.

Meersburg - a delightful village on the other side of the Bodensee with the oldest still inhabited castle in Germany; a short ferry ride from Konstanz (The ferry is FREE with a Semesterticket for the Busses in Konstanz!)

Lindau - picturesque city at the opposite end of the Bodensee

Black Forest towns of Inberg, Donaueschingen, Triberg, Titisee etc.

Baden-Baden - famous casino, and thermal baths

The Rheinfalls—waterfall of the Rhine, you can ride bikes a good part of the way there if you get directions first. If you have visitors, it is tons of fun (albeit a bit expensive) to take them on the ferry ride to the Rheinfall. Get tickets at the Hafen.

Friedrichshafen – Graf Zeppelin developed the Zeppelin in this town. There is an interesting museum across the lake.

TIP: Buy a used bike while in Konstanz. You can get one at the Fahrradmarkt (held by the Münster Cathedral at the beginning of the semester) for fairly cheap, and then take a day trip to any number of beautiful locations in the area. The student union also holds used bike auction and there is a Fahrradselbsthilfwerkstatt in the basement which sells used bikes and provides cheap supplies and free-use tools. It's also possible to go around the lake in 2-3 days by bike, which is an experience not to be missed.

Sights in Switzerland & Beyond (Make sure to bring your passport!):

Stein-am-Rhein - famous for its medieval houses and narrow streets

Schaffhausen - the Rheinfall is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the area

Zürich - beautiful city with historical cathedrals and enjoyable bus tours, also reputed to have a good zoo

Kloster St. Gallen - monastery with an excellent display of medieval manuscripts

Lucerne - beautiful towers, bridges, and possibilities for a lake cruise

Liechtenstein - fourth smallest country in Europe -- strikingly beautiful.

TIP—an excellent bike trip is the strip from St. Margaretten to Chur in Switzerland. 1 day for fast riders, 2 days for normal people. ;) But it is AMAZING views, riding along the Rhine and the Alps. You can stay in a Jugendherberge in Vaduz, Liechtenstein (a mile or so from Buchs) with HUGE mountains all around you.

Säntis - the largest mountain visible from Konstanz, with an (expensive) gondala ride available to the top

Kreuzlingen Planetarium - you will get a coupon (in a coupon book) for a discounted show when you register at the BürgerBüro. It's a bit of a hike up the hill, but well worth it

- Kreuzlingen also has a chocolate factory. Unfortunately, they don’t give tours anymore, but the chocolate there is great for gifts.

** A note about Jugendherbergen**

Before leaving the US you should purchase a Youth Hostel Card from Hostelling International or Council Travel. It costs about $25 but saves you money in Europe. With your Hostelling International membership you can buy a book of all the associated hostels in Europe. Each is rated and tells you which amenities are available and the price. This is an extremely helpful book, it costs about $20. An average price per night at a Jugendherberge in Germany is 18-20 Euros, which usually includes breakfast.

XI. EATING IN KONSTANZ

Cafeteria

Konstanz has a Cafeteria (mensa), but it is only open for lunch.

Grocery Shopping

While in Konstanz you will need to cook and grocery shop for yourself. This is really a fun experience with the right mindset. Do not expect all of the food products to be the same in the German stores. These stores will not be open on Sundays, so be sure to do your shopping before then. Be sure to bring your own bag/backpack shopping. They are not provided as they are in the US. If you do not bring one, you will be forced to purchase one.

Places to Buy Groceries

Kaufland- most items, reasonable price (at Zaehringer platz)

Plus- at tannenhof, cheap and limited selection

Aldi- in the basement of LAGO; cheap and limited selection

Basement of Woolworth- expensive grocery store, but has more American products like brownie mixes and Reeses bars

Basement of Kaufhof- expensive grocery store

Alternative Grocery Shopping

-Konstanz has an outdoor market a couple of mornings a week with fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, cheese, flowers etc. This is a great way to practice your everyday German and see some beautiful and fresh vegetables. Feel free to ask the stand owners questions about what things are, or how to prepare a strange vegetable you are likely to encounter.

-Bakeries are just about everywhere, and should not be overlooked. German bread is much better than American bread, and very affordable, too. Definitely try the bakeries.

*As far as eating out goes, make sure you eat at least one Döner (Türkish version of a Gyro) while in Germany. They are both cheap and delicious.

XII. COMMUNICATIONS WHILE IN GERMANY

Phoning home:

Phones in Germany range from very cheap to very expensive. Calling cards can be bought from street vendors with very attractive rates, just make sure that it calls to the USA. Unfortunately, these rates only apply if you call using a land line (the increased fees at telephone booths negate any savings from a calling card). If you have a computer and internet in your room, you may want to try a web-based calling service such as Skype. Rates run as low as 1.5 cents a minute to call landlines and cell phones in the US.

A Cell Phone:

-You will most likely want to have a cell phone while in Germany.

-Vodafone and O2 are two good cell phone providers. You can ask for a pre-paid calling service, so that you don’t need a longer and more expensive contract. You can usually start yourself off with a decent phone for about 40 euros (includes phone and about a month of calling, depending on how much you use it).

-Depending on your US carrier, you might be able to bring your cell phone from home and just buy a new sim card. Check with your carrier before leaving.

Email:

-You will be provided with a university email address that will consist of your name@uni-konstanz.de.

-You will also have your St. Olaf email account, which works fine while abroad.

Sending things home:

Note: Postage in Germany is very expensive. € 1,70 just for a letter to the US, 1 euro for a post card.

The easiest ways to send things home is to buy a box right at the post office. They come in different sizes and are very convenient; don’t forget to request all the customs forms that you will need. It’s a good idea to send things as they accumulate rather than waiting until the end of your stay when your days become very hectic. Keep in mind that mailing packages is very expensive, so try to avoid it if possible, but if you have to, do it early. All packages sent from the US will have to go through customs, (meaning they may sit in Frankfurt Flughafen for more than 2 weeks), before they get to you. If the goods sent to you are somewhat valuable, you will have to pay a toll. Try to limit the number of packages you receive while abroad.

XIII. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION/TIPS

Keeping a diary:

You should definitely keep track of your daily activities while you are abroad. It might be a bit of a nuisance at the time, but if you don’t you will regret it later every time you try to remember the name of a particular place, event, food, etc.

Internet

-You will have to talk to the Hausmeister upon arrival about setting up internet in your room. You will need to pay for this with cash or a money transfer.

-If you have a laptop enabled for wireless use, you can use it at the university for free after you are registered as a student in Mid-April or Mid-October. You must first go through several hoops to get you computer set up, but once it is it can be very nice. Go to building V on the main floor and straight back past the leather couches there is the IIT department. They can help you set up your computer on certain days and times of the week.

Film Development:

Probably the best choice these days is a digital camera, but if you must go the film route…

Though it is generally more expensive in Germany, you should seriously consider having your film developed while you are still in Germany. Otherwise, you are likely to forget what some of the pictures are. Passing around pictures can also be a good way to get conversations started. Just ask around to find the most reasonably priced places for film development and watch for their special offers. Photo shops are very expensive (maybe double the price of a convenience store).

Car Rentals:

Renting a car can be relatively economical for shorter trips, but be sure to ask about distance limits and insurance coverage. (Some students have had stereos stolen in the past.) Usually no International Driver’s License is needed to drive in Europe. Arranging a car rental in the States will save a good deal of money. Europcar has good student deals and also rents to students under 21. Renting a car is a great way to see scenery that can’t be seen only by train.

Holidays and Festivals to note:

Allerheiligen (Oktober, mostly in southern Germany)

Fasching (Cologne is party-central on Rosenmontag, the Monday before Ash Wednesday)

Ostern

Niklaus (6. Dezember)

Pfingsten (Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a good place to visit any time, but especially during this holiday)

Weihnachten (Nürnberg is a good place to visit during this time)

Silvester (New Year’s Eve)

Wiederrvereinigung (reunification day, 3. Oktober)

Consider getting together with several Oles to throw a Halloween party, Thanksgiving meal or Fourth of July Celebration for your new German friends; they will definitely enjoy it.

Conversion tables for Groceries/Cooking

ein Pfund (Pfd.) = 500g 1 cup sugar = 200g

(Brit./Amer. Pound = 454 g) ` 1 cup flour = 150 g

zwei Pfund = ein Kilo (kg) 1 teaspoon = 5g

ein Liter (l) = 2.1 pints 1 Tablespoon = 12 g

ein Gramm = .04 oz/ 1oz. = 28 g

Note: All measurements in German recipes are by weight. A small pocket Betty Crocker cookbook is a wonder!

Distances/Areas

1 Meter = 1.1 yards

1 Zentimeter (cm) = 0.4 inches

1 Kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles (5 km = 3 miles)

1 Quadratkilometer (qkm) = 0.39 sq. mile

1 Quadratmeter (qm) = 10.8 sq. feet

XIV. PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS IN PROGRAM

Some St. Olaf students who participated in the Konstanz program are listed below for you to contact with any other questions.

Vanessa Brown ‘09

Matt Berry ‘08

Devin Horne’09

Colin Halverson ‘09

Allison Jones ‘08

Chrissy Ware ‘09

Amelia Shuster ‘09