Bureaucratic Matters

Identification

1. Passport: A valid passport is required for all travel outside of the United States and its territorial possessions. A visa is NOT required for ENTRY into the Federal Republic of Germany. Passport applications are available at selected post offices - Clayton is one of them, but University City is not - and through the clerks of certain courts. In order to apply you will need two passport photos, an OFFICIAL copy of your birth certificate (they won't accept it if it doesn't have an original stamp), and a check for the required fees. It takes four to five weeks to receive the passport. Take care of this 3 months before departure.

2. International Student ID Card: This card, available through the Washington University International Office, and valid through December of the year in which it is issued, will get you reductions in admission prices to many places and events. Be sure to read the information pamphlet you receive with the card. You can also buy one for 15 EURO in Tübingen at the Reisebüro in the Mensa on Wilhelmstraße.

3. International Driving Permit: This document, available through the American Automobile Association, is required if you plan to do any driving in Europe. In Germany a regular U.S. driver's license is accepted. Note: stick shifts are the standard in Europe. If you do rent a car, don't expect an automatic. Also, gas is 2-4 times more expensive in Germany than in the US. In most cases, it's cheaper to fly or train than drive.

4. Youth Hostel Travel Card: This card is required of persons who wish to stay in a youth hostel. The card expires in December of the year in which it is bought if you buy it before October 1. The card may be purchased in any youth hostel in the U.S. or abroad. lt is cheaper in Germany than in the U.S. When buying it in Germany give your German address, otherwise you'll have to pay approximately twice as much. In Tübingen the card is available at the Youth Hostel on Gartenstraße right next to the Neckar and at the Verkehrsverein on the Neckarbrücke.

5. International Certificate of Vaccination: This document, which is available through the U.S. Public Health Service, may be filled out by any person authorized to give vaccinations and must be validated by a department of health. Ask your physician for details. This document is important only if you plan to travel outside of Western Europe, as some countries require certain vaccinations for entry.

6. lf you think you might want to travel to Russia during the semester break, it is necessary to get a visa before you leave for Germany. Always check before travelling, especially outside the EU of course. A visa is needed for Turkey too, e.g., but you can buy it - cash only - upon arrival. Other countries may have different restrictions.

Other

1. United States Customs:
   1. Registration with U.S. Customs: Register foreign-made personal articles such as cameras and lenses with Customs before you depart. Otherwise, you could be held liable for duty upon reentry. You may register items with Customs at any Customs Office or at your port of departure, but you must do so BEFORE you leave the U.S.

   2. Customs Regulations: Pamphlets containing pertinent Customs regulations are available through the U.S. Customs Service. Go to the nearest branch or write to:

      Department of the Treasury
      U.S. Customs Service
      Washington, D.C. 20029

2. Make a record of important numbers (passport, phone, bank account, etc.) Also make a photocopy of your ticket, passport, and travelers checks as well as the addresses of your Hausmeister(in) or Wirt(in) and the On-Site Director. Keep these documents accessible while you are traveling. Also, keep photocopies separate from original documents in case of theft or loss.

3. E-mail the 0n-site director to give your expected time of arrival. lf you fail to do so, you may find yourself waiting to get into your room.

Health Considerations

1. Medical Examinations
   1. Get a complete physical examination at the beginning of the summer if you have not had one recently. It is not absolutely necessary, but it can save you time, trouble and pain.

   2. Get caught up on your shots. None are needed for entry into Western Europe from the U.S., but some are either required or advisable for Southern and Eastern Europe and for North Africa. Your physician will be able to tell you which inoculations you should have for the areas you plan to visit. Make certain all such vaccinations are entered in your International Certificates of Vaccination.

   3. Get dental, eye or other check-ups as necessary. Bring a year's / semester's supply of disposable contacts if needed. If you have a pre-existing condition that requires prescribed medication (asthma, diabetes, etc.), bring enough medicine to last the whole year / semester. Be ware that if you pack medical supplies in your checked baggage, they can be exposed to extremely cold temperatures. It's best to pack delicate, or liquid medication in your carry-on baggage.

2. Health Services are excellent in Tübingen.

3. Washington University provides comprehensive health insurance (through Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse, AOK) during your stay in Germany. Coverage includes dental care, but does not include glasses or contact lenses.

C. What to Bring

1. Money
   1. Exchange $300 into EURO before you leave the U.S. This money will provide you with enough funds to survive until you get yourself established in Tübingen (provided you go straight there and don't buy a Junior Pass). Most major airports and train stations have bank branches, in which you can exchange money. At a regular bank the rates are better.
      Most WashU students have Bank of America accounts since there is an branch on campus. With a Bank of America account you can withdraw money from Deutsche Bank for no fee. At all other banks, the fee is 5 EURO. Double check with your bank about fees before coming to Germany. It wouldn't be a bad idea to open an account with Bof A or another major bank with partners (or branches - like Citibank) in Germany, simply to make transfering money from the US simpler.
      Another important thing: very few businesses in Tübingen (and often the pricey ones!) accept American credit or debit cards. Therefore, you must get used to paying with cash all the time or open a German bank account.

   2. Carry the rest of your money in the form of traveler's checks or have your parents send it to you via postal money order (takes about 7-14 days), bank transfer (6-10 days) or American Express (a few hours, but expensive). Some students reported that a credit card cash advance is the cheapest way to get money in Germany. You get a better exchange rate than the bank exchange. A cashier's check that you carry with you will take at the most ten days to be cleared, changed into EURO and be deposited into a newly opened bank account. Many larger U.S. banks sell EURO traveler's checks, which have the advantage (or disadvantage) of fixing the exchange rate for your money and are more convenient to cash. These transactions will cost less if done through an account opened in Tübingen.

2. Clothing
   1. You will be living in Germany for a semester or a year (two/four seasons). Bring or ship ahead everything you think you will need. Beware that it can be very COLD in Tübingen from October until March, so don't leave your winter clothes to be shipped sometime after you leave.

   2. Clothing is expensive, try to make any large purchases in Reutlingen or Stuttgart. You may be liable for duty on these items when you return to the U.S. (If you've worn them and they don't have tags on them when returning, you shouldn't have a problem with this.)

   3. Tübingen winters are similar to St. Louis winters, though not quite so cold. Pack accordingly.

   4. Shoes: You will need at least one pair of good WALKING shoes, since your major mode of transportation in Tübingen is likely to be your feet. Waterproof boots are very useful for combating the frequent rain (and snow in winter). Thick, wool socks (and boots for women who like to wear skirts) are also recommended for winter weather. One student's comment: "Boots cost a fortune in Germany."

   5. Don't forget your raingear!

3. Other Items to Bring With You
   1. Housewares: Sewing kit, pocket knife, bath and hand towels. Additional housewares may be bought in Tübingen.

   2. Medication: All necessary medication; band-aids; aspirin; cold tablets; vitamins; antacids; contact lens solution (all terribly expensive in Germany); a copy of your lens prescription.

   3. Other: An extra pair of glasses; music (there is a piano in most dorms) - if you play another instrument you may want to bring it along, but it could be bulky; a good German-English dictionary; cookbooks; favorite recipes and maybe measuring cups and spoons for American measuring system; an English dictionary and thesaurus can be useful; film and flashcubes; any other specific reference books you will need; any English language literature for your own use; voltage converter for any appliances you must bring with you, the most likely: tooth brush and hairdryer (contact-lens sterilizers, etc.). Make sure the adapter-plug is designed for use in Germany (the converter converts only voltage, not frequency (Hertz), so don't bring motor driven appliances which require accuracy of motor speed (e.g., tape recorders that run on house current); electric razors, hair-dryers and typewriters are O.K. You can buy a plug adapter in Tübingen for 2 EURO. Batteries are expensive; take a good supply if you need many or buy a battery charging device and rechargeable batteries.

   4. Camping supplies: quality and selection are good, but high prices in Europe should persuade you to buy backpacks, sleeping bags and other camping equipment here in the U.S. where prices are much lower.

Important: In order to get settled in, it is strongly recommended that you arrive AT LEAST five days before the start of the Sprachkurs. This will give you enough time to orient yourself, explore Tübingen a little, take care of bureaucratic matters, and recover from jet lag. IMPORTANT: To make things easier on yourself avoid arriving between Friday night and Sunday evening. Except for Saturday morning between 8 and 1 everything is closed, making it difficult to buy a map, food or any other immediate necessities. Sundays, almost nothing is open all day, except some gas stations.

A. United States To Europe

Students must make their own travel arrangements. Check the airline for baggage regulations. Airlines charge a lot for extra baggage. Use freight forwarding rather than UPS or U.S. Mail for fastest and cheapest service.

B. From Certain Places In Europe To Tübingen

1. If possible fly into Stuttgart; it is very convenient. There is a direct connection to Tübingen with the Airport Sprinter, bus 828, which doesn't travel Sundays. Inquire at airport information desk for times. There's also an S-Bahn from the Flughafen (just take the elevator below ground) to the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Otherwise, catch the bus to the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Then take the Stuttgart-Plochingen-Tübingen train which runs once an hour for most of the day until midnight.

2. From any major German airport, take the S-Bahn or a bus to the main train station (Hauptbahnhof or Hbf). If you take the S-Bahn, you will be able to buy a through ticket to Tübingen, as the S-Bahn is part of the German Rail System or Deutsche Bahn (DB). You should think about buying a Bahn Card before buying your train ticket in which case you should have sufficient cash with you.

3. From any Hauptbahnhof, buy a through ticket to Tübingen. You will have to change trains (umsteigen) at least once, if nowhere else, in Stuttgart.

4. From Luxembourg:
   Option a. Take the bus from the airport to Mannheim to Stuttgart (the travel time is 5-1/2 hours).
   Option b. Take the train from Luxembourg to Koblenz, and then switch to a train from Koblenz to Stuttgart (the travel time is 9 hours).

C. Arrival in Tübingen

1. Arrive during business hours (8am-5pm), if possible. Don't arrive after 21.00 if you can possibly avoid it.

2. The on-site director will pick you up at the Hauptbahnhof Tübingen and takes you to your place of residence.

3. lf you do arrive after business hours, the youth hostel is open until 9:45 p.m.

D. Residences

1. Dormitories (Studentenwohnheime)

   The on-site director will process your housing application to the Student Services Organization (Studentenwerk) who manages accommodation in dormitories.

   [ http://www.my-stuwe.de/cms/front_content.php?idart=37 ]

2. Room Changes

   a. Within a dormitory contact the Hausmeister(in).

   b. To move to another location first consult the on-site director, and as a last resort, the Wohnheimvermittlung in the House office of the Student Servieces Organization, but don't expect quick action, as there is a chronic shortage of student housing in Tübingen.

E. First Day Needs

You made it to your dorm and are nervous, tired and don't know what to do. lf this describes your condition you may want to follow these suggestions.

1. Meet the students in your dorm; they may help you feel at home.

2. Are you hungry? If it's before 18.30 try a grocery store, if not, enjoy one of Tübingen's many restaurants.

3. Call your parents and tell them about your flight; parents enjoy that sort of thing.

4. Make sure you call the on-site director.

5. Find some other Washington University students, some Germans, and explore Tübingen.

6. Force yourself to stay up till at least 21.00; this will help you get over jet lag.

7. Explore Tübingen; it's a wonderful town - remember to buy a map and a bus schedule.

A. International Office (Dezernat für Internationale Angelegenheiten)

The Department: International Language Courses of the Dezernat handles questions pertaining to foreign students: language courses, matriculation, and operates low-cost student excursions.

B. Registration Office for Foreigners (Ausländerabteilung des Bürgeramts)

Go to the Registration Office for Foreigners, which is located at:

Schmiedtorstraße 4
D-72074 Tübingen
Office hours: Mon-Fr 7.30-12.00 am, Tue 7.30am-6.00 pm
[ http://www.tuebingen.de/25_2924.html ]

Apply there - within 10 days of your arrival - for a temporary residence permit (vorläufige Aufenthaltsgenehmigung). You must have this document in order to be able to matriculate (25 EURO charge for the Aufenthaltsgenehmigung).
Take your letter of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) - the on-site director will give it to you - and your passport to the Registration office. Make sure to talk to the on-site director before you go there.

Also, register with the Residences' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt). This process is called polizeiliche Anmeldung.

Sprachkurse are conducted by the department:

International Language Courses (Internationale Sprachprogramme)
Wilhelmstraße 9
D-72074 Tübingen
[ www.uni-tuebingen.de/isp/isp_index_englisch.html ]

German language courses outside the University are offered by the:

Sprachinstitut Tübingen (SIT)
Eugenstraße 71
D-72072 Tübingen
[ www.ib-bz.de/sit/home.html ]

Hermann-Hesse-Kolleg
Hirschgasse 8
D-72160 Horb a.N.
[ http://www.hermann-hesse-kolleg.de ]

Matrikulation as a student takes place at the Student Office (Studentensekretariat). It is located at:

Wilhelmstraße 11
D-72074 Tübingen
Office hours: Mon 1.00 - 3.30 pm, Tue - Fri 8.30 - 11.30 am
[ www.uni-tuebingen.de/studentensekretariat/index.html ]

In your letter of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) are the details of what you need to bring with you to enroll. You may do it as a group within the language program.

A. Layout of the University

The University is divided into three general areas of Tübingen. The art history, philosophy, and some sociology departments as well as the theology departments are located in the Altstadt. Most of the natural sciences are located on the Morgenstelle hill outside of the city center. The majority of the departments are clustered on Wilhelmstraße and close to the Mensa (student restaurant), the library, and the Neue Aula. Addresses for the various facilities and offices can be found in the course description (kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis), available at the 'Brechtbau', where you certainly will have classes.

B. Class Registration

To register for classes you need to know what classes are offered and when and where they meet. In addition, you need to know if registration is required and if so, where and when you must register. Note that not all classes require registration; for many you need only show up at the first meeting, but for others prior registration is a must. Vorlesungen do not require registration. All of this information you can find in a combination of the following sources:

1. Vorlesungsverzeichnis: this is the closest to our course catalog. lt is a general overview of all university offerings and contains the addresses of the departments as well as university regulations. lt is not always up-to-date, so after you select courses you will need to double check the information. It can be purchased in the Neue Aula or in any bookstore.

2. A Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis is issued by individual departments and contains course descriptions plus up-to-date information on the courses. lt also will tell you if you must register before the class meets. They can be purchased at the offices of each department, usually for 1-2 EURO. Germanistik courses are listed on their web-site and well in advance. Often times, you register simply by e-mailing the professor.

3. Das Schwarze Brett or the department bulletin board contains the same information as the Kommentiertes Vorlesungverzeichnis. After checking these sources it is possible to talk to professors about the class during their office hours. Please note, office hours are strictly adhered to.

4. There are several types of courses which you will find offered in Tübingen, they are:
   1. Vorlesungen: the instructor lectures, and you take notes. Classes take place once a week. Question and answer opportunities during class time are usually very limited. It is possible to earn a Schein in a Vorlesung by taking an oral exam or writing a paper. It is up to the student to make arrangements with the professor. Don't hesitate to talk to a professor, they are used to scheduling oral exams and the like for foreign students.

   2. Seminare: the instructor and the students cooperatively conduct the class. Students are usually required to give oral presentations and may have to write a paper, which is usually about 15 pages in length. Haupt- and Oberseminare are equivalent to graduate-level courses in the U.S., but don't be afraid to take a Proseminar in the first semester.

   3. Übungen are similar to Seminare, but the work load is usually not so heavy.

   4. Praktika are similar to lab courses in the U.S., both in content and in work load. Early registration is essential, as space is limited.

   5. Courses conducted by the International Office: Internationale Sprachprogramme are designed chiefly to improve foreigners' knowledge of German. Listings are available at the department (Wilhelmstrasse 9). Their classes (which involve excursions) fill up rather quickly. Bulletins are also posted in the building.

   6. Sport courses are offered in the Sport-Institut (Wilhelmstraße 124). A list of offerings can be picked up there. Aerobics, exercise and dance classes are also available. Take your student I.D. with you. They check at irregular intervals. You will probably have to pay extra to use the facilities to take sports classes.

C. Libraries

1. Universitätsbibliothek (UB)
   1. Closed-Stack System: an unlimited number of books may be checked out for periods of one month but may be kept for up to three months unless you are notified that someone else has requested the book.

      Check-out procedure:

      - fill out Bestellschein by card catalog
      - take Bestellschein to desk by Lesesaal entrance
      - books generally available for pick-up 24 hours later

      Library cards are issued free of charge at the information desk.

   2. Lesesaal: books in the Lesesaal may not be checked out, but you have access to the shelves. The card catalog is inside the Lesesaal. Occasionally, a book you order from the closed-stack may be read only in the Lesesaal.

   3. Lehrbuchsammlung: This is an open-stack collection of textbooks, so you don't have to buy all your books. Up to five books may be checked out on the spot for the entire semester. Go as soon as possible when you want a book, as the inventory is limited and at great demand. Like the closed-stack books, these can be checked out and kept for up to 3 months if they are not recalled.

   4. Periodicals and Newspapers: both foreign and German are in the downstairs lobby. Magazines (news and technical) are located in the adjoining reading room. A few American publications are available.

2. lf you really want to read English magazines and newspapers, go to the D.A.I., Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut right over the Neckar Brücke on Karlstraße. American cookbooks are also available.

3. Departmental libraries are usually open-stack and less intimidating than the Universitätsbibliothek (UB), but they often don't allow you to check out books.

D. Books and Supplies

1. Buchhandlungen carry all course books. Any bookstore can order any book, it takes only one or two days. Most stores specialize but Osiander, a Tübingen institution, carries a large selection.

2. Supplies for school are found all over town in the many stationery stores. Marktkauf and Kaufland have low prices and good selection. Look for stands at the Mensa; they are usually the cheapest.

E. Food

1. The Student Cafeterias (Mensen)
   1. Definition of Terms
      1. Stammessen: a single-entree meal, no beverage
         
      2. Wahlessen: self-service
         
      3. Eintopf: a meal cooked in a single pot, no beverage

   2. Costs
      1. Stammessen: 2.40 EURO
         
      2. Wahlessen: Price depends upon what you choose to eat
         
      3. Eintopf: 2 EURO

   3. Additional Comments: not all Mensen offer all three possibilities, while the Mensa Morgenstelle (lunch) and the Mensa Wilhelmstrasse (dinner) offer a salad bar for the same price as the Stammessen. The cost of salad is determined by weight.

   4. Hours
      1. Mensa 1 (Wilhelmstraße)
         1. Breakfast (in the Erfrischungsraum - see 2. below) 07.30 - 10.30
         2. Lunch: 11.30 - 14.00
         3. Dinner: 18.00 - 20.15

      2. Mensa II (Morgenstelle)
         1. Breakfast (in the Erfrischungsraum): 09. 00 - 11. 00
         2. Lunch: 11.30 - 14.00

      3. Prinz Karl (Hafengasse 6) - Lunch: 11.30 - 14.00

2. Erfrischungsräume:
   contain vending machines that serve sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, etc. Found in most university buildings. A service counter may be open during certain hours.

3. Other Places to Eat
   1. Schnellimbisse: Stand-up snack bars, not expensive. Go to the snack-bar X to get Currywurst mit Pommes. Don't forget Turkish Döer or Kamla's Indian Imbiss on Lange Gasse. They offer student prices.

   2. Cafes, Pizzerias, etc.

   3. McDonald's: One in Tübingen across from the Lustnauertor on Wilhelmstr. There are at least six in Stuttgart, one in the Fussgängerzone and one about 300 meters from the Hbf .... don't expect to see any university students there. Many of them despise McDonald's.

4. At Home:
   Most dorms have kitchens on each floor. Be prepared to use it since eating out every night is too expensive and since the Mensa isn't too convenient.

F. The Volkshochschule

The Volkshochschule (Katharinenstraße 18) offers courses similar to those offered by adult continuing education programs in the U.S. Offerings include filmmaking, drawing, languages, etc. for a fee.

G. Internationale Sprachprogramme

Located at Wilhelmstraße 9, offers courses designed to improve your German. They should not replace normal courses, only supplement them. Recommended.

H. Time

1. Tübingen is a university town and many events (classes, concerts, etc.) start at fifteen minutes after the hour. This is known as the 'akademisches Viertel' and is designated by the letters 'c.t.' (cum tempore, following the given time. The letters 's.t.' (sine tempore) mean time as stated. (If you don't know, assume c.t.)

2. The 24-hour time system is commonly used in Germany, particularly in conjunction with meetings, classes, concerts, railroad schedules, and TV and radio programs: 13 Uhr = 1 pm, 14 Uhr = 2 pm, 15 Uhr = 3 pm, 16 Uhr = 4 pm, 17 Uhr = 5 pm ...

I. Computers and typewriters:

Tübingen University has a computer lab, the Zentrum für Datenverarbeitung, for student use (it's located at Wächterstraße 76; get an account there to email friends at home and to use the IBM-PC's); the office is hidden on a side street and has limited hours. Have every piece of paperwork you can think of and expect to have to wait at least a day for processing. WU students are are spoiled with top-notch computing and media facilities that are far away from what is available at Tübingen. Students should try to bring their laptops with them.
Many dorms have typewriters and/or computers for residents. In the Neuphilologicum (Germanistik, etc.) there are Macs open to students of the Neuphilogische Fakultät; hours are generally business hours.

A. Orientation to Tübingen

The best way to orient yourself to Tübingen is to buy a good map and explore the town. The Altstadt is very lively and is a good place to start. Do not forget the Österberg or the Botanical Gardens. Many possibilities for Wanderungen exist. Several things to hike to are the Würmlinger Kapelle, the Bebenhausen cloister, and the Schloss Hohenentringen where you can get a glass of Most (cider) or beer.

B. Telephones

1. Local Calls: Most, but not all, of Tübingen is located within the area code (Vorwahl) 07071. lf you call within a particular Vorwahl zone, you need not dial it prior to the phone number.

2. Long Distance: Call after 11:00 p.m. for better rates.
   1. Within Germany dial the Vorwahl plus the number.

   2. To call the U.S. direct, dial 001 plus the area code plus the number. For example, to dial the W.U. German Office, you dial: 001-314-935-5106.

   3. To call the U.S. collect, dial 0010 and wait for the operator to come on the line. Ask for an "R-Gespräch".

   4. AT&T U.S.A. Direct. Dial access number 0130-0010 to speak with an American operator. Phones with international access have green signs with 'International' on them.

   5. It's cheaper to call from Germany if you have a Festnetz (fixed-line network), 1.7 cents/min. with a call-by-call number.

   6. Buy a Telefonkarte (various denominations) as soon as possible at a Post Office. Many phone booths nowadays won't operate without one.

3. Where You Can Phone From:
   1. A Post Office: Go to the appropriate window.

   2. Coin-operated booths: You may make local and long distance (within Germany) calls from any booth. To make international calls, you must use a booth with the green international sign. You cannot make collect calls from coin-operated booths. There is no operator who will tell you what to deposit. You must simply continue to insert coins as long as you wish to talk. The meter indicates when you are running out of money. To call U.S. dial 01300010 (xxx)xxx-xxxx (Absurdly expensive, only as a last resort for international calls).

4. Rates:
   1. Within Tübingen calls cost 30 Cent for the first six minutes or twelve minutes after GPM and on weekends.

5. Even The Telephones Don't Speak American!:
   1. long beeps with intervals of about 2 seconds between them indicate that the phone is ringing. But if you're calling America, it rings like a normal American phone line.

   2. A series of closely spaced tones is a busy signal. Should you hear this before you have finished dialing, either: 1) you have dialed incorrectly, or 2) the lines are full, a very common (by U.S. standards) occurence. Hang up and dial again.

6. Time Differences:

   When calling the U.S., remember that it is seven hours 'earlier' in St. Louis than in Tübingen when both are on Standard Time. German change over dates for Daylight Savings Time are different from U.S. dates (about one week earlier in Germany!). Time changes occur in the last weekend of September and again in the last weekend of March.

C. Postal Services

1. Post Office Locations: They are located at various points in Tübingen. In addition, many mailboxes are equipped with stamp automats. The hours of the Hauptpost are: Mon - Fri, 8.00 - 12.00, 14.00 - 18.00 and Saturday, 8.00 - 12.00.

2. Costs: (Rates and size requirements change, please inquire before sending first mail, rate depends on both weight and size.)
   1. Postcards
      1. Within Germany 80 Cent
         
      2. U.S.A. (airmail) 2.00 EURO. Remember to add a 'Luftpost' (airmail) sticker.

   2. Letters
      1. Within Germany 1 EURO letters up to 20 grams
         
      2. U.S.A. (airmail) 2 EURO up to 20 grams, or 3 EURO for Aerogramm

   3. Packages: Many rate categories. Inquire at a post office. Airmail is much faster than surface mail, which takes up to eight weeks, but you will have to pay the letter rate on the ENTIRE package. Heed customs regulations.

D. Banking and Money

Although not necessary, opening up a bank account is recommended. Ask for a Euroscheckkarte when opening account. In the place of credit cards, Germans use the banks more often for personal transactions. This includes transferring money from one account to another. In addition to normal banking, you can apply for a Eurocard or Eurochecks which are widely accepted throughout Europe, and allow you to overdraw up to 500 EURO on your account. One thing to be aware of, is the considerable interest charge for doing this.

1. Banking Hours:
   9.00am - 12.00am and 2.30pm - 4.30pm, daily. Open later on Thursdays. (Closed on Saturdays).

   Savings accounts (Sparkontos) and current accounts (Girokontos) are available at all banks and savings and loans (Sparkassen or Volksbanken). The Post also offers the equivalent of a Girokonto. Terms and interest rates may vary. We found the Kreissparkasse to be the most convenient bank.

2. Working:
   Your work opportunities are limited by your visa class, but opportunities for work during the Semesterferien do exist. Contact the Arbeitsvermittlung für Studierende (Wilhelmstraße 26, Erdgeschoss).

E. Getting Around

1. Buses: There are nine different routes that all begin and end at the Hauptbahnhof. It can get you to almost any place at the University as well as the subcommunities within Tübingen, such as the Morgenstelle or Waldhäuser Ost.

2. Taxi: SAMmel taxi service (discount with a bus pass picks you up at designated stops and takes you home or takes you to another designated stop like a bus. The service operates from 21.00 to 6.00 and costs 3 EURO without a bus pass and 4 EURO with a pass. You must call first and then wait at the stop. The number is (07071) 360808, tell them destination and number of people. Often late.

3. Foot: Tübingen is very small, you can reach most places in under an hour.

4. Bicycles: Several stores sell bikes but are expensive. Look for city auctions and University auctions. Inquire with the on-site director.

F. Shopping

General business hours for stores and many offices are: Mon - Fri, 9.00 - 12.00 and 2pm - 6pm; Saturday, 9.00 - 1pm; Sunday, closed. Grocery stores have later closing hours than most businesses and stay open until 2pm on Saturday.

1. Food: Bring your own bags, otherwise you will be charged 10 cents per Tüte.
   1. Plus: Poor produce but cheap drygoods.

   2. Co-op: A large and reasonably priced place to buy food. Co-op also carries many other tems, such as bicycles, dishes, and clothing.

   3. Nanz: More expensive and smaller than Co-op, but it carries a better selection of some items. Nanz has several store locations in Tübingen.
   4. There are small shops throughout Tübingen, and especially in the Altstadt, which specialize their wares - bakeries, butchers, etc. The quality may be better (fresh-baked bread), but the prices are usually higher.

   5. Tübingen Markt: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings in front of the Rathaus fresh dairy and farm products can be bought in a picturesque setting. The prices tend to be high, but good deals on in-season items can be found. Watch for the Christkindlesmarkt in mid-December.

   6. Tengelmans: Comparable to Nanz and there are several locations.

   7. Gottliebs in the Markt am Nonnenhaus: Smaller than Co-op, more expensive.

   8. Kaufland: In the Südstadt by the Blaue Brücke. Huge selection, cheap prices, but a long way out from the Altstadt.

   9. Marktkauf: great bargains but far (near Kaufland). However, it is convenient to bus lines 4 and 8.

   10. Aldi: very cheap.

   11. Reformhaus: organic foods. Needless to say, very expensive, esp. in Euro. But if you are vegetarian, it's the place to go for great tofu and soja-based products.

2. Miscellaneous Things Which We All Need At One Time Or Another:
   1. Kaisers Drug Store, in addition to the usual offerings, has a photo developing service which is inexpensive, quick, and reliable. It is located on Lustnauer Tor.

   2. Müller: similar to an American drug store without a pharmacy.

   3. Tübingen's Altstadt is full of small stores with a great degree of variety in products and prices. In general look around for the best prices.

   4. Markt am Nonnenhaus is a mini-mall with many smaller shops.

G. Entertainment

lt is not hard to keep up with all the goings-on because bulletins are posted EVERYWHERE.

1. Concerts, Theatre

   There are a great number of offerings that come through Tübingen each year. Most are advertised by poster. There is a series of good classical concerts, often with renowned name brand performers, offered by the University and the Museumgesellschaft. A listing can be picked up in the Neue Aula. The Landestheater Tübingen (LTT) and the Zimmertheater produce plays. The Motette series, given in various local churches, is also worthwhile. Zentrum Zoo sponsors a wide variety of performers from Jazz to Reggae. Check the paper for more listings.

2. Films

   Most films shown in Tübingen are dubbed into German. Once a week the Museum shows a film in English for which you can buy a discount ticket in the Anglistik office in the Brechtbau. The D.A.I. (Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut) also shows original language films. German films do exist and they can be found at: Museum at Lustnauer Tor, Löwen on Kornhaus Stra%szlig;e, Blaue Brücke in the south side, Atelier on Haagtor and Arsenal on Am Stadtgraben.
   There are some famous film festivals in Tübingen, especially the Französische Filmtage in fall.

3. Sports/Recreation

   Courses at the Sport Institut may be taken for recreation. In addition, some dorms sponsor their own activities. The Freibad on Europastraße is open from late May until the end of August and costs 4 EURO per person. The Bagger See near Hirschau (20 minute walk from Hirschau bus stop) is a medium sized lake. Swimsuit is optional.
   Joining a sports team is one of the best ways to make friends!

4. Entertainment and Eating Places Listing

   Forelle: In the Altstadt on Kronenstraße Wonderful Schwäbische Weinstube.

   Hotel am Schloss: Excellent Swabian food, fairly inexpensive, good atmosphere.

   Marquardtai: Student run and home of the Green Party. Herrenberger Straße Smokey, but good.

   Jazz Keller: Live in the basement. Always busy. Haaggasse.

   Wurstküche: Beer and Wurst with plenty of Gemütlichkeit. On Lustnauer Tor.

   Zentrum Zoo: Crowded Disco with a lively atmosphere and interesting clientele.

   Neckarmüllerei: great Hefeweizen.

Places change, so explore on your own. Those listed above seem to be the ones that have endured the test of time.

H. Illness

The on-site director will explain what you should do in case of illness at the first meeting. Call him, if you have any medical problems within the first few weeks.

I. Youth Hostel

Is located off of Gartenstraße on Hermann-Kurz-Straße. lt opens at 17.00.

J. Passport Photos

They are inexpensive in Tübingen. 5 EURO for four-color pictures in the automat in the Bahnhof.

There are many opportunities for travel during your year/semester in Germany. lt is a good idea to start thinking about where you may want to go before you leave the U.S.

A. Rail Passes

1. Bahn Card: You receive a reduction (25% or 50%) on all regular fares inside of Germany (trains, buses, and boats) for a full year. Buy it when you buy your train ticket to Tübingen and start saving immediately.

2. Eurail Youthpass: With a Eurailpass you can travel in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, paying extra only for sleepers. You must buy this before you leave the U.S. or have your parents buy it and send it to you. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent. Good on S-Bahns in Germany as well as many other extras around Europe (ferries for example). But: flying seems to be chaeper these days.

3. Interrail Pass: You can travel the Eurail countries plus Great Britain, Morocco, and most east-european countries paying extra only for sleepers, for one month. You must pay 1/2 fare in the country in which you buy the pass, however. Unfortunately, to be eligible to buy the Interrail Pass you must have resided 6 months in Europe.

4. Britrail Pass: 8 days of travel within a two week period in England, Scotland, and Wales: Special prices on travel between England and the continent of Europe and between England and Ireland.

5. Tramper-Monats-Ticket: One month of 2nd class travel within Germany. No charge for IC - Zuschläge. One is permitted to pay extra and travel first class.

6. Other countries may well offer passes similar to Britrail and Tramper-Monat. Check with your travel agent.

B. Currency

Carry traveler's cheques or Eurochecks. Exchange fees for personal checks are very high. When you open your bank account, ask for Euroscheckkarte.

C. Hotels, Pensions, Hostels, and Restaurants

1. Buy a guidebook (many students recommend Lonely Planet) or consult your travel agent.

2. A Youth Hostel card is necessary for stays in a youth hostel. You should be aware that youth hostel regulations vary from country to country.

3. Traveling with someone you don't mind sharing a room with makes Pensions as inexpensive as Hostels and they often have a better atmosphere.

D. Rail Travel Inside of Germany

1. S-Bahn: Radiates around a city hub and often run underground through the city itself. Can be used in connection with longer trips. Eurail Pass covers S-Bahn as it is part of the Deutsche Bahn (DB).

2. E-Zug (Eilzug): A train that stops in practically every Dorf along its path.

3. D-Zug: A still faster train that stops only in larger cities. They run every hour.

4. IC - Zug (Inter City Zug): A still faster train that stops only in larger cities. They run every hour. An additional charge (Zuschlag) over the D-Zug price is required.

5. EC-Zug (Euro City): A step higher than the IC.

6. Inter Regio (IR): A comfortable train with a few more steps than the EC/IC, but usually no Zuschlag.

7. I.C.E.: Germany's fastest, newest train. lt has separate and expensive rates, but you don't have to switch trains every hours.

8. TEE (Trans-Europe-Express): A high-speed French train that stops only in major population centers. First class only, plus a Zuschlag.

9. Price Reductions: week-end tickets ...
   1. Transalpino and Twen Tours: Available only in Reisebüros, these tickets, which are applicable only on selected routes to and from Tübingen are good for reductions of about 30% on round-trip tickets.

   2. Vorzugskarten: These tickets, available on all routes, are good for a reduction of 15% on round-trip tickets. Length of stay restrictions.

E. Trips

For the most popular trips, an early morning wait to reserve seats (a la rock concert) may be necessary. Check with the on-site director for details.

F. Visas

Allow plenty of time for processing when it comes to countries. A travel agent can be of assistance. Fortunately, fewer and fewer countries in Europe require them now.

G. Customs

Know the customs regulations of each country you enter or leave. Otherwise, you may get hit with a nasty surprise or two.

H. Hitchhiking:

Use common sense precautions when hitchhiking or finding a ride through the ride board. Crime is much less likely than in the states, but it does exist.

1. In Tübingen: Hitchhiking is readily accepted in Tübingen. There are even several traditional pick-up points for hitchhikers on frequently traveled routes. lf you are going to Stuttgart, hitch at the bus stop by the Sport-Institut on Wilhelmstraße.

2. In General:
   1. Don't carry a lot of baggage. Backpacking is highly recommended.
      
   2. Trying to hitchhike in France (especially leaving Paris) or Spain.
      
   3. Hitchhiking in Belgium is illegal.

3. Ride Board: Rides can also be found at the Ride Board in the Mensa and at the Mitfahrzentrale Münzgasse 6. (07071) 16789 oder 5081. MFG (Mitfahrgelegenheit) is a cheap way to travel; you only split the gas price.
   There are also online European ride shares. Worth checking out.

A. Exmatriculation

Done at the Student Office (Studentensekretariat) Wilhelmstraße 11, at the end of the semester. Ask the secratary to have your date of departure stamped in the Studienbuch.

B. Going-away notification (Abmeldung)

You should go to the Registration Office for Foreigners (Ausländerabteilung des Bürgeramts):

Schmiedtorstraße 4
D-72074 Tübingen
Office hours: Mon-Fr 7.30-12.00 am, Tue 7.30am-6.00 pm
[ http://www.tuebingen.de/25_2924.html ]

within a week before you leave Tübingen at the end of your studies. This Abmeldung is not a requirement for leaving Germany, but if you should decide to return for studies in the future, an going-away notification will save you a lot of time and paperwork. If you forget, a letter from home will suffice.