About Germany
- Capital: Berlin
- Population: 84.5 million
- Official language: German
- Land area: slightly smaller than Montana
- Location: bordering countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland
Read more in the CIA World Factbook, Diversity Abroad destination guide and deutschland.de.
About Marburg
Located at the heart of Germany, Marburg is a small and lively medieval town with a long university tradition. Marburg is famous for its medieval churches, especially the Elisabethkirche, one of the first purely Gothic churches built, as well as for its castle. Take the elevator to the old city center, known as Oberstadt, which literally translates as “the upper city.” The Oberstadt is a labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with picturesque, well-preserved samples of 17th and 18th century frame houses (Fachwerkhäuser). Walking through Marburg’s historical center is like traveling into the past. The city is stimulated by an infinite and spirited source of creativity and ideas: classical music, theater, museums and archives, open-air festivals, literary circles, socio-cultural centers, prize-winning movie cinema scene.
Marburg is located in the middle of the state of Hessen. Frankfurt am Main is only an hour away to the south, and from there you can connect to virtually anywhere in Germany and the rest of Europe, either by train or airplane. The Frankfurt am Main Airport is a major international airport and, in terms of passenger traffic, is Germany’s busiest and the third busiest in Europe. It serves virtually all international destinations, so Marburg is only a short journey away from major European cities such as Prague, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, London and Oslo.
About Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken is a truly unique city. Passed back and forth between German and French control over the last 200 years, the residents of Saarbrücken embrace elements of both cultures. First settled by the Celts and later the Romans, it is a place where a pagan past meets a 21st century zest for modernity. Visitors can find the remains of a pagan mithraic temple at the base of Halberg Mountain, explore the boutiques, bars and bistros of St. Johanner Markt, take in a cabaret or discover the wonders of Saarbrücken’s many museums. One highlight of an adventure through town is a visit to Invisible Memorial Square, which was devised in 1993 as an expression of tolerance. The underside of each of the 2,146 flagstones that lead the way to Saarbrücken Castle bears the name of a Jewish cemetery as a reminder of Germany’s history and a warning against future racism.
About Tübingen
Tübingen is located about 30 miles south of Stuttgart, in the state of Baden-Württemberg near the Swabian Alps. The city’s geographical location prevented its destruction during World War II, so the city’s center of gabled homes and winding lanes maintains its old-world European charm. The Neckar River flows through the city and along it are numerous parks, colorful homes and picturesque gardens. Highlights in the old city include a towering church, traditional city hall and looming castle that sits at the highest point in Tübingen. The presence of the prestigious university has lent Tübingen a stimulating, intellectual atmosphere for 500 years. Famous writers like Hesse, Hölderlin, Schelling and Kepler all lived and studied in Tübingen for a time.
German culture
Social interaction
There is too much to say about social interaction, so this handbook will give you a taste of what you might experience in Germany. Germans generally value order, privacy and punctuality. They are often very direct and to the point. If you are expecting additional information, you will not receive it. Do not be afraid to ask several questions. Titles and formality are valued — you should always refer to your professor as “doctor” and use the formal “you.” Work and personal lives are usually kept separate. Often, if you participate with someone in an activity, that is the activity you do together — you probably aren’t going to be invited to hang out at someone’s house afterward. People often jokingly say that German’s don’t smile. Most Germans aren’t walking around town smiling at everyone they see, because it gives people the impression that you are crazy or flirting with them. Personal space and what you might consider common courtesy are quite different, as is customer service.
German food
German food is so much more than sausages, pretzels, schnitzel and roast pork accompanied by big mugs of foamy beer. Be sure to sample some regional specialties like these:
- Swabian Maultaschen — noodle dough pouch filled with meat or vegetables, eggs, spinach, parsley, onions, leeks, dried bread and spices such as marjoram or nutmeg.
- Käsespätzle — similar to macaroni and cheese, but better. Occasionally served with onions or bacon on top.
- Kartoffelpuffer — potato pancakes, often served with applesauce.
- Döner Kebap — halal meat roasted on a spit and served in a warm pocket of flatbread filled with savory sauces and vegetables.
- Rote Grütze — dessert made with black and red currants and raspberries cooked in their juice and thickened with a little corn starch or corn flour. Usually served with creamy vanilla sauce.
If you are in Germany during May and June, you will experience Spargelsaison — the season of white asparagus and a German favorite.
Dining and eating out
The cheapest place to eat is at the Mensa. The food isn’t bad and the prices are great. You probably can’t cook for much less, and it’s good, authentic German food. The choice of restaurants in Germany is extensive. Larger cities offer nearly any type of cuisine, while smaller cities typically have at least Italian, Greek, Turkish and Chinese food. You will also come across Gasthöfe, Gasthäuser, Gaststube or Gastwirtschaften serving German food. Restaurants usually hang a menu outside with a price list, so you can decide whether to eat there. The prices given include tax and a service charge, but it is still common to leave a tip in restaurants, cafes and other places where you order from a table. The bill is almost always settled at the table and you tip your server when you pay the bill (it is not customary to leave the tip on the table). The general rule is to round up to the next full euro for bills under 10 euro, or add five to 10 percent for bills over 10 euro. Dining out does not have to be very expensive — ask other students for tips.
Grocery shopping
Ask your neighbors or roommates where the nearest grocery store is. Examples of chain grocery stores include Netto, Lidl, Rewe, Aldi and Edeka. There should be several located only a short walk or bus ride away. You will have to either bring your own shopping bag or buy one at the store. Hours for grocery and most other stores are generally 10 a.m. to 6 or 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, until 1 or 2 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays and for public holidays. In most German cities, an open-air market comes to town several mornings during the week. Fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, yogurts and breads are sold.
Laundry facilities
Laundry facilities are usually in the basement of the dorms. They operate on tokens (Wäschmarken) that cost one or two euro, or, at some locations, you can pay with your student ID. The laundry machines have many settings, so ask someone how to work the machine. Short wash cycles may last an hour, so plan to be there for a few hours. Cycles are based on water temperature (remember — it will be marked in centigrade!). If the wash cycle says Kochwäsche, it should be taken literally (kochen means “to boil”); clothing not suited for such hot water will shrink or fade. You will need to buy tokens from the floor representative in your building. Buy the maximum quantity at a time because they can be hard to track down later. You should also consider buying a drying rack to keep in your room. Aerual brand laundry detergent is similar to Tide, and you may also want to use fabric softener because German water is hard.
Time
Germany is seven hours ahead of Missouri. Note that while Germany does observe daylight savings time, the dates used to change the clocks are often different from the U.S.
Recycling
Recycling bins in Germany are color coded: blue for paper/cardboard, green for organic waste and yellow for plastic and aluminum wrappings/packaging. When buying beverages in Germany, you will often have to pay a deposit for bottles and cans. Upon returning the empty bottle or can to the store you will get your deposit back (the so-called Pfand). So before recycling a bottle or can, be sure it’s not a Pfandflasche (the label should be marked). Glass bottles or containers that have been bought without leaving a deposit are collected in special glass containers set up all over the city. Bottles are separated according to the color of the glass (green, brown and white).