Guidebook for BMS Students 2 Foreword

14 15 Join the BMS family

BMS Orientation: 06 – 10 October 2014 Yeah... Arrive in Berlin : )

BMS German Language Course: Mid-September

Guidebook for BMS Students 2 Foreword

The purpose of this Guidebook is to prepare students for study at the Berlin Mathematical School (BMS). It is unofficial and should not be read legalistically. It out- lines the requirements for study in Berlin and describes the services provided by the BMS program and the three participating Berlin universities. Specific questions concerning the program should be addressed to the staff of the BMS One-Stop Office.

For some international students, visa-related documents are required prior to entry into Germany and procuring these documents in some countries takes more time than is normally expected. It is therefore very important for all new students to read “Chapter 5: Before you Leave” and “Chapter 6: Upon Arrival” thoroughly.

Other publications of interest to new students are the BMS Study Regulations and the Mentoring Guidelines. The BMS Study Regulations explain the policies of the BMS and describe the study program and your academic responsibilities as a graduate student at the BMS. The Mentoring Guidelines provide information about the BMS mentoring program. These documents are included in your welcome package and are also available on our website.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our website. In particular, you can find program information for both Phase I and Phase II students under the link “Students”. There is also a list of BMS courses offered each semester under “Academics”.

If there is any doubt regarding the interpretation of any information provided in this Guidebook, or if there are questions about the graduate program involving matters that are not covered here, please contact the BMS One-Stop Office or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please note that you can also download the BMS Guidebook at:  www.math-berlin.de/about-bms/downloads

We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin!

BMS One-Stop Office, February 2014

1 Front Cover (Brandenburger Tor): Thomas www.foto-tw.de (Brandenburger Cover Wolf, Front Tor): Contents | Guidebook for BMS Students

Table of Contents

Welcome from the Chairs 4

1. The Berlin Mathematical School 5

1.1 BMS Fridays ...... 6 1.2 Kovalevskaya Lunch...... 6 1.3 “What is …?” Seminar...... 6 1.4 Mentoring...... 7 1.5 Soft-Skills Seminars...... 7 1.6 Diversity...... 8 1.7 Buddy Program...... 8 1.8 Support for Students with Children...... 8

2. Infrastructure 10

2.1 BMS One-Stop Office...... 10 2.2 BMS Lounge...... 10 2.3 Study Rooms...... 10 2.4 Financial Support for Conferences...... 11 2.5 Summer Schools...... 11 2.6 Language Courses...... 11 2.7 Sports Courses...... 12 2.8 Music...... 12

3. German Higher Education System 13

3.1 Course Programs and Timetables...... 13 3.2 Methods of Academic Instruction...... 13 3.3 Advisory Services...... 14 3.4 National Student Services...... 17

4. The Three Berlin Universities 18

4.1 Freie Universität Berlin...... 18 4.2 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin...... 19 4.3 Technische Universität Berlin...... 20

2 Guidebook for BMS Students | Contents

5. Before You Leave 21

5.1 Overview of Entry into Germany and University Enrollment Procedures...... 21 5.2 Visa...... 22 5.3 Proof of Financial Support...... 23 5.4 Health Insurance...... 23 5.5 Documents to Bring to Germany...... 24 5.6 Accommodation...... 24 5.7 Cost of Living...... 26

6. Upon Arrival 27

6.1 Residence Registration and Residence Permit...... 27 6.2 Health Insurance...... 29 6.3 Paying Standard Charges...... 31 6.4 Enrollment...... 31 6.5 Bank Account...... 33 6.6 Computer Accounts...... 34 6.7 Mensa Card...... 36 6.8 Libraries and Library Cards...... 36

7. General Facts About Germany 38

8. Berlin at a Glance 39

8.1 Brief History of Berlin...... 39 8.3 Overview of Berlin’s Climate...... 40 8.2 Berlin’s 12 Districts...... 40 8.4 Tourism and Sightseeing...... 41 8.5 Public Transport...... 42 8.6 Shopping...... 43 8.7 Post Offices and Communications...... 43 8.8 Bookshops...... 44 8.9 Recreation...... 45 8.10 Places of Worship...... 46

9. Useful Addresses and Telephone Numbers 47

Publishing Information 48

3 Welcome from the Chairs | Guidebook for BMS Students

L-R: Prof. Dr. Jürg Kramer, Prof. Dr. Konrad Polthier, Nadja Wisniewski, Prof. Dr. John M. Sullivan

Welcome to the Berlin Mathematical School

Dear BMS student,

Berlin is an excellent place to study mathematics! visa issues, housing and child-care, to applying for postdoctoral positions. This Guidebook is part of that You realized that when you applied to the Berlin advisory service and will help you to plan your next Mathematical School (BMS), a graduate school of steps before you start studying at the BMS. The One- three of Berlin’s universities: Freie Universität Berlin Stop Office will be happy to answer any questions (FU), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), and you may still have after reading this Guidebook. Technische Universität Berlin (TU). The BMS was established in October 2006 with the aim of entering Mathematics students from all over the world come into competition with great role models, such as the to the BMS to benefit from Berlin’s diverse research prestigious American universities that the founders environment. We look forward to working with you, of the BMS themselves attended as doctoral stu- teaching you, and helping you to build a successful dents and postdoctoral fellows. We have therefore career in mathematics. designed a graduate school to enable students, who have already completed a first degree, to set their Welcome to Berlin! sights directly on advanced graduate studies and the accelerated completion of a doctoral degree. Prof. Dr. John M. Sullivan Prof. Dr. Jürg Kramer Since 2006, the BMS has been building toward that Prof. Dr. Konrad Polthier goal with funding from the federal and state govern- Nadja Wisniewski ments’ “Initiative for Excellence”. This support en ables the BMS to offer a wide range of opportunities to its students and create outstanding conditions for study. The BMS One-Stop Office advises students on matters ranging from the online application process,

4 Guidebook for BMS Students | 1. The Berlin Mathematical School

1. The Berlin Mathematical School

The Berlin Mathematical School (BMS) is a joint grad- Studying at the BMS uate school of the mathematics departments of the The BMS study program guides a student with a FU, HU and TU in Berlin. It combines the broad exper- bachelor’s degree through a structured course pro- tise in mathematics at the three universities into an gram, an oral qualifying exam, then directly to a doc- excellent environment for graduate studies. toral degree in four to five years.

The concept of the BMS is based on three key ele- Phase I is the first part of the program and includes ments: a lecture program created specifically for the BMS • a structured English-language study program and coordinated among the three universities. consisting of Basic Courses with a fixed curriculum, Each semester, seven to ten Basic Courses are of- a broad spectrum of Advanced Courses, and many fered in English. During Phase I, every BMS student specialized events involving distinguished interna- should complete at least five Basic Courses, plus two tional visitors and guests Advanced Courses (including one seminar) within three to four semesters. At the end of Phase I the • professional management that coordinates all Qualifying Exam takes place: an oral exam for admis- components of the BMS such as the study and sion to the research phase. visitor program, a mentoring program, outreach activities, and a recruitment process that ensures Phase II is the research phase of the BMS program. the excellent calibre of successful applicants, while BMS students should take advantage of the many op- aiming at gender equality and a broad participa- portunities offered by Berlin’s mathematics research tion of international students environment. Phase II students can request to become members of either: • efficient quality management monitoring all • one of the three Research Training Groups (RTG) aspects of the graduate school, including student • one of the two International Max Planck Research progress and performance, mentoring, and the Schools (IMPRS) study program. • ECMath • the DFG Collaborative Research Center “Space – The BMS is a complete graduate school, where stu- Time – Matter” dents who have completed a first degree, bachelor or • the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) equivalent, can directly set their sights on advanced • the Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and studies and the rapid completion of a doctoral de- Stochastics (WIAS) gree. The courses are designed for talented and de- • or the SFB/Transregio 109 “Discretization in Geo termined students from all over the world who are metry “. ready for a challenge.  www.math-berlin.de/about-bms/units

5 1. The Berlin Mathematical School | Guidebook for BMS Students

Excellent Conditions for Study 1.2 Kovalevskaya Lunch The BMS creates outstanding conditions for study by offering its students a wide range of opportuni- Each semester, the BMS designates one of the ties and support, including scholarships for many BMS Friday Colloquia as the Sonia Kovalevskaya students, supervision and mentoring for all students, Colloquium. This lecture features female mathemati- and an excellent study and working environment cians, who are invited to share their experiences as at the three participating universities. For example, women in the field of mathematics. The Kovalevskaya each university has a “BMS Lounge”, which serves as a lecture is preceded by an informal lunch for female meeting place for students to get together between students in order to give them the opportunity to lectures. In addition, professors at the BMS offer stu- talk to an outstanding female mathematician about dents individual support in their role as advisors and career paths and to exchange experiences. help guide them through the manifold opportunities within Berlin’s mathematics landscape. Female students can be assured of receiving particular en- 1.3 “What is …?” Seminar couragement on their career path as the BMS strives towards its goal of achieving an equal ratio of male to The “What is …?” Seminar is a weekly student-run female students. seminar that deals with a concise mathematical ques- tion in a manner that is accessible both to students and mathematicians not familiar with that area. The 1.1 BMS Fridays seminar is designed for a student audience of any mathematical discipline, from any university in Berlin, The BMS Friday Colloquium (BMS Friday) is a lecture and provides an opportunity to meet other students series given by distinguished mathematicians from from various fields, while gaining a general knowl- all over the world. Each speaker explains how their edge of mathematics. The “What is …?” seminar is research fits into the mathematical landscape in gen- usually held before the BMS Friday Colloquia and eral, remarks on open problems, and demonstrates aims to complement the topic of the Friday lecture. applications and analogies in other fields of math- BMS students are encouraged to attend all seminars ematics and beyond. The aim is to offer a broad over- and volunteer to become speakers. On a week when view of a specific research area to enable everyone there is no BMS Friday lecture, the topic of the semi- in the audience to grasp the main concepts involved. nar can vary.

6 Guidebook for BMS Students | 1. The Berlin Mathematical School

1.4 Mentoring The Phase II mentor can • help you broaden your professional network The BMS Mentoring Program was developed to pro- • suggest employment opportunities and funding vide individual guidance to BMS students in both possibilities their academic and personal development. Mentors • offer a second opinion with regard to your research can pass on their personal and professional experi- or career plan ences in order to help students develop indepen- • provide support if you encounter difficulties with dently. The guidance sessions are confidential and your advisor. discussions relating to non-academic or even more personal issues are encouraged. The Mentoring Both the thesis advisor and the mentor can assist Program also functions as a way to detect any diffi- students in forming a career plan and in establish- culties the student may be experiencing, so that ad- ing a professional network. Phase II students should ditional support can be offered as early as possible, choose their own mentor from the BMS Faculty list. and countermeasures can be taken if necessary. Alternatively, the PR & Diversity Manager can suggest a suitable mentor for you. Phase I students have a BMS faculty member as a mentor, who is assigned by the Admissions Committee. It is possible to change the Phase I men- 1.5 Soft-Skills Seminars tor if a more suitable match can be found. The Phase I mentor guides the student for the entire duration of The BMS offers Soft-Skills Seminars throughout the Phase I, through the Qualifying Exam until the start year. These seminars aim to help students develop of Phase II. the skills that are useful and necessary for a career in The Phase I mentor mathematics. They take place either on a Friday or at • advises you on your study program the weekend. To date, workshops have been held on • meets you on a regular basis to evaluate and follow the following topics: your progress • intercultural communication • helps you navigate Berlin’s mathematics landscape • project management • gives you advice about research groups and scho • effective presentation techniques larship possibilities. • job applications • mathematical typesetting in LaTeX Phase II students have a thesis advisor who provides • mathematical graphics support in all aspects of the PhD thesis, and gives ad- • writing and teaching mathematics. vice on choosing the right conferences and publish- The current list of Soft-Skills Seminars can be found ing articles. In addition, Phase II students also have a on our website: separate mentor.  www.math-berlin.de/academics/soft-skills-seminars

7 1. The Berlin Mathematical School | Guidebook for BMS Students

1.6 Diversity

The BMS embraces diversity be it in terms of gender, country of origin, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or anything else that makes people different. We actively strive to create an environment that welcomes diversity and facilitates the exchange of new perspectives. We aim to foster a respectful, accepting environment for life in Berlin, for studying at the universities and institutes, and for research and teaching.

The BMS committee on Mentoring, Gender and Diversity oversees all BMS projects, including adver- tising, recruiting, and Phase I and Phase II studies. BMS students come from all over the world and, as of October 2013, we have welcomed aspiring young mathematicians from over 40 countries. As a result, the BMS has achieved its goal of a student ratio of 50 % international students. The proportion of the female student body in 2013 was 30 %, but the BMS still strives to reach its goal of 50 % female students.

1.7 Buddy Program

The BMS “Buddy Program” is designed to welcome new students to Berlin. Your “buddy” can pick you up at the airport when you arrive, help you get settled in to your accommodation and show you around Berlin.

1.8 Support for Students with Children

The BMS provides additional support to students with children and students who are pregnant. We will accommodate your needs as a parent with individual solutions, for example by arranging for time off or reducing your study load. The FU, HU and TU have suitable rooms for parents with children as well as daycare facilities on campus. In addition, the BMS Lounge at the TU has a nursing room, which can also be used by anyone needing a break between classes. More information can be found on our website at:  www.math-berlin.de/students/for-student-parents

8 Guidebook for BMS Students | 1. The Berlin Mathematical School

@ HU Berlin Unter den Linden 6, Room 2109a, 10117 Berlin Phone: +49 30 2093 2191 Fax: +49 30 2093 2132 E-mail: [email protected]  http://gremien.hu-berlin.de/familienbuero/ standardseite (in German)

Office hours during the semester: Mon & Tue: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm Wed & Thu: 9.00 am –12.00 pm

Tanja Fagel: [email protected] Office hours during the semester break: For assistance or further information related to Tue: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm Sections 1.4 to 1.8, please contact: Wed: 9.00 am –12.00 pm PR & Diversity Manager and by appointment Tanja Fagel ([email protected]). @ Campus Adlershof Office hours during the semester: Family Support Centers at the FU, HU and TU Every 2nd Monday in the month in Johann von In addition to the support offered by the BMS, stu- Neumann-Haus, Room 2.227. During the semester dent parents can also take advantage of the services break by appointment only. provided by the three universities. Each university operates according to a family-friendly policy to en- @ TU Berlin sure that students, faculty and staff can balance their Straße des 17. Juni 135, Room H 1111 (1st floor), work and home life. 10623 Berlin Phone: +49 30 314 23332 The family support that is offered by each university Fax: +49 30 314 29861 is audited by the Hertie Foundation. E-mail: [email protected]  www.tu-berlin.de/familie (in German) Family Support Centers Office hours: @ FU Berlin Tue: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Rudeloffweg 25 – 27 (2nd floor), 14195 Berlin Personal consultations are offered by appointment. Phone: +49 30 838 51137 Please telephone to schedule a suitable time. Fax: +49 30 838 54525 E-mail: [email protected]  www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/familienbuero/index.html

Office hours: Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Personal consultations are offered by appointment. Please telephone to schedule a suitable time.

9 2. Infrastructure | Guidebook for BMS Students

2. Infrastructure

2.1 BMS One-Stop Office 2.2 BMS Lounge

The BMS One-Stop Office supports BMS students There is a BMS Lounge at each of the three universi- in various administrative issues ranging from travel, ties and it serves as a meeting place for BMS students visa, housing, and bureaucratic issues, to language to relax, discuss ideas over coffee and meet the staff courses, childcare, and music and sports opportuni- of the One-Stop Office. The BMS Lounge at the TU ties. If we can help you in any way, please come and and at the FU is open on weekdays. The BMS Lounge talk to us. We are happy to be of assistance! at the HU is open on weekdays during the semester. In addition, all three BMS Lounges are accessible daily BMS @ FU Berlin to students who have been allocated an office space Arnimallee 6 or study room. Ground Floor, Room 021 Phone: +49 30 838 75877 2.3 Study Rooms BMS @ HU Berlin HU Campus Adlershof The BMS has limited office space and study rooms Johann von Neumann-Haus for BMS Phase I students at all three universities. At Rudower Chaussee 25 the HU and TU, Phase I students are allocated either Ground Floor, House 1, Room 1.006 a personal office space or a study room with a lock- Phone: +49 30 2093 3960 able desk. At the FU there is a shared study room with personal lockers. Please contact the One-Stop Office BMS @ TU Berlin if you would like to have an office or the use of a study Straße des 17. Juni 136 (Math Building) room at any of the universities. Phase II students are 2nd Floor, Rooms MA 209-221 allocated an office or study space in their research Phone: +49 30 314 78611 group.

The main BMS One-Stop Office is located on the 2nd Contact for FU Berlin floor of the TU math building. In addition, One-Stop Christian/e Seyffer ([email protected]) Office staff members operate weekly office hours at Contact for HU Berlin the FU and HU throughout the semester. Office hours Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini ([email protected]) can be found on our website: Contact for TU Berlin  www.math-berlin.de/about-bms/one-stop-office Dominique Schneider ([email protected])

L-R: Christian/e Seyffer ([email protected]); Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini ([email protected]); Dominique Schneider ([email protected])

10 Guidebook for BMS Students | 2. Infrastructure

2.4 Financial Support for Conferences To be eligible for reimbursement, the student must complete a “German as a Foreign Language” course The BMS encourages all students to attend math- (Deutsch als Fremdsprache aka DaF) with an attend- ematics conferences. We will cover the costs for reg- ance rate of 80 %. The BMS offers a DaF course in istration fees and travel for one conference during September, four to six weeks before the first semes- Phase I and one conference per year during Phase II. ter begins. If you are interested in attending the BMS DaF course, or if you want to know how to apply for a reimbursement, contact: 2.5 Summer Schools Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini ([email protected]).

BMS Summer Schools are concentrated periods of Language Schools and Institutions in Berlin lectures that focus on specific mathematical topics. The summer school in 2015 will be in the area of @ FU Berlin “Discrete Geometry”. If you have a specific academic  www.sprachenzentrum.fu-berlin.de/ interest that you would like to cover more thorough- sprachangebot/deutsch/vorkurs_deutsch_en/ ly, but have no opportunity for during the semester, index.html let us know! We welcome input from all students and may be able to turn your idea into the next BMS @ HU Berlin Summer School.  www.sprachenzentrum.hu-berlin.de/standardseite- en?set_language=en&cl=en For further information about Sections 2.4 and 2.5, please contact: @ TU Berlin Dominique Schneider ([email protected]).  www.zems.tu-berlin.de (in German)

Language Exchange 2.6 Language Courses  www.international.hu-berlin.de/an_die_hu-en/ studierende/orbis/sprachboerse The BMS offers assistance to those international stu-  www.skb.tu-berlin.de/contao/index.php/de/ dents with little or no German language skills by cov- tandem.html (in German) ering the cost of one preparatory language course.

11 2. Infrastructure | Guidebook for BMS Students

Other phony orchestra and the “Uni Bigband Berlin”.  www.goethe.de/ins/de/ort/ber/enindex.htm  www.collegium-musicum-berlin.de

 www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/deutsch/deutschfremd. The HU also boasts a music society consisting of a html (in German) symphony orchestra, a philharmonic choir, a student philharmonic, a large choir, a chamber choir and the “Humboldts Bigband”. 2.7 Sports Courses  www.musikundmedien.hu-berlin.de/umd

All three universities offer a wide variety of sports courses for a minimal registration fee. Please check If you need assistance with website information the following websites for further information. that appears in German only, please contact the One-Stop Office. We will be happy to help you @ FU Berlin  www.hs-sport.fu-berlin.de (in German)

@ HU Berlin  http://zeh2.zeh.hu-berlin.de/sportarten/aktueller_ zeitraum/index.html (in German)

@ TU Berlin  www.tu-sport.de (in German)

2.8 Music

The Collegium Musicum is the FU and TU’s joint music society. It consists of five ensembles: a large choir, a chamber choir, a symphony orchestra, a small sym-

12 Guidebook for BMS Students | 3. German Higher Education System

3. German Higher Education System

There are 428 institutes of higher education in Students receive credits (Scheine) for attending lec- Germany. 108 of them are full research universities tures, and in some cases, a written or oral exam is (Universitäten), 216 are universities of applied scienc- given at the end of the semester in which students es (Fachhochschulen), and the remainder comprises are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the various colleges. There are approximately two and a material taught in the lectures. half million students enrolled at German institutes of higher education, 47.4 % (1,185,392) of which are fe- Academic Calendar 2014 – 15, inc. Public Holidays male, and 11.3 % (282,201) are international students. As of December 2013, Germany is the fourth most Winter semester 1 Oct 2014 – 31 Mar 2015 attractive country worldwide for international stu- 03 Oct 2014 German Unification Day dents, after the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. 13 Oct 2014 First day of classes 19 Dec 2014 Last classes before the holidays

25 Dec 2014 Christmas Day 3.1 Course Programs and Timetables 26 Dec 2014 Boxing Day/St Stephen’s Day

The academic year at German universities is divided 01 Jan 2015 New Year’s Day into two semesters spanning two six-month periods: a winter and a summer semester (see table). 05 Jan 2015 Resume classes 14 Feb 2015 Last day of classes

3.2 Methods of Academic Instruction Summer semester 1 Apr 2015 – 30 Sept 2015

Universities offer various methods of academic in- 13 Apr 2015 First day of classes struction that may be weighted differently depend- 03 Apr 2015 Good Friday ing on the university in which it is held. The following provides a general overview of the various 06 Apr 2015 Easter Monday methods. 01 May 2015 Labour Day

Lectures (Vorlesungen) involve a university instruc- 14 May 2015 Ascension Day tor speaking about a specific topic. Students can 25 May 2015 Whit Monday/Pentecost Monday prepare or follow up on these lectures by reading 18 Jul 2015 Last day of classes appropriate texts (reading lists are usually provided).

13 3. German Higher Education System | Guidebook for BMS Students

Seminars (Seminare) enable students to work on 3.3 Advisory Services small research projects under the guidance of an experienced researcher. Presentation of seminar pa- Finding your way through the higher education sys- pers, discussions, and subsequent review with fellow tem in Germany may seem like wandering through a students and the seminar organizer play a key role. maze, but there are many advisory services available Students receive credits by either presenting a re- to answer questions and solve any problems students search paper, submitting an assignment or taking a may encounter. The BMS One-Stop Office should be written examination. Some universities use seminars your first port of call. to extend and apply the content taught in lectures. Since this method of instruction requires active stu- BMS One-Stop Office (see 2.1) dent participation, seminars should ideally be held The One-Stop Office aims to support BMS students in small groups. Due to high demand, early registra- in all practical issues that may occur and is located tion is required for some subjects in order to secure in the math building at the TU Berlin. Contact details a place. can be found in Section 2.1 of this guidebook and on our website: A tutorial (Tutorium) serves to deepen and extend  www.math-berlin.de/about-bms/one-stop-office the content taught in lectures and seminars. Tutorials are basic study courses led by advanced students. In BMS Student Representatives contrast to tutorials, consolidation courses are held The BMS Student Representatives advocate the in- by university instructors, lecturers, assistants or re- terests of the BMS student body to the BMS admin- search assistants and are sometimes called exercises istration and faculty. They actively participate in BMS (Übungen). board and committee meetings to make sure BMS student voices are heard. Student Representatives A colloquium (Kolloquium) is an academic meeting are elected annually by BMS students, and those who at which experts or students present their current are interested in experiencing the administrative side work and discuss it with participants from the same of academia are encouraged to volunteer as candi- field. Colloquia provide an opportunity for students dates in the next Student Representative election. to exchange ideas and information in the final re- More information can be found on our website: search phase.  www.math-berlin.de/students/student-representatives (or contact [email protected])

14 Guidebook for BMS Students | 3. German Higher Education System

The Departmental Student Body The Departmental Student Body (Fachschaft) is made up of students from specific disciplines, who repre- sent student interests in the relevant department. At the beginning of every semester, its members offer advice to students in their first semester on studying their specific subject. The Departmental Student Body for Mathematics at the three participating universities would be pleased to welcome you as a new member. The International Office The International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt @ FU Berlin – AAA) is a central point of contact for all foreign stu-  FSI Mathematik: fsi.spline.de/mathe/ (in German) dents. It is part of the university administration and is responsible for international academic relations and @ HU Berlin all related affairs, including student exchange, and  Fachschaft Mathematik der HU Berlin: incoming and outgoing students. www.mathematik.hu-berlin.de/~fsr/index.php (in German) @ FU Berlin  www.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/verwaltung/ @ TU Berlin zuv/abt-4/ivc/index.html  Mathe-INI: www.tu-berlin.de/?id=82363 (in German) @ HU Berlin  www.aia.hu-berlin.de/index_html-en Doctoral Candidates’ Portal The following portals offer potential doctoral stu- @ TU Berlin dents a general idea of doctoral studies.  www.auslandsamt.tu-berlin.de/international-office/ id_akademisches_auslandsamt/parameter/en/ @ FU Berlin  www.fu-berlin.de/sites/en/inu/drs/ Central Study Counseling Office The Central Study Counseling Office (Zentrale @ HU Berlin Studienberatung) deals with general study-related  www.hu-berlin.de/promovierende-en questions, as well as inquires about course content and requirements. @ TU Berlin  www.forschung.tu-berlin.de/tu-doc/menue/ FU Center for Academic Advising and Psycho promotion/parameter/en/font3/ logical Counseling  www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/studienberatung/index. HU Docs html HU Docs was founded in January 2004 to promote in- creased cooperation between Humboldt-Universität HU Counselling Services and its graduate students. Its main objective is to im-  www.hu-berlin.de/studies/beratung/ prove the study conditions for all HU graduate students. standardseite?set_language=en&cl=en As well as organizing social and cultural activities, its members also host monthly meetings where the re- TU General Student Counseling sults of doctoral research are presented, enabling an ex-  www.studienberatung.tu-berlin.de/menue/ueber_ change of ideas and constructive interdisciplinary feed- uns/parameter/de/ (in German) back. HU Docs welcomes graduate students from every

15 3. German Higher Education System | Guidebook for BMS Students

field of study. In order to receive the newsletter contact Psychological Counseling at the Universities [email protected] or visit the Studying abroad should be a joyful experience, how- website: ever sometimes it can be stressful too. The problems  www.docs.hu-berlin.de/about you may have to deal with can be so varied and personal that you might need someone neutral and mathX e.V. impartial to talk to. That is what the Counseling and mathX e.V. is an association for both students and Psychological Services are there for. You can contact alumni of the HU Berlin Mathematics Department. them to discuss a range of issues from study motiva- Its aims are to promote the study of mathematics at tion, orientation at university, meeting deadlines and the HU, to foster contact with former and fellow math exam nerves to study overload, homesickness, family students and to support various initiatives in the area problems, depression or any other academic or non- of mathematics. Visit their website at: academic issue.  www.mathx.org (in German) At your first meeting, you and the counselor will de- Advisory Service for International Students cide what steps can be taken to solve your specific This free advisory service (also in English) assists stu- problem. Further appointments can be made or else dents in a multitude of ways. The staff can, for exam- the counselor will help you find a therapist if neces- ple, answer questions about the admissions proce- sary. The counseling sessions are strictly confidential. dure; help with visa-related problems; offer advice and assistance in emergencies; and give support in @ FU Berlin: Center for Academic Advising and cases of discrimination. Psychological Counseling Brümmerstraße 50, 14195 Berlin Monbijoustraße 3, Room 6, 10117 Berlin Phone: +49 30 838 5224 7 Phone: +49 30 2093 1062/46647 E-Mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]  www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/studienberatung/  www.refrat.de/beratung.auslaenderinnen.html psychologische_beratung/ (in German) @ HU Berlin: Psychological Counselling Office hours during the semester: Room 2070, Main Building, West Wing Mon, Wed, Thu: 12.30 pm – 4.30 pm Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin Office hours during the semester break: Phone: +49 30 2093 70272 Wed: 12.30 pm – 4.30 pm & by appointment E-Mail: [email protected]  www.hu-berlin.de/studies/beratung/psycho_html Legal Advice for Students This free service offers advice on almost every legal @ TU Berlin: Counseling and Psychological Services problem. Consultation is carried out by professional H 60/61, Main Building lawyers with knowledge in all subject areas and the Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin legal information provided is binding. Phone: +49 30 314 24875/25382 E-Mail: [email protected] Monbijoustraße 3, Room 15/16, 10117 Berlin  www.studienberatung.tu-berlin.de/menu/ Phone: +49 30 2093 2614/2603 beratung/psychologische_beratung/parameter/en/ Office hours: Wed: 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm (every two weeks during the semester break)  www.refrat.de/beratung.recht.termine. html?1389717341

16 Guidebook for BMS Students | 3. German Higher Education System

Counseling and Support In times of crisis, the Counseling and Support Office provides assistance with non-academic problems or with psychological issues; supports international students and students with disabilities; and offers daycare facilities for children of student parents. Visit their website at:  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/bub/pp_ beratung/index.html

Jobs Mensa (TU) Heinzelmännchen Employment Agency strives to match unskilled as well as highly qualified students 3.4 National Student Services with employers offering jobs throughout the region. Job seekers with some German language skills will The National Association of Student Services in have an advantage when job hunting. Visit their web- Germany site at: The DSW (Deutsches Studentenwerk) is the National  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/jobs/index.html Association of Student Services at universities in Germany. Its local student chapters (Studentenwerke) InfoPoint Studentenwerk Berlin deal with students‘ social affairs, allocate student Here are the contact details of the Studentenwerk residences and offer a social advisory and counseling Berlin at each of the three universities. service.  www.studentenwerke.de/main/default. @ FU Berlin asp?id=09900 Otto-von-Simson-Straße 26, 14195 Berlin Phone: +49 30 93939 70 Berlin Student Services – Studentenwerk Berlin Mon – Fri: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Through a mandate of the German Federal State of Berlin, the Studentenwerk Berlin provides social, eco- @ HU Berlin nomic and cultural support services to students of Behrenstraße 40/41, 10117 Berlin all public higher-education institutions in Berlin. The Phone: +49 30 93939 70 range of services includes: Mon – Wed: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm Thu: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Dining Facilities (see 6.7) Fri: 8.00 am – 3.00 pm 11 student dining halls and 28 cafeterias provide wholesome food at low prices to more than 45,000 @ TU Berlin students daily. Visit their website at: Hardenbergstraße 34, 10623 Berlin  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/mensen/index. Phone: +49 30 93939 70 html Mon – Fri: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm

Student Housing (see 5.6) Studentenwerk Berlin Over 10,500 accommodation places made up of sin-  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/ gle rooms and small apartments are available in more than 40 student residences. Visit their website at:  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/wohnen/ wohnheimseite/index.html

17 4. The Three Berlin Universities | Guidebook for BMS Students

4. The Three Berlin Universities

4.1 Freie Universität Berlin three central institutes, and research is focused on the humanities, social sciences, medicine and natural Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) was founded sciences. Most of its facilities are located in the leafy in 1948 by professors and students, in response to residential district of Dahlem in southwest Berlin. the persecution faced by students who took a criti- cal view of the system at the Universität Unter den The Dahlem Research School (DRS) at the FU has Linden, at that time located in the Soviet sector of established an overarching framework for structured the divided city. The idea of the foundation of a free graduate education. It provides comprehensive train- university attracted widespread support, including ing to its doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at financial aid, from the international community. This every stage of their graduate careers. The Berlin helped pave the way for Freie Universität Berlin to be- Mathematical School is one of the graduate pro- come a university with an outstanding international grams represented at the DRS, therefore all all BMS reputation. Since the founding of the university, its students registered at the FU have access to the ser- academic ethos has always been defined by three vices it offers. values: truth, justice, and freedom. FU Berlin Institute for Mathematics Freie Universität has approximately 28,500 under-  www.math.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html graduate students in more than 170 degree programs, 18 % come from outside Germany, as do 25 % DRS of its 4,800 doctoral students (as of December 2013). Hittorfstraße 16, 14195 Berlin The university is made up of twelve departments and Phone: +49 30 838 73955 Fax: +49 30 838 73956 E-Mail: [email protected]  www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/inu/early-career/drs/

“Institutstee” at FU The “Tee – der mathematische Tee, aka $T$” takes place every Wednesday at 4 pm during the semester in the Abzähl-Bar at Arnimallee 3 (Room 006). It is only for math students and there you can meet fellow students to discuss math problems and other ideas.

Pi-Building (FU) DRS (FU)

18 Guidebook for BMS Students | 4. The Three Berlin Universities

Institute of Mathematics (HU) HGS (HU)

4.2 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin The Humboldt Graduate School (HGS) was founded as the umbrella organization for the university’s struc- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin), tured doctoral programs. Its aim is to create an ideal founded in 1810 by the liberal Prussian educational environment for young scholars and scientists dur- reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, is ing their doctoral studies. Support provided includes Berlin‘s oldest university. The foundation concept services and training tailored to meet the students’ put forward by Humboldt envisaged an “universitas needs. The Berlin Mathematical School is a member litterarum”, which would achieve a unity of teaching program of the HGS, therefore all BMS students have and research, and provide students with an all-round access to the services it provides. humanist education. This concept spread throughout the world and gave rise to the foundation of many HU Berlin Department of Mathematics universities of the same type over the following  www.mathematik.hu-berlin.de/front-page-en?set_ 150 years. As a result, the HU became known as the language=en&cl=en “mother of all modern universities”. HGS Today Humboldt-Universität is a public university of- Luisenstraße 56, 10115 Berlin fering 185 degree courses to over 33,500 students, Room 216 58 % of whom are female students and 15 % interna- Phone: +49 30 2093 1720 tional (as of October 2013). The university is made up Fax: +49 30 2093 1718 of eleven faculties, two central institutes, four central E-Mail: [email protected] units and nine interdisciplinary centers. The teaching  www.humboldt-graduate-school.de/aktuelles-en/ and research profile of the university encompasses all welcome?set_language=en&cl=en major disciplines of the humanities, social and cultural sciences, medicine, and agricultural science, as well as mathematics and the natural sciences. Courses are held at the traditional institutes of Campus Mitte, the picturesque Campus Nord or on the modern Natural Science Campus Adlershof. The newly constructed university library, the Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm- Zentrum, provides access to more than six million books, periodicals, electronic books and journals.

19 4. The Three Berlin Universities | Guidebook for BMS Students

ing science, natural science, planning science and economics, as well as the humanities and social sciences. The main campus is located in the district of Charlottenburg with other campus buildings concentrated in the districts of Wedding, Schöneberg and Steglitz-Zehlendorf.

The TU-DOC Office is a new office for doctoral and postdoctoral services at the TU Berlin. As well as pro- viding basic facts about doctoral work in Germany and detailed information on research opportunities, it also offers support to early-stage researchers and focuses its activities on the needs of doctoral candidates both before and during their time at the TU Berlin. As one of the BMS participating universities, all BMS students have access to these services.

TU Berlin Department of Mathematics  www.math.tu-berlin.de/menue/home/parameter/en/

TU-DOC Fraunhoferstraße 33–36, 10623 Berlin Institute of Mathematics (TU) Bertram Welker – V B, Room FH 701 Phone: +49 30 314 29622 4.3 Technische Universität Berlin E-Mail: [email protected] Susanne Teichmann – V B 1, Room FH 702 Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) was Phone: +49 30 314 25908 founded in 1879 as the result of a merger between the E-Mail: [email protected] School of Architecture (est. 1799) and the Academy  www.tudoc.tu-berlin.de/menue/nachwuchsbuero/ of Trade (est. 1821). It was closed at the end of World parameter/en/ War II and re-established under its current name in 1946. Although it was Germany’s first technical uni- Mathe-Café at TU: “Mathetreff” versity, its educational mission was reallocated post- The Mathe-Café can be found on the 8th floor of the WWII to include an emphasis on “universal educa- math building (Room MA 844). Established in 1989 by tion”. By including the humanities in its compendium math students of the TU, this student-run café offers of subjects, the TU Berlin became the first technical tea, coffee and snacks. Math students can meet here university in Germany to present a humanistic ele- to discuss math problems, share ideas or even offer ment in its scholastic profile. The aim was to bridge to become a volunteer to help keep the café running the gap between technological research and social for future generations of math students! It is open on responsibility. weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm and a games evening is held every Thursday from 6 pm. Technische Universität has almost 30,700 students, 32 % of which are female and 18 % international (as of October 2013). The seven faculties offer more than 100 degree courses and its research and teaching endeavors are characterized by a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, ranging from engineer-

20 Guidebook for BMS Students | 5. Before You Leave

5. Before You Leave

5.1 Overview of Entry into Germany and University Enrollment Procedures

Requirements for Entry into Germany BMS Letter of Admission  Application for a Student Visa (if required) through a German Embassy or Consulate (see 5.2)  Travel Health Insurance – optional (see 5.4)  Enter Germany (see 5.5)

Steps to University Enrollment Residence Registration (Polizeiliche Anmeldung) (see 6.1)  Bank Account (see 6.5)  Health Insurance/EHIC (Krankenversicherung) (see 5.4 & 6.2)  Paying Standard Charges/Semester Ticket (see 6.3)  Residence Permit (if required) (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) (see 6.1)  Enrollment (see 6.4)

After University Enrollment Computer Accounts (see 6.6) Mensa Card (see 6.7) Library Card (see 6.8)

Contact the BMS One-Stop Office for • all information about studying at the BMS • visa requirements to enter Germany • specific guidance for enrollment

21 5. Before You Leave | Guidebook for BMS Students

5.2 Visa need to apply for a student visa in Germany. If this is the case, please contact the German embassy in your country of origin or the German embassy in the coun- The following information provides only a brief try you are currenty living in. overview of the key facts and does not replace the official information supplied by a German Visa Exemption due to Citizenship embassy or consulate. Students from EU and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) do not require a visa to enter or study in Germany, but only Please contact a German embassy or consulate need a valid national ID card or passport. Members in your home country regarding current visa and of the following seven countries do not require a visa residence requirements for studying in Germany. to enter Germany: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Depending on your citizenship, you may need a visa New Zealand, South Korea, USA, but only need a valid to enter Germany and/or a residence permit to stay. passport. However, those students must apply for a Details of the documents to be presented with your residence permit withing three months of entering visa and/or residence permit application are available Germany. on the website of the German embassy or consulate in your home country or directly from their office. The Visa Requirement due to Citizenship address of German embassies and consulates around Students from all other countries not mentioned above the world can be found on the German Federal must obtain a visa before entering Germany. It can Foreign Office website: take up to twelve weeks for a visa to be issued, so  www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/EinreiseUnd please make sure you enquire about visa require- Aufenthalt/Visabestimmungen_node.html ments at the relevant German embassy or consulate well in advance of your departure. An entry visa for Please note: when applying for your visa, it is your the purpose of study is required in order to enroll at citizenship that determines the appropriate proce- a Germany university. Following enrollment, an entry dure you must follow, not the country you are cur- visa must be converted into a residence permit for rently living in or the university you graduated from. study purposes. For example, if you study in another EU country and have a residence permit for that country, but your Please note: it is not possible to convert a tourist visa nationality is neither EU nor from one of the seven into a residence permit for study purposes after entry countries listed in the following paragraph, then you into Germany.

22 Guidebook for BMS Students | 5. Before You Leave

Here is an example of the documents you must sub- • Proof of parents’ income and assets mit to the relevant German embassy or consulate in • Scholarship from a recognized grantor your country in order to obtain an entry/study visa for (e.g., BMS, DAAD) Germany: • Guarantee to the Foreigners’ Registration • Letter of Admission from the Berlin Mathematical Authority from someone who agrees to as- School sume the costs for you and whose place of • Proof of Financial Support (e.g. confirmation of residence is in Germany BMS scholarship; bank statement) • Security deposit on a blocked account • Proof of Health Insurance • Bank guarantee • Academic Transcripts (proof of all academic credits • Proof of financial support from BAföG (finan- earned or examinations passed) cial aid program for German residents)

Please note: remember to contact a German embassy or consulate in your home country regarding 5.4 Health Insurance current visa and residence requirements, as the pre- ceding information provides only a brief overview European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (see 6.2) and does not replace any official information from a The European Health Insurance Card is part of a German embassy or consulate. health service agreement between the EU and EFTA countries. It gives citizens of those countries access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare 5.3 Proof of Financial Support during a temporary stay in any of the 31 countries. In order to be eligible for this service in Germany, you German authorities require verification that you can must apply for the EHIC before you come to Berlin. support yourself financially for at least one full year For further information please check the EHIC web- in Germany. All students offered a place at the Berlin site: Mathematical School must prove their financial sta-  www.ec.europa.eu/social/main. tus to the relevant German embassy or consulate in jsp?catId=698&langId=en order to obtain a visa (unless the aforementioned ‘Visa Exemption due to Citizenship’ applies). Other Foreign Health Insurance (see 6.2) Private health insurance from other countries may be Students awarded a BMS Scholarship can prove fully or partly recognized in Germany. Please check their financial status to the relevant German em- with your insurance company before you leave your bassy or consulate by submitting their BMS Letter home country. of Admission. Students admitted without a BMS Scholarship must be able to supply other proof that Travel Health Insurance they can finance their study and living expenses. This is not mandatory, but we do advise those of you, who will come to Germany without any of the above Income or assets of approximately €670 per month two insurance options, to take out a 2-week travel (€8,000 p/a) is the current minimum requirement, insurance policy before leaving your home country. however you may be asked to provide proof of a This is to ensure that you have emergency health higher amount (compare this figure with 5.7 Cost of cover until you sign a health insurance contract in Living). Germany.

Please enquire at the German embassy in your own Please note: travel insurance does not replace man- country about exactly what type of proof they re- datory health insurance cover for students in Germany, quire, but in general the following documents may but should be taken out to cover your visa arrange- be accepted: ments, your journey to, and initial stay in, Germany.

23 5. Before You Leave | Guidebook for BMS Students

5.5 Documents to Bring to Germany Students who receive DAAD scholarships can apply for student housing via the DAAD. Please visit their website for further information: Mini Checklist  www.daad.de/en/

Identification The HGS offers useful advice here about finding an • Passport/Visa/National ID Card apartment in Berlin: • Several passport-sized photos (35 × 45 mm)  humboldt-graduate-school.de/aktuelles/inhalte-a- • International driving license or a German bis-z/find-an-apartment translation of your driving license (optional) Student Hotels and Youth Hostels Documents In student hotels or youth/backpackers’ hostels you • Letter of Admission from the BMS can find reasonably priced accommodation for a few • Proof of financial support days, usually in a dormitory or shared room. • EHIC, other foreign health insurance • Travel Health Insurance (optional) Useful Links for Temporary Accommodation • Certified copies of all certificates/diplomas and House of Nations transcripts from your college/university  www.house-of-nations.de/cms/en/home.html • Language certificates Studentendorf Schlachtensee  www.studentendorf-berlin.com/index. Money php?id=155&L=1 • €1,000 in cash for numerous expenses in the Internationale Wohnagentur “fine+mine” first few weeks  www.fineandmine.com/ • Credit card, traveler’s checks Jugendgästehaus-Central • Statements of income/assets from your parents  www.jugendgaestehaus-central.de/index_en.shtml IBZ  www.ibz-berlin.de/index.php?lang=en YMCA youth hostel Berlin  www.cvjm-jugendgaestehaus.de/en 5.6 Accommodation Jugendgästehaus am Zoo  www.jgh-zoo.de/en/index.html Due to various factors, including the increasing num- Heart of Gold hostel ber of immigrants, international students, as well as the  www.heartofgold-hostel.de/ increase in mobility of Germans, the housing situation Bax Pax downtown hostel: in Berlin has become very competitive. Since there is  www.baxpax.de/en/downtown/ no campus accommodation in Berlin, we recommend Youth Hostel Networks beginning your search for private accommodation as  www.people-in-berlin.de/hostels.htm early as possible!  www.backpacker-network.de/en/

Affordable accommodation will relieve the strain Shared Flats on your student budget enormously (see 5.7 Cost of Shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften/WGs) are a popu- Living). Rent is the largest monthly expense for stu- lar alternative to student residences. Several people dents (on average about €280 per month for a single live together in a flat they have rented privately and room). However, the amount of rent depends mainly share the kitchen and bathroom. Everybody has their on the type of accommodation and where it is located. own bedroom, while the other rooms are shared. The advantage is that all flatmates share all costs (rent, telephone, internet, and utilities like electricity and

24 Guidebook for BMS Students | 5. Before You Leave

water), which means that living in a WG is cheaper Berliner Zeitung (Saturdays) than living alone. You can find and/or offer WG rooms  www.berlinonline.de/berliner-zeitung/ here: Berliner Morgenpost (Saturdays)  www.casaswap.com  www.morgenpost.de/berlin/wohnung-mieten/  www.wg-gesucht.de/en/wg-zimmer-in- Tagesspiegel (Saturdays) Berlin.8.0.0.0.html  anzeigen.tagesspiegel.de/immoindex.php  www.easy-living4u.de/en (for singles)  www.arwobau.com/en/Apartments/View_and_ Notices for available rooms in a WG (shared flat) can search/ (for families) be found in “Zitty” and “Tip”, two Berlin listings pub-  www.easywg.de/ (in German) lished on alternating Wednesdays. These magazines  www.wggruendung.de/ (in German) are often available to browse through in many stu-  www.studenten-wg.de (in German) dent pubs and restaurants. The “Exberliner” is the  www.wohngemeinschaft.de/ (in German) English-language alternative with a focus on topics  www.zimmersucher.de/ (in German) that may be interesting for English speakers in Berlin.  www.berlin.studenten-wohnung.de/ (in German) It also has a classified ads section. “Zweite Hand”  www.wgcompany.de/ (in German) (Second Hand) also contains information about available rooms in WGs. Private Accommodation  www.zitty.de (in German) It is possible to find affordable private accommoda-  www.tip-berlin.de (in German) tion in Berlin. If you rent an apartment independent-  www.zweitehand.de (in German) ly, you are normally the main tenant and as such you  www.exberliner.com have greater rights, but also greater responsibility. If you only rent a room, you are a sub-tenant. Please Rental Contracts always read any rental agreement (Mietvertrag) very When renting a room, regardless of whether it is in carefully and do not sign anything until you have un- a student residence, a shared flat, or private accom- derstood your contractual obligations and rights. modation, you will have to sign a rental contract (Mietvertrag). Please read the contract carefully! We A list of accommodation for private rentals can be recommend that you take advantage of the free found in the classified section of several Berlin daily legal advice service offered by the student council newspapers (in German): (see 3.3). You must check the condition of your room

25 5. Before You Leave | Guidebook for BMS Students

before you move in. Make a note of any damage or 5.7 Cost of Living other shortcomings, such as carpet stains, and inform your landlord or landlady in writing immediately. This What will my monthly expenses be? will protect you from any possible claims for dam- The cost of living depends on your lifestyle, however ages later. you cannot influence the cost of rent or health insurance. Valuable Tips Valuable and helpful tips about accommodation and Average monthly expenses the Landlord-Tenant Law can be found on the follow- Rent €280.00 ing websites: Food €160.00  www.mieterbund.de/ (in German)  www.anwaltonline.com (in German) Clothing/basic household expenses €50.00  www.mietrecht.de (in German) University fees/Semester ticket €50.00  www.internetratgeber-recht.de (in German) Health insurance €70.00  www.finanztip.de/ (in German) Telephone/internet €30.00

Utility Costs Public broadcasting license €18.00 Costs for utilities like electricity, gas, heating and wa- Work/study materials €35.00 ter are generally not included in the rent. As a ten- Leisure activities €70.00 ant, you have to pay these separately, but not to your Total €763.00 landlord or landlady. In most cases, you pay the electricity, gas and water companies directly. For further information see: www.internationale-studierende.de/ en/prepare_your_studies/financing/costs_of_living/ As a tenant, you are entitled to choose your own gas and electricity supplier. The following websites Please note: the university fees and the semester provide information about this: ticket are paid at the beginning of every semester  www.stromseite.de (in German) and not on a monthly basis.  www.verivox.de/power/ (in German)

As soon as you move into your flat, it is advisable to Try to bring at least €1,000 with you to Berlin. This record the reading on your water, electricity, and/or is for various one-off expenses at the beginning of gas meter immediately. It will help you keep track of your stay including rental deposit, residence permit how much you have consumed. and basic household goods such as bedding, etc.

26 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

6. Upon Arrival

Arriving in Berlin at the beginning of September 6.1 Residence Registration and will give you plenty of time to find housing, register Residence Permit with various authorities, attend a German language course offered by the BMS (see 2.6), and prepare for Within the first two weeks of arriving in Germany, all your studies. students must register their new address (Polizeiliche Anmeldung) at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt). As soon as you The BMS Orientation will take place from register you will immediately receive a registration 6–10 October 2014, one week before the winter certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung). You will not be semester lectures begin. Attendance is compulsory, able to open a bank account, get health insurance, so please make sure that you are in Berlin by that apply for a public library card or enroll at university time! until you have registered and received your registration certificate.

Orientation meetings at university departments and Each district in Berlin has a Residents’ Registration institutes are also usually held the week before lec- Office, but in order to register, you can make an tures begin. The International Office at the three par- appointment with any office in Berlin via this link: ticipating universities also offers centrally organized  http://tinyurl.com/Address-Registration introductory events for foreign students. (in German)

@ FU Berlin The necessary registration forms are available at each  www.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/verwaltung/ registration office or here as a pdf: zuv/abt-4/ivc/index.html  www.berlin.de/formularserver/formular.php?52009 (in German) @ HU Berlin  www.international.hu-berlin.de/

@ TU Berlin  www.betreuung-int-stud.tu-berlin.de/menue/ home/parameter/en/

27 6. Upon Arrival | Guidebook for BMS Students

other necessary documents listed on the following Mini Checklist page. The residence permit is restricted to the course Residence Registration of study and the chosen university and is generally • Make an appointment online with any valid for two years. There are two ways to apply for a Residents’ Registration Office in Berlin. residence permit: • Complete the registration form. • Take your passport/national ID card with the 1. Personal Appointment completed registration form to your appoint- To avoid long waiting periods, a personal appoint ment. ment is highly recommended. You can make an • If you change address later, you must notify appointment via this webpage: the registration office immediately of your new  www.berlin.de/labo/auslaender/dienstleistungen/ address (Ummeldung) using the same form. studium_en.html • Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it with you at all times as you may be asked for 2. Drop-in proof of ID at any time. Simply go to the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Aus • You must also notify the BMS One-Stop Office länderbehörde), take a ticket and wait your turn! This of you new address and the Admissions Office may lead to spending a long time in the waiting room at the university where you are enrolled. so get there early, however the process is usually completed the same day.

Residence Permit Exemption Contact Details (EU and EFTA Countries) The EU freedom of movement law exempts citi- LABO zens of all EU and EFTA countries from all visa and Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegen residence permit requirements. These students only heiten Ausländerbehörde (Abteilung IV) have to register their new address at the Residents’ Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24, 13353 Berlin Registration Office as explained above. A valid form Phone: +49 30 90269 0/4000 of identification (passport or national ID card) to Fax: +49 30 90269 4099 gether with the completed registration form are the E-mail: [email protected] only documents required for this procedure.  www.berlin.de/labo/auslaender/dienststelle/index. html Residence Permit Requirements (All Other Countries) Office hours: All international students, except students from Mon & Tue: 7.00 am – 2.00 pm EU and EFTA countries, must apply at the Berlin Thur: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) Wed & Fri: Closed for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) within three months of entering Germany. Since the waiting How to get there: time for an appointment can be up to 3 months, we U9 to Amrumer Straße, S41/S42 to Westhafen or Bus strongly advise you to make your appointment on- 127/227/248 line before you leave your home country. Try to make it for a date six weeks after your arrival in Berlin. Please note: the BMS offers advice on this matter to all BMS students, but due to the introduction of fin- Foreigners’ Registration Office in Berlin gerprinting, it is no longer possible for the BMS to The Foreigners’ Registration Office will issue you with take your application to the Foreigner’s Registration a residence permit for study purposes once you pre- Office for you. sent your letter of admission to study, together with

28 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

When a residence permit is issued, there is a man- Please note: the permit must be renewed before it ex- datory fee. In general, students pay at least €50 for pires. To avoid the risk of residing in Germany with an a one-year residence permit and at least €60 for a expired residence permit, start the online appointment two-year permit. If a student receives financial sup- process at least two months before its expiry date. port from a publicly funded source in Germany (e.g. BMS scholarship), the student will not need to pay this charge. 6.2 Health Insurance

If you wish to study in Berlin, you will need health in- To apply for a residence permit you will surance. Without it, you will not be able to enroll at need the following documents: university and you will be prohibited from studying. • Valid Passport Therefore immediately after your arrival, please ap- • Completed application form available from ply for health insurance before your travel insurance the BMS One-Stop Office or here as a pdf: expires (see 5.4). www.berlin.de/formularserver/formular. php?72301 Choosing Health Insurance • Your original registration certificate There are two kinds of health insurance in Germany: (Anmeldebescheinigung from the Residents’ public and private. Public health insurance is valid for Registration Office) all students, however there are certain conditions for • Proof of health insurance BMS students. Phase I students under 30 years old • Proof of financial support (see 5.3) can apply for a special student rate. Phase I students • Two current passport photos (35mm x 45mm) over 30 and all Phase II students must pay the normal rate. Any student can apply for private health insur- And one of the following: ance, but there is no student rate. • For students with ‘Visa Exemption due to Citizenship’ (see 5.2) take proof of enrollment Please note: once you take out private health insur- at one of the three Berlin universities and your ance you cannot change to public health insurance BMS Letter of Admission (photocopy) for the duration of your studies. Please refer to the • For students with ’Visa Requirement due following websites for further information about to Citizenship’ (see 5.2) take your entrance/ public and private health insurance in Germany: student visa for Germany, proof of enrollment  www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/promovieren/drs/ at one of the three Berlin universities and your welcome/coming-to-berlin/arriving-in-berlin/ BMS Letter of Admission (photocopy) insurance_issues/index.html  humboldt-graduate-school.de/aktuelles/inhalte-a- bis-z/health-insurance

29 6. Upon Arrival | Guidebook for BMS Students

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) exactly what services you are entitled to, as it is possible The European Health Insurance Card is part of a health that your insurance will not cover all costs in Germany. If service agreement between the 27 EU countries and your private health insurance is recognized in Germany, the EFTA countries of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway then you must obtain a certificate of confirmation (Ver and Switzerland. It gives the citizens of those coun- sicherungsbescheinigung) from any German public tries access to medically necessary, state-provided health insurance company (Krankenkasse) that you healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 31 are exempt from taking out public health insurance countries. Germany is part of this agreement and as (Befreiung von der Krankenversicherungspflicht). This long as you have public health insurance in your home certificate is necessary for university enrollment. Please country, you can apply for exemption from paying be aware that for the duration of your studies you can- the aforementioned health insurance tariffs. You can not change to public health insurance! obtain the exemption certificate (Befreiung von der Krankenversicherungspflicht) by taking your EHIC card Necessary documents to take out health insurance in to any public health insurance company in Berlin. This Germany or to apply for exemption: certificate is also necessary for university enrollment. • BMS Letter of Admission • Valid Passport Please note: it is important to apply for the EHIC be- • Registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) fore you come to Berlin. Please see this website for • EHIC (if applicable) further information: • Certificate of German-approved Foreign Health  www.ec.europa.eu/social/main.p?catId=698&langId=en Insurance (if applicable)

Other Foreign Health Insurance Please note: for the purpose of university enrollment In some cases private health insurance from other all students must obtain a certificate of health insur- countries may be recognized in Germany. You must ance (Versicherungsbescheinigung) or the aforemen- check with your insurance company before you tioned exemption certificate from a German health leave your home country. Please make sure you know insurance company.

Health Insurance Options

Phase I Phase II Student’s Age German German EHIC Other German German EHIC Other Origin Public Private Foreign Public Private Foreign Health Health Health Health Health Health Insurance Insurance Insurance Insurance Insurance Insurance Germany < 25 Family Opt. – – Opt. Rec. – – insurance is sufficient 25–29 Rec. Opt. – – Opt. Rec. – – ≥ 30 Opt. Rec. – – Opt. Rec. – – EU/EFTA N/A Opt. Opt. Rec. Opt. Opt. Opt. Rec. Opt. Country Non-EU/ < 30 Rec. Opt. N/A Opt. Opt. Rec. N/A Opt. EFTA ≥ 30 Opt. Rec. N/A Opt. Opt. Rec. N/A Opt. Country

Rec. = is recommended, because it offers possibly the most economical rate for you Opt. = is optional. You may choose this if you prefer, but it may not offer you the most economical rate N/A: not applicable Please note: if you take out private health insurance, you cannot change to public health insurance during your studies!

30 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

6.3 Paying Standard Charges Registration Renewal Every semester, all students who wish to continue In some German states students pay tuition fees, but their studies in the next semester must re-register Berlin’s universities are still tuition-free. Students pay (Rückmeldung). This is a simple process. Halfway only semester fees and contributions before the start through the current semester you will receive noti- of the semester, which are made up of the following: fication from the admissions office, either by e-mail or by post, with instructions on how to pay the fees for the following semester. Please read the intruc- • Enrollment/re-registration fee tions carefully to make sure that there are no other (Immatrikulationsgebühr/Rückmeldegebühr) requirements you need to fulfill, e.g. submission of • Social contribution (Sozialbeitrag) to the proof of health insurance or scholarship contract student union (Studentenwerk) extension. Once the fees have been paid, your reg- • Contribution to student government istration will be renewed and you will receive your (Studentenschaft) student ID/Semester Ticket and certificate of regis- • Semester ticket transportation pass for Berlin tration (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) before the Zones ABC (Semesterticket) beginning of the new semester. The payment deadline for registration renewal is usually mid-July for the winter semester and mid-February for the sum- To give you an idea of how much the semester fees mer semester. and contributions are, here are the rates for the summer semester 2014 at the three Berlin universities: Please note: if you forget to renew your registration @ FU Berlin: €289.23 on time, you will be removed from the university @ HU Berlin: €290.53 roster (Exmatrikulation), which will render your visa @ TU Berlin: €287.73 status and health insurance invalid! Furthermore, you will be liable to pay additional administrative fees! Some recipients of German scholarships are entitled Bank transfers can take up to three working days to to a small reduction of the registration fee. For further process and the payment deadline for fees refers to information, please ask the BMS One-Stop Office. the date by which the university must receive the funds and not the day the transfer was made. Fees can be paid via bank transfer. As the reason for payment (Verwendungszweck), please write your matriculation number, if you already know it, or else 6.4 Enrollment your full name, date of birth and the relevant semester. You will be given a receipt of payment (Beleg), The BMS One-Stop Office offers assistance to every which you must take to the university when enroll- BMS student to enroll at one of the three partici- ing as proof of payment. Once enrolled, all students pating Berlin universities. The staff can help by first receive a student ID card, which also functions as a checking all the necessary documents for you and Semester Ticket (see 6.4 Enrollment). then informing you of where to go to enroll. You then have to go personally to the Admissions Office of the FU, the HU or the TU to complete your registration.

Please note: enrollment procedures can vary depending on the student’s individual situation, so the information given in the following box is meant as a general guide and not the rule for every student.

31 6. Upon Arrival | Guidebook for BMS Students

Office hours: You must take the following documents to Tue: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm the Admissions Office with you: Thu: 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm • Completed application form for admission • BMS Letter of Admission German students can hand in their enrollment docu- • Certified copies of the latest certificate and ments at the information counter at the following transcripts received in your previous university times: education. If they are not in English or German Mon – Wed: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm they must be accompanied by certified English Thu: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm or German translations Fri: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm (www.gerichtsdolmetscherverzeichnis.de/) • Certificate of Health Insurance or Exemption Certificate (see 6.2) • Bank statement or receipt verifying payment of semester fees and contributions (see 6.3). • EU and EFTA citizens must take their valid passport and registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) • Citizens of all other countries must take their valid passport with residency permit and registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung).

Admissions Offices Responsible for the Enrollment of Foreign Students Main Building (HU)

@ HU Berlin Admissions Office (Immatrikulationsbüro) Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin Main Building/Ground Floor, Room 1051  www.hu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung/imma/ Imma?set_language=en&cl=en

Office hours: Mon: 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm Tue: 9.00 am – 11.00 am (German students only) Wed: 9.00 am – 11.00 am (German students only) 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm (until 4 pm for German Admissions Office (FU) students) Fri: 9.00 am – 11.00 am @ FU Berlin Student Administration Office Please note: any student with a German Abitur can (Studierendenverwaltung) also enroll at the HU via the online portal (deadline Iltisstraße 1, 14195 Berlin 31 August):  www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienorganisation/  studienplatz.hu-berlin.de/bewerbungOnline/ immatrikulation/imma-eu/index.html rds?state=onlstat

32 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

@ TU Berlin children up to 6 years of age, a stroller, a bicycle, lug- Campus Center gage and a dog free of charge (see 8.5). Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin Main Building TU Berlin, Room H30 The Semester Ticket is not transferrable and must be  www.referat-1a.tu-berlin.de/menue/ia_zulassung_ accompanied by photographic ID. und_immatrikulation/parameter/en/ Office hours: Welcome Money (Begrüßungsgeld) Mon, Wed & Thu: 9.30 am – 3.00 pm The State of Berlin pays a one-time welcome allow- Tue: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm ance of €50 to every student who is enrolled at one of Fri: 9.30 am – 2.00 pm the Berlin universities and who has changed their prin- cipal domicile to Berlin. The conditions are as follows: Please note: students can also enroll at the TU via • the new Berlin residence was registered after 19 the online portal: March 2002  zulapp.zuv.tu-berlin.de/qisserver/servlet/de.his. • the former dwelling existed in another state of the servlet.RequestDispatcherServlet?state=wimma&st Federal Republic or abroad g=m&imma=einl You may submit your application to your university only after you have completed all enrollment procedures. The application form is available here as a pdf file:  www.berlin.de/formularserver/formular.php?153309

6.5 Bank Account

We recommend that you open a current account (Girokonto) because only German account holders can make bank transfers to other German accounts without incuring any charges. In addition, you will receive an Electronic Cash Card (EC-Karte) with which View of the main building (TU) you can withdraw money from cash machines and get printouts of your bank statements. Bank checks If you register on or after the first day of the se- are no longer common in Germany and most banks mester, you may ask for a temporary certificate of now offer online banking. Generally, the conditions enrollment that can be used as your student ID. It for student accounts are similar at different banks. usually takes about two weeks before the official student ID/semester ticket and enrollment certificate To open an account you will need your passport, your (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) are sent to you. Letter of Admission or proof of enrollment at one of Once you have registered with one of the three par- the three Berlin universities and your residence per- ticipating universities, you must re-register before mit. the start of every new semester (see 6.3). Please note: when withdrawing money from a bank Semester Ticket that differs from the one that you have an account The student ID that you will receive after enrollment with, you may be charged a fee. Some banks are also functions as your Semester Ticket. Valid for the associated with other banks and you can withdraw duration of the semester, the Semester Ticket is your money for free from any of the associated banks. travel pass for all public transport in Berlin’s ABC zones, Learn more about these and other features directly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also allows you to take from your bank.

33 6. Upon Arrival | Guidebook for BMS Students

6.6 Computer Accounts For any questions concerning HU accounts, please contact the support center at Campus Adlershof. Account at FU Berlin Together with their enrollment certificate/student Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ID, all students enrolled at FU Berlin will receive a ZE Computer- und Medienservice (CMS) user guide from ZEDAT (IT Service Center at FU) in Benutzerberatung order to activate their FU account. This account en Rudower Chaussee 26, 12489 Berlin ables the student to use all computer services of- Phone: +49 30 2093 2163 fered at the FU. E-mail: [email protected]

Zentraleinrichtung für Datenverarbeitung Students from all the Berlin universities are allowed (ZEDAT) to use the computer pools at the HU. For further in- Fabeckstraße 32, 14195 Berlin formation, please refer to: E-mail: [email protected]  www.cms.hu-berlin.de/dl/oecap/pcsaal/faq/faq- start?set_language=en&cl=en (in German) IT-Service-Center at the FU Berlin  www.zedat.fu-berlin.de/Kontakt IT Service Center at the HU Berlin  www.cms.hu-berlin.de/portale/studierende/ WLAN (in German)  www.zedat.fu-berlin.de/VPN%2bWLAN WLAN User Service  www.cms.hu-berlin.de/dl/netze/wlan (in German) Silberlaube JK27, Room 133, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin Any BMS student who would like to have a comput- Phone: +49 30 838 56069 er account at the HU Math Faculty should contact Mon – Fri: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini at the BMS One-Stop Office. This account will enable you to use the com- Any BMS student who would like to have a computer and WLAN services offered there. puter account at the Mathematics Institute of the FU is requested to contact Christian/e Seyffer at the Contact person BMS One-Stop Office. This account will enable you Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini ([email protected]) to use the computer and WLAN services offered at the Mathematics Institute. Account at TU Berlin After enrollment, TU students will receive a letter at Contact person their home address containing: Christian/e Seyffer ([email protected]) • a tubIT user account • a personal e-mail account Account at HU Berlin • authorization for student ID with photo Together with their enrollment certificate and stu- • an iTAN-list which, along with your tubIT user dent ID, students enrolled at HU-Berlin will receive a name and password, allows you to use further PIN code to activate their HU account. The PIN code protected applications appears on the enrollment certificate in the field “Wichtige Hinweise zur Rückmeldung”. With the PIN A tubIT user account allows students access to code students can create an account by following various university IT services such as e-mail, tubIT the instructions on this website: computer pools and WLAN-service. After receiv-  www3.hu-berlin.de/dl/beratung/antrag/index. ing the letter, you can activate your tubIT user ac- php?gelesen=0&lang=en count by taking your letter and your passport

34 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

(Personalausweis) and to the Kartenausgabestelle tubIT user account (KAS) in the main building. There you will get a tem-  www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/menue/dienste/konto_ porary password along with other documents nec- karte/parameter/en/ essary for using the account. tub2go App KAS – TU Berlin  tub2go.tu-berlin.de Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin Main Building, Ground floor, Room H 01b WLAN Mon – Thu: 7.30 am – 2.15 pm  www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/menue/dienste/ Fri: 7.30 am – 1.15 pm kommunikation_internet/wlan/parameter/en/

Visit the following website to activate your account: All BMS students can apply for a computer account  www.tu-berlin.de/index.php?id=44722 at the TU Mathematics Institute. With this account, students are be able to use the computer pool at the Enter your number code that appears on your student BMS Lounge at TU Berlin (MA 219). Please contact the ID (11-digit number beginning with 1690) and the BMS One-Stop Office for an application form. letter from the KAS office. In the line below enter the temporary password. After activating your account, WLAN Connection at the Three Universities please change this password here: Students of the three participating Berlin universities  www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/menue/dienste/konto_ are allowed to access the WLAN services at each uni- karte/tubit-passwort/parameter/en/ versity via the DFN-Roaming Network. To log on to the WLAN network, students must first open a com- For further information contact the IT Service puter account at one of the three universities. Using Center at the TU Berlin the same username and password, students can ac-  www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/ (in German) cess the WLAN network of all three universities.

35 6. Upon Arrival | Guidebook for BMS Students

DFN-Roaming 6.8 Libraries and Library Cards  www.tubit.tu-berlin.de/wlan/dfnroaming/ parameter/en/ To use the libraries of all three participating universities you need only your campus card (TU) or student Eduroam ID (FU & HU). Students of participating institutions can access the 'eduroam' network to connect to the internet at the Libraries of the Mathematics Institutes FU, HU or TU by using the roaming service and the account of their home institution. See this website for Mathematics Library FU further information: Arnimallee 3, 14195 Berlin  www.eduroam.org/  www.mi.fu-berlin.de/en/fb/service/library/index. html

6.7 Mensa Card During the semester: Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm “Mensa” is German for “dining hall” and in Berlin In the semester break: the student dining halls are run by the Berlin Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Studentenwerk (see 3.4) Central Library for Natural Sciences HU The Mensa Card is used at the dining halls and cafés Erwin-Schrödinger-Zentrum, run by the Studentenwerk. To obtain a Mensa Card Rudower Chaussee 26, 12489 Berlin you need to show your student ID card (or temporary student ID) at the cash desk at any of the dining halls.  www.ub.hu-berlin.de/en/locations/ A small deposit is charged for the card and the depos- erwin-schroedinger-zentrum it will be refunded to you when you return the card at the end of your studies. In order to make purchases, Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm you first have to add credit your Mensa Card at the Sat: 11.00 am – 6.00 pm special cash machines, which can be found in all of the dining halls. A list of all the dining halls in Berlin Mathematics Library TU can be found here: Straße des 17. Juni 136, 10623 Berlin  www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/en/mensen/mensen/ Rooms 163 – 165, MA 1-1 index.html  www.tu-berlin.de/?53149

36 Guidebook for BMS Students | 6. Upon Arrival

During the semester: Staatsbibliothek, Haus Potsdamer Straße Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm Potsdamer Straße 33, 10785 Berlin In the semester break:  staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/en/ Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm Main University Libraries Sat: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm

Universitätsbibliothek FU Amerika-Gedenk-Bibliothek (AGB) Garystraße 39, 14195 Berlin (U-Thielplatz) Blücherplatz 1, 10961 Berlin  www.ub.fu-berlin.de/en/  www.zlb.de/en.html

Mon – Fri: 10.00am – 6.00pm Mon – Fri: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm Thu: 10.00am – 7.00pm Sat: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm Reading Room: Mon – Fri: 9.00am – 8.00pm Berliner Stadtbibliothek Universitätsbibliothek HU Breite Straße 32 – 34, 10178 Berlin Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum  www.zlb.de/en.html Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 1/3, 10117 Berlin  www.ub.hu-berlin.de/en/ Mon – Fri: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm Sat: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm Mon – Fri: 8.00 am – 00.00 am Sat & Sun: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Public Libraries in Berlin  www.voebb.de/ Universitätsbibliothek TU For Berlin’s public library network (VÖBB), one library Fasanenstraße 88, 10623 Berlin card gives you access to the entire network.  www.ub.tu-berlin.de/en/home/

Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 10.00 pm Sat: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm

Other Libraries

To use other libraries in Berlin, you must apply at the specific library for a membership card.

Staatsbibliothek, Haus Unter den Linden Dorotheenstraße 27, 10117 Berlin  staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/en/

Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm Sat: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm

37 7. General Facts About Germany | Guidebook for BMS Students

7. General Facts About Germany

Capital: Berlin DENMARK

Baltic Sea Neighboring Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Nether North Sea Schleswig- Holstein Mecklemburg- Vorpommern lands, Poland and Switzerland Hamburg Bremen POLAND Berlin THE Niedersachsen Official Language: German NETHER LANDS Brandenburg Sachsen- Inhabitants: Germany has the largest population of Nordrhein- Anhalt Westfalen Sachsen any EU member state (83 million). Around 15.6 million Thüringen people (almost 20 % of the total population) have a BELGIUM Hessen Rheinland- migration background and around 7.1 million people CZECH REPUBLIC LUX. Pfalz (8.8 %) are foreign residents. Saarland Bayern Baden- Religion: There is no national religion in Germany. FRANCE Württemberg Almost 52 million people are Christian (30 % Catholic, AUSTRIA 29.9 % Protestant, 0.5 % other denominations); ap-

SWITZERLAND proximately 4 million are Muslim; 250,000 are Buddhist; 200,000 are Jewish; and 90,000 people are Map of Germany with the 16 Federal States Hindu. Approximately 35 % of the population is unaf- filiated with any religion. Basic Law guarantees free- The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was founded dom of thought, conscience and religion. on 23 May 1949 and lies in the heart of central Europe. At the end of the Cold War, the border between the Currency: €/Euro (€1 = 100 cents) German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the FRG was opened. On 3 October 1990, after 41 years of separa- Time Zone: UTC + 01:00 (winter), UTC + 02:00 (sum- tion, the reunification of Germany took place. mer)

Official Name: Federal Republic of Germany (Bun Climate: Germany’s climate is mostly temperate. desrepublik Deutschland) Extreme lows or highs in temperature are rare. Winter temperatures vary from east to west, with freezing Government: Federal, parliamentary, representative temperatures in the west and below freezing in the democratic republic east. Summer temperatures in Germany are typically between 20 °C and 30 °C. Area: 357,021 km2

Population: Approximately 83 million

16 Federal States: Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nord rhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen (Names in German)

38 Guidebook for BMS Students | 8. Berlin at a Glance

Brandenburg Gate (Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de)

8. Berlin at a Glance

Berlin is Germany’s capital city and a major center of (1933 – 1945). After World War II the city was di- European politics, culture, media and science. It also vided: East Berlin became the capital of the GDR serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport. (East Germany) while West Berlin remained a West The city’s economy is primarily based on the service German enclave surrounded by the Berlin Wall from sector, which encompasses a diverse range of crea- 1961 – 1989. It was possible for people from the west tive industries, media corporations, environmental to go to the east, but only through strictly controlled services, congress, and convention venues. checkpoints, but for most East Germans, travel to West Berlin or West Germany was no longer possible. Berlin is the third-most visited tourist destination in In 1971 the “Four Power Agreement on Berlin” (drawn the EU and home to world-renowned universities, up by the wartime allies France, UK, USA and USSR) research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, mu- re-established ties between the two parts of Berlin, seums and media personalities. Its urban landscape improved travel and communications and brought and historical legacy has also made it a popular set- numerous improvements for the residents of the ting for international film productions. Recognized Western Sectors. for its festivals, contemporary architecture, nightlife and avant-garde arts, Berlin has evolved into a focal In 1989, pressure from the East German population point for individuals attracted by its liberal lifestyle, brought the transition to a parliamentary democra- modern “zeitgeist” and low-cost living. It is home to cy in East Germany. When the Berlin Wall fell on 9th 3.5 million people from over 190 countries. November 1989, its citizens gained free access to the west. In Friedrichshain a 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall, known as the East Side Gallery, has been pre- 8.1 Brief History of Berlin served as an international memorial for freedom. On 3 October 1990, East and West Germany reunited and First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was became the Federal Republic of Germany. Berlin be- successively the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia came the German capital in accordance with the uni- (1701 – 1918), the German Empire (1871 – 1918), the fication treaty. The German parliament and govern- Weimar Republic (1919 – 1932) and the Third Reich ment finally moved from Bonn back to Berlin in 1999.

39 8. Berlin at a Glance | Guidebook for BMS Students

8.2 Berlin’s 12 Districts

Berlin is divided into twelve districts (Bezirke), each district is subdivided into a number of sub-districts

(Ortsteile), and Berlin consists of 95 such sub-districts. Reinickendorf Pankow

In the past these areas were independent towns, vil- Lichtenberg

lages and rural communities, and some of the sub- Spandau Mitte districts in Berlin are now known as a “Kiez”. A term Marzahn- Friedrichshain- Charlottenburg- Hellersdorf Kreuzberg with a positive connotation, the word is of Slavonic Wilmersdorf origin and refers to a settlement. Its inhabitants of- Tempelhof- Schöneberg Steglitz-Zehlendorf ten identify with the “Kiez” they live in. A Berliner Neukölln Treptow-Köpenick “Kiez” usually consists mainly of pre-war buildings and upholds its own commercial and cultural infrastructure. Some of the more well known ones are the “Akazienkiez” in Schöneberg, the “Körnerkiez” in Neukölln and the “Kollwitzkiez” in Prenzlauer Berg. Map of Berlin with the 12 districts

8.3 Overview of Berlin’s Climate

Temperature Relative Average Average Wet Days humidity Rainfall Month Sunlight Average Record (hours) Min Max Min Max am pm mm + 0,25 mm

Jan 2 –3 2 –21 13 89 82 46 17

Feb 2 –3 3 –22 17 89 78 40 15

March 5 0 8 –14 22 88 67 33 12

April 6 4 13 –6 30 84 60 42 13

May 8 8 19 –3 32 80 57 49 12

June 8 12 22 3 35 80 58 65 13

July 8 14 24 5 37 84 61 73 14

Aug 7 13 23 6 37 88 61 69 14

Sept 6 10 20 1 34 92 65 48 12

Oct 4 6 13 –4 25 93 73 49 14

Nov 2 2 7 –9 17 92 83 46 16

Dec 1 –1 3 –18 15 91 86 43 15

40 Guidebook for BMS Students | 8. Berlin at a Glance

8.4 Tourism and Sightseeing

Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) is probably the most distinctive monument in Berlin. Located directly on the former East-West Berlin border, it was a focal point during the Cold War and became the main gathering place for celebrations following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Here the once majestic boulevard of Unter den Linden is today an eight-block example of overstated imperial grandeur and Eastern Bloc drab- ness. The most notable buildings are found at the eastern end, such as the State Library (Staatsbibliothek), Humboldt-Universität, the National Memorial (Neue Wache), the Museum of German History (Zeughaus) and the Berlin State Opera (Staatsoper).

The Fernsehturm (TV tower) at Alexanderplatz in View of Berlin and Alexanderplatz Mitte is not only the tallest building in the city (368 m), but also in Germany. Completed in 1969, it is visible Potsdamer Platz began as a trading post where sev- throughout the central districts of Berlin, and from the eral country roads converged just outside of Berlin’s observation deck 203 m above the ground, visibility old customs wall. Destroyed during World War II and can reach up to 40 kilometres on a clear day. Heading left desolate when the Berlin Wall cut through it, east from Alexanderplatz is Karl-Marx-Allee, an av- Potsdamer Platz was redeveloped after German reuni- enue lined with monumental residential buildings, fication. Home to the “Arkaden” shopping mall with designed in the Socialist Classicism style of the Stalin 133 shops and restaurants, four major hotels, Europe’s era. Adjacent to Alexanderplatz is the City Hall (Rotes largest casino (the “Spielbank Berlin”) and three cin- Rathaus), with its characteristic red brick architecture. emas, Potsdamer Platz attracts up to 70,000 visitors a The fountain in front of it is the Neptunbrunnen featur- day. ing the Roman god Neptune. Hackescher Markt is home to high fashion and cul- Gendarmenmarkt is a beautiful square in Berlin, the ture with countless boutiques, clubs, bars and galler- name of which dates back to the Napoleonic occupa- ies. The Hackesche Höfe, a cluster of buildings located tion of Berlin. It is bordered by two similarly designed around several courtyards, was reconstructed around cathedrals: the French Cathedral (Der Französische 1996. Formerly a centre of Jewish life in Berlin, the Dom) and the German Cathedral (Der Deutsche nearby Oranienburger Straße contains the restored Dom). In between both cathedrals stands the Concert New Synagogue (Neue Synagoge). Hall (Konzerthaus), home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Straße des 17. Juni, connecting Brandenburg Gate and Ernst-Reuter-Platz, serves as the central East-West The Berliner Dom, a Protestant cathedral and the axis. Its name commemorates the uprisings of East third church in this area, is located on the Spree Island Berliner workers on 17th June 1953. At its halfway across from the site of the Berliner Stadtschloss and point is the Great Star (Großer Stern), a circular traffic adjacent to the Lustgarten. A large crypt houses the island on which the Victory Column (Siegessäule) is remains of some of the earlier Prussian royal family. situated. This monument, built to commemorate the Like many other buildings, it suffered extensive dam- Prussian victory in the Danish-Prussian War, was relo- age during World War II. The Cathedral of St. Hedwig is cated in 1939 from its previous position in front of the Berlin’s Roman Catholic cathedral. Reichstag.

41 8. Berlin at a Glance | Guidebook for BMS Students

Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)

Kurfürstendamm is home to some of Berlin’s most lux- Night Transportation urious shops and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Public transportation runs up to 24 hours a day in is situated at its eastern end on Breitscheidplatz. The Berlin. The S-Bahn system runs until 1.30 am on week- church was destroyed in World War II and left in ruins. nights and all night on weekends. U-Bahn trains run Nearby on Tauentzienstraße is KaDeWe, the largest de- until 00.30 am on week nights, and most lines run all partment store in continental Europe. night on weekends. Berlin also has an extensive and reliable network of night buses and trams, so you Schloss Charlottenburg is the largest surviving his- should not get stranded if you stay out late even dur- torical palace in Berlin. It was badly damaged during ing the week. For the night services, look for routes World War II, but has since been reconstructed. Schloss designated with the letter “N” followed by a number Bellevue, west of the city center, is the residence of the (e.g. N10) at bus and tram stops. German president. Berlin for the Disabled Berlin Tourist Information The companies that manage the Berlin public trans-  www.visitberlin.de/en portation service (BVG and S-Bahn) have gone to great efforts in recent years to make the transportation service more accessible to wheelchair-users. To 8.5 Public Transport provide easy access to the platforms, over 50 underground stations and 118 suburban train stations have Getting around Berlin is easy with the S-Bahn (city been equipped with elevators or ramps. City maps train) and U-Bahn (Underground). Visitors to the BMS and Berlin BVG and S-Bahn transport network maps commonly use the U2 as it connects Ernst-Reuter- show all stations accessible to wheelchair-users. Platz, Zoologischer Garten, Potsdamer Platz, the Friedrichstraße shopping boulevard and the popular Tickets and Fares district of Prenzlauer Berg. Free transport maps are Berlin has three fare zones. Zone A is delineated by the available at most stations, hotels and airports or a S-Bahn ring and encompasses the city center, Zone printable version can be downloaded here: B ends at the city limits. Zone C includes Berlin’s im-  www.bvg.de/index.php/en/index.html mediate surroundings (e.g., Potsdam, Oranienburg). Tickets can be purchased with the zone combinations AB, BC or ABC, and a supplementary ticket is avail-

42 Guidebook for BMS Students | 8. Berlin at a Glance

able for A and C respectively. Standard fares apply to Sundays in Berlin are a good time for brunch and adults, reduced fares for children aged 6 – 13 and chil- bargain-hunting. If you are searching for rare coins, dren under six years of age ride for free. Tickets can be postcards, books, maps, old GDR cameras or are just purchased at any of the BVG and S-Bahn Berlin ticket happy to browse, then a stroll through one of Berlin’s counters and at ticket machines located at the sta- flea markets is sure to lead you to some genuine tions. The machines are equipped with a convenient gems that you cannot find in souvenir shops. More on-screen menu and are available 24 hours a day in information about Berlin’s flea markets can be found various languages, including German, English, French, here: Spanish, Turkish and Polish.  www.berlin.barwick.de/shopping/flea-markets/ index.html Journey Planner  www.fahrinfo-berlin.de/Fahrinfo/bin/query.bin/ en?ld=0.1& 8.7 Post Offices and Communications

Tickets and Fares Germany’s national postal service, “Deutsche Post”,  www.bvg.de/index.php/en/17181/name/ has two divisions: the Postal service (Postdienst) and Fares+Overview.html the banking service (Postbank). If you want to use the postal service, go to the yellow counters in the post Semester Ticket office. If you want to use the banking service, go to Your student ID also functions as your Semester the blue counters. Post office counters can also be Ticket (see 6.4). Together with an official photo ID (e.g. found in small convenience stores. There you can buy passport), your student ID becomes a valid public stamps, post letters, send registered mail and access transport pass throughout the local transport zones some other basic postal services. The general open- ABC. Managed by the Berlin-Brandenburg transport ing times of the main post offices in Germany are: consortium (VBB), the Semester Ticket is valid for an Mon – Fri: 8.00 am – 6.00 pm & Sat: 8.00 am – 2.00 pm unlimited number of journeys every day of the week. Deutsche Post in Charlottenburg Bicycles Joachimsthaler Straße 7, 10623 Berlin Having a bicycle is a very good alternative to using S+U Zoologischer Garten public transportation. If you don’t want to buy a new Mon – Fri: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm one, you can either rent a bicycle or buy one second- Sa: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm hand. Advertisements appear in the biweekly magazine Zweite Hand. The German railway company, Deutsche Post at Friedrichstraße Station Deutsche Bahn AG, auctions bicycles regularly (dates Georgenstraße 12, 10117 Berlin and times are posted in local daily newspapers). For Mon – Fri: 6.00 am – 10.00 pm bicycles for rent see: Sat & Sun: 8.00 am – 10.00 pm  www.fahrradstation.com/fahrradstation.php/cat/2/ title/Stationen (in German) Cell/Mobile Phones A cell phone or mobile phone is called a “Handy” in Germany. There are currently four main cell/mobile 8.6 Shopping phone providers:  T-Mobile: www.t-mobile.de (in German) For information about a great variety of shopping fa-  Vodafone: www.vodafone.de (in German) cilities, such as shopping centers, outlets, malls, fruit  E-Plus: www.eplus.de (in German) and vegetable markets and bookshops, please check:  O2: www.o2online.de (in German)  www.visitberlin.de/en/experience/ shopping?tid=841

43 8. Berlin at a Glance | Guidebook for BMS Students

Germany operates on a GSM network and a mobile Other Bookshops phone from Europe or the surrounding countries should work in Germany. You first have to check Berlin Story whether or not your phone is “locked” as some Unter den Linden 40, 10117 Berlin phones are network-specific (e.g. Orange handsets). (U+S Friedrichstraße) If your phone is not locked, you just need to buy a  www.berlinstory.de/english-berlin-story-international new SIM card when you arrive in Germany in order to take advantage of the local rates. If you are from Dussmann – das KulturKaufhaus North America or parts of Asia, you will probably Friedrichstraße 90, 10117 Berlin have a CDMA phone, which may not be compatible (U+S Friedrichstraße) with the GSM network in Germany. Please ask your  www.kulturkaufhaus.de phone provider before you leave your home country. Hugendubel KADEWE, Tauentzienstraße 21–24, 10789 Berlin 8.8 Bookshops (U Kurfürstendamm) Schloßstraße 110, 12163 Berlin Bookshops Near the Universities (U Schloßstraße)  www.hugendubel.de @ FU Berlin Schleichers Buchhandlung Dahlem-Dorf Kohlhaas & Company Königin-Luise-Straße 41, 14195 Berlin Fasanenstraße 23, 10719 Berlin (U Dahlem-Dorf) (U Uhlandstraße, Kurfürstendamm)  www.schleichersbuch.de  www.kohlhaasbuch.de  www.literaturhaus-berlin.de @ HU Berlin Lehmanns Fachbuchhandlung Marga Schoeller Bücherstube Rudower Chaussee 26, 12489 Berlin Knesebeckstraße 33, 10623 Berlin (S Adlershof) (S Savignyplatz)  www.lehmanns.de/buchhandlung/120-berlin  www.margaschoeller.de

@ TU Berlin U & R Kiepert Hardenbergstraße 9a, 10623 Berlin (U Ernst-Reuter-Platz)  www.kiepert.de/content/startseite/startseite.php

44 Guidebook for BMS Students | 8. Berlin at a Glance

An abundance of state museums, as well as private collections (e.g. the Ramones Museum in Mitte) is bound to satisfy every taste. In Dahlem there are several museums of world art and culture, such as the Museum of Indian Art, the Museum of East Asian Art, the Ethnological Museum, the Museum of European Cultures, as well as the Allied Museum. Daniel Libes kind built the extension to the Jewish Museum in Kreuzberg. In Lichtenberg on the grounds of the former East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi) is the Stasi Museum. In Karlshorst you can visit one of the sites where the surrender of the German military Botanischer Garten was signed in 1945 bringing an end to World War II. Checkpoint Charlie has become a popular tourist site 8.9 Recreation and there is also a museum about Berlin’s most famous border crossing point situated there. Public Parks Berlin enjoys a great national and international repu- Cultural Events, Theater, Opera and Classical Music tation as one of Europe’s metropolitan centers, thanks Berlin is well known for its numerous cultural institu- in part to its great wealth of green urban space. More tions, many of which enjoy an international reputa- than 2,500 public parks, covering a surface of over tion. 5,500 hectares, provide Berliners and visitors with a huge variety of recreational opportunities. The pro- The Arts tection, care, maintenance and development of these The city has a very diverse art scene and is home green spaces are the tasks of the Senate Department to hundreds of art galleries. It hosts the annual Art for Urban Development and the council departments Forum, an international art fair, which focuses on con- of each Berlin district. Information about the various temporary art. Berlin has established itself as a center parks and gardens can be found here: of youth and popular culture in Europe as young  www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/umwelt/stadt- German and international artists continue to settle in gruen/gruenanlagen/index_en.shtml the city.

Museums and Galleries Theaters and Cinemas Berlin is home to more than 170 museums. The en- Theater in Berlin: semble of the Bode Museum, the Neues Museum,  www.berlin-buehnen.de/en_EN/stages the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Pergamon Museum and Cinema in Berlin: the Altes Museum on Museum Island (Museumsinsel)  berlin.barwick.de/freetime-leisure/cinemas-movies/ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated in the cinemas-movie-theaters.html northern part of Spree Island between the river Spree and Kupfergraben. The Neues Museum houses the Opera and Classical Music Egyptian Museum with a bust of Nefertiti. Outside Deutsche Oper Berlin Museum Island, the Deutsches Historisches Museum Famous operas such as Mozart’s “Magic Flute” or in the Zeughaus gives an overview of 2000 years of Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande”, Wagner’s “Ring” or German history. There is also a Museum of Natural Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” feature regularly at the History, a Museum of Medical History, and the list Deutsche Oper Berlin in Charlottenburg. goes on and on …  www.deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN

45 8. Berlin at a Glance | Guidebook for BMS Students

Staatsoper Berlin 8.10 Places of Worship Under the artistic direction of Daniel Baremboim, the opera has a varied repertoire with focus on operas Whether you are looking for a church, synagogue, from the pre-Mozart era and contemporary operas. mosque, temple or other place of worship, you can  www.staatsoper-berlin.org/en_EN easily find a place in Berlin to meet your spiritual needs.

Komische Oper Berlin Churches This opera house, with its lovely, neo-baroque inte- Protestant (Lutheran) Church rior built in 1892, features modern musical theater.  www.ekbo.de/ (in German)  english.komische-oper-berlin.de/  www.ekd.de/english/regional_churches.html

Konzerthaus Catholic Church Home to the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, it is regard-  www.erzbistumberlin.de/ (in German) ed as one of the most exciting centers of classical mu- Services in other languages are also offered. sic in Berlin.  www.english-mission-berlin.de/  en.konzerthaus.de/ Christians in Berlin  www.christen-in-berlin.de/index.shtml (in German) Philharmonie The Philharmonie at the Culture Forum is home to Synagogues the world famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Jewish Community of Berlin  www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/  www.jg-berlin.org/en.html (in English) Synagogues in Berlin Staatsballett Berlin  www.jg-berlin.org/en/service/religious-affairs/ Formed in 2004 through a merger of the ballet com- synagogues-in-berlin.html panies of Berlin’s three opera houses, this is one of the largest ballet companies in Western Europe. Mosques  www.staatsballett-berlin.de/en_EN/home Muslim Community in Berlin  www.dmk-berlin.de/ (in German) Other Links Mosques in Berlin English Language Magazine  www.moscheesuche.de/moschee/stadt/Berlin/8858  www.exberliner.com/ City Information in English Buddhist Centers  www.berlin.de/english/ Buddhist Centres in Berlin Berlin Tourist Information  www.buddhismus-bb.de/zentren.html (in German)  www.visitberlin.de/en Berlin Free Tours Humanism  www.newberlintours.com/ Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands English-language Community Website  www.hvd-bb.de/  www.toytowngermany.com/berlin/ English Events in Berlin The following website provides further information  www.english-events-in-berlin.de/main/welcome.php5 and links to these and other religious communities in Online Ticket Service Berlin:  www.visitberlin.de/en/book/  www.religionen-in-berlin.de/religionen- Theater and Concert Tickets glaubensgemeinschaften-gemeinden.html  www.heckticket.de

46 Guidebook for BMS Students | 9. Useful Addresses and Telephone Numbers

9. Useful Addresses and Telephone Numbers

BMS One-Stop Office Physicians on Call (nights and weekends) Phone: +49 30 310031 Managing Director Poison Hotline Nadja Wisniewski Phone: +49 30 1924 0 Phone: +49 30 314 78651 Emergency Dental Service E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 30 89004333

PR & Diversity Manager Database of Doctors in Berlin Tanja Fagel Berliner Ärztedatenbank Phone: +49 30 314 78653  www.aerzte-berlin.de/_php/therapie30/fach.php3 E-mail: [email protected] (in German) Call a Doc Dominique Schneider  www.calladoc.com/Englisch Phone: +49 30 314 78611 Fax: +49 30 314 78647 Database of Psychotherapists E-mail: [email protected] “Psychotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten Datenbank”  www.psych-info.de/ (in German) Christian/e Seyffer Phone: +49 30 314 28712 “People have crises – services and offers” E-mail: [email protected] “Berliner Krisendienst” Phone: +49 30 390631 0 Shirley E. Sutherland-Figini Phone: +49 30 314 78610 To Report Utility Service Problems E-mail: [email protected] Vattenfall for electricity failure Phone: +49 180 2112525 David Reich GASAG for gas failure E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 30 7872 72 Berliner Wasserbetriebe for water failure Phone: +49 800 292 7587 Emergency Numbers In case of an emergency, such as a strong smell of gas in your building or danger of a fire, you can also con- Police Emergency: 110 tact the fire brigade. Your building manager is also an Accident/Fire Brigade: 112 emergency contact.

Berlin Police Hotline Other Important Telephone Numbers Phone: +49 30 4664 4664 National Directory Enquiries Phone: +49 30 1183 3 Medical Emergency/Accident Service International Directory Enquiries Charité Hospital, Luisenstraße 65/66 Phone: +49 30 1183 4 For accident, emergency and first aid services Enquiries in English Phone: +49 30 4505 31000 Phone: +49 30 1183 7 Charité Switchboard BVG Customer Services Phone: +49 30 4505 0 Phone: +49 30 19449 Lost and Found Phone: +49 30 902773101

47 Publishing Information | Guidebook for BMS Students

Publishing Information

Editor

Berlin Mathematical School Sekr. MA 2 – 2 Straße des 17. Juni 136 TU Berlin D-10623 Berlin, Germany

Phone: +49 30 314 78610 Fax: +49 30 314 78647 www.math-berlin.de

Design, Layout and Image Editing

Weinert & Partner Werbeagentur GmbH, Berlin www.weinert-wa.com

Photos

BMS BMS Office p. 4, p. 25 Kay Herschelmann Front Cover (above), inner cover, p. 5 (left), p. 6, p. 7 (left), p. 8, p. 9, p. 10, p. 11, p. 12 (below), p. 13, p. 14, p. 18 (left), p. 19 (left), p. 20, p. 22, p. 27, p. 29, p. 32 (right), p. 35, p. 36, p. 49 Dirk Laessig p. 5 (right), p. 7 (right), p. 15, p. 26

FU Berlin Press Office Bernd Wannenmacher p. 18 (right), p. 32 (left)

HU Berlin Press Office Martin Ibold p. 19 (right)

TU Berlin Press Office Sabine Böck p. 17 Ulrich Dahl p. 12 (above), p. 33

Wikipedia Thomas Wolf (www.foto-tw.de) Front Cover (below), p. 39 Benjamin Janecke p. 41 Mihael Grmek p. 42

The information in this Guidebook is provided without guarantee and is subject to change at any time without prior notification.

This Guidebook can be downloaded at: www.math-berlin.de/about-bms/downloads

48 49 49 www.math-berlin.de