WELCOME TO JOHANNES GUTENBERG UNIVERSITY MAINZ!

CONTENTS 1 | The City of Mainz 2 | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz 3 | Living in Mainz - Living and Feeling at Home in Mainz - How much does it cost to study in Mainz? - Mobile in Mainz? Of course! 4 | Life on Campus - Student Services, TOM and Foreigners become Friends - AEGEE - University Sports - Leisure and Cultural Activities 5 | Studying at JGU - Range of Courses - Services and Activities for New Students - Important Information 6 | Research at JGU 7 | Service and Advising 8 | Imprint 1 THE CITY OF MAINZ ... THE „LITTLE BIG CITY“ BY THE RIVER integral part of the old city centre. Since relaxed atmosphere, be it breakfast at the RHINE. The city of Mainz is home to around 2008, Mainz and Rheinhessen are part of farmers‘ market, the annual Johannisnacht 200,000 residents and located at the heart the network “Great Wine Capitals” celebrations, the wine festival or one of the of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan city‘s many open-air concerts and festivals Region. Frankfurt Airport and the cities of ... THE CITY OF JESTERS. held in the summer. Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Frankfurt are all Fastnacht is the highlight of the German located in close proximity to Mainz and can Carnival celebrations. Even schools and the ... THE CITY OF MEDIA. be easily reached by bus and train. university are closed for the day as the enti- The city in which Johannes Gutenberg once re city of Mainz comes together to dance in invented letterpress printing with movab- ... THE CITY OF WINE. the streets during the Rosenmontag parade. le type printing and the printing press, is Wine growing has been a tradition in Mainz now home to establishments such as the and the surrounding Rhine-Hesse region ... A CITY OF FESTIVALS AND MARKETS. headquarters of the German television for many years. The region is characterised The people of Mainz always find a reason broadcaster ZDF. by its vineyards, and wine taverns form an to celebrate or to socialise in a friendly and ... A CITY BY THE RIVER. ... THE CITY OF FOOTBALL. ... THE UNIVERSITY CITY. The river Rhine is like a small sea for Mainz The football club 1. FSV Mainz 05 has Mainz is characterised by the multitude and is the ideal location for barbecues on now been playing in the German premier of students who live in the city. the river banks or bathing on the small league, the 1. Bundesliga, for several years. Alongside Johannes Gutenberg University, it hidden city beach. It is also synonymous A visit to the club‘s stadium is an absolute is also home to Mainz University of Applied with Mainz as a dynamic city full of must, not only when Bayern Munich is the Sciences, the Catholic University of Applied movement. opponent. Sciences of Mainz and the Peter Cornelius Conservatory. ... THE CATHEDRAL CITY. The 1000-year-old cathedral building is the landmark of our city and can be seen from far away. Mainz is the only city outside of Rome to be home to a „Holy See“, the sancta sedes Moguntia.

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JOHANNES GUTENBERG UNIVERSITY MAINZ The University of Mainz was founded in Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) This campus provides students with a the year 1477. In 1946, it was named after today is one of the largest universities in place to study, research and live. Alongside the most famous son of the city of Mainz: Germany and is home to around 35,000 academic institutions, it also contains Johannes Gutenberg, who invented letter- students. It is the only German university of student accommodation, childcare facilities, press printing with movable type printing its size to unite nearly all of its departments and even restaurants and cafés. Our Faculty and the printing press. on one campus, which is located in close of Translation Studies, Linguistics and Cultu- proximity to Mainz city centre. ral Studies is located in the German town of Germersheim, which is 100 km upriver from the main campus. 3 LIVING IN MAINZ LIVING AND FEELING AT HOME IN Student Services provides students with a A special service: all foreign students who MAINZ wide range of different types of rooms in apply in good time are guaranteed a place We want you to feel ‚right at home‘ while the numerous housing complexes loca- in halls of residence, regardless of whether studying in Mainz! In order to enable Mainz ted both on campus and in the city of you want to attend the university for a to become your ‚home away from home‘, Mainz. All rooms are furnished, regardless semester or an entire degree course! Student Services (Studierendenwerk) and of whether they are individual rooms or the SIS Office (Service International Students located in shared houses („WG-Zimmer“). (http://sis-mainz.de/)) in particular offer a Thanks to the SIS Pack, which is available at large number of services relating to the for a small charge, you can even move to topic of living and feeling at home in Mainz. the city without having to bring any pots, pans, plates, duvets, etc.!

Special rates for contracts, memberships No tuition fees! and subscriptions, e.g. for health insurance, telephone and Internet, gyms and newspaper

Affordable accommodation in subscriptions student halls of residence

A wide range of (mostly) free sports Student discounts with your student ID card, e.g. for activities available PRIVILEGES AND from the Allgemeiner Mainz 05 football tickets or BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS Hochschulsport tickets for the Staatstheater (university sports IN MAINZ Mainz (theatre) association)

Stay mobile in the Free computer and Internet region with the access (incl. printing and semester ticket for scanners) on campus and in bus and train travel halls of residence Low-priced food on campus (at the Mensa and cafeteria) Living in halls of residence is often the Would you prefer to look for your room on HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STUDY IN cheapest option when it comes to finding your own? If so, please bear in mind that MAINZ? university accommodation. It also gives you most rooms available for rent in Germa- Of course, the total cost of studying in the opportunity to immediately get to know ny are not furnished and are often more Mainz depends on how you want to spend many other students and, for example, expensive than rooms in halls of residence. your time at our university but you should to make the most of free Internet access. The best place to search for available generally calculate approx. 700 euros per Alongside the halls of residence available accommodation is on the various search month to cover your semester fee, rent, from the Student Services, private land- engines available online or, if you are food, clothes, other expenses, and health lords and church organisations also offer already in Mainz, on the noticeboards in insurance. When you arrive, however, you accommodation in halls of residence all over the university buildings. should bring more than this amount becau- Mainz and in its suburbs. se you will need to pay your semester fee, first month‘s rent and deposit immediately, as well as possibly needing to make other initial purchases. MOBILE IN MAINZ? OF COURSE! enabling you to travel to towns and cities second-hand bike. There are cycle paths Mainz is a small urban city in which you such as Wiesbaden, Frankfurt am Main, virtually everywhere and you can normally can travel from A to B quickly and without Koblenz, Darmstadt, Limburg or Worms. reach your destination quicker when any problems. You don‘t even need a car, The ticket is valid for travel in all regional travelling by bike than by bus and tram. thanks to the public transport connections trains, city and regional buses, suburban available throughout the city. trains (S-Bahn), underground trains (U-Bahn) and trams. It cannot, however, As soon as you enrol as a student at JGU, be used for journeys on long-distance you will automatically receive your semester trains (IC, ICE, EC...). ticket. This ticket is always valid for a period of six months, from April to September and If you‘d rather keep fit while travelling in from October to March. It can not only be the city, you can use the „MVG MeinRad“ used in the city of Mainz, but also throug- bike hire service in Mainz at a special hout the entire Rhine-Main region, thus discounted student rate or buy a

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LIFE ON CAMPUS

STUDENT SERVICES, TOM AND Contact with students: Contact with residents: FOREIGNERS BECOME FRIENDS Our contact programme TOM will put you Get away from the campus and explore real The Student Services (Studierendenwerk) in touch with students in Mainz who can life while getting to know what it feels like offer much more than just accommoda- provide you with an insight into student life to be a resident of Mainz. Sign up for the tion! Culture brings people together, and on campus and in the city. Foreigners becomes Friends scheme and cultural events give you the opportunity to Sign up for TOM at www.tutorsofmainz.de. get to know the city‘s non-students. The get to know other students and residents scheme gives you the opportunity to expe- of Mainz, the local region and Germany in rience the region and culture up close and general. Come and experience German and in person with the locals during your spare international food and cultures at events time, for example by going out for coffee such as the Mix Tour, excursions, city trips, together, going on trips and excursions, TOM parties, cooking events (e.g. running hiking and cooking. dinners), the ‚Mainz Diploma‘ www.fremdewerdenfreunde-mainz.de (Mainz-Diplom) and many more. AEGEE You can make the most of a programme The Erasmus team at AEGEE offers many of events and activities ranging from excellent services and activities that help to excursions over several days through to a ensure that you quickly feel ‚at home with multitude of day trips, interesting guided your friends‘ here in Mainz and can enjoy tours and sports activities such as the an easy start and an exciting, interesting international Erasmus Fun Sport Tourna- and fun semester! The programme is kicked ment. You can additionally use AEGEE‘s off by the team‘s extremely popular icebre- very own „Sprachduo“ database and aker weekend, the Mix Tour. Every Tuesday „Sprachduoabende“ events to find evening, incoming students and interested conversation partners with whom you can German and/or local students meet up learn, practice and improve your foreign to enjoy informal drinks and chats at the language skills. weekly international Stammtisch gathering http://aegee-mainz.de/erasmus/ and in the Inter-II-Bar. facebook.com/erasmusmainz UNIVERSITY SPORTS LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CAMPUS MEDIA Do you like to work out or play ball in your A multitude of other leisure and cultural Mainz is one of the media capitals of spare time? If so, the Allgemeiner Hoch- activities are also awaiting your participation Germany. The university campus reflects schulsport (AHS) university sports associ- during your time in Mainz, with highlights this fact by giving you the opportunity to ation is ideal for you, offering you a huge such as an evening at the KlubKino cinema fully put your journalistic talent to the test selection of sports activities ranging from A on campus, a concert at the School of in a variety of areas. CampusTV, Campus- (for aerobics) through to R (for rock ‚n‘ roll, Music and many different cultural courses radio and a multitude of different or maybe even rugby?) right through to Y (choir, music, art,...) ensuring that you magazines keep you up to date with the (for yoga). Most of these courses are free won‘t get bored after lectures. If you would latest news and are looking forward to because the participation fee is covered by like to get involved in social or political your contributions. your semester fee :-) activities, you can take your pick from a www.campus-mainz.net/freizeit/campus-medien/ www.ahs.uni-mainz.de/ wide range of university groups. www.campus-mainz.net/ 5 Social Sciences, Media and Sports STUDYING AT JGU

Chemistry, Law, Pharmaceutical Management Sciences and and Economics Geosciences

At JGU, you can study (almost) anything! History and Mainz School Cultural Studies of Music

Theology

Biology Mainz Academy of Arts Medicine

Physics, Translation Studies, Mathematics and Linguistics and Computer Science Cultural Studies

Philosophy and Philology SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES Are you an exchange student or completing INFODAYS FOR NEW STUDENTS the Erasmus programme? The Info Days help all exchange students A new university? A new city? A new If so, the InfoDays are the ideal events for to get their bearings at the university. country? The first thing that you need to do you. They give you the opportunity to familiarise is to find your feet, regardless of whether Do you want to complete a degree in yourself with the campus and help you to you are from Germany or abroad. Alongside Mainz? prepare your documents for matriculation. an abundance of information online, JGU If so, come to the Orientation Days. The events also provide you with support offers all new German and international Would you also like to find out about Mainz when searching for contacts in your subject students a wide range of services to make and its surroundings and get to know other areas and putting together your class the start of their university studies in Mainz new German and international students? schedule,... and of course when dealing as easy as possible. Before the beginning If so, be sure to make the most of the Mix with the essential activity of activating your of each semester, for example, important Tour. ZDV account and Internet access. interdisciplinary introductory events are held to get you off to a good start in Mainz. ORIENTATION DAYS THE MIX TOUR INTRODUCTORY WEEK FOR Do you want to complete a degree at JGU? As its name suggests, this tour aims to NEW STUDENTS If so, the Orientation Days will help you to give all new students arriving in Mainz the The „Einführungswoche“ (Introductory get off to the perfect start. They not only opportunity to ‚mix‘ ;-). By going ‚on tour‘ Week) is held for all new students during give you the opportunity to get to know the over a period of two to three days in the the week before the official start of the campus and a large number of contacts for area around Mainz, you are sure to have lecture period. During the week, the univer- international students, but also ensure that the chance to get to know friendly fellow sity‘s individual departments will inform you you know how to use module guides and students who will make it easier for you to about your subject of study and help you can find your bearings in the JOGU-StINe master your day-to-day life as a student. with tasks such as selecting your courses network. Who knows, maybe they will also The Mix Tour is a joint event organised by by providing you with support from course introduce you to your first friends at the the International Office, the Student advisers and student councils. The student university? Services and AEGEE. councils also organise pub evenings and other leisure activities.

At JGU you can also obtain a double degree or a joint degree in one of our integrated courses: www.studium.uni-mainz.de/internationale-studienprogramme and www.studium.uni-mainz.de/internationale-masterstudiengaenge

IMPORTANT INFORMATION national or regional public holidays, at If you want to complete a degree in Mainz, Christmas and on Rosenmontag (Fastnacht). you first need to send us your school lea- ACADEMIC CALENDER ving certificates for approval before you can At JGU, the academic year is divided into APPLICATION apply. Exchange students do not need to the Winter Semester (1st October to 31st Depending on the subject and/or course have their certificates approved. March) and the Summer Semester (1st April of studies that you want to apply for at to 30th September). JGU through the JOGU-StINe online portal, There are special rules for students in an different application deadlines apply international integrated course. Your home The lecture period always runs from between May and September for the university or the relevant office at JGU has mid-October to mid-February (Winter Winter Semester and between November the necessary information. Semester) and mid-April to mid-July and March for the Summer Semester. Most (Summer Semester). No lectures or courses courses of study can be started in both are held in the time between these periods semesters and only a select few start solely (the so-called semester holidays), on in the Winter Semester. The best grade available in Germany is 1.0. You need to achieve a grade of at least 4.0 in order to pass an examination.

LECTURES AND COURSES points and a grade, but there are also some GERMAN SKILLS AND Courses take place during the lecture peri- courses in which you receive ECTS points GERMAN COURSES od. You can find the online course catalo- for participation and do not need to sit an Degree-seeking gue on the platform JOGU-StINe (no login examination. students: required; select: „Course Catalogue“ and Course examinations normally take place If you want to complete a degree in Mainz, then choose your semester, department, at the end of the lecture period. almost all courses (with the exception of and subject). The university does not, however, have a a small number of degree courses such https://jogustine.uni-mainz.de/ general examination period. Each subject as those held completely in English) require individually decides when and how exami- you to pass the DSH-2 or DSH-3 language EXAMINATIONS AND GRADES nations are held – either during the course, proficiency test required for entry to At JGU, you are awarded ECTS (Europe- at the end of the lecture period or in the a German university as a foreign student an Credit Transfer System) points for all lecture-free period. Examinations are held or a German examination recognised courses. In most courses, you need to sit an as written tests, e-tests, presentations, as an equivalent. examination in order to receive these ECTS papers or oral examinations. www.issk.uni-mainz.de/ Although as an exchange student you are only enrolled at the university for one subject, you can also visit courses in (al- most) all other departments. The lecturer/ department in question must, of course, agree to your attendance.

You can complete the German courses JGU without presenting official evidence German. offered to prepare students for the DSH of your German language skills (exception: The ISSK (language centre) offers German tests and take the DSH tests themselves at students of Medicine/Dentistry need to courses especially for exchange students. the ISSK (language centre) once you have provide evidence of German skills at the These are available as intensive courses or applied at JGU. These courses all start at proficiency level C1 if they want to apply as part-time courses that can be completed intermediate level, beginners‘ courses for the Practical Year (PJ)). Nevertheless, it is alongside your studies. are not available. If you need to attend a always a good idea to be able to speak and Studienkolleg to prepare for your time at understand some German before you come Students in international integrated courses a German university, you can also do so in to Mainz. You get the information about the rules Mainz, where the ISSK (Studienkolleg) is This will make your day-to-day life in the that apply to you from your home university located right next to the university campus. city easier and enable you to establish or from the relevant offices at JGU. contact with your fellow students, as well Exchange students/ ERASMUS: as being important for your university As an exchange student, you can enrol at studies because most courses are taught in 6

RESEARCH AT JGU Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) Science and research are the core areas of JGU is part of the Excellence Initiative of is one of the largest universities in Germany activity of the university. the German federal and state governments. and the centre of scientific expertise in The top achievements of our researchers In the second phase of the Excellence the German Federal State of Rhineland- lay the foundations for cooperative research Initiative, the Excellence Cluster for Palatinate. Approx. 3,000 scientists and within the university as well as for regional, Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions scholars, including roughly 500 professors, national and international partnerships. and Structure of Matter (PRISMA) and the teach and research at more than 150 Graduate School of Excellence for Materials institutes and clinics. Science in Mainz (MAINZ) were approved in 2012. JGU is a member of “German U15”, a network of 15 large German research universities that commonly represent their interests. 7

SERVICE AND ADVISING CENTRAL SOURCES OF International Admission Office Subject Advisers (Studienfachberatung) INFORMATION AND ADVICE (Stabsstelle Zulassung International) ...in different subjects answer all of your ...your contact for the approval of school questions concerning course selection, Hotline of the Student Service Centre leaving certificates from outside of Germany registrations, languages of instruction, ...your telephone contact for general and the admission of applicants with ECTS points, grades, and examination questions on applications, admissions foreign certificates, regardless of whether formats. They provide advice on matters or student administration you want to complete a degree at JGU such as the content and organisation of +49 6131-39 22122 or are coming to the university for one or studies, course planning, credit transfer With a special hotline for foreign students: two semesters as an ERASMUS/exchange when changing subjects or moving to a +49 6131-39 22525 student. different university, and examination www.studium.uni-mainz.de/hotline-2 www.uni-mainz.de/incoming procedures. www.studium.uni-mainz.de/studienfachberatung/ The International Info Desk in Welcome Center for International Scholars the Student Service Centre ...the central service and advising centre Central Student Advisory Service ...your source of information on campus! for international scholars and their families, (Zentrale Studienberatung) Here you can find out everything you need offering advice on all non-academic and ...answers all of your questions on the to know about applications, admissions or everyday issues and providing support for range of courses available, application student administration. the planning, preparation and realisation of procedures, and changing subjects or www.studium.uni-mainz.de/studsek your time at JGU. moving to a different university. www.international.uni-mainz.de/welcome www.studium.uni-mainz.de/zsb SUBJECT-SPECIFIC INFORMATION the help and support of interested students. www.philis.uni-mainz.de www.studium.uni-mainz.de/fachschaften/ „SoWi?So!“ Student Advising Offices (Studienbüros) ...for students in Social Sciences, Media, ...in the individual subjects answer all of The Campus-Wide Writing Workshop and Sports (Fachbereich 02). SoWi?So! your organisational questions on arranging (Schreibwerkstatt) provides support for all issues and questions class schedules (lecture and course ...brings together all of the services and concerning study-related problems, as well management) or registering for examina- courses available from different institutions as offering methodical courses and work- tions in bachelor‘s/ master‘s degree at JGU for scholarly writing, from work- shops focusing on studying at JGU. programmes (examination management). shops to courses and tutorials right through www.sowiso.uni-mainz.de www.studium.uni-mainz.de/studienbueros/ to individual advice and the Nacht der Coordination Offices for international integ- Hausarbeiten (Night of Academic Papers). Courses in the School of Social Sciences and rated Courses The workshop‘s website also offers Humanities (for all exchange students) ...your adviser for all questions in your inter- recommendations for further reading ...thematic courses for exchange students national integrated course. and links to e-learning portals. in all subjects on Germany in Europe in www.studium.uni-mainz.de/information-und-be- www.schreibwerkstatt.uni-mainz.de between the past, present and future. These ratung-int/ courses include tutorials on academic work Student Councils (Fachschaften) PHILIS – Studying in the Philosophicum and award ECTS points. ...provide information and advice on ...for students in Philosophy and Philology planning your studies or dealing with (Fachbereich 05). PHILIS provides support Language Tandem Schemes at the ISSK problems during your studies from a s for all issues and questions concerning ...offer you the opportunity to further tudent perspective. Student councils study-related problems, as well as offering develop your foreign language skills and represent the interests of students in each methodical courses and workshops focusing expand your own linguistic ability and individual subject. They always welcome on studying at JGU. cross-cultural competence in direct SUPPORT AND ADVICE IN Service for Disabled Students contact with native speakers of German. ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ...the central contact for disabled students The ISSK also holds a number of events and students with chronic illnesses and the to accompany language tandems. Family Services Center local care you might need in Mainz. www.issk.uni-mainz.de/222.php ...the contact point and coordination office www.studium.uni-mainz.de/barrierefrei/ for (expecting) parents and families on Career Service how to co-ordinate university studies and/ Psychotherapeutic Counselling Centre ...for both students and graduates. The or careers with family responsibilities. The ...helps JGU students with critical mental Career Service offers support for your Family Services Center provides advice on problems to clarify and solve their study- career orientation, planning your professi- the topics of childcare, transitional care, related problems and connected problems onal future, and achieving interdisciplinary emergency care, holiday periods, and finan- in their lives. Depending on students‘ qualifications. It helps to ensure that you cial aspects. individual needs, the centre can also are well prepared for a successful start www.studium.uni-mainz.de/familien-servicebuero/ provide individual or group consultation into your working life. sessions. Advice and support from the www.career.uni-mainz.de BAföG Office (BAföG-Amt) centre are free of charge, confidential and International Office – Outgoing ...financial support for students. De- non-binding. ...provides information and advice on gree-seeking international students can also /www.studium.uni-mainz.de/pbs/ study-abroad opportunities. This includes apply for this state funding under certain time spent either in other European coun- circumstances. Women‘s Office tries or outside of Europe, and focuses on www.studium.uni-mainz.de/bafoeg-amt/ ...offering a wide range of different services studying, research, internships, language aimed at all women at JGU. assistantships, and language courses. www.studium.uni-mainz.de/frauenbuero/ www.uni-mainz.de/outgoing IMPRINT PUBLISHER EDITORIAL TEAM PHOTOS The International Office at Gabriel Belinga Belinga Cover © Thomas-Hartmann; P. 1 – 3 © Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Silke Jennerich Landeshauptstadt Mainz; P. 4 L © Landes- 55099 Mainz, Germany Saskia Mahal hauptstadt Mainz; P. 4 R © International Marta Marciniak-Gorski Office; P. 5 L © Nino Kopaliani; P. 5 R © www.international.uni-mainz.de Ute Roßmann-Knapp International Office; P. 6 © Nino Kopali- ani; P. 7 -14 © Thomas-Hartmann; P. 15 LAYOUT AND DESIGN © AEGEE; P. 16 L © TOM; P. 16 R © Uwe Mailin Lemke Feuerbach; P. 17 L ©Thomas-Hartmann; P. 17 R © Uwe Feuerbach; P. 18 © Uwe Feuer- TRANSLATION bach; P. 21 L © International Office; P. 21 R Daniela Meijer © Nino Kopaliani; P. 22 L © Nino Kopaliani; P. 22 R ©Thomas-Hartmann; P. 23 – 26 ©Thomas-Hartmann; P. 28 L;© International Office; P. 28 M ©Thomas-Hartmann ; P. 28 R ©Thomas-Hartmann