Practical Hints for Your Stay in Germany Jean-Paul-Straße 12 · D-53173 Bonn · Tel.: +49(0) 228/833-0 · Fax: +49(0) 228/833-199 E-Mail:
[email protected] · Internet: www.humboldt-foundation.de Table of contents 1. Foreword 2. Preparations at home 3. The first few days in Germany 4. Finding accommodation 5. Kindergarten and school 6. Health insurance and medical care 7. Public transport 8. Your car 9. Post and telephone 10. Hotels and restaurants 11. Culture and leisure 12. Shopping 13. Contact with the Germans 14. Appendix 1. Foreword Many of you have frequently visited other countries, either as scholars or as tourists. Some of you have spent lengthy periods abroad. But, for many of you, your forthcoming stay in Germany will be your first experience of another country and of a foreign culture. However, you will all be confronted with new and unaccustomed situations during the first few days. Many things are unfamiliar, not only the language. The simplest of needs, such as making a telephone call or taking a bus, can be complicated procedures. You don't know your way around yet but there are important matters to attend to, examples being finding accommodation and dealing with bureaucratic formalities. This brochure is intended to help you find your way around, not only in the first few days but also throughout the rest of your stay. However, in some situations, good advice will not be enough. You will also need imagination and patience, humour and tolerance. But please don't be discouraged! We hope you will swiftly succeed in adjusting and settling in and that you will soon feel at home in both your new place of residence and your new research centre.