WELCOME to the UNIVERSITY of REGENSBURG Orientation Guide for International Exchange Students

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF REGENSBURG Orientation Guide for International Exchange Students

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Produced by: International Office Universität Regensburg 93040 Regensburg http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international

PRODUCED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ERASMUS PROGRAM The utmost care has been taken in compiling the content of this brochure but there is no gua- rantee in regards to the accuracy, correctness and completeness of the information contained. Edition: June 2018 CONTENTS

1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG ��6 Application Process ��6 Before Arrival When Do You Need to Arrive in Regensburg? ��6 Student Housing ��8 Living Expenses ��10 Visa (if applicable) ��11 Health Insurance ��12 What is Important for Enrolment at the University? ��13

Selecting Your Courses ��14 Arrival Shortly Before Your Arrival in Regensburg ��15

2. ARRIVAL INFORMATION ��16 Arrival by Plane ��16 Arrival by Car ��17 Arrival by Train ��17

3. UPON ARRIVAL IN REGENSBURG ��18 The International Office ��18

What Should You do if You Arrive in Regensburg Outside of Office Hours? ��18 Upon Arrival

4. TRANSPORTATION ��19 Biking in Regensburg ��19 Public Transportation in Regensburg with the „Semesterticket“ ��19 Taking the Train ��19

5. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ��19 Opening a Bank Account ��19

Post Office ��19 Transportation Shopping Hours ��19 Tipping ��20 UR-Card ��20 UR Computer Account and WiFi on Campus ��20 Personal Liability Insurance ��.21 Broadcasting Fee ...... 21 Tutors International...... 21 Notes...... 22 Important

3 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

OTH Galgenberg

Universität Regensburg Key: OTH Regensburg Building General Map University of

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Before Arrival a

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BAB A93 Pedestrian bridge L ud w Galgenberg ig VVielberthielberth -T x4 h E Building Bus stop o m CIP a VG 6, 11, 19 -S H24 H25 H26 t Law, ra State Office for CIP ß PT3 Computer room e Building and Business and Construction CIP Leist Arrival PT5 EconomicsCIPCIP H4 Lecture hall RBIB WBIB CIP CIP Management RWL1 RWL2 Information RWSG Cafeteria Seminar Building RWLG PT4 Systems Department Building PT2 Emercency SGBG H14 Philosophy meeting point CIP CIP SG1 H12 PT3 Library H9H8H7H6 H5 CIP H18 H17 H13 PT2 Theology Building SGHG Assembly point H11 CIP H21 H19 H16 RWHG H4 PT1 CIP Multi- Lecture Hall H20 H15 Lecture HallRWH1 Main Building Building ZH Defibrillator purpose H3 Lecture PT3 PT1 BuildingSGLG Hall € Underground car Department Building CIP CIP Building PT5 PT4 Building ZH 1-4 park Central H2 District Hospital Bus SStationtation Audi- H10 max H22 H23 Car park ZH 5-8 Albe rtus-Maggnus-Straßenus-Straße Albertus-Magnus-Albertus-Magnus-StraßeStraße Staff car park (during working Distribution of Student Services CIP Building BIB3 hours only) Office Supplies Meeting Point CIP Mensa / Main "Kugel" ZBKAT Mailbox Lost Dining Hall Property Toddler OOfficeffice Central "Campuskinder e.e.V."V." TAXI Taxi rank € Library CIP Administration CIP BIB2 Registrar´s Office BIB1 Towed vehicles International Office

CIP Pond RZ1 CIP Computer RZ2 RZ CIP CIP CIP RZ3 RZ4 Center MAT H31 Upon Arrival MATH CIP Office of Mathematics MBIB SStafftaff CH11 CH21 BioPark 1 H32 Council CIP CIP Delivery of Goods CH CH (Access via PHY8 PHY3 PHY4 Tiefstraße Ost) CH12 CH22 CH32 BioPark 2 Toddler

CIP Chemistry m Bi PHY2

PHY9 H35 H34 H33 "Uni-Kum"

PHY5 B

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r a ß PHY7 PHY2 PHY1 H43 H45 CH23 CH33 k l a H36 g r CIP H47 t PHY1 CH03 CH13 e s PHY6 BioPark 3 n s b t H44 H48 e ä r t WNCD i g s CIP s r t VKL2 H37 r e a v ß i WND4 WND3 VKL3 VKL4 VKL6 e n CH14 CH24 U H38 Natural CIP CIP WNDE H52 H53 BIO1 VKL1 H39 VKL5 Sciences WWasteaste B x6 AAB A Tiefstraße Ost E Management B An der West Pre-clinical Center A Kreuzbreite WNE4 WNE3 VKL2 VKL1 Medicine Carpark 2 3 WNEF x6 VVehicleehicle E WNF3 WNF0 Depot BIO3 BIO4 H51 Carpark 1

BIO5 H42 H41 H40 orden Transportation Ossttangentettangente//StaStaddttnnorde AAmm BioPaBioParkrk Biology Central Supply and

U BIO2 BIO1 TTi Disposal Site W n ie

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i WNH2 WNH1 t ä 4 t 3 2 1 5 6 s Stadium Field (Lawn) s BotanicalBotanical Garden t Greenhouses r a Beach ß e Sports Center Roller CIP Hockey SPZ Volley- SP4 H50 SStandt and ball Neuprüll rk SP0 Pa Bio Field (Lawn) m Climbing A Tower Broad Jump and Shot Put Facility Beach Indoor Volley- Swimming SP1 Field (Lawn) ball Pool SP2 Hard Court TTennisennis CourCourtst s SP3 Gymnasium Maintenance Services University Hospital Regensburg Control 200 m Room Important Nüürnbernbergrg PPassauassau

Footpath to University Hospital Regensburg

4 WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF REGENSBURG (UR)

Main Contact Before Arrival The following orientation guide has been compiled by the International Christine Office of the University of Regensburg. Betzner Hopefully, you will find this guide hel- (together with Ka- pful in your preparations for your stay tharina Schmaus and in Regensburg. Linda Wimmer) You will find that the brochure provi- International Office - Universität Regens- Arrival des answers to many questions you burg may have before coming to Regens- Universitätsstr. 31 burg. 93053 Regensburg Please take the time to read this in- Phone: +49-941 943-2306 formation carefully. It is worth your Fax: +49-941-943-2349 while! [email protected] Please also visit our homepage at: Office hours: Monday, Friday 9:30am - 11:30am http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ Tuesday, Thursday 1:30pm - 3:30pm exchange-students/index.html Upon Arrival Transportation Important

5 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

1. BEFORE ARRIVING When Do You Need to Arrive IN REGENSBURG in Regensburg?

Before Arrival Application Process: Universität Regensburg offers three different orientation programs for After having been selected and nomina- exchange students: ted by your home university, please fill A: Intensive German Language Course in the online application form at: (ILC) http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ B: Orientation program in German exchange-students/application/online-application/ C: Orientation program in English index.html

Arrival Then write an email to Depending on your choice of program, you should plan your arrival in Regens- [email protected] burg.

attaching the following documents as A: The Intensive German Language one pdf-file: Course (ILC) • signed application pdf (created at Target group: Exchange students who the end of the online application) want to improve their German langua- • scan of your passport/ID card ge skills and students who will primarily • proof of your German knowledge - attend English taught courses but need if you want to take courses taught some German skills for everyday life. Upon Arrival in German, or improve your Ger- man The course takes place 4 - 6 weeks be- • proof of English language skills - if fore the semester starts (= beginning of you want to take courses taught in March and beginning of September). English Student assistants will support and ad- • Transcript of Records vise the participants during the entire • Preliminary Learning Agreement program and help them get organized Transportation Important

6 1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG

(including all formalities). wo weeks before classes start and offers a general orientation, a survey of You will be credited with 12 ECTS for the Germany, information about studying regular and successful attendance of the at Universität Regensburg (registrati- course (120 contact hours). The course on, choice of courses, etc.), informa- Before Arrival fee for participants in the ERASMUS pro- tion about the formalities you will go gram is currently € 320; the fee for par- through at the immigration office, and ticipants of other exchange programs is information about health insurance. You € 400. The fee includes tuition, orientati- will also be shown around the campus on and extra-curricular activities. Howe- and the city of Regensburg. ver, costs for accommodation and other living expenses during the program are not covered. C: Orientation program in English

Please note: Target group: Students who cannot Arrival attend the Intensive Language Course There will be courses on five language (ILC) but need instruction in English. levels: A1, A2, B1, B1+, and B2/C1. The supporting program and the orientation Students receive all important informa- phase of the language course will be in tion necessary for registration, course German and English. Even though the selection and studying in English. This course will be very intensive, students orientation program does not include arriving with an A1/A2 level will in all any German language course units. probability still not be able to success- Even if you only intend to take Eng- fully attend (German taught) lectures. lish taught courses at the university, Therefore we urgently recommend that

it is good to have basic German lan- Upon Arrival these students take further German clas- guage skills for everyday life in town ses during the semester period. and on campus.

B: Orientation program in German The German as a Foreign Language Unit offers many German language courses Target group: Students with substant- throughout the semester. ial German language skills who will take Students wishing to participate in Ger- German taught courses. man as a Foreign Language courses The orientation program begins aboutt- need to participate in a placement test which takes place during the orientation

program. Transportation Term Dates of the Academic Year 2018/2019

Winter semester 2018/2019 October 15, 2018 - February 9, 2019 Christmas break: December 24, 2017 - January 6, 2018

Summer semester 2019 April 23, 2019– July 27, 2019 Important

7 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Arrival in Regensburg: When to use the dining hall on the campus of the arrive OTH Regensburg, which is located just north of the UR campus. On your day of arrival, you can pick up

Before Arrival the keys to your room at the Interna- tional Office. On top of that, you will Student Housing receive important starter information re- garding your studies and the orientation Where will you stay during your program/ language course. time in Regensburg?

Please arrange your trip in a way Only if you have applied for housing that will allow you to arrive during within the online application, can we the arrival time! reserve a room for you in one of the stu-

Arrival If you come earlier than during this ar- dent residences in town. rival time, your room will not yet be Student Services (Studentenwerk) as- available. Late arrival is not possible. signs a certain number of rooms to the International Office that will be used for exchange students on the condition that Arrival Dates for the the rent will be paid for the whole year, Academic Year 2018/19 i.e. for twelve months. However, exchange students normally stay only for Winter semester 2018/2019: 10, 5 or 4 months. Intensive language course: September 4 + 5 In order to make it possible for exchange students to pay only for the months of Upon Arrival Orientation program: October 2 + 4 their actual stay, the International Of- Summer semester 2019: fice requires all exchange students to Intensive language course: March 5 + 6 pay a non-refundable reservation fee of Orientation program: April 8 + 9 € 115,-. With this fee the International Office covers the rent for empty rooms during the semester holidays. Stu- dents accepting housing arrangements Please pay attention to our bank ho- through the International Office must lidays: therefore pay: Bank holidays when all official institu- • € 260,- room deposit (refundable Transportation tions as well as shops are closed: upon checking out of the room unless there are any damages) October 3 - Day of German Unification • € 115,- reservation fee Good Friday and Easter Monday (non-refundable) On Sundays the university and most The rooms have to be rented for the shops are closed. On Saturdays the li- entire lecture period. This means at brary has limited opening hours, while least October until February for the win- cafeterias and the dining hall on the UR ter semester, April until July for the sum-

Important campus are closed. However, you can mer semester and at least October until

8 1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG

July for students staying the whole year. and women also share the kitchen and bathroom facilities. Monthly rents ran- ge from € 190,- to € 240,- per month. When will your reservation be valid? Some rooms, however, may cost up to €

350,- per month. Before Arrival We will send you a personal room offer and an acceptance form („Annahmeer- All rooms are furnished with: klärung“) after receiving your room ap- • a bed and covers, pillows, and plication. sheets The reservation will be valid only if • a desk with a chair, a closet, and a you return the „Annahmeerklärung“ bookshelf and pay the deposit and the reser- In some residences students are asked vation fee in time!

to pay an extra deposit (ranging from Arrival We highly recommend that you take € 10,- to € 50,-, depending on the resi- advantage of the rooms offered by us. dence) for the use of covers and sheets. Finding housing privately, especially The voltage is 220 V. furnished accommodations, can be ex- tremely difficult in Regensburg. Most The rent does not include meals. Stu- landlords and rental agencies charge dent dormitories do not have a cafeteria extra fees for entering into a lease, and nor do they offer any meals but they do short term housing arrangements are have self-catering facilities. exceptionally difficult to come by. Move-out of dormitory rooms Your address in Regensburg: Upon Arrival Please note: Due to organisational rea- The International Office will reserve a sons you have to move out of your dor- room for you. However, for administra- mitory room a few days before the end tive reasons it is not possible for us to of a month. The IO and the domitory‘s give you your exact address until you administration need time to prepare the have arrived and checked in. rooms for the new students (cleaning/ repairs). What do the rooms look like? The exact move-out dates will be an- The International Office has rooms in -se nounced via email in May and Novem- veral student dormitories. These rooms ber. differ in size and furnishings. In most Transportation dormitories students have to share a Where can you have lunch and bathroom and not all rooms are right dinner? next to the university. However, standard facilities are guaranteed. Room se- Students either cook their own meals lection will be decided by a lottery and at home or eat in the Mensa halls (main requests can be made for substantiated student dining hall), either at the univer- reasons only. The dormitories house sity or at the OTH (Technical University both males and females. Usually, men

of Applied Sciences). Important

9 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

The UR Mensa offers lunch from Mon- day to Friday. The OTH Mensa also offers dinner during the week and lunch on Saturdays. There are also many smaller

Before Arrival cafeterias on campus where it is possible to buy breakfast. In the Mensa and cafeterias you have to pay with the so-called UR-Card. You will receive this UR-Card upon your enrolment. Where can you cook? All student dormitories are equipped with kitchen facilities, which are shared Arrival by 6-12 students. In these kitchens you will find a refrigerator compartment for your use. Please bring or buy the following kitchen items: • kitchen utensils (pots, pans, etc.) • dishes and cutlery Living Expenses You can purchase a basic kitchen set for approximately € 50,- in almost every su- How much money should you bring permarket or department store. to Germany? Upon Arrival Most students need a minimum of Where can you do your laundry? € 750,- per month for living, including rent. Per semester, you should expect Every student dormitory is equipped expenses of approximately € 100,- for with washing machines and dryers but books and at least another € 50,- for not with ironing boards or irons. If you additional study materials. Although bring an iron, do not forget that the vol- there is no tuition fee, all students must tage is 220V. pay approx. € 145- student fee to the Studentenwerk (the organization res- ponsible for student services). This fee

Transportation is mandatory for all students and covers the costs of the student bus pass, subsi- dized Mensa food, etc. Make sure to bring enough money to cover all your expenses for the first month! You will have to pay your first month‘s rent shortly after your arrival in Regensburg. Please take into conside- ration that it sometimes takes 2 weeks Important

10 1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG

for money to be transferred from an ac- Visa (if applicable) count abroad to an account in Germany. Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechten- stein, Norway, Switzerland, Israel, Cana- Credit/ATM cards or cash?

da, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Japan, Before Arrival South Korea, Australia, New Zealand In Germany, it is easier to pay with cash. and the USA do not need a visa to study Credit cards are not used as frequently in Germany! as in other countries and are not always accepted. Therefore, you should bring Exchange program students coming cash. Using your EC card you have ac- from other countries need a student cess to your home account through visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken). automatic teller machines, which can This visa can be issued by a diplomatic be found all over Regensburg. Euro- institution of the Federal Republic of Arrival cheques are no longer accepted. Simi- Germany in the student‘s home count- larly, travellers’ cheques will only rarely ry (embassy or consulate) and is entered be cashed by banks. directly into the passport. In most cases you will have to pay your Your student visa has to be transformed rent and health insurance (unless you into a residence permit (“Aufenthalts- hold the European Health Insurance bewilligung“) at the local foreigner‘s Living Expenses Card) by transferring money via an ac- registration office (“Ausländerbehörde“) count in Germany. within 3 months of your arrival in Ger- How much money should you bring many. to Germany? Non-EU-citizens have to pay a fee of Upon Arrival Most students need a minimum of 100,- EUR for their residence permit pa- € 750,- per month for living, including yable after their arrival in Regensburg. rent. Per semester, you should expect Please do not enter the country as expenses of approximately € 100,- for a tourist! A tourist visa cannot be books and at least another € 50,- for transformed into a student visa or additional study materials. Although residence permit after your arrival in there is no tuition fee, all students must Germany. pay approx. € 145- student fee to the Studentenwerk (the organization res- Your passport must be valid for the enti- ponsible for student services). This fee re duration of your stay in Germany. is mandatory for all students and covers Transportation the costs of the student bus pass, subsi- dized Mensa food, etc. Make sure to bring enough money to cover all your expenses for the first month! You will have to pay your first month‘s rent shortly after your arrival in Regensburg. Please take into conside- ration that it sometimes takes 2 weeks Important

11 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Health Insurance

In order to obtain a residence permit (“Aufenthaltsbewilligung“), German

Before Arrival law requires that foreign students show proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. Most students choose to insure themselves with a statutory health insurance company upon arrival in Germany. Students from countries with which Ger- many has a social security agreement

Arrival can be exempted from this requirement by bringing the European Health Insu- rance Card (EHIC). The following countries have a social Sufficient Health Coverage security agreement with Germany: all EU-countries, Iceland, Norway, Swit- According to German law, the following zerland, Liechtenstein, Tunisia*, Turkey*, treatments must be covered by your health insurance policy: Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Macedonia*, Serbia, Montenegro*. • medical and dental treatment * Limited social insurance policy: please contact the • prescription medication, bandages and International Office for further details

Upon Arrival other materials necessary in aiding reco- very, • treatment in a hospital, Students coming from all other coun- • medical treatment with regards to rehabili- tries must either insure themselves with tation (physical therapy), and statutory health insurance in Germany, • treatment for pregnancy and birth or be able to show proof that they have sufficient private health insurance co- Health insurances which set a maximum on their coverage will not be accepted!! verage for the duration of their stay. The decision whether or not an effected health insurance can be accepted will be made by the city‘s immigration office. Transportation Important: The cost of statutory health insurance in Germany is generally about € 90,- per month. This is certainly more than some students would pay for coverage in their home countries. Howe- ver, as doctors bill the public insurance companies directly, students are spared the otherwise necessary hassle of pre-

Important paying and waiting for reimbursement.

12 1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG

Since a one-day stay in the hospital costs the preparatory intensive German lan- at least € 350,- you should not overlook guage course should buy a private travel this factor! insurance for March/September, as these months are not covered by the statu- We recommend that all students tory health insurance. Before Arrival coming from countries other than those previously listed effect statu- However, please contact us if the Ger- tory health insurance coverage in man embassy in your home country asks Germany. you to buy a private health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Ger- If you do want to retain health insurance many. from your home country, please make sure that: What is Important for Enrol- • the benefits listed in the box on Arrival page 12 are covered by your ment at the University? insurance; and that they are set in writing in your insurance policy. Without proof of insurance you cannot be enrolled at the university. You must • there is no maximum set on the present proof of insurance in order to amount of medical treatment that proceed with enrolment. Regardless of will be covered. how you choose to insure yourself du- • the proof of medical coverage is ring your stay, you must see a statutory written in either German or English. health insurance company in order to • check with the International Office obtain a certificate of insurance. whether the insurance will be Therefore, it is necessary that you go to Upon Arrival accepted before you sign a con- a statutory health insurance company tract! before enrolment. The addresses of these insurance companies will be provided When can you sign up for statutory by the International Office. health insurance coverage? At the insurance company you will re- Admission to the university is usually ceive a certificate stating that you are a prerequisite for obtaining statutory either covered by the German statutory health insurance coverage. health insurance or that you are exempt from the health insurance requirement Exchange and so-called program stu- due to adequate coverage in your home dents can obtain coverage by presen- country or the aforementioned EHIC. Transportation ting their letter of acceptance (“Zu- You will have to present this certificate lassungsbescheid“). This can be done to the “Studentenkanzlei“ in order to immediately upon arrival. Students enrol at the university. need not wait to officially enrol before applying for coverage. However, the in- After enrolment, you can apply for surance policy only starts on the day of a residence permit. enrolment. Important: Students participating in Important

13 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Selecting Your Courses You will find the learning agreement for overseas students in the download sec- When you plan your stay in Regensburg, tion on our website: it is understandable that you will want http://www.uni-regensburg.de/international/aus-

Before Arrival to know which courses you can take du- tausch-programmstudierende/download/index.html ring your time at the university and what your timetable will look like. Besides, if you come as an ERASMUS-student, you What can you do before your will need to hand in a so-called „Lear- arrival? ning Agreement” with your nomina- • Talk to your institutional coordina- tion. Based on this learning agreement, tor about the number and types of you plan your studies in Regensburg and courses you will take in Regensburg make sure that the Regensburg courses

Arrival and about the number of exams you will be recognized back home. ought to take. As our course catalogue for the upco- • Another good source of information ming semester is always released too are the individual web pages of the late for you to use it before your arrival departments as these lists are usually in Regensburg, you have to decide on more up to date: the types of courses you are interested http://www.uni-regensburg.de/fakultaeten/ in (like “Einführung in die Neuere Deut- index.html sche Literaturwissenschaft” or “Vorle- Please arrive early enough for the orien- sung und Übung in Marketing”) and tation program in Regensburg. As the finalize your course planning once you registration procedure is not centralized are in Regensburg.

Upon Arrival it is very important to be here on time. You will find an online version of old and Please make sure that you stick to the new course catalogues if you follow this arrival dates. path: http://lsf.uni-regensburg.de Which courses can you take? or: http://www.ur.de => Course Catalogue Basically, you are free to take any cour- To learn more about ECTS credits please ses throughout all departments (with use the following link: the exception of Medicine, Dentistry, http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Fine Arts and exchange-students/courses/ects/index.html Sports, English and American Studies). Transportation Students of Medicine, Dentistry, Bio- chemistry, and Pharmacy are asked to Learning agreement for non-ERAS- contact the departmental coordinator of MUS students/overseas students their exchange program to get approval Non-ERASMUS-students should also of their course choices, especially if they hand in a learning agreement to us. This want to take practical courses like labo- way we can check beforehand whether ratory courses. your course choice will be accepted and A regular program of study carries 30 inform the departmental coordinators. Important ECTS credits per semester. During the

14 1. BEFORE ARRIVING IN REGENSBURG semester you may also take German or and returned to your home country other foreign language classes. your deposit will be transferred back to this account. Please note that due English taught courses to administrative reasons the transfer

back may take up to ten weeks. Before Arrival Universität Regensburg offers more than 100 English taught courses: • Talk to the program coordinator at your home university about the http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/english-taught-degree-courses/index.html number of courses and exams as well as about the type of courses Courses taught in English can be found (lectures, seminars etc.) you should in our online course catalogue: sign up for here in Regensburg. https://lsf.uni-regensburg.de/search-course • Please ask where your “Transcript of

• „Language of instruction: „English“ or Records” should be sent to after your Arrival „English/German“ stay in Regensburg. The Internatio- • Limit your choice by selecting a department nal Office needs a mailing address, Students who want to take English the name of the contact person und taught courses should fulfill the fol- the title of the department/faculty. lowing requirements: English language skills on intermediate What do you do if you level (B2). Business and Economics stu- cannot make it to the dents need to hand in proof of English at International Office on the B2+-level. Please hand in an official time? certificate (TOEFL, IELTS etc.) or a letter from your home institution stating your Please contact us either via email or by Upon Arrival phone if your plane or train is late or if you language level. are stuck in a traffic jam. Tel.: +49-941 943-2371 Shortly Before Your Arrival in Regensburg [email protected]

What do I have to do before arriving in Regensburg?

• Students from European countries: Contact your insurance compa- Transportation ny about the EHIC or an equivalent document (see also Health Insu- rance). • Bring all the information needed from your bank account at home (name of the account holder, account number, name of the bank, IBAN and Swift- code). After you have left Regensburg Important

15 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

2. ARRIVAL Shuttle service INFORMATION There is a commercial shuttle service running from Munich Airport to Regens- Please make sure that you come during burg. You can find more information at: Before Arrival our official arrival time! You can come to http://www.airportliner.com Regensburg by plane (Munich Airport), train, or by car. Once you have arrived Cost: € 42,-. Advanced booking neces- in Regensburg, please come to the In- sary! The address of UR is: Universitäts- ternational Office and pick up the keys str. 31, 93053 Regensburg. Please state to your room in your student residence. bus stop “Universität“ as your destinati- on. From there, please follow the signs You can find maps on our homepage: to the International Office.

Arrival http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ exchange-students/arrival-information Bus and train to Regensburg

Arrival by Plane If you take the train from Munich Air- There is no airport in Regensburg. The port to Regensburg, you do not need closest one is Munich Airport but you to go to the central train station in Mu- can also fly into Nuremberg or Frankfurt. nich. Take bus 635 from in front of the Trains leave regularly from all of these airport‘s central area (Z) to the train sta- airports to Regensburg. tion in Freising (the trip takes approximately 20 minutes) and change there to You will find schedules, connections and a train to Regensburg. All trains running prices at: between Munich and Regensburg stop

Upon Arrival http://www.bahn.de in Freising. This will save you time and money. Costs for the train and bus are From Munich Airport to Regens- about € 25,-. A taxi from the Regens- burg: burg train station to the university costs about €10,- but you may also use the If you arrive at Munich Airport, there are public bus. two ways to get to Regensburg: For a more detailed description of how to

International Office International Office

Transportation Universität Regensburg Universitätsstr. 31 93053 Regensburg Tel.: +49-941 943-2371/2306 Office Hours: During the arrival days, the International Office is usually open for incoming students from 9.30 am to 5:30 pm. During all other times, it is open Mo+Fri from 9:30 - 11:30 am and Tue+Thu

Important 1:30pm - 3:30pm. The International Office is on the ground floor of the administration building (“Verwaltungsgebäude“) in the center of the campus.

16 2. ARRIVAL INFORMATION get from Munich Airport (Terminal 1) to formation on how to travel to UR shortly Regensburg, see our homepage: before you arrive. http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ exchange-students/arrival-information

Arrival by Train Before Arrival Arrival by Car At www.bahn.de, you will find schedu- If you are coming via Autobahn A3 les, connections and prices. Once you (from Nuremberg or Passau), take the have arrived in Regensburg, please leave exit “Universität/Klinikum“ and follow your heavy luggage at the station. The the signs to “Universität“. Please use the lockers are at track („Gleis“) no. 1. free parking areas north of the campus • Exit the station towards the city cen- of the UR, which can be accessed either

ter. As you exit, you will see a small Arrival via Universitätstraße or Galgenbergstra- park and a yellow church across the ße. Alternatively, you can park your car street to your right. in one of the two free parking gareges in the street „Am Biopark“. • Cross the street, enter the park, and pass the little yellow church. If you come via the Autobahn A 93, • The bus stop for buses to the uni- please continue towards the intersec- versity is at the corner to your right, tion “Autobahnkreuz Regensburg“ and immediately at the beginning of the change to A3, direction Passau/Linz/Re- bridge (“Galgenberger Brücke“). gensburg Ost. Then follow the instruc- tions above. Take either

You can find a map on how to get to • bus number 6, direction „Universität/ Upon Arrival campus online: Klinikum“. Get off at the stop „Uni- http://www.uni-regensburg.de/impressum/medien/ versität“ anfahrtsplan.pdf or Please make sure not to park your car • bus number 11, direction “Universi- in a reserved parking space, otherwise tät/Burgweinting/Hermann-Höcherl- your car might be towed off. Strasse“. Get off at the stop “Univer- sität“. You will receivean emal with detailed in- Transportation Important

17 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

3. UPON ARRIVAL IN What Should You Do if You REGENSBURG Arrive in Regensburg Outside of Office Hours?

Before Arrival The International Office If you arrive later than 5.30 pm or on the weekend, you will have to stay in a hotel Once you are on campus (see also pre- or in the youth hostel: vious chapter), go to the International http://www.jugendherberge.de/jh/bayern/ Office where you will receive your keys. regensburg/ The International Office is on the ground You can find information on floor of the administration building Regensburg‘s hotels at: (“Verwaltungsgebäude“), in the center http://www.regensburg.de

Arrival of the campus, room nos. 0.12 - 0.16. You can find a campus map on our If you arrive very early, you can wait on homepage: campus until our office opens. The most convenient place to wait is in the upper http://www.uni-regensburg.de/ur-international/ foyer of the Audimax building (opposite exchange-students/arrival-information the administration building). The buil- dings are usually unlocked around 5 or 6 am. Upon Arrival Transportation Important

18 4. TRANSPORTATION

4. TRANSPORTATION 5. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW Biking in Regensburg Before Arrival Opening a Bank Account in Regensburg is excellent for biking. Biking is the best way to get around the Regensburg city and to campus. Most streets in the Please be prepared to open a bank ac- city center are closed to cars and the- count in Regensburg. re are no parking spaces available. By bike you will get through the city center No residence accepts payments by quickly and easily. credit card.

You can buy inexpensive used bikes at Banks are usually open on weekdays Arrival the flea-market (every weekend) or in from 9 am to 4 pm and Thursdays un- bike shops. Usually, you can sell the bike til 5:30 pm. Some banks are closed for without any problems before you return lunch between 1 pm and 2:30 pm. to your home country. When opening a bank account, you need to show your passport and your Public Transportation in Re- “Immatrikulationsbescheinigung”(= enrolment confirmation). Upon your arrival gensburg with the “Semester- in Regensburg, you will receive a list of ticket“ all the banks in Regensburg from the In- ternational Office.

Your UR-Card includes a so-called „Se- Upon Arrival mesterticket“ for students, which can be used for free transportation on all local Post Office city and regional busses as well as trains within certain zones of Regensburg. Most post offices are open from 8 or 9 am to 6 pm. Within Germany, a standard Note: All students must buy the Se- letter up to 20 gr. costs € 0,70 and a mesterticket. This is part of the approx. postcard € 0,45 (international mail: € 145,- EUR student fee collected by the 0,90 for a letter and € 0,90 for a post- Studentenwerk upon registration. card). Bus schedules and maps showing the Information about costs for sending zones valid for the semester ticket: other items can be obtained at the post Transportation http://www.rvv.de office. Taking the Train Shopping Hours People who plan to travel through Ger- Some larger stores in Germany are open many by train should read up on special Monday through Saturday from 8 am to offers made by the Deutsche Bahn (i.e. 8 pm. Smaller shops, however, usually BahnCard, Wochenendticket, Bayernti-

close earlier, for example at 6.30 pm on Important cket, etc.): weekdays and noon on Saturdays. No http://www.bahn.de stores are open on Sundays, so if you ar-

19 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

the university‘s sport center, as well as a rive on Friday or Saturday, make sure to semester ticket for public transportation buy enough food for the weekend. Two within Regensburg and the surrounding exceptions to this are some bakeries area. that are open Sunday mornings and the

Before Arrival supermarket at the train station, which Bus schedules and maps showing the is open for business from 10 am to 8 pm zones valid for the semester ticket: on Sundays and public holidays. http://www.rvv.de

Tipping UR Computer Account and It is common to leave a tip in restaurants WiFi on Campus for service. When the amount is under € As a registered student you will receive

Arrival 5,- you usually round the sum up to the next full Euro. With amounts over € 5,- your own computer account and email one adds a 5-10% tip. address at UR upon arrival in the Inter- national Office. However, it is important that we have received your complete ap- UR-Card plication forms and fees in time. Upon your enrolment, you will receive You need this account to register for the so-called UR-Card. This chip card ful- courses, communicate with your profes- fills serveral purposes. It serves as a stu- sors and for online services. dent ID, library card, member card for Upon Arrival Transportation Important

20 5. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

On the whole campus (except some are- Tutors International as where WiFi cannot reach), you have access to the Internet. There are two The tutors for international students can networks you can use: The secure „edu- answer many questions you may have roam“ and the open „BayernWLAN“ (e.g. where to get used bikes, how to network. In order to use „eduroam“, find a doctor, how to use the sports cen- Before Arrival it is usually necessary to register your tre at the university). You can meet them computer/tab/smartphone separately. at the “Kaffeestunde“, which takes Exception: If your home university is place at the International Office throug- part of „eduroam“ and you have already hout the semester. Please check the configured your device accordingly, your posting in the “Kaffeestunden“-room device should automatically connect to for contact and e-mail. eduroam using your home university‘s

credentials. Arrival You can also use the free, open „BayernWLAN“network for instant access. Simply connect, open your brow- ser and click „Verbinden/Connect“. No registration is required.

Personal Liability Insurance We recommend that students obtain private liability insurance for their time in Regensburg. This liability insurance Upon Arrival would cover damages e.g. in the student residences. Students who want to buy personal liability insurance can obtain further information from the International Office.

Broadcasting Fee Every household is charged with a flat Transportation rate of 17.50 EUR/ month for all technical devices that are able to receive the programs provided by public-law broadcasting service (ARD, ZDF etc.). The new regulation does not differentiate between the number of technical devices the household possesses or whether these devices are used to receive the

public-law programs. Important

21 ORIENTATION GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS Notes: Before Arrival Arrival Upon Arrival Transportation Important