International Office International exchange student handbook How the Corona Pandemic may Welcome to Hochschule Konstanz affect your Studies University of Applied Sciences The corona pandemic and the measures introduced to contain it have had a major We are very happy that you decided to study abroad at the HTWG Konstanz - University impact on life at the University of Applied Sciences Konstanz since March, 2020. These of Applied Sciences in Konstanz (Constance), Germany. We at the International Office new circumstances will also most likely have an effect on your exchange semester at our would like to personally welcome you to our beautiful region. We’re sure this is going to university. be a great and rewarding experience for you. The University of Applied Sciences Konstanz must conform to the corona regulations This handbook was written for you, our international exchange students, to help ease determined by the state of Baden-Württemberg. However, at the time this handbook went your transition to the HTWG Konstanz (or, if you prefer, the University of Applied Scien- to print, it was not possible to foresee how the winter semester 2020/21 will unfold. ces, Hochschule Konstanz or simply HTWG – we have a lot of names here). It contains a lot of practical information about living in Germany, getting settled in Konstanz and Your year abroad will most likely be a so-called “hybrid semester”, meaning a com- getting started at our university. Some of the information would be really good to know bination of online and in-person courses. Many of the orientation events at our university before you get here. For this reason, we recommend that you read this handbook before will also be held online in order to meet current hygiene standards. Due to the new regu- setting off on your trip. lations, there may be changes in terms of classes, deadlines or exams. But don’t worry: the staff at the International Office is here to help. We will send you the final program via The topics covered in this handbook include information about getting the right visa, email as soon as possible. traveling to Konstanz, finding accommodations, registering for classes, setting up a bank account, where to hang out on the weekend, and a whole lot more. We also provided a In order to stay up to date, please make use of the following information sources: pre-departure checklist in the back to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything before you get on the airplane. In order to stay up to date, please make use of the following information sources: We at the International Office hope that this handbook answers all your questions. But of course, if you still have any other questions, please feel free to contact us. 1 Please check your emails regularly and read them carefully for any key updates. We look forward to meeting you. – Have a great time in lovely Konstanz, Germany! 2 Check the International Office website for the latest campus news: www.htwg-konstanz.de/en/the-university/facilities/international-office/about-current-news/ – 3 Join our Facebook group to stay in touch with other exchange students: htwg exchange winter 2020/21 – 4 Please participate in all information sessions offered by the International Office to make your start at HTWG Konstanz as smooth easy and as possible. – The whole team of the International Office wishes you a great exchange semes- ter and looks forward to welcoming you in beautiful Konstanz. And remember: Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions. Table of contents Your host institution ................................................06 Living in Konstanz .................................................18 Hochschule Konstanz ......................................................06 Location ................................................................ 18 List of degree programs ...................................................07 Accomodations ........................................................... 18 Contact information. 08 Health insurance .......................................................... 19 The International office and HelpingHand ......................................08 Getting around ...........................................................20 Budgeting ...............................................................20 Jobs ....................................................................21 Academics .......................................................09 Opening a Bank Account ...................................................21 Credit & Debit Cards .......................................................21 Academic Calendar .......................................................09 Telephones / cell phones ...................................................22 Orientation Program .......................................................09 Post office ...............................................................22 German Language Courses .................................................09 Shopping ................................................................23 Choosing your Courses ....................................................09 Bars and clubs ...........................................................23 Types of Classes ..........................................................10 Free time and leisure activities ...............................................24 Assessment / Grading ..................................................... 11 Places to see .............................................................25 Class size / materials ...................................................... 11 Travelling ................................................................25 Faculty .................................................................. 12 Getting around ...........................................................25 Holidays ................................................................ 12 Fitness and sports ........................................................26 Weather .................................................................26 Student facilities at the HTWG Konstanz ...............................13 A–Z .............................................................27 The ZACK Card (Student ID). 13 The Library (Bibliothek) ..................................................... 13 Email Accounts / Computer Centers / Computer Support .......................... 13 Student exchange checklist .........................................30 The Dining Hall (Mensa) .................................................... 14 The Beach Bar (Strandbar) .................................................. 14 Pre-departure ............................................................30 Student Café Endlicht ...................................................... 14 After Your Arrival in Germany ................................................31 Bevore leaving Germany. .31 Coming to Konstanz ................................................15 Metric conversions ................................................32 Student Visas ............................................................ 15 Electronic Residence Permit ................................................. 17 Converting temperatures ...................................................32 Arrival .................................................................. 17 Converting weight .........................................................32 Converting Volume ........................................................32 Converting Lenght ........................................................32 Maps ............................................................34 Map of Konstanz ..........................................................34 Map of HTWG ............................................................36 Your host institution List of degree programs The HTWG Konstanz offers the following bachelor’s and master’s degrees: Hochschule Konstanz Welcome to the HTWG Konstanz - Univer- 20 technical and professional fields inclu- BACHELOR MASTER sity of Applied Sciences! We would like to ding Engineering, Architecture, Computer start by giving you an overview of the place Science, Business and Communications you will be spending a semester or year. Design. It is even possible to earn a PhD at our university. Architecture Architecture Our university is located in the southern- Communication Design Communication Design most part of the Federal Republic of The HTWG Konstanz is also an interna- and Design Architecture Architecture Germany, in the state of Baden-Württem- tionally-oriented university partly due to Department of berg. The HTWG Konstanz campus is geography. Switzerland is only walking situated along the banks of the Rhine River distance from our campus, and you can Civil Engineering Civil Engineering / Environmental Engineering in a neighborhood called “Paradise”, close travel to Austria, France and even Italy Environmental Engineering to the historic center of the city of Kons- within three hours. We have many connec- and Resource Management tanz. It was founded in 1906 as a private tions to other colleges and universities of Civil Civil Engineering Department Department college for Mechanical, Electrical and Civil across these borders and beyond. HTWG Engineering and Management Engineering. Konstanz students and faculty participate in exchange programs at more than 80 Today the HTWG Konstanz is a state partner universities in 38 countries. Automotive Information Electrical Systems Technology university with