Student Guide EMGS Leipzig Global and European Studies Institute Imprint: Global and European Studies Institute Emil-Fuchs-Str. 1 04105 Leipzig [email protected] August 2019 Layout and Editors: Lea Hapig, Lena Heinze and Konstanze Klemm EMGS – Student Guide 2 Welcome to the Historic City of Leipzig and the Global and European Studies Institute! 1 EMGS – Student Guide Contents I. General information about Germany .................................................................... 5 1. General Information ............................................................................................................ 5 1.1 The German States ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Climate............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Daylight saving time ........................................................................................................................ 7 2. Brief History ........................................................................................................................ 7 3. Religion .............................................................................................................................. 8 4. National Public Holidays ..................................................................................................... 8 5. Public transport ................................................................................................................. 10 5.1 Trains ............................................................................................................................................. 10 5.2 Travelling by bus ........................................................................................................................... 11 5.3 Travelling by car ............................................................................................................................ 12 6. Where to sleep while travelling in Germany ...................................................................... 13 6.1 Hotels and Hostels ........................................................................................................................ 13 6.2 Couchsurfing ................................................................................................................................. 13 6.3 Airbnb ............................................................................................................................................ 13 7. Banks and Bank Accounts ................................................................................................ 13 7.1 Bank Transfers .............................................................................................................................. 14 7.2 Where to exchange money ........................................................................................................... 15 8. Insurance .......................................................................................................................... 15 9. Shopping in big cities ........................................................................................................ 16 9.1 Opening hours ............................................................................................................................... 16 9.2 Exchanging Products..................................................................................................................... 16 9.3 Deposit .......................................................................................................................................... 16 9.4 Average Prices .............................................................................................................................. 17 9.5 Unpackaged Food ......................................................................................................................... 17 10. Letters, Parcels and Postage ............................................................................................ 17 11. Telephone and Internet ..................................................................................................... 18 II. General information about Leipzig University ................................................... 23 1. History .............................................................................................................................. 23 2. Facilities ........................................................................................................................... 24 3. Libraries ............................................................................................................................ 25 3.1 Universitätsbibliothek Albertina (UBL) ........................................................................................... 25 3.2 Campus Bibliothek ......................................................................................................................... 27 3.3 Central Geographical Library at the IfL ......................................................................................... 27 3.4 Library of the GWZO ..................................................................................................................... 27 3.5 Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (German National Library) ............................................................... 27 3.6 Library of the GRASSI Museum of Ethnology ............................................................................... 28 4. Canteens and Cafeterias .................................................................................................. 28 5. Studentenwerk (Student Services) .................................................................................... 31 5.1 Centre for Social Counselling ........................................................................................................ 31 5.2 Psychological counselling – also available in English ................................................................... 32 EMGS – Student Guide 2 5.3 Experiencing doubts or considering dropping out: ........................................................................ 33 6. Rechenzentrum (URZ) ...................................................................................................... 34 7. BeBuddy! programme ....................................................................................................... 34 8. Nice to know ..................................................................................................................... 35 III. Studying within the European Master Course in Global Studies ..................... 37 1. Study Programme ............................................................................................................. 37 2. The study programme at Ghent, Leipzig, London, Roskilde, Vienna, Wroclaw ................. 37 3. Winter and summer term at Leipzig University .................................................................. 38 4. Modules and examinations ............................................................................................... 39 5. Moodle2 ............................................................................................................................ 41 6. Essays, footnotes and how to avoid plagiarism ................................................................. 42 7. The German grading scale ............................................................................................... 42 8. Writing (official) e-mails and letters ................................................................................... 43 9. Visa and residence permit regulations .............................................................................. 43 9.1 Regulations for Non-European citizens ......................................................................................... 44 9.2 How and where do I apply for the extension of my residence title? .............................................. 45 9.3 How to apply for a “Führungszeugnis” (criminal background check certificate)............................ 46 10. Things to consider when you are about to leave Leipzig ................................................... 46 11. Important information regarding the residence permit for all non-EU students who spend their first year in Leipzig ................................................................................................................... 48 12. Considering doing your PhD in Germany? ........................................................................ 49 IV. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ .................................................................... 51 1. …concerning the UniCard................................................................................................. 51 2. …concerning university facilities and student services ...................................................... 52 3. …concerning re-registration and semester dates .............................................................. 55 4. …concerning university documents and their certification ................................................. 55 5. …concerning housing and every-day life .......................................................................... 56 6. …concerning part-time jobs and internships ....................................................................