bic guide for living and studying in germany_2012_ssl

BIC. Berlin international College 15.11.12 1

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PATHWAY PROGRAMMES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN GERMANY

GUIDE FOR LIVING & STUDYING IN GERMANY BIC Advisors Team Phone: +49–30–233226726 Monday to Friday | 9 am to 5 pm (GMT +1) [email protected] www.berlin-intearnational-college.de www.facebook.com/berlininternationalcollege Berlin International College Warschauer Str. 32 10243 Berlin – Germany


INHALTSVERZEICHNIS

1.PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS 4 THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS 4 Who requires a student visa? 4 Applying for a visa 4 YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS 4 ACCOMMODATION 4 Booking your accommodation through BIC 4 Making your own arrangements 4 The private accommodation market 5 Short-term accommodation 5

2.LIVING COSTS IN GERMANY 6 FINANCING YOUR LIVING COSTS 6 MEDICAL CARE 6 German health insurance regulations 6 Health insurance through BIC 7 Visiting a doctor 7 TV AND RADIO LICENCE FEES 7 HOUSEHOLD CONTENTS AND PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE 7 TRAVEL 8 Accommodation 8 Railway 8 Air travel 8 Long-distance bus services 8 Car sharing centres 9

3.YOUR TIME IN BERLIN 9 THE NECESSARY FORMALITIES 9 Orientation week 9 Your matriculation at BIC 9 Registering with the Berlin Foreigner’s Registration Office 9 Student residence permit 9 Opening a bank account 10 Telephone services 10 LIFE IN BERLIN 11 Public transport 11 Berlin by bike 11 Taxis 11 Shopping in Berlin 11 Supermarkets 12 Post offices 12 Religious services 12 Museums, cinemas, theatres and opera houses in Berlin 12 Tickets and prices 12


4.INFORMATION FOR YOUR TIME AT UNIVERSITY 13 FINANCING YOUR STUDIES 13 Applying for scholarships 13 BAföG 13 Housing benefit 13 Student jobs at university 14 STUDENT BENEFITS 14 Out and about with the semester ticket 14 The International Student ID Card 14 Student travel agencies 15

5.ANNEX I: 16

6.IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS 16

7.ANNEX II: USEFUL ADDRESSES 17 FOUNDATIONS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS 17 POST OFFICES 18 RELIGIOUS SERVICES 18 Christian Community 18 Protestant Community 18 Jewish Community 19 Islamic Community 20 Der Deutschsprachige Muslimkreis Berlin e. V - DMK 20 Buddhist Community 21 Sikh Community 21 Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands 22


1. PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS There are several arrangements that you will have to make before you come to Berlin to begin your studies. In this section, you can find information about the essential formal preparations.

THE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Who requires a student visa? German embassies and consular representations will provide information on current entry and residence requirements for Germany. Applicants for university studies from the following countries do not require a visa to enter Germany:

• European Union • EEA states: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway • Switzerland • as well as: Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco,

New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, USA

Applicants from all other countries need a visa for studies in the Federal Republic of Germany. A tourist visa does not entitle the holder to register as a student. Information on current entry regulations and the application forms are available from the Auswärtiges Amt.

Applying for a visa After prospective students have received their letter of confirmation from BIC and the conditional offer (Zulassungsbescheid) from their chosen university, a visa application should be made without delay, because the processing will take time. The visa section of a consulate or embassy will normally issue a visa after a prescribed period of three weeks and two days (Schweigefrist), provided no objection has been received from the Berlin Foreigners' Registration Office. However, this is the minimum period of time required for the processing of the application. In practice, the process often takes longer. Issuing a visa may take less time for students, who receive a scholarship funded by German sources. In such cases, the visa can be issued without any further checks.

YOUR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS We would advise you to arrive at the beginning of the orientation week previous to the actual start of the term to allow for sufficient time to become accustomed to your new surroundings before your studies begin. The BIC student advisory team will help you with your travel arrangements, e.g. if you are unsure about the most suitable way to reach Berlin or are unsure about what to bring.

ACCOMMODATION You have two choices as to how you would like to arrange your accommodation. You can either (1) choose to let BIC organise your housing or you can (2) find a place to stay by yourself.

Booking your accommodation through BIC Should you choose to let BIC make all of the arrangements, you will be staying in one of the facilities on or close by the campus managed by the GLS. The available options, ranging from catered single rooms to staying with a host family, and the current price list are published on the BIC website: www.berlin-international-college.de/accommodation All you need to do is to let your BIC student advisor know that you would like to arrange your accommodation through BIC. Your advisor will then put you in contact with the GLS, who will organise everything else according to your requests.

Making your own arrangements Should you wish to make your own arrangements, your student advisor will still be on hand to help you, if you have any questions, e.g. regarding the formalities necessary for renting a room or flat in Berlin.


The private accommodation market Shared accommodation in flats or apartments for several students are very popular, especially in the inner city districts of Prenzlauer Berg/Pankow, Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg and Neukölln. As the GLS Campus is located in the Prenzlauer Berg district and the BIC Campus in Friedrichshain, this means that you should be able to find affordable accommodation close to either campus. Once you have decided upon a particular room or a flat, it is strongly advisable to conclude a written tenancy agreement (Mietvertrag). If someone rents a flat or an apartment, he/she is normally the main tenant and as such has more rights, but also more responsibilities. If, however, just one room is rented, the person living in it has the status of a sub-tenant. Tenancy agreements should always be read very carefully. There should be no signing of the contract before every detail is quite clear to you. Also be aware that the rent price, except where it is explicitly stated, does not include electricity and telephone bills. You should ask the previous occupant of the flat/room or the people you will be sharing with about their experiences with these costs to gain a better idea of what the actual cost of renting a particular accommodation will be. You can look for apartments and other accommodation for rent in the classified advertisement section of the following newspapers:

• Berliner Zeitung (on Saturdays) • Berliner Morgenpost (on Sundays) • Tagesspiegel (on Saturdays)

Shared accommodation in flats is also advertised in "Zitty" and "Tip", two Berlin magazines. Both are published every other Wednesday and can be read for free in many student pubs, cafés and restaurants. The newspaper-type publication "Zweite Hand" (Second Hand), which is issued three times a week, also contains flat-share advertisements.

• www.zitty.de • www.tip-berlin.de • www.zweitehand.de

Here is a list of possible Internet links which might help to find accommodation:

• www.wg-gesucht.de • www.casaswap.com • www.wgcompany.de • www.studentenwerk-berlin.de

Short-term accommodation We would advise you to begin your search as early as possible, though it will often be the case that a personal interview will be required as part of the application process. You can offer to do an interview via Skype or Google+, but you may find it easier to arrive a few days early in Berlin and stay in a hotel or at the GLS’s facilities for the initial time after your arrival, which enables you to look for a room in person. Addresses of hostel rooms can be found here:

• www.berlin.de/tourismus/unterkunft/herbergen • www.studentenwerk-berlin.de/wohnen/studentenhotel • www.hostelbookers.com


2. LIVING COSTS IN GERMANY Other than the tuition fees, you will have to be able to cover your regular living costs. Read through this section for information about the kind of costs you are likely to incur.

FINANCING YOUR LIVING COSTS Generally, proof must be given of sufficient financial resources, when somebody applies for a visa at a German diplomatic representation abroad or for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Berlin, which will enable the applicant to pursue university studies without financial hardship at least at the beginning. The cost of living amounts to about € 600 per month (based on the maximum grant for German students of € 670). In some cases, the German embassy or consulate may require a specified amount to be paid into a blocked access bank account (Sperrkonto) to ensure financial security for the initial period of the applicant's stay in Germany. As you will be encountering the intellectual and cultural challenges of adjusting to a foreign country with a different education system then what you are used to, aside from visa-holders only being allowed to have a part-time job while they study at university, not during their studies at BIC, you should not - and often cannot – rely on a job at the very start of your studies just in order to cover basic needs. If you do not receive financial support from your parents or family, or if you do not have adequate financial resources of your own, other problems might arise very soon. There are a few countries providing scholarships that cover students' cost of living in Germany. In Germany itself, scholarships or grants are awarded only for the advanced stage of studies; they are conditional on academic performance (good marks) and on social commitment The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) provides scholarships for international students, but only for specific periods of study and/or depending on the programme (semester or one-year scholarships, scholarships for internationally-oriented Master's courses, doctoral scholarships). Detailed information can be found at www.scholarship-database.de. Enquiries can also be made at German diplomatic and consular representations, at Goethe Institutes or at DAAD offices for more information on other sources of financial support.

MEDICAL CARE As famous as the German health system is, it is also structured differently than most other national health systems. This section shall act as a guide to the system and highlight the important points.

German health insurance regulations Upon applying for a student visa in your home country, you may be required to give proof of your health insurance cover. Should this be the case, you will have to contact a German health insurance provider (Krankenkasse) and arrange for this cover. The major advantage of this approach is that doctor's visits or a stay in hospital will be a lot less complicated, because the cost of treatment will largely be covered by the medical insurance company rather than paid immediately by the patient. If you are covered through a private health insurance in your home country, this must be approved by a compulsory health insurance provider in Germany, which could mean that exemption is granted from mandatory health insurance cover in Germany. It should, however, be considered carefully, because once such an arrangement has been made, admission to any mandatory health insurance provider in Germany will be impossible. You should make sure that your private insurance provides you with a coverage that is equal to that of German public insurance. If your country of origin has reciprocal arrangements with the Federal Republic of Germany (EU and EEA countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey), you should ask your national health insurance provider about the best insurance cover. Meanwhile, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will guarantee provision in the event of medical emergencies or when urgent medical treatment is required abroad. Holders of the EHIC card are exempted from the German requirement to be insured with a recognised mandatory health insurance provider in Germany. Sometimes taking out additional insurance cover is advisable. You should seek advice on this in your home country.


Every student up to the age of 30 is entitled to obtain health insurance cover from one of the recognised mandatory health insurance providers in Germany at a special student rate. The current premium for health and nursing care is 77.90 EUR per month for a student over 23 years without children. The monthly health insurance premiums are put up moderately at regular intervals.

Health insurance through BIC BIC cooperates with AXA, a private health insurance provider, and can offer you a private health insurance package for 55 EUR per month. For details about this package deal you can either visit the information on our website www.berlin-international-college.de or directly contact the AXA representative responsible for BIC: Mr. Ayan Gügör Email: [email protected] Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein! Telephone: +49-5241-223885 Fax: +49-5241-223887 Regardless of which option you choose and which rules apply to you, you will have to provide proof of your health insurance coverage upon your matriculation at BIC.

Visiting a doctor Should you require medical care, your BIC student advisor will help you with arranging an appointment with a suitable doctor. Whenever a doctor is consulted, the health card (chip or smartcard), which you receive from your health insurance company, must be presented. If a doctor prescribes medication, 10 per cent of the cost has to be paid by the patient: i.e. at least 5 EUR, but no more than 10 EUR, must be paid.

TV AND RADIO LICENCE FEES With exception of cases, where your rent contract explicitly includes the licence fees, you must register any radio or television sets you wish to use. Varying according to the type of media receiver you are using, you will have to pay a licence fee. As from 1 January, 2009 the monthly licence fee amounts to 17.98 EUR. The regulation (§ 1 RGebStV) covers all types of radio and television sets, and as from 1. January, 2007 also PCs by which the Internet can be accessed. In cases of hardship, the GEZ Licencing Company may exempt users of radios or TV sets from the licence fee on application to the company. Application forms may be obtained from the local administration or on the website of GEZ Licensing Company. Forms must be signed by the applicant personally and then sent, along with any required documents, by post to the address of the GEZ. GEZ Licensing Company Gebühreneinzugszentrale der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten (GEZ), 50656 Köln GEZ staff knock on doors everywhere in Germany on the authority of the regional German public broadcasting stations: they may also visit student users at university halls of residence or private homes, reminding them of their obligation to register and pay the licence fee. The GEZ staff are easily identifiable by their company ID card. Persons using a radio or television are required by law to give information to GEZ staff, but they are not obliged to let them in to private rooms or apartments or sign documents on the spot.

HOUSEHOLD CONTENTS AND PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE Having a household contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) can be extremely helpful in cases of theft, fire or water damage, which may occur in a student's apartment or flat. As a student renting a room, you may sometimes be required to have a household contents insurance. Incidentally, a bicycle would also be covered by this insurance. A liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) covers the holder, if s/he causes an accident either just walking or riding a bicycle, or if s/he accidentally damages someone else's property or belongings. If you have taken out a liability insurance in your home country, the policy will possibly provide cover in Germany, too. Precise information may be obtained from:


Federal Office for Financial Services Control Section for Insurance Services Control Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht Sektor Versicherungsaufsicht Graurheindorfer Straße 108 53117 Bonn Phone: (+49 [0]228) 29 97 02 99 E-Mail: [email protected] Personal liability of BIC students is not covered by the college. We would encourage you to take out a comprehensive liability insurance to cover any liability risks that may arise from attending courses, taking part in study visits or excursions, also outside of Germany, completing internships and or during non-university related activities.

TRAVEL Gathered here is some basic information about ways of travelling within Germany and also some ideas for trips to other places in Europe. Irrelevant of the destination though, it is always advisable to compare several offers before deciding. It is also true to say that the earlier you book, the more attractive the prices.

Accommodation The most inexpensive accommodation is provided by youth hostels (DJH) and backpacker hostels. Another option is CouchSurfing, a world-wide hospitality exchange network. After registering yourself on the website, you have the option to find and offer a place to stay overnight.

Railway All kinds of information on anything to do with railway travel in Germany and abroad, including special offers, is provided by the Deutsche Bahn. An alternative carrier to the Deutsche Bahn is InterConnex. InterConnex trains run every day on the Leipzig-Berlin-Rostock route and on the Zittau-Berlin-Stralsund route.

Air travel A quick and inexpensive way to cover longer distances from Berlin is to fly. There are many airlines offering reduced rate flights. Since there often is only a limited contingent of seats sold at cheap rates, it is advisable to book as early as possible. When comparing airline prices, you should also always check, if additional taxes, airport landing fees and other charges were included in the price quote. Some price comparison and travel deal websites are:

• www.expedia.de • www.fliegen.de • www.flug.de • www.flugboerse.de • www.fernweh.com • www.skycheck.com

Long-distance bus services An often cheaper alternative to flying, though not for everyone, are long distance coach services. They generally offer low budget travel deals to cities in Germany and across Europe. Offers can be found by visiting the main bus station or by checking the websites of the coach companies directly. Some of the largest ones are:

• www.berlinlinienbus.de • www.busreisen.de • www.buswelt.de • www.eurolines.com


Car sharing centres An inexpensive alternative to travelling by bus, train or plane is offered by the car sharing centres (Mitfahrzentralen). They arrange for clients to get a ride as passengers with someone else. Mostly, you will always be able to find someone going to whichever city you travelling to in Germany at short notice. Sharing the cost of gasoline/petrol is the usual price of the car journey. The actual price should be agreed on with the driver of the car before setting out. The car sharing centre will inform clients about the maximum price a driver can demand. A few popular websites on which car sharing opportunities are advertised are:

• Citynetz Mitfahrzentrale • Mitfahrgelegenheit.de • Fahrgemeinschaft.de

3. YOUR TIME IN BERLIN During the week previous to the commencement of the Pathway Programme, you will receive a full introduction to your new surroundings. However, in this section, you will already find some information about what you can expect.

THE NECESSARY FORMALITIES Before you can officially settle in Berlin and become a student of BIC, there are some formalities you will have to complete, including your registration at the competent Foreigner’s Registration Office and matriculating at BIC.

Orientation week Your arrival should be scheduled for the week prior to the start of the semester. We will meet you at your point of arrival, guide you to your accommodation and make sure that you settle in alright. To make sure that you can find your way around, we will introduce you to all important locations and facilities as well as the public transport network. Once the semester has begun, you will have the opportunity to participate in further tours and excursions that explore Berlin and the surrounding area.

Your matriculation at BIC You will be fully matriculated at BIC at the beginning previous to the beginning of the term. Here, you will have to present the original documents of which you sent scans during the applications process, together with certified copies of them and, where required, translations.

Registering with the Berlin Foreigner’s Registration Office Following this, you will have to register with the Foreigner’s Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). You will receive help with your registration through your BIC student advisor.

Student residence permit Permission to stay in the Federal Republic of Germany for foreigners is regulated by Article 1, Residence Legislation of the Immigration Act dated 30 July 2004, which came into force on 1 January 2005. EU citizens, students from Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein do not need to apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the Berlin Foreigners' Registration Office. These students apply for a Freedom of Movement Certificate (Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung) at the Local Registration Office (Bürgeramt) (► 3). Swiss citizens are entitled to freedom of movement but must apply for a Freedom of Movement Certificate at the Foreigners' Registration Office in Berlin. All other international students, also the ones, who could enter Germany without a visa (► 1), have to apply for a residence permit at the Berlin Foreigners' Registration Office shortly after entering Germany.


The Foreigners' Registration Office will issue the student residence permit on the basis of evidence submitted for the Pathway Programme. The student residence permit is no longer restricted to the course or the university the applicant has chosen. Since 1 September 2011, the electronic residence permit (eAT) is issued in a credit card-sized form, including biometric information (passport photograph and two finger prints), auxiliary conditions and personal data. All EU Member States are required to introduce the eAT. Exception: Exchange students, scholars with scholarships funded by official (German) means; students not staying longer than 12 months in Germany and students allowed to enter Germany without visa according to § 41 paragraph 1 AufenthV, i.e. nationals from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and USA get an adhesive label in their passport as before. The residence permit is generally valid for about two years (up to a maximum of four years), or for exchange students until the scholarship or the proposed period of studies expires. Applications for extensions will thoroughly be scrutinised with regard to the reasons why the permit was granted and if they still apply. For more information, please refer to the Foreigners' Registration Office: Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO) Foreigners' Registration Office | Ausländerbehörde - Abteilung (Dept.) IV - Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24 13353 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 90269-0 E-Mail: [email protected] Public transport: U 9 (to Amrumer Straße station) S 41, 42 (to Westhafen station) bus 123, M27 Office hours (GMT +1): Mo, Tu: 7.00 – 14.00, Th: 10.00 – 18.00

The following documents are necessary to apply for a residence permit:

• admission to undergraduate or graduate studies or matriculation certificate • passport • 1 current biometric passport photograph • evidence of registration at the Local Registration Office (Bürgeramt, ► form) • evidence of health insurance cover (► 2.) • evidence of financial means and possibly proof of scholarship in German or English • application form for a residence permit, obtainable from the Internet in several languages “Antrag

auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels”. The document has to be filled out in black ink (► form).

Issuing a residence permit carries a mandatory fee. The basic principle is that a student pays 50 EUR for a residence permit lasting one year and 60 EUR for a permit with a longer validity. The electronic residence permit (eAT) costs up to 110 EUR.

Opening a bank account It is advisable to open a current account at a bank, because only bank account holders can make transfers to other accounts with no additional charge. If the amount to be transferred is paid in cash, an extra charge of up to 6 EUR might be due. To be able to open a student account, to which no monthly account fees apply, you need show your BIC matriculation papers to the bank. More information how to open a student account is available from your BIC student advisor or any bank in Berlin.

Telephone services The Deutsche Telekom is still the most well-known and prevalent telephone service provider in Germany. However, there are other companies and it is well worth comparing prices, especially for long-distance or international calls. More detailed information can be found on the Internet at www.telefontarife.de, www.check24.de or at www.billiger-telefonieren.de. You may want to have a separate mobile phone for your German SIM card. Although pay-monthly contracts that include mobile phones are available, a contract is not always needed. Unlocked phones are capable of use with any carrier.


Most SIM cards come with a small credit on the account. Credit (Guthaben) for most cards can be bought at phone shops, supermarkets and newsagents. Then follow the directions on the receipt and enter the code directly into the phone or make a free service call to the provider to redeem the credit you purchased. Some accounts can be refilled instantly at terminals in banks and post offices.

LIFE IN BERLIN Though we are sure that you will find your way around Berlin and discover your own favourite places quickly enough, here are some basic tips on how to get around and where to go.

Public transport One of the best ways to move around in Berlin is to use the public transport system. The network consists of trams, buses, underground trains (U-Bahn) and an urban railway system (S-Bahn). You can purchase a variety of tickets from the public transportation providers (BVG and VBB). As you will be in Berlin for an extended period of time and will be commuting regularly between the GLS and the BIC campus, it would be cheapest for you to purchase a monthly or annual subscription. Information about the available tickets you can find on the VBB’s website: VBB fares and prices

Berlin by bike Cycling through Berlin and exploring the surrounding countryside in sporting manner has proved to be a good alternative to using public transport. Instead of buying a new bike, renting or buying second-hand are less expensive alternatives. Second-hand cycles are advertised in the fortnightly magazine "Zweite Hand". Second-hand bicycles can be bought cheaply at one of the regular Deutsche Bahn AG auctions (check local newspapers for more detailed information). You can also rent bicycles from bike shops or rental shops such as: fahrradstation Friedrichstraße 95 Entrance: Dorotheenstraße 30 (IHZ multi-storey car park) 10117 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 28 38 48 48 Another option is the rental service “Call a bike” run by the German railway network provider (Deutsche Bahn). The services’ bike stations are spread out over the city and you can rent out and return the bicycle to any one of them. You only need to register with the service online beforehand and decide, if you want to opt for the tariff for occasional user or for the subscription offer for regular users. Holders of a VBB subscription (► 3) qualify for a lower tariff. More information about the service, prices and in which other German cities it is available can be found on the website Call a bike. Detailed information on bicycles and cycling is obtainable on the web from the German bicycle association (ADFC).

Taxis Especially along the main streets and in the vicinity of the main Berlin hot spots you should always be able to hail a taxi. If you are unable to do so, you can call a taxi by dialling: 0800-26 10 26 Taxi fares are either agreed upon before the beginning of the journey, e.g. trips from and to the airport, or calculated on the basis of the travelled distance. The standard charges are:

• Basic fee (starting price for each journey): 3.00 EUR • Regular fare: 1.58 EUR/km (journeys of up to a 7 km distance); 1.20 EUR/km (journeys longer than 7

km) • Short trips (less than 10 minutes or 2 kilometres): 3.50 EUR in total, if you stopped the taxi on the

street

Shopping in Berlin No matter what you are looking for – a designer boutique, a second hand store or a flea market – you are likely going to be able to find not just one but a variety of possibilities to choose from and visit. In every district you can discover numerous shopping outlets, which you will discover and come to know as you get settled in Berlin. The Berlin Tourist Centre’s shopping guide will give you some pointers on where you can start your explorations.


Supermarkets Many of the supermarkets and shops in the centre of Berlin are open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 20.00. Meanwhile, some supermarkets, such as Kaiser's, are open until 10 pm or even all night.

Post offices You will find several shops that also offer basic post services, e.g. you can purchase stamps and send letters or small parcels from there. However, if you require any particular services, such as international courier services, or if you want to send large parcels, you will need to go to an actual branch of the Deutsche Post / DHL. Addresses of post offices can be found in the ► annex to this guide.

Religious services The high number of immigrants has lead to most religious communities being represented in Berlin. Consequently, there are places of worship all over town. A selection of addresses and directories sorted by religion can be found in the ► annex. Alternatively, you can refer to the yellow pages:

Museums, cinemas, theatres and opera houses in Berlin Berlin is well-known for its broad cultural diversity. With 174 museums to choose from, there is always an exhibition on to suit one’s interests. Popular evening entertainment options are offered by Berlin’s theatres, opera houses and cinemas. Their current performances, including foreign language ones and other events are advertised in magazines such as Zitty, Tip and the English-language magazine "Metropolis". There are also daily updated event calendars available on the website of Berlin’s Tourist Office and Berlin.de.

Tickets and prices Visiting the cinema is cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are known as cinema days (Kinotage). Cinema tickets for all performances cost only between 4 EUR and 6 EUR, whereas on other days 8 EUR to 11 EUR is common. The ClassicCard enables young people up to 30 years of age to obtain tickets at very reasonable prices for performances at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and at the Konzerthaus at the Gendarmenmarkt. More information and purchasing options for the ClassicCard are available at: www.classiccard.de. As a general rule, tickets at a reduced price are likely to be on sale at the venue’s ticket desk (Abendkasse) on the day of the performance. Theatre and concert tickets at prices reduced by up to 50% may be bought from: HEKTICKET at Alexanderplatz Karl-Liebknechtstraße 13 10178 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 23 09 93 – 0 Opening hours: Mo – Sa: 12.00 -20.00 HECKTICKET at station Zoo (opposite of the station Zoologischer Garten) Hardenbergstraße 29 d 10623 Berlin Opening hours: Mo – Sa: 12.00 -20.00, Su: 14.00 - 18.00 Young people up to the age of 21 years can purchase very inexpensive concert tickets at: JugendKultur Service Obentrautstraße 55 (near Anklamer Straße) 10963 Berlin (Kreuzberg) Phone: (+49 [0]30) 23 55 62 - 0 Fax: (+49 [0]30) 23 55 62 – 20 Opening hours: Mo – We: 9.00 -16.00; Th: 9.00 – 18.00, Fr 9.00 – 14.00


4. INFORMATION FOR YOUR TIME AT UNIVERSITY Though it will still be a year until you leave BIC and begin to attend university, there are some points, e.g. possible scholarships (► 5) you may want to apply for, you can and should consider in advance. Other items mentioned in the following, such as the public transport ticket for students (Semesterticket) (► 5), for example, shall just serve to give you a glimpse of what awaits you.

FINANCING YOUR STUDIES Different from the period of time you will spend at BIC, you will not have to rely solely on your own funds anymore to finance your studies and living costs, once you enter university. You will be able to work (► 5) and to apply for funding through the national student grant system (BAföG) (► 5) as well as through foundations offering scholarships (► 5).

Applying for scholarships If you would like to apply for a scholarship please consider the following: Written applications have many steps. Depending on the requirements of the scholarships; recommendations, references and certificates, as well as a current tabular and /or detailed CV, must be submitted. A completed application form and a letter of motivation are usually also required. Since the procurement of these documents may take several weeks, you should find out early via the Internet which documents are required and be aware of deadlines. It is important to address the aims and principles of the sponsors. While some scholarships have no preference for candidates, others prefer or are limited exclusively to the promotion of students pursuing their Master or doctoral degree, or only to international students. Community volunteer work is often asked about and should be presented in the letter of motivation and demonstrated through reports or references. The table of study-aid programmes and trust foundations listed in the ► annex is only a selection of possible scholarships in Berlin and Germany. For more funding options see the internet:

• DAAD scholarship database • www.e-fellows.net • www.stiftungen.org • www.stipendienlotse.de • www.stipendiumplus.de

BAföG BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderung nach dem Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) is a federal legislative student support. Students receive half of the money as a loan free of interest and the other half as a federal aid they do not need to repay. Eligible for BAföG are foreign nationals according to § 8 BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) For specific information you can also contact the Berlin student welfare organisation’s funding advice office: Studentenwerk Berlin Ausbildungsförderung Behrenstraße 40-41 10117 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 93939 - 70 Fax: (+49 [0]30) 93939 - 88 72 79 E-Mail: [email protected] Opening hours: Tu: 10.00 - 12.00, 13.30 - 15.30, Th 15.00 - 18.00

Housing benefit International students have the right to apply for housing benefit. The period of time for which the benefit may be granted depends on the number of semesters for which the applicant has been enrolled or given a residence permit. To be eligible for housing benefit, the following criteria must be met:

• the student applying must be a tenant paying rent to a landlord (evidence required)


• the student is required to provide evidence that s/he is not merely "temporarily absent" from his/her parents' home

• nomination of a guarantor living in Germany, who, if need be, would be required to pay the benefit back to the local welfare department.

Decisions concerning housing benefits to be granted to private persons, as well as their amount, are made on a case-by-case basis. It is advisable to gather information before an application is made. Assistance is offered by the housing offices of the local administration (Bezirksamt).

• The following documents must be presented along with an application: • passport with valid residence permit • tenancy contract • receipts of rent payment, including amount paid, names of beneficiary of the payment and payee • evidence of income (e.g. money received for maintenance, grants or scholarships; documentation

of foreign scholarships to be presented with authenticated German translation).

Student jobs at university Once you have moved on to study at university, you will be allowed to take up a student job. However, paid employment for students is subject to strict regulations, because it must not prolong the period of study. Whether and how long you are permitted to be employed in Germany depends on the type of residence permit you hold (see entry in passport). Generally, international students are not allowed to be self-employed. Students from 'old' EU member states and beginning 1 May 2011 to 'new' EU member states (except Bulgaria and Romania) are exempted from this restriction. Students from EU countries (except Bulgaria and Romania), Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, on equal footing with German students, are allowed to take up student part-time or temporary jobs with no further restrictions. However, studying must remain the priority. That is why they may only work for a maximum of 80 hours per month. Other international students are required to observe certain restrictions. They may work for a maximum of 120 'full' days (8 hours per day), or 240 'half' days (4 hours per day) in one year. Part-time employment of this kind does not require a work permit. Internships, for which payment is received, are deemed to be student-type jobs and will be part of the 120 full or 240 half day total. Student assistants (studentische Hilfskräfte) at university are considered to be of a special status. Since what they do in their jobs is closely linked to academic work, the time restrictions mentioned above do not apply. Contracts allowing for paid work up to 80 hours per month can be concluded. For all student part-time jobs, you need your personal ID number, which you get after registratering with the Local Registration Office (Bürgeramt) (► 3.).

STUDENT BENEFITS As a student, you are entitled to special benefits, e.g. reduced ticket prices for events, museums or travel (► 3.). Many shops also offer student deals and with the International Student Card (► 3.) you can even benefit worldwide from you status as student. Here, you will find some examples of the benefits you will have access to, but there are many more that you will find, when you look around town and just ask in shops for special student discounts that may not be advertised.

Out and about with the semester ticket Since 2003 the purchase of a semester ticket for public transport in the university city and its surrounding area has been mandatory at all German universities. Students are required to pay for the ticket, when they register or renew their registration. Ticket prices vary between universities. After payment of all fees and dues for the new semester, you will receive the student ID card. As a matter of principle, students are entitled to apply for a subsidy towards the cost of the semester ticket. In some cases, the subsidy may cover up to 100% of the cost. The student ID card is generally recognised as a valid Semester Ticket on public transport in connection with your personal ID card or passport. Semester tickets must not be laminated!

The International Student ID Card The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the only student identity card which is valid all over the world. It entitles the holder to buy tickets at special student rates and to get reductions for airlines,


on trains and buses, for accommodation, in museums, theatres, cinemas and other cultural events. Once you have been matriculated at university and have received your student ID card, you will become eligible for it. The card may be obtained at the price of 12 EUR in all student travel agencies as well as from the student welfare organisation (Studentenwerk). The purchase of the ISIC includes an accident insurance policy. The ISIC is valid for 16 months, from September to December of the year following the date of issue. Documents required to apply for an ISIC:

• passport • passport photograph • student ID card

Further information and practical advice on insurance cover for travel, studies and internships abroad may be found on the ISIC website and in the booklet entitled "ISIC World Travel Handbook", which is obtainable from all student travel agencies (► 5.).

Student travel agencies These are some of the student travel agencies where students can book travel at reduced rates: STA Travel Dorotheenstraße 30 10117 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 20 16 50 63 Opening hours: Mo – Fr: 10.00 - 19.00, Sa 11.00 - 15.00 DURCHBLICKREISEN - Das ANDERE Reisebüro The different travel agency Metzer Straße 20 10405 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 282 86 02 Opening hours: Mo – Fr: 10.00 - 18.30, Sa: 11.00 - 14.00


ANNEX I: IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS In cases of emergency, you should always keep the following numbers and addresses someplace handy: Emergency numbers Police 110 Medical emergency/ accident services/ fire brigade

112

Berlin police hotline (+49 [0]30) 46 64 46 64 Breakdown services Power supply: Vattenfall (formerly BEWAG) (+49 [0]180) 211 25 25 (6 cent/call) Gas: GASAG breakdown service (+49 [0]30) 78 72 72 Water: breakdown service (+49 [0]30) 800 / 292 75 87 If a breakdown service line for power, gas and water supply is not available in an emergency (strong smell of gas in your building, danger of a fire) the fire brigade should be called. As a matter of principle, the caretaker of the building must also be informed in an emergency. Hospitals and health services Charité Schumannstraße 20-21, 10117 Berlin First aid, emergency department switchboard

(+49 [0]30) 450 53 10 00 (+49 [0]30) 450 50

Krankenhaus am Friedrichshain Hospital Landsberger Allee 49, 10243 Berlin

(+49 [0]30) 130 23 17 00

Emergency service provided by the public health services

(+49 [0] 30) 31 00 31

National emergency number for on-call medical service

116 117

Poison hotline (+49 [0] 30) 19 2 40 Emergency dental service (information) (+49 [0] 30) 89 00 43 33 Other important telephone numbers National enquiries (+49 [0]30) 11 8 33 International enquiries (+49 [0]30) 11 8 34 BVG (public transport) customer services (+49 [0]30) 19 4 49 Central (public) lost property office Platz der Luftbrücke 6, 12101 Berlin

(+49 [0]30) 902 77 31 01


5. ANNEX II: USEFUL ADDRESSES

FOUNDATIONS OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS The foundations listed in the table below only represent a selection of the organisations that offer scholarships in Germany: Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. Villigst Iserlohner Straße 25 58239 Schwerte Phone: (+49 [0]2304) 755-196 E-Mail: [email protected] Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Karl-Marx-Straße 2 14482 Potsdam Phone.: (+49 [0]331) 70 19 - 0 E-Mail: [email protected] Hans Böckler Foundation Hans-Böckler-Straße 39 40476 Düsseldorf Phone: (+49 [0]331) 77 78 - 0 E-Mail: [email protected] Heinrich Böll Foundation Schumannstr. 8 10117 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 285 34 00 Fax: (+49 [0]30) 28 543 - 109 E-Mail: [email protected] Katholischer Akademischer Ausländerdienst (KAAD) Hausdorffstraße 151 53129 Bonn Phone: (+49 [0]228) 917 58-0 E-Mail: [email protected] Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Rathausallee 12 53757 Sankt Augustin Phone: (+49 [0]22 41) 24 6 - 0 E-Mail: [email protected] Otto-Benecke-Stiftung Leitstelle Ost Kennedyallee 105-107 53175 Bonn Phone: (+49 [0]228) 81 63 - 0 E-Mail: [email protected] Rosa Luxembourg Foundation Franz-Mehring-Platz 1 10243 Berlin Phone: (+49 [0]30) 44 31 02 23 E-Mail: [email protected]


POST OFFICES The post offices below are listed by area and selected according to which are likely to be closest to you. More addresses, including information on the services the respective branch offers, can be found on the website of the Deutsche Post. Mitte: Post Office in Friedrichstraße station Georgenstraße 12 10117 Berlin Opening hours: Mo: 8.00 – 20.00, Tu – Fr: 6.00 – 22.00, Sa: 8.00 – 22.00, Su: 8.00 – 20.00 Postamt Mitte: Post Office near Alexanderplatz Rathausstraße 5 10178 Berlin Opening hours: Mo-Fr: 9.00 – 19.00, Sa: 9.00 – 16.00 Adlershof: Post Office near Adlershof S-Bahn station Dörpfeldstraße 11 12489 Berlin Opening hours: Mo-Fr: 9.00 – 18.00, Sa: 9.00 – 13.00 Charlottenburg: Post Office near Zoologischer Garten station Joachimsthaler Straße 41 10623 Berlin Opening hours: Mo - Sa 10.00 – 19.00

RELIGIOUS SERVICES Below, the addresses of places of worship are listed by faith:

Christian Community Addresses, hours of worship and further information about Christian congregations in and around Berlin: Internationaler Konvent Christlicher Gemeinden in Berlin und Brandenburg e.V. www.christen-in-berlin.de

Protestant Community

Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz Kirchlicher Beauftragter für Ausländerarbeit Georgenkirchstraße 69 10249 Berlin Tel: (030) 24 34 45 33 Fax: (030) 24 34 42 579 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.ekbo.de

Roman Catholic Community Archdiocese of Berlin Erzbischöfliches Ordinariat Berlin Niederwallstr. 8-9 10117 Berlin Tel: (030) 326 84 0


Fax: (030) 326 84 276 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.erzbistumberlin.de

Diocese Council of the Catholics in the Archdiocese of Berlin, Committee for Foreigners – Migration – Cultural Coexistence Französische Str. 34 10117 Berlin Tel: (030) 40 00 46 0 Fax: (030) 40 00 46 10 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.dioezesanrat-berlin.de

Greek Orthodox Community Kirchengemeinde Himmelfahrt des Herrn Mittelstr. 22 12167 Berlin Tel: (030)792 02 36

Russian Orthodox Community Christi-Auferstehungs-Kathedrale Hohenzollerndamm 166 10713 Berlin Tel: (030) 873 16 14

Jewish Community

Jüdische Gemeinde zu Berlin Fasanenstr. 79-80 - Gemeindezentrum 10623 Berlin Tel: (030) 880 28 201 Fax: (030) 880 28 255 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.jg-berlin.org

Jüdischer Kulturverein Berlin e.V Oranienburger Straße 28/29 10117 Berlin Tel: (030) 2 82 66 69 Fax: (030) 28 59 80 53 E-mail: [email protected]

Israelitische Synagogen-Gemeinde - Adass Jisroel - zu Berlin Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts, gegr. 1869 Tucholskystraße 40 10117 Berlin Tel: (030) 281 31 35 Fax: (030) 281 31 22 E-mail: [email protected]

Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland Leo-Baeck-Haus Postfach 04 02 07 10061 Berlin Tel: (030) 28 44 56 0 Fax: (030) 28 44 56 13 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.zentralratdjuden.de


Islamic Community

Der Deutschsprachige Muslimkreis Berlin e. V - DMK Drontheimer Straße 16 13359 Berlin Tel: (030) 499 15 634 Fax: (030) 499 15 635 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.dmk-berlin.de

IBMUS - Initiative Berliner Muslime c/o Inssan e. V. Gitschiner Str. 17 10969 Berlin Tel: (030) 20 61 96 39 Fax: (030) 20 61 96 41 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.ibmus.de

Inssan für kulturelle Interaktion e. V Gitschiner Str. 17 10969 Berlin Tel: (030) 20 61 96 39 Fax: (030) 20 61 96 42 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.inssan.de

Islamische Föderation in Berlin e. V Boppstraße 41 10967 Berlin Tel: (030) 692 38 72 Fax: (030) 695 08 218 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Internet: www.if-berlin.de or www.islamische-foederation.de

Islamische Gemeinschaft deutschsprachiger Muslime Berlin und Freunde des Islam e. V. Gesslerstr. 11 10829 Berlin Tel: (030) 788 48 83 Fax: (030) 788 48 83 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.igdmb.de

Landesverband der Islamischen Kulturzentren Berlin e. V Lindower Straße 18 13347 Berlin Tel: (030) 461 70 26 Fax: (030) 461 23 21 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.vikz.de

Muslimische Akademie in Deutschland Kaiserdamm 100 14057 Berlin Tel: (030) 30 10 94 99 Fax: (030) 30 10 95 31 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.muslimische-akademie.de

Ahmadiyya - Muslim Gemeinde Berlin Bait-ul-Malik (Name of the mosque) Meteorstraße 52 13405 Berlin


Tel: (030) 41 38 54 6 Fax: (030) 41 74 66 17 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.ahmadiyya.de

Buddhist Community

Buddhistische Gesellschaft Berlin e. V Wulffstr. 6 12165 Berlin Tel: (030) 792 85 50 Fax: (030) 792 85 50 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.buddhistische-gesellschaft-berlin.de

Buddhistisches Zentrum Berlin der Karma Kagyü Linie Grunewaldstr. 18 - Factory Building 10823 Berlin Tel: (030) 7870 4213 Fax: (030) 7870 4214 Infoline: (030) 7870 4215 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.buddhismus-ost.de

Buddhistisches Zentrum Berlin-Mitte der Karma Kagyü Linie Milastr. 4, in the tower, floors 3 and 4 10437 Berlin Tel: (030) 2434 2544 Fax: (030) 2434 2545 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.buddhismus-ost.de/berlin-mitte

Das Buddhistische Haus-Frohnau Edelhofdamm 54 13465 Berlin Tel.: (030) 401 55 80 Fax: (030) 401 03 227 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.buddhistisches-haus.de

Tibetisch Buddhistisches Zentrum Berlin e.V Habsburger Straße 10 10781 Berlin Tel: (030) 833 93 62 Fax: (030) 833 93 62 E-mail: [email protected] Hindu Community Sri Ganesha Hindu Tempel e. V. Rollbergstraße 22 12053 Berlin Tel: (030) 301 73 53, 712 65 55,70 09 53 16, 622 87 65 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.hindutempelberlin.de

Sikh Community

Sikh Assembly in Berlin Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Berlin e.V Kögelstraße 6 13403 Berlin Tel: (030) 173 625 87 17 E-mail: [email protected]


Internet: www.gurdwara-berlin.de

Further faith-based organisations Deutscher Freidenker-Verband e. V. Landesverband Berlin Postfach 14 15 10 10149 Berlin E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.freidenker-berlin.de

Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands

Landesverband Berlin e.V. Wallstraße 61-65 10179 Berlin Tel: (030) 613 904 0 Fax: (030) 613 904 50 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.hvd-berlin.de

Internationaler Bund der Konfessionslosen und Atheisten e. V Landesverband Berlin-Brandenburg Postfach 30 37 24 10726 Berlin E-mail: [email protected]