Pre-departure Information for new COMMAS students

University of Stuttgart
International Affairs
Pre-departure
Information
for new COMMAS students
Winter Semester 2013/2014
This brochure will inform you about the following:
page
What you need to think of prior to coming
to Stuttgart
3
First steps after your arrival in Stuttgart
4
The Welcoming Service
5
The Intensive German Course
5
The COMMAS office
5
Academic calendar
6
The city of Stuttgart
(including temporary accommodation)
6
How to find your way
8 8
Map of Campus Vaihingen
9
Map of City Centre
10
2
What you need to think of prior to coming to Stuttgart
What you have to do before coming to Stuttgart:
 Immediately: Apply for a student visa at the German embassy of your home-country
with your Letter of Admission from COMMAS. If you are a citizen of an EU-country, of the
USA, Canada, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, you do NOT need a visa
to enter Germany. Make sure that it is a student visa you apply for, not a tourist visa!
 As early as possible: Register for the “Welcoming Service” including pick-up service
and/or help with authorities (see page 5 of this information). After having registered, exact
arrival dates must be communicated to the Welcoming Service at least three weeks of the
planned arrival date in Stuttgart.
 Until May, 31 2013: If you wish to rent a single dormitory room in one of the student
halls on campus from September 1, please inform the COMMAS office. We strongly
advise to reserve a dormitory room. To find a room in Stuttgart on the private market is
extremely difficult and considerably more expensive than a dormitory room. (Until June
28, 2013 if you wish to reserve a room from October 1, 2013 on)
 Until August, 9, 2013: Your deposit and part of first month’s rent (EUR 600) MUST HAVE
ARRIVED IN THE BANK ACCOUNT mentioned on the housing reservation letter which
will be sent to you by the Studentenwerk Stuttgart (landlord of the student dorms) by email which means that you should make transfer WELL IN ADVANCE OF THIS DATE IN
ORDER TO BE CERTAIN OF MEETING THIS DEADLINE). (Until September, 62013:
deposit must have arrived on the bank account if your move-in date is October 1, 2013)
The following papers and documents have to be brought with you to Germany:
 Letter of Admission
 Your passport with the entrance visa (see above).
 6 passport photos
 Proof of transfer of the housing fees (EUR 600)
 Students from NON-EU-Countries who do NOT need an entrance visa: Proof of sufficient
financial resources (EUR 670,-/month for a period of at least one year), e.g. a scholarship
letter, bank statement or savings book at a German bank.
 Students from EU-COUNTRIES ONLY: European health insurance card (EHIC) for the
proof of your health insurance, available at the health insurance company of your home
country.
 Students from NON-EU-COUNTRIES ONLY: we urgently ask you to purchase a private
travel health insurance before travelling to Stuttgart. This insurance should be valid from
the beginning of your journey until September 30, 2013. From October 1 on you have to
purchase German statutory health insurance in case you are under 30 years old. If you
are older than 30 years of age, you need to take out private insurance. Please contact
International Affairs for more information on a private health insurance upon arrival.
Items of practical use:
 Make sure that you have enough cash available, e.g. you will need about EUR 5 for the
S-Bahn ticket from the airport to the Vaihingen campus. You will also need some cash to
buy food and drink in the first few days.
 Do not forget to bring your sleeping bag. If available, it is possible to buy bed linen and
coverlets from the Hausmeister for EUR 45. Also bring clothing for rainy and cold weather
and any medicine you might regularly need to take.
 For all electrical appliances you will need a 220 volt adapter.
Please note:
Living expenses including rent for a dormitory room amount from EURO 650 - 750 a
month.
3
First steps after your arrival in Stuttgart
 Moving into your dormitory room: If you have booked a dormitory room in one of the
student dormitories and have paid the deposit and part of first month’s rent in time (EUR
600), please go to the office of the Hausmeister (caretaker of your dormitory) during the
office hours mentioned on the housing reservation letter. Take along this letter as well
as the proof of having paid the EUR 600 in order to receive the key for your room. Please
note that you can only move into your dorm room from Mondays to Fridays, not on
Saturday, Sundays or bank holidays.
First check-in day for students arriving in September:
Monday, September 2, 2013
First check-in day for students arriving in October:
Monday, October 1, 2013
On these check-in days the Hausmeister’s offices are usually open all day
(from 7.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)
In case you have registered for the Welcoming Service/pick-up service (page 5), your
host-partner might be able to pick up the key for you beforehand, meet you at the
Stuttgart airport or railway station, and take you to your dormitory room. Please ask your
host-partner to do so and give him an authorization as well as a copy of your housing
reservation letter and a copy of the proof of having paid the EUR 600.
In case you arrive before the first check-in date (September 2 or October 1, 2013) we
suggest you to stay at one of the youth hostels (addresses see page 7). In case you have
registered for the Welcoming Service/pick-up-service it might be possible to move into
your dormitory room a couple of days earlier depending on the availability of the room.
Please contact your host-partner about this approx. one week before your arrival.
 Go to Ms Raphaela Diel at the International Affairs (address and office hours see below).
She will give you a Welcome package containing a list of the formalities which you have
to complete during the first few days.
International Affairs
International Education Services
Campus Vaihingen
Internationales Zentrum (IZ)
Ms Raphaela Diel
Tel. ++ 49 (0) 711 685-68545, Fax: ++49 (0) 711 685-68600
e-mail: diel@ia.uni-stuttgart.de
Office hours
Mon - Fri 10.00 – 12.00 a.m.
Mon/Wed 1.30 – 4.00 p.m.
4
The Welcoming Service
The first step is always the most difficult. This is true, too, when you start your studies at the
University of Stuttgart: a foreign culture, a new language and a different study system. With
our Welcoming Service you will be given the help with initial difficulties like completing the
necessary formalities (residence registration, foreign registration, enrolment at university,
etc.). If you wish, one of our students will offer you assistance. You will be contacted before
your departure and – if you arrive between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. – met at the Stuttgart airport or
railway station and taken to your accommodation. Your host-partner will also show your way
around the campus and Stuttgart, too.
Participation is free of charge. Please apply online as soon as possible.
www.ia.uni-stuttgart.de/internat/studierende/services/welcoming/index.en.html
Please do not forget to communicate the exact date and time of your arrival three weeks
before you come to Stuttgart. Otherwise we cannot process your application!
The Intensive German Course
The Intensive German Course is designed specifically for the needs of Master’s students
and is taught by the staff of the department “Interkultureller Unterricht” of International Affairs.
Classes from level A 1 to B 2 according to the Common European framework of Reference
for Languages are offered. The course starts on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 with an
official welcome and ends Friday, October 11. The obligatory placement test will take
place on Wednesday, September 4.
You will be informed about the exact time and place of the official welcome and the
placement test through e-mail by the department “Interkultureller Unterricht” Please note: If
you do not participate in the obligatory placement test (even if you are a complete
beginner, you have to take this test), then you cannot participate in the course! Please
consider punctual arrival for the Intensive Course in your travel plans.
The COMMAS Office
Please also visit the COMMAS office after you arrival:
COMMAS Office
Campus Vaihingen
Institut für Mechanik (Bauwesen)
Mr. Gautam Ethiraj, M.Sc.
Pfaffenwaldring 7, Room 3.168 (third floor)
70569 Stuttgart
Tel. ++ 49 (0) 711 685-66131, Fax: ++49 (0) 711 685-64909
e-mail: mscinfo@commas.uni-stuttgart.de
5
Academic calendar with current dates
Monday, September 2
Tuesday, September 3
Wednesday, September 4
Friday, September 6
From October 1 -11
Friday, October 11
Students’ arrival
Official Welcome of the Intensive German Course
Obligatory Placement Test for the Intensive German
Course
Information Session on Living and Studying in Stutttgart
Student’s arrival in October
Last day of the Intensive German Course
Winter Semester 2013/14
Classes start:
Classes end:
Christmas holidays:
October 14, 2013
February 08, 2014
December 24, 2013 until January 06, 2014
Summer Semester 2013
Classes start:
Classes end:
Whitsun holidays:
April 07, 2014
July 19, 2014
June 10 until June 13, 2014
Classes do not usually take place from mid February to mid April and from mid July to mid
October. However, many examinations and block courses take place during these periods.
The city of Stuttgart
Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, is with about 600,000 inhabitants the sixthlargest city in Germany. The metropolitan Stuttgart region has a population of about 2.7
million people. Situated in the valley of the Neckar river, between the hilly environments of
the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest, it is often called "the city between forest and
vineyards". Being one of the most prosperous centres of industry in Europe, many renowned
companies such as Daimler, Porsche, Bosch, IBM, have their factories in the greater
Stuttgart area. In addition, numerous smaller companies which produce machine tools,
textiles, precision instruments and luxury items are also situated in and around Stuttgart.
Stuttgart offers a large variety of cultural highlights including the state opera, ballet, theatres,
concert and musical halls, art galleries, the Mercedes-Benz Museum with an exhibition of
160 fascinating vehicles, the Porsche museum, museums of ethnology, natural history and
viticulture. Stuttgart hosts the Wilhelma, the largest zoological and botanic garden of Europe,
and mineral bathes famous for their medicinal effects. The Weissenhofsiedlung which was
erected in Stuttgart in 1927 is one of the most significant landmarks left by the movement
known as Neues Bauen and the Fernsehturm is the world's first TV tower built from concrete.
For those who prefer peace and tranquillity, the extensive parks offer the ideal opportunity for
walks and relaxation.
Stuttgart hosts every year top-level sporting events and Stuttgarts major football club VfB
Stuttgart is one of the top German teams and won the German football championship in
2007. Stuttgart experienced an unforgettable sporting world event in the summer of 2006 the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. For four weeks millions of fans from all over the world
celebrated a happy, gripping and unforgettable football festival.
The state capital also welcomes thousands of visitors to its annual festivals - the elegant
Summer Festival, the convivial Stuttgart Wine Village, the traditional Cannstatt Beer Festival
and the nostalgic Stuttgart Christmas Market. The magnificent castles and palaces, historic
towns and splendid vineyards in the Stuttgart region entice visitors to enjoy wonderful walks,
cycle tours and boat trips on the River Neckar and the many idyllic lakes.
6
Temporary accommodation for young people
Should you come to Stuttgart at a time when you can not move into your dorm room in one of
the student halls immediately, you can stay a couple of nights at one of the youth hostels or
low-budget hotels.
Jugendherberge Stuttgart
Haussmannstr. 27
Phone: ++49 711 664 74 70
E-mail: info@jugendherberge-stuttgart.de
www.jugendherberge-stuttgart.de
Jugendherberge Stuttgart Neckarpark (Bad Cannstatt)
Elwertstr. 2
Phone: ++49 711 664 74 70
E-Mail: info@jugendherberge-stuttgart-neckarpark.de
www.jugendherberge-stuttgart-neckarpark.de
Alex 30 Hostel
Alexanderstr. 30
Phone: ++ 49 711 83 88 95-0
E-mail: info@alex30-hostel.de
www.alex30-hostel.de
Inter-Hostel
Paulinenstr 16
Phone: ++ 49 711 66 48 27 97
E-Mail: info@inter-hostel.com
www.inter-hostel.com
Internationales Studentenhotel
Neckarstr. 172
Phone: ++49 711-41 43 00
E-mail:studi-hotel@sws-internet.de
www.studentenwerk-stuttgart.de/wohnen/internationales-studentenhotel
Addresses of further hotels and hostels in Stuttgart can be found at:
www.stuttgart-tourist.de
7
How to find your way
How to get to the dormitories in Vaihingen
By train:
You will arrive at the Central Railway Station in Stuttgart called Hauptbahnhof. Buy a ticket
at one of the orange ticket machines: 2 zones. Go to the S-Bahn station which is on the
bottom floor. Take the S-Bahn S1 travelling in the direction of Herrenberg or the S2 or S3
travelling in the direction of Vaihingen or Flughafen. Get off at the stop marked Universität.
Take the exit Universitätszentrum. See the map of Vaihingen on page 9 for further
assistance.
By plane:
In the Arrival Hall at Stuttgart Airport you will see the sign directing you to the S-Bahn. It is a
white S on a green background. Buy a ticket at one of the orange ticket machines: 2 zones
(EUR 2,45). Go to the S-Bahn station which is on the bottom floor. Take the S-Bahn S2
going in the direction of Schorndorf or the S3 travelling in the direction of Backnang. Get off
at the stop marked Universität. Take the exit Universitätszentrum. See the map of Vaihingen
on page 9 for further assistance.
By car:
If you are arriving from Munich or Karlsruhe, take the motorway A 8 to Stuttgarter Kreuz.
Then, follow the sign to the City Centre Zentrum/Vaihingen via the A 831/B 14 till the exit
showing Universität. Turn left at the first traffic light and you are now in the
Universitätsstrasse. See the map of Vaihingen on page 9 for further details.
If you are arriving from Zurich/Singen, take the A 81/A 831 till the exit Universität. Turn left at
the first traffic light and you are now in the Universitätsstrasse. See the map of Vaihingen on
page 9 for further details.
If you are arriving from Mannheim/Heilbronn, take the A 6/A 81 till you reach
Autobahndreieck Leonberg. Then take the motorway A 8 in the direction of Munich until you
reach the Stuttgarter Kreuz. Follow the sign to the City Centre Zentrum/Vaihingen via the A
831/B 14 till the exit showing Universität. Turn left at the first traffic light and you are now in
the Universitätsstrasse. See the map of Vaihingen on page 9 for further details.
How to get to International Affairs in
and the COMMAS Office on Campus Vaihingen
the
International
Centre
(IZ)
International Centre (IZ): From the underground S-Bahn station “Universität”: When you
leave the S-Bahn take the exit “Universitätszentrum”. When you get out of the underground
station walk towards “Pfaffenwaldring”. You will see a small pond and stairs to its left. Cross
the street and walk up the stairs. Then go over the shaky bridge in front of you. Once you
have crossed the bridge you will see a building on your left hand side, this is the
Internationale Centre. Enter the building and go to Floor 1 where you will find the department
International Education Services.
COMMAS office: From the underground S-Bahn station “Universität”: Take the exit
“Universitätszentrum” and above ground follow the sign “Pfaffenwaldring 7”
(Bauingenieurwesen). Enter the building Pfaffenwaldring 9 (just across the S-Bahn station)
and turn right. Walk through the cafeteria which will take you to the building Pfaffenwaldring
7. Then take the stairs or the elevator to the third floor. Look out for room 3.168. See also
page 9 for directions.
8
Map of Campus Vaihingen
Student
dormitories
„Allmandring“
Student
dormitories
„Pfaffenhof“
Student
Dormitories
„Straußäcker“
International Affairs
Internationales
Zentrum (IZ)
Pfaffenwaldring 60
1st floor
Tel. 0711/685 68545
COMMAS Office
Pfaffenwaldring 7
3 rd floor, room 3/168
Tel. 0711/685 66131
9
Map off the City Centre
Haup
ptbahnhof
Main train station
o Admission
n
Office of
(Enrollm
ment)
Geschw
wister-Scholl-Str.
24, gro
ound floor
10