Study Abroad - 2022 MARBURG, GERMANY - UWEC Study Abroad
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EAU CLAIRE
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Study Abroad
MARBURG, GERMANY
2022
Program GuideTABLE OF CONTENTS German Academic System ............................ 12
Differences in Terminology ............................ 12
Academics .............................................................. 5
Money Matters ..................................................... 13
Pre-departure Planning ..................................... 5
Cost Estimate .................................................. 13
Mobility On-line .................................................. 5
Marburg Refund Policy................................... 13
Academics IGSP .................................................... 5
Currency Exchange ........................................ 13
Placement Exam/Registration ......................... 5
Money on Arrival ............................................. 13
Credits and Course Load.................................. 5
Cost of Living ................................................... 14
IGSP Structure ................................................... 6
Health & Safety ................................................... 14
Attendance .......................................................... 6
Centers for Disease Control .......................... 14
Grades ................................................................. 6
CDC Recommended Vaccines ..................... 14
IGSP Academic System ................................... 7
Health Insurance in Germany ....................... 14
IGSP and UWEC Transcripts........................... 8
Healthcare ........................................................ 14
Academics IUSP .................................................... 8
CISI Insurance in Germany ........................... 14
Credits and Course Load.................................. 8
Services for Students with Disabilities ......... 15
IUSP Track Structure ........................................ 8
Safety in Germany .......................................... 15
IUSP Registration at Marburg .......................... 8
Emergency Contacts ...................................... 15
Dropping/Adding IUSP Courses ...................... 9
911 Equivalent in Germany ........................... 15
Reporting Your Registration to UWEC ........... 9
Required Documents .......................................... 15
Syllabi and Academic Work ............................. 9
Visa ................................................................... 15
Registration for Exams...................................... 9
Residence Permit Process after Arrival ....... 15
IUSP Grades ...................................................... 9
Visas for Travel to Other Countries .............. 16
IUSP and UWEC Transcripts ........................... 9
Packing Tips ........................................................ 16
Academics Exchange............................................ 9
Weather ............................................................ 16
Pre-Semester German Class ........................... 9
Clothing............................................................. 16
Credits and Course Load................................ 10
Getting To Germany ........................................... 16
Exchange Registration at Marburg ............... 10
Travel Arrangements ...................................... 16
Belegliste ........................................................... 10
Getting to Marburg .......................................... 16
Reporting Your Registration to UWEC ......... 11
Early, Late or Delayed Arrival ....................... 17
Syllabi and Academic Work ........................... 11
If Your Luggage Does Not Arrive.................. 17
Registration for Exams.................................... 11
Departing Marburg .......................................... 17
Exchange Grades ............................................ 11
Settling In ............................................................. 17
Uni Marburg & UWEC Transcripts ................ 11Checking In ....................................................... 17 Communicating in German ............................ 21 Orientation ........................................................ 17 Cultural Notes ...................................................... 22 On-Site Support ............................................... 17 Greetings & Good-byes ................................. 22 Local Transportation........................................ 17 Punctuality........................................................ 22 Student Clubs & Organizations ..................... 17 Tell It Like It Is ................................................. 22 Activities/Events ............................................... 18 Crossing the Street ......................................... 22 Volunteer ........................................................... 18 Store Hours ...................................................... 22 Service Learning .............................................. 18 Travel While Abroad ........................................... 22 Going Out .......................................................... 18 Organized Travel............................................. 23 Housing ................................................................. 18 Train Travel in Germany ................................ 23 Living Situation ................................................. 19 Bus Travel in Germany .................................. 23 What's Provided? ............................................. 19 Contact Information ............................................ 24 Laundry.............................................................. 19 UNI MARBURG ............................................... 24 Internet/WiFi Access ....................................... 19 IGSP MARBURG ............................................ 24 Checking Out .................................................... 19 IUSP MARBURG ............................................ 24 Food ....................................................................... 19 EXCHANGE MARBURG ............................... 24 Where to Buy Food.......................................... 20 GERMAN CONSULATE IN THE U.S. ......... 24 Restaurants ...................................................... 20 U.S. EMBASSY IN GERMANY..................... 24 Communication .................................................... 21 Department of Languages ............................. 24 Time Difference ................................................ 21 Web Resources: Germany ................................ 25 Internet/WIFI Access ....................................... 21 Marburg ............................................................ 25 Landline Phone Information ........................... 21 Culture .............................................................. 25 Cell Phone Information ................................... 21 Travel ................................................................ 25 Calling Information ........................................... 21 Past Participant Voices ...................................... 26 Snail Mail ........................................................... 21
Congratulations on being accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire partnership
with the University of Marburg in Germany. Living and studying in a new culture is both an exciting and
a challenging experience. Past participants of study abroad report that the many advantages of
international study include:
Gaining new perspectives on a chosen academic field
Increasing understanding of different cultures
Enhancing personal development
Developing different perspectives on U.S. culture
Gaining self-confidence and independence
Learning skills for the future international job market
It is up to you to determine how you can best benefit from these possible advantages. This is your
adventure!
Use this program-specific guide with the more general resources in the Study Abroad Handbook and
your BlugoldsAbroad account. While this guide contains the information available at the time of
publication, it is impossible for any single resource to answer all of your questions. We encourage you
to do your own research, also, through INTS 145 and by using the web resources listed towards the
end of this guide, as well as others that you find. Contact the Center for International Education (CIE)
staff with your specific questions.
Questions only you can answer include:
1) What are YOUR goals for this experience? Advancement in a future profession, desire to expand
personal and academic horizons, need for a change, and wish to challenge yourself in a new
environment?
2) Given the way the program is set up, how can you best prepare to meet your goals? For example, if
one of your goals is to truly be immersed in German language and culture, yet you have the option of
taking classes with all international students, how can you ensure that you get out and interact with the
local population?
The information in this guide was current at the time of publication, though changes may occur at any
time.
4ACADEMICS
Mobility Online, their online registration portal.
Register immediately upon receiving the email.
The Academics section of the Study Abroad Marburg international office staff cannot
Handbook has more information on: enroll/you will not have access to important
• registration at UW-Eau Claire and abroad online course information until you do. In
• class attendance addition, for IGSP students, housing cannot be
• credits & course-load reserved for you until you do.
• integrative learning
• transcripts
• service learning
ACADEMICS IGSP
Pre-departure Planning Placement Exam/Registration
UWEC students can participate in three different You will take a placement exam in late November
program tracks at Uni Marburg: or early December, administered by one of the
UWEC German faculty members. The exact date
Track Fall Spring Full and location will be announced in fall semester.
only Year
International No Yes No Your Stufe registration (see below) is decided by
German
the placement test. You do not need to complete
Studies
Program any additional registration beyond the Mobility
(IGSP) Online registration.
International Yes Yes Yes
Undergraduate Credits and Course Load
Studies IGSP courses are reported in class hours, rather
Program (IUSP
than credits. The class hours translate into a total
Regular No Yes* Yes*
University of 15 UWEC credits as listed below.
Exchange
Students who have taken German 201 receive
*The regular exchange runs on the regular German credit for:
academic calendar: October – July. Full year German 202 (3 credits)
students will depart in September for a pre- German 313 (3 credits)
German 314 (3 credits)
semester intensive German class; spring students German 395 (3 credits)
will depart in March for the pre-semester class. German UD elective-language courses (3
credits)
Be sure you are reading the information for the
specific track you are participating in as you go Students who have taken German 202 receive
through this guide! credit for:
German 313*
German 314*
For all three program tracks, please see the
German 395
UWEC Marburg Academics page for an overview German UD elective-language courses (3
on how to plan your courses at Uni Marburg. credits)
German UD elective-language courses (3
Mobility On-line credits)
Several months prior to the beginning of your term
abroad (usually in April or May for fall; September *Students who have already taken 313 and/or
or October for spring) you will receive an email 314 on campus will earn credit for a second 313 or
directly from Uni Marburg, asking you to register in
5314 course. Credit in those courses may be earned Each of these first two courses ends with four
twice. graded examinations that test listening
comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.
You are strongly encouraged to meet with your
German faculty adviser (if declared German minors Block 3: During the final block, you will have a
or majors) or a faculty member in the German German literature course taught primarily for UW
section to discuss your degree plan, course students, although other students may join the
equivalencies and potential substitutions. The 15 class, also. You will be placed based on your Stufe
credits that you earn by successfully completing the levels, so that you are in classes appropriate for
program can count as required courses and/or your German language skills. You will read different
electives in fulfillment of a German minor or styles of German writing: literature, newspapers,
major. Specifics will depend on individual degree magazine articles, etc, discuss them in class, take
plans and will be determined in pre-program notes on a lecture, and write short essays. This
advising sessions with German faculty. course will only meet two-three days a week for a
couple of hours at a time, but you will have more
homework to do outside of class. Class meeting
IGSP Structure times may vary; you will receive a schedule shortly
The IGSP is divided into three academic blocks:
before the beginning of the class because your
two are focused on language and one on reading
placement will depend on your performance on the
various forms of German prose.
last Stufe examination. Towards the end of block
three, you will have a fieldtrip to Dresden.
There are five possible levels (Stufen) of language
courses. Note that even Stufe 1 assumes the
Additional Tasks: You will also complete a series
equivalent of about 400 previous hours of
of tasks designed to facilitate and guide your
language study, it is NOT a beginning level.
contact with the German culture and will write short
Most UW-Eau Claire students have placed into
reflective papers about your experiences. Your
Stufe 1 or 2.
UWEC German faculty mentor will provide details
during the fall semester.
Classes will be quite small, usually 10 - 16 people.
Your classmates will be other international students Attendance
at the same proficiency level. Some will be
Attendance will figure heavily into your UWEC
traditional college age; others will be older. German
grades. Unexcused absences will result in a lower
may be your only common language.
grade.
Block 1: The first language course will meet for Grades
roughly six weeks, generally from 9 am to 1 pm, Your language course grades will be based on
Monday-Friday. You will have about a week of attendance, participation and exams. All parts of
vacation at the end of this first block. the exams, including the listening and reading
comprehension, include sections that evaluate your
Block 2: During the second block, you take another ability to use structurally accurate German. It is
six week comprehensive language course, this time important to come to class and practice your
taught in conjunction with the IUSP track. At the German every chance you have, even if some of
end of this block, you will have a field trip to Berlin. the material might seem to be review. The literature
6course grades will be based on attendance, in class for 4-5 hours/day. Studienkolleg classes
essays/homework assignments, and final exam. are very interactive! You will work in groups a lot of
the time to discuss themes and practice dialogue.
Your UWEC German faculty mentor will explain the
The teachers are very helpful, and some are
system used to calculate the UWEC grades that
immigrants themselves, so they know what it's like
appear on your transcript. It takes into account the
to learn German as a second language.
Uni Marburg grade, attendance, and the varying
levels of the German courses. These classes are also more casual than regular
German university courses. Instead of calling your
teacher "professor" or "Herr/Frau ..." you will most
IGSP Academic System likely be on a first-name basis. On the first day of
In Marburg you will be taking classes THROUGH
class, they will discuss whether you all want to call
the Phillips Universität Marburg, but you won't be
one another "du” or “Sie."
considered a traditional "student" there. For the first
block, you will be part of the "Studienkolleg" which Homework
provides German language courses for non-native Because you are in class for several hours, there is
German speakers. For the second, you will take a relatively little homework--but you need to do it: you
German language and culture course with IUSP will be asked to speak/read aloud in every single
participants. class, based on the previous night’s homework.
Classroom Expectations You will receive multiple worksheets most nights
You are going to a program for international and are expected to have them finished before
students, but cultural differences are not confined class the next day because you will use them in
to life outside of the classroom. You will be learning class. Sometimes you will have to write/hand in
for a semester not only in a different language, but short, 100-word essays.
within a completely different university system,
constructed on different cultural assumptions.
Exams
The exams for the language courses have four
Your courses are taught by German instructors parts: Speaking (Mündliche Prüfung), Listening
educated within the German academic system. (Hörübung), Writing (Aufsatz), and Reading
Within this system, teachers are expected to (Lesung.) You will complete the listening, writing,
present ideas and information; it is the and reading in one class period. Then you will
students' responsibility to make sense of the come in on the appointed day to go over the written
information. This is a different approach to exam and to make an appointment for the speaking
education than that of the U.S. system, where the exam. Even if you do not pass the written exam,
teacher presents the exact information, in an you must register for and take the speaking
orderly fashion, that students "need" to know to exam.
pass an exam.
When you come in for the speaking exam, you will
To be successful, you will need to ask questions in have 15 minutes to prepare based on the prompt
class, as well as to learn independently and often you are given. (You may bring a dictionary). Then
work together outside of class to understand or you will meet with two teachers, and they will ask
expand upon the materials presented in class. you questions that you answer while they grade
you on how well you use your German language
Classes at the Studienkolleg skills. Immediately when you are done you will
This is an intensive language program; you will be
receive your grade.
7The exam for the Literature Course is on the
readings and the notes you took in class. You may German A1.1 German 101
also have a final essay to write, depending on your German A1.2 German 102
course level. German A2.1 German 201
German A2.2 German 202
IGSP and UWEC Transcripts German B1/B2/C German upper
IGSP transcripts usually arrive in mid-June, with division electives
courses and grades posted to UWEC transcripts German Culture Geog elective, lower
shortly thereafter. Class division, LE-K2R2
IUSP Track Structure
The IUSP is divided in two sections. During the first
ACADEMICS IUSP six weeks, all IUSP students take an intensive
Credits and Course Load German language course at an appropriate level,
Uni Marburg uses the European Credit Transfer along with a German culture class to introduce you
System, or ECTS. The conversion of ECTS credits to your host country.
to UW-Eau Claire credits is simple: Two ECTS
credits equal one UW-Eau Claire credit. During the second half of the program, you will take
regular university courses supported by the IUSP.
You need to register for at least 24 ECTS credits Academic curricula and course lists for past IUSP
to be full time and can register for a maximum semesters are here. The specific courses for each
of 32 ECTS, for a total credit load of 12-16 term will not be published until shortly before the
credits. beginning of that term.
This is how your credits will typically be divided in IUSP Registration at Marburg
the IUSP: In July for Wintersemester (Fall) or December for
Sommersemester (Spring), begin checking the
REQUIRED CLASSES IUSP Regular Semester Classes Page. If course
Intensive German 6 ECTS/3 UWEC descriptions are listed, begin researching course
Language
options and request course equivalencies at this
German Culture 6 ECTS/3 UWEC
time for courses you are relatively sure you
Class
would like to take: send the course department,
Regular Semester 6 ECTS/3 UWEC
number, title, number of credits, and course
Class 1
description, to Cheryl Lochner-Wright, the UWEC
Regular Semester 6 ECTS/3 UWEC
Marburg study abroad coordinator, and she will
Class 2
work with the Admissions Office to have
TOTAL CREDITS 24 ECTS/12 UWEC
equivalencies established. This process can take
OPTIONAL CLASSES several weeks.
Regular Semester 6 ECTS/3 UWEC
Class 3 Once the IUSP class list is complete, you will get
German 1 ECTS/1 UWEC an email from the IUSP academic coordinator
Conversation Class asking for your preliminary course choice.
During your first week in Marburg, you will have an
The Intensive German Language classes and the
orientation session on choosing classes. After this
German Culture Class transfer back as follows:
8session, you will finalize your actual decide how to give the exam.
registration.
IUSP Grades
Dropping/Adding IUSP Courses Grades will be converted from the Uni Marburg
Because the IUSP works on a shortened semester, scale as follows:
there is no drop-add period at the beginning the Point Percentage Grade
regular university semester. 15 98-100 A
14 95-97.9 A
Reporting Your Registration to UWEC
As soon as you confirm your final registration at Uni 13 90-94.9 A-
Marburg, log in to your BlugoldsAbroad account 12 88-89.9 B+
and complete the Course Descriptions 11 83-87.9 B
questionnaire. Choose LOGIN from the top toolbar 10 80-82.9 B-
and login with your UWEC username and 9 78-79.9 C+
password. 8 74-77.9 C
7 65-73.9 C-
Not completing this questionnaire may result in a 6 58-64.9 D
delay posting your Marburg classes to your UWEC 5 57.9-51 D-
transcript. 4 to 0 50.9 and F
below
Syllabi and Academic Work
Keep all syllabi and academic work. Because
Note: UWEC students abroad are not allowed to
you will register for your classes after arrival in
Germany, keep your syllabi and the work that take classes pass/fail. Grades from Uni Marburg
you so while abroad for review by relevant UW- are figured into your UWEC GPA and posted to
Eau Claire department chairs in case you want your UWEC transcript. No exceptions will be
to petition to have a course substituted for a made.
specific requirement. The German faculty, in
particular, are sometimes reluctant to assign course IUSP and UWEC Transcripts
equivalencies until they see examples of work you See the Academics section of the Study Abroad
have done in the class. Handbook for important information if you are
graduating, transferring or applying for a
Registration for Exams competitive major such as Nursing or Education
In addition to registering for the class itself, you at the end of your term abroad.
must register separately for the final exam for
each class. If you do not, you will not be able to IUSP transcripts reports usually arrive in early
take the exam and you will not get credit for the February for fall students and mid-July for spring
class. students, with courses and grades posted to UWEC
transcripts shortly thereafter.
Exams may be written or may be oral. If you are
concerned about having to produce immediate,
grammatically correct, and in-depth verbal answers
in the German language, some professors are open
ACADEMICS EXCHANGE
to an alternative. Some examples include an oral Pre-Semester German Class
presentation that you prepare in advance, or a Uni Marburg offers a 6 ECTS (3 UWEC) credit
written exam. However, you must make the “Studying in Marburg” pre-semester preparation
request, and ultimately, it is up to the professor to course for students in the regular exchange. You
9will receive registration information via email to take: send the course department, number, title,
directly from Uni Marburg once you have been number of credits, and course description, to Cheryl
accepted. We strongly recommend that you take Lochner-Wright, the UWEC Marburg study abroad
this course. In addition to getting you comfortable
coordinator, and she will work with the Admissions
with academic German prior to beginning regular
Office to have equivalencies established. This
classes, the courses often function as an extended
process can take several weeks.
orientation program and can be of great help in
working through the course registration system. You can being registering as soon as the class
schedule is available. However, with the
The estimated course fee is 300 Euro and is NOT exceptions noted below, it is not necessary to do so
included in the fees you pay to UW-Eau Claire.
right away. At the beginning of the semester, you
are encouraged to sit in on many more classes
Credits and Course Load than you will take, to figure out which really interest
You are required to carry a full load (12-18
you. Then, by the end of the 2nd week of the
credits/semester). Uni Marburg uses the European
semester in Marburg, you register through Mobility
Credit Transfer System, or ECTS. The conversion
Online for your actual classes.
of ECTS credits to UW-Eau Claire credits is simple:
Two ECTS credits equal one UW-Eau Claire credit. The exception to waiting to register is if there are
Seminare, Pro-Seminare or Uebungen that you
You need to register for at least 24 ECTS credits
wish to take. As these classes have limited seats,
during the semester to be full time. Classes
Uni Marburg recommends that you register for
may carry anywhere from two to 12 ECTS them as soon as they are available. You can then
credits, so the actual number of classes you cancel your registration if you decide in those first
will take can vary. two weeks that the class is not what you expected.
The pre-semester course does not count towards Belegliste
the 24 ECTS Marburg semester minimum. Through Mobility Online, you will be able to
However, it does count in the UWEC 18- generate your course registration, known as a
credit/semester maximum. Therefore, if you take Belegliste. Classes can only be included on your
the pre-semester course, you can take a transcript if they are in your Belegliste in Mobility
maximum of 30 ECTS credits during the Online. There is a step-by-step explanation here.
semester. Taking more than the equivalent of 18
UWEC credits between the pre-semester and You will take your Belegliste to the professor in
semester courses will result in additional per-credit each of the classes you have decided to take,
charges at UWEC. identify yourself as an exchange student so that the
professor knows you will need a grade at the end of
Exchange Registration at Marburg the semester, and have the professor sign your list.
If you have completed your Mobility Online Keep this safe—you will need to take the list back
registration with Uni Marburg, you will be notified to each of your professors at the end of term!
when the Vorlesungsverzeichnis (class schedule) is
available for your term (usually 6-8 weeks before At the end of the semester, you must take the list
the beginning of the semester). Begin researching back to each of your professors, have them fill in
course options and request course equivalencies your grade and sign the list again. Then you must
as soon as you can access course descriptions sign it and give it to your exchange coordinator in
for those you are relatively sure you would like
10Marburg. If you are not sure to whom you should Exchange Grades
give it, ask the Uni Marburg International Office. Grades will be converted from the Uni Marburg
scale as follows:
Reporting Your Registration to UWEC Point Percentage Grade
As soon as you confirm your final registration at Uni 15 98-100 A
Marburg, log in to your BlugoldsAbroad account
14 95-97.9 A
and complete the Course Descriptions
13 90-94.9 A-
questionnaire. Choose LOGIN from the top toolbar
12 88-89.9 B+
and login with your UWEC username and
password. 11 83-87.9 B
10 80-82.9 B-
Not completing this questionnaire may result in a 9 78-79.9 C+
delay posting your Marburg classes to your UWEC 8 74-77.9 C
transcript. 7 65-73.9 C-
6 58-64.9 D
Syllabi and Academic Work 5 57.9-51 D-
Keep all syllabi and academic work. Because 4 to 0 50.9 and F
you will register for your classes after arrival in below
Germany, keep your syllabi and the work that
you so while abroad for review by relevant UW- Note: UWEC students abroad are not allowed to
Eau Claire department chairs in case you want take classes pass/fail. Grades from Uni Marburg
to petition to have a course substituted for a are figured into your UWEC GPA and posted to
specific requirement. The German faculty, in your UWEC transcript. No exceptions will be
particular, are sometimes reluctant to assign course
made.
equivalencies until they see examples of work you
have done in the class.
Uni Marburg & UWEC Transcripts
See the Academics section of the Study Abroad
Registration for Exams Handbook for important information if you are
In addition to registering for the class itself, you graduating, transferring or applying for a
must register separately for the final exam for
competitive major such as Nursing or Education
each class. If you do not, you will not be able to
at the end of your term abroad.
take the exam and you will not get credit for the
class. Because it is the individual student's responsibility
to keep record of their academic progress,
Exams may be written or may be oral. If you are transcripts are not automatically generated in
concerned about having to produce immediate, the German university system. Again, you will
grammatically correct, and in-depth verbal answers need to bring your completed Belegliste to the
in the German language, some professors are open International Office at Uni Marburg before leaving
to an alternative. Some examples include an oral Germany. If you do not do this, it will be
presentation that you prepare in advance, or a impossible for you to receive a transcript.
written exam. However, you must make the
request, and ultimately, it is up to the professor to Regular exchange transcripts from Uni Marburg
decide how to give the exam. usually arrive in late August/early September.
Plan for the future: If the university allows you to
request two original transcripts, request that a
11second copy be sent to you. This can be very Another difference to note is that “student services”
important if you decide to go to graduate school, are a relatively unknown concept. The university is
because graduate schools often require original there to provide access to academic resources.
copies of transcripts from each university you have
Unlike most U.S. institutions, German universities
attended. Since there is no centralized transcribing
do not have the mission of “student development.”
system in German universities, it will be virtually
University students are considered adults who will
impossible to get another original copy of your
work their way through the system, asking
transcript later.
questions when necessary. As a newcomer to the
system and the culture, you will find it necessary to
German Academic System
ask questions often!
Traditional higher education in Germany is very
different from that in the U.S. Students are
Differences in Terminology
expected to learn independently and often work
There are differences in English terminology
together outside of class to understand or expand
between the U.S. and Germany. Sometimes the
upon the materials presented. Short quizzes and
same English word is used to describe two different
daily or weekly assignments are very uncommon.
things and other times different English words are
Grades are largely based on class participation,
used to describe the same thing. Below is a list of
along with one major exam, paper, or oral report
terms that have historically caused confusion for
(Referat).
U.S. students studying in Germany, even those
studying in English.
The type of regular university class you take
generally determines the type of assessment that
Faculty vs. Department: In Germany, what you
will be used.
might think of as a “department” or “college” is
• A Vorlesung (lecture) will usually have an oral
referred to as a “faculty.” For example, in Germany
or written exam.
the “Engineering Faculty” is the U.S. equivalent of a
• An Uebung (lab) grade will be based on in-
“Department of Engineering.” Likewise, in
class performance.
Germany, “Faculty” does not refer collectively to the
• For a Proseminar (introductory seminar), a
people teaching your courses.
Referat or a written term paper is usually
expected.
Module: “Module” is another word for “course.”
• A Seminar (advanced seminar) may require
both a Referat and a paper.
Titles for Professor: Address your professor as
“Professor. Dr. (last name).” Yes, use both titles
You may also notice that Germans have a different
together to err on the side of politeness!
reinforcement method than we use in the U.S.
Instead of pointing out and reinforcing your correct
Advising vs. Counseling: What we would call
answers and good ideas, your teacher will
“Advising” in the U.S. is called “Counseling” in
often point out your mistakes. Do not be surprised
Germany.
or feel offended if your teacher points a finger at
you and says, “Das war ganz falsch!” German
Campus: In the U.S., a university campus typically
students are used to this method, but it often
has buildings, facilities and outdoor areas all
intimidates American students at first.
centralized in one place. While some campuses are
large and others quite small, there usually exists a
12“perimeter” and a university structure within which Fund Your Experience
all “campus life” takes place. Study Abroad Handbook: Money Matters
German universities are not typically centralized on
Cost Estimate
a campus. Classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, You can find the most current cost estimate for your
administrative buildings, offices, and student program track, in easily printable format, on the CIE
accommodation may be found in various locations Marburg website. Be sure you are looking at the
throughout the city. You can expect to walk longer correct term AND the correct program track. The
distances between campus facilities or between cost estimate includes what you pay to UW-Eau
student accommodation and campus facilities; in Claire, what you pay to Uni Marburg, and what you
many cases you may need to rely on public pay directly to other vendors.
transportation as well.
Marburg Refund Policy
Students are therefore members of a much larger If you withdraw any time after Uni Marburg initially
community than you may be accustomed to on a accepts you, you are responsible for a €700 fee (as
U.S. campus. Extracurricular activities, intramural of Spring 22), in addition to any UW-Eau Claire
sports, gym memberships, and even student fees that are non-refundable at that time. All
accommodation are through city or student withdrawals must be in writing.
organizations, which are not part of the university.
Currency Exchange
Freemover: A “freemover” is a student who applies The currency of Germany is the Euro. One Euro
has 100 cents. There are 8 Euro coins, ranging in
directly to an institution for a semester or year but
amount from 1 cent to 2 Euros. Coins have
does not apply through a formal exchange. You are
different designs in the various countries that use
NOT a freemover.
the Euro. Bills range from €5 to €500 and have a
standard design across countries.
Erasmus & Socrates: “Erasmus” is a European
exchange program and “Socrates” is an associated You can find current exchange rates at
program. You are NOT an Erasmus or a Socrates http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/.
student. However, because you are an exchange
student, some information on the Uni Marburg
Money on Arrival
website may apply to both you and
When you arrive in Marburg, you will need to pay
Erasmus/Socrates students.
IN CASH:
MONEY MATTERS • ~€250 room deposit: must be paid IN
CASH (Euros) on day of arrival; refundable
UWEC information about if no damage at end of stay
• making payments
• a €5 meal card deposit
• when they are due
• €100 for your electronic residence permit,
• withdrawal, cancellation and refund
deadlines • €10 for the biometric photo required for the
• financial aid, residence permit.
• general scholarships
IUSP students staying for the full academic year
• budgeting
• ways to bring money abroad will have a €375 rent charge between semesters.
is found on the following websites: Plan for how you will bring/access these funds!
13Cost of Living evacuation and repatriation insurance included with
For an idea of what everyday costs you may the CISI coverage. However, while in Germany,
encounter, check out this website: you should not need to worry about paying for
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of- medical services upfront. The policy will be
explained during orientation in Marburg.
living/in/Marburg-Germany
Healthcare
HEALTH & SAFETY Medical Facilities in Marburg: Marburg has
many clinics as well as hospitals and an urgent
General information about:
care clinic. The Uni Marburg International Office will
• CISI Insurance
provide written information about how to make an
• Preparing to Go
appointment, as well as recommendations and
• Staying Healthy
contact information for specific doctor’s offices,
• Traveling Safety
during orientation in Marburg.
• Emergency Protocols
and links to additional health and safety resources
are found on the following websites: Counseling Resources: Counseling services are
Health + Safety available at Uni Marburg in the same building as
Study Abroad Handbook: Health & Insurance and the Mensa (student cafeteria). You can contact
Safety Abroad sections. them directly or ask for assistance at the
International Office. https://studentenwerk-
Centers for Disease Control marburg.de/beratung-betreuung/sozialberatung/
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has
vaccination suggestions, how to stay healthy when There are currently no English-speaking therapists
abroad, and health information specific to identified in the Marburg area. CISI can identify
Germany. Review the CDC site for Germany. English-speaking counselors available via Skype or
other distance media. Please contact CISI directly
CDC Recommended Vaccines or ask for assistance from the UWEC study abroad
Due to an increasing measles and mumps cases in coordinator.
Europe, we strongly encourage all students to
check their vaccine history to see if they have had Medical Supplies/Medications: You can find
the MMR vaccine. basic medical supplies or medications in local
pharmacies (Apotheken). They are plentiful and are
In addition to up-to-date routine vaccinations, the identified by a green cross (universal symbol in all
Centers for Disease Control recommend COVID- of Europe). They even sell personal hygiene items
19, and hepatitis A & B vaccines for most travelers that you might not expect, like toothbrushes.
to Germany. See complete information here:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/n CISI Insurance in Germany
one/germany?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001 If you have an accident or become ill while studying
and discuss these recommendations with your in Germany, use your German insurance while in
medical professional. Germany and your CISi insurance if traveling
outside of Germany. If you do use your CISI
Health Insurance in Germany insurance, you must pay the price of the medical
In addition to the CISI insurance required by the service up front. You will then file a claim through
UW-System, the German government requires CISI, the insurance provided through the UW
that you purchase German Student Health System for partial or full reimbursement in
Insurance. It does not include the medical accordance with plan coverages.
14Services for Students with Emergency Contacts
Disabilities General emergency procedures are described in
Uni Marburg’s Servicestelle für behinderte the Safety Abroad section of the Study Abroad
Handbook, and Marburg has a Study Abroad
Studierende (SBS) can provide assistance and
Adviser who is available for consultation if
accommodations to students.
difficulties arise. You will receive an emergency
contact card at Orientation 2; be sure to keep it in
It is also important to look at the level of
your wallet. The information is also on the Contact
accessibility in Germany. To find more information
Names & Addresses page of this guide.
on this topic, please see the State Department
Country Specific Information Page .
911 Equivalent in Germany
If you have questions or concerns about this,
If you are in an emergency, the local equivalent to
please contact your UWEC study abroad
the 911 emergency line in Germany is 112 for
coordinator.
medical emergencies and the fire department,
Safety in Germany or 110 for the police. We suggest you save these
Information on crime, specific safety issues, road numbers in your cell phone in case you need to use
safety, drug penalties, and terrorist activity in them quickly.
Germany is included in the U.S. State Department’s
Germany Country Information website. Specific
safety in and around Marburg will be discussed REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
during orientation in Marburg. General passport and visa information is in the
Study Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources
Pick-Pocketing: Pick-pocketing occurs on public section.
transportation and at popular tourist sites
throughout Germany. To reduce the risk, do not If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the
have your phone or other valuables out in public CIE for more information about the following
spaces. An iPhone is a target for pick-pocketers. If topics.
you carry a purse, make sure it is across the body
and has zippers. Keep your wallet in a front pocket, Visa
not a back pocket. Only carry small amounts of A visa is official permission to temporarily reside in
cash on you to minimize loss. Using a money belt another country and is granted by the government
under your clothing is another way to prevent of that country. At the time of this writing, U.S.
valuables from being stolen. citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany.
However, you should carry a print-out of the airline
Racially-Motivated Hate Crimes: Anti-immigrant visa letter from UWEC, available in the Documents
sentiment has led to harassment and attacks, most section of your BlugoldsAbroad account. IUSP and
often by drunken “skinheads,” on perceived exchange students should also carry a print-out of
foreigners. Racially-motivated assaults (because of your acceptance email from Uni Marburg.
a “foreign” appearance) against U.S. citizens have
occurred. If you have concerns, please contact your Residence Permit Process after
UWEC study abroad coordinator and refer to the Arrival
Race + Ethnicity abroad resources on the CIE Once in Marburg, you will need to apply for an
website. Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) for the
length of the program.IGSP and IUSP students:
15GETTING TO GERMANY
The International Office staff in Marburg will assist
with getting the biometric photo, (this must be done
in Germany), help you complete the required forms, There is information on booking flights in the Study
and make an appointment to go to city hall and the Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources section.
immigration office to complete the process. You will
bring your passport and the required fee (100 Euro Travel Arrangements
in 2021). All other documents will be provided in It is your responsibility to make travel arrangements
Marburg. to the Frankfurt am Main (FRA) airport* on the
specified arrival date and time for your program.
For exchange students, the process is both a little
more complicated and a little more independent. There are instructions for booking a flight, and other
See the Visa Information: Germany item in your travel information in the online Study Abroad
BlugoldsAbroad account for details.
Handbook. Do not book your flight until told to by
the CIE.
Visas for Travel to Other Countries
If you plan to travel outside your host country while IUSP and Exchange: You should not book a
abroad, you should verify visa requirements for flight until you have received your official
each country you will visit by contacting the nearest acceptance from Uni Marburg.
consulate for that country, or your travel agency.
Most Western European nations do not require *There is another, much smaller, Frankfurt airport,
U.S. citizens to have a visa for tourist travel of less Frankfurt-Hahn, which is actually three hours away
than three months. from Frankfurt. Be sure you arrive at Frankfurt am
Main (FRA)!
PACKING TIPS
General packing information is in the Study Abroad
Getting to Marburg
Handbook: Travel Resources section. IGSP: A representative of the IGSP will meet the
A country-specific packing list will be released group at an arranged time and place at the
through your BlugoldsAbroad account a few Frankfurt airport to assist you in making train
months prior to departure. connections to Marburg.
IUSP and Exchange: you will make your own way
Weather from Frankfurt to Marburg. Find instructions from
The climate in Germany is somewhat milder than Uni Marburg here: https://www.uni-
the climate in Wisconsin, but you will still want marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/transport
clothing for all weather.
IUSP staff meet students at the Hauptbahnhof
Clothing (main train station) in Marburg on the designated
Attire at the university will be casual, with jeans and arrival day. –
sweaters the primary clothing of choice.
Exchange students will go directly to their
dormitory and check-in there.
16Early, Late or Delayed Arrival • Official Letter of Acceptance from Uni Marburg
If you arrive prior to the designated arrival date, you (exchange only)
are responsible for making your own lodging • Receipts for any fees you pre-paid to Uni
arrangements until the program begins. Marburg (pre-semester course or housing)
(exchange only)
If your arrival is delayed and you miss the IGSP or
International Office staff will then help you with the
IUSP staff, print and follow the Plan for Delayed
registration and residence permit process.
Arrival. It will be uploaded to the Documents
section of your BlugoldsAbroad account a few
Once you register, you will receive your student ID
months prior to the start of your program.
card (Studienausweis) and coupons that prove your
student status at Uni Marburg
If Your Luggage Does Not Arrive (Studienbescheinigungen). The Studienausweis
Request that it be delivered to the International and your passport will be your “ticket”
Office at Uni Marburg: Philipps-Universität Marburg, (Semesterticket) for free public transportation and
International Office, Deutschhausstr. 11+13, 35037 discounts at many stores, restaurants, and bars.
Marburg.
Register every semester: Note that if you are
staying for the academic year, you must complete
Departing Marburg
this process at the beginning of each semester. If
You must officially check out with an employee of
you forget, you may have to pay additional fees.
your dorm, and this cannot be done on a holiday or
on the weekend. After checking out of the dorm,
you have to take the “Laufzettel” to the
Orientation
International Office staff will provide an orientation
Studentenwerk to get your room deposit back.
to Marburg and to your program track when you
Given the distance from Marburg to Frankfurt, first arrive in Marburg. Orientation is also on-going
unless you have an early evening flight, you will not in the form of the local/regional trips you take.
be able to check out of your residence hall in time
to catch a train to Frankfurt and fly out that same On-Site Support
day. You will need to make your own arrangements The IGSP, IUSP or Exchange Program Coordinator
for accommodation in Frankfurt after checking out will be your main contact in the Uni Marburg
of the dorm. Any lodging costs you incur after International Office. Contact information is on the
you leave the dorm are your own. Contact Names & Addresses page of this guide.
Local Transportation
SETTLING IN Most students use public buses to get around
Checking In Marburg. You can ride free with your Marburg
When you arrive, you will need to bring several Studienausweis and a personal identity document.
things to the International Office at Uni Marburg. There are also taxi companies, and some past
students have purchased or rented bicycles.
• Passport
• Payment for housing deposit (in cash; up to 350
Student Clubs & Organizations
€ depending on placement) A few other examples of activities that past
• Payment for biometric photo (in cash; 10€) students have been involved with include the
• Payment for residence permit (in cash, 100 €) university band, intramural lacrosse, and dance
lessons at a local dance school. University students
17are constantly standing outside of the Mensa Service-Learning section of the Study Abroad
handing out flyers for upcoming events. You just Handbook: Academics.
keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid to try new
things.
Going Out
Bar culture is different in Germany than it is in the
Activities/Events U.S. The primary purpose is to talk with friends and
meet new people. You may have a drink while you
Tandem Language Partners
are there, non-alcoholic is always an option, but the
A “tandem” partner is a German student who is
focus is not on the drinking. It is rare for a German
looking for a German/English language exchange.
student to be drunk in a public venue.
Because German students will be on semester
break during your first few months in Marburg, it is
strongly recommended that you try to connect with HOUSING
someone in advance. To do so, visit this website: IGSP: As long as you have completed your Uni
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/language- Marburg mobility online registration, IGSP staff will
center/language-tandem arrange your housing in a student residence. You
will not find out exactly where you will be living until
Unofficial Language Partners shortly before the program begins. Students in
If you look around while in Marburg, German 2020 lived in several different dorms, all within a
students who are looking for someone they can few blocks of each other.
practice their English with often post
advertisements in the university buildings. The Remember that German students will be on break
English speaker in turn can practice their German. for much of the time you are there. Therefore, most
Partners can arrange meetings around their own of the students in the residences during the
schedule as they please. program will be international students.
Volunteer IUSP and Exchange: Your acceptance email from
Uni Marburg has begun to work with a community Uni Marburg will include details on how to request
volunteer organization, Freiwilligen Agentur- student housing via their online form. You must
Marburg. This is a relatively new opportunity, and apply for housing; it will not be automatically
you need to do the legwork if you are interested in arranged for you.
getting involved. For more information:
http://www.freiwilligenagentur-marburg.de/ Housing for German universities is generally
managed by a private Studentenwerk.
Studentenwerk Marburg has more than 2,000
Service Learning
rooms in larger and smaller residences, scattered
Past students have used both the Tandem
throughout Marburg. Check out various locations
Language program and community volunteering in
on the Studentenwerk website:
Marburg to fulfill part or all of their UW-Eau Claire
http://www.studentenwerk-
service-learning requirement.
marburg.de/wohnen.html.
For the experience to count for half (or all – it will
depend on how many hours you complete) of your A few past students have asked to be allowed to
service-learning requirement at UWEC, see the find their own apartments or shared living spaces
(Wohngemeinschaften, or WGs). Short-term
housing in Marburg is difficult to find. If you choose
18not to live in the Studentenwerk, you are completely drying racks in the dorm bathrooms. You may want
responsible for making all your housing to buy your own rack after you arrive.
arrangements. Be sure you understand all terms of
any lease you enter into.
Internet/WiFi Access
All but one dormitory have internet access, and
Location international students are generally not housed in
the one that does not.
Most dorms are a 15+ minute bus ride to the city
and various academic buildings. You will be riding
WiFi is not available in all dormitory buildings; in
the bus a lot!
some, students must connect through a LAN cable
Living Situation (provided) in their rooms.
German dormitories are not like their U.S.
counterparts. Most have single rooms. Some have
Checking Out
Again, you must officially check out with an
private showers in the rooms while others have
employee of the dorm, and this cannot be done on
sinks, with a shared bathroom down the hall. Most
a holiday or on the weekend. After checking out of
have a shared kitchen. If they are apartment-style
the dorm, you have to take the “Laufzettel” to the
facilities, there may be as many as eight bedrooms
Studentenwerk to get your room deposit back.
sharing the bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Each floor has common bathrooms, showers, and a FOOD
kitchen, all are co-ed. But don't worry, the shower University Cafeterias
is a separate room with a locking door, and the There are no meal plans at Uni Marburg. There are
toilets are individual private stalls. two university cafeterias (Mensen). Mensa meals
are fairly inexpensive (2 – 4 €). You will need a U-
What's Provided? key to pay for meals at the Mensen. The red key is
• Sheets, blankets, and a pillow available at the cafeteria, where you have to pay a
• You will turn in your bedding every few 5 € security deposit to get it. The key is
weeks and receive a clean set in return. electronically loaded with money which is deducted
• Cupboard in the kitchen by computer-based cash registers every time you
• Refrigerator compartment (Fach) buy a meal.
• Keys to room, mailbox and Fach
When you check in with the dorm secretary, you Student Residence Kitchens
will receive a key to your room, a mailbox key, and The Mensen are open very limited hours, so you
a key for one of the cupboards in the kitchen. may also do quite a bit of cooking in your dorm.
You will be assigned a locking cupboard where you
Laundry may store your food and dishes. Some kitchens are
Most dormitories have their own (limited) coin- equipped with everything (pots, pans, utensils,
operated laundry facilities. A past student suggests, mugs, etc.), and you pay a small fee to share them
"Make sure to hang on to those annoying little 10 with your floormates. Others have little to nothing,
and 20 cent coins for laundry!" in which case you’ll need to buy some basic dishes.
Most German students do not use their tokens on Cooking your own meals is a great way to save
the dryers; instead, they hang their clothes on the money and also a great opportunity to meet and
make friends with the students that live on your
19floor. It is not uncommon for people sharing a what you'll get, and it is not free. If you want tap
kitchen to do some grocery shopping and cooking water, ask for "Leitungswasser."
together. You may want to bring a few American
recipes (with metric conversions!) to make for new Silverware: Fork in the left hand, knife in the right,
friends. and try to not put them down between bites! You'll
get used to it.
Where to Buy Food
The major supermarkets in Marburg are: Special Diets: If you're vegetarian, or have diet
restrictions, German restaurants have vegetarian
Rewe - this is a big and reasonably priced and sometimes gluten free dishes and will
supermarket not far from the university. often accommodate you by making a dish without
meat or with a wheat alternative.
Lidl - this one's located near Rudolphsplatz, and
it's the dollar store of grocery stores, if eating cheap When you're done: put your fork and knife parallel
is your thing. across your plate to signal the waiter/waitress that
you're done eating.
Pennymarkt - also a very cheap food store. This
one is conveniently near the train station, but on the Etiquette: Europeans enjoy sitting for long periods
street heading away from the city center. of time to enjoy a meal or drink, and the staff in
their restaurants typically won't be in a rush to get
Edeka - just off Bahnhofstraße (the street that you out (unless they're closing for the night).
leads from the train station). It's kind of hidden, but
look down side streets to the right as you're Getting the bill: You’ll need to ask for your check
walking away from the station and you'll find it. (“Zahlen, bitte”) and you normally pay the waiter
Edeka is one of the better stores to find directly at your table. People often split the bill, so
Bio (organic) products. be able to tell the waiter what you ordered.
Don't forget your REUSABLE BAGS! You can Tips: in Austria and Germany, waiters and
purchase a reusable bag from the store, otherwise waitresses don't depend on tips to complete their
they will charge you for a paper bag. salary, but it's still important! It should reflect the
quality of the service. A good general rule is to
In addition, most drink containers have “Pfand,” or round up to the nearest Euro or two with good
return deposits. This means most bottles and cans service, and maybe a few more if the service was
can be returned for cash. If the bottle has the excellent. For example: if you have a bill of 11,30€
“Pfand” logo, do not recycle them. Bring them back - just give the waitress 12€ and say "Stimmt so,"
to the grocery store, put them in the Pfand which means you don't want change.
machine, and cash in your receipt at the register! BUT: if you have a bill of say, 15,80€ and want to
give 17€ but only have a 20€ note, give the
Restaurants waiter/waitress 20€ and say "Drei zurück, bitte."
You’ll also want to eat out, at least occasionally. They will then keep the 1,20€ tip.
Things to keep in mind:
Water: Germans love their sparkling water. When
you go to a restaurant and ask for water, that's
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