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Welcome to HocHScHUle HARZ

StUDY. ReSeARcH. lIVe.exchange student guide

SchleSwig-holStein

Mecklenburg-weSt PoMerania

berlin brandenburg

Saxony anhalt

Saxonythuringia

lower Saxony

heSSe

bavaria

north rhine weStPhalia

rhineland Palatinate

Saarland

baden wurtteMberg

Discover the harz

The Harz is situated in the middle of Germany and

to the south-west of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The

Harz mountain region includes the 1,142 m-high

mountain Brocken, making it the highest mountain

range in Northern Germany.

Hochschule Harz, University of Applied Sciences, is

located – as the name suggests – in the centre of this

lovely mountain range. The two sites in Wernigerode

and Halberstadt will inspire by their location in the

Harz foothills and their rich history and architecture.

DISCOVER the numerous historical timber-framed

houses, the old town hall and the castle in Wernige-

rode. EXPLORE the cathedral and its treasure in Hal-

berstadt and EXPERIENCE the diverse range of tou-

rist attractions and cultural sights of the region.

In a nutshell, the two locations of Hochschule Harz

offer the best of both worlds. On the one hand, there

are the advantages of a small town where one can

live in a comfortable and familial environment. On

the other hand, there is the great advantage of being

located in the heart of Germany. Bigger cities like

Magdeburg, Braunschweig, Berlin, Leipzig or Hano-

ver can be reached in 1 to 3 hours.

In addition, the Harz region offers a wealth of natural

landscapes: succulent green forests and fields as far

as the eye can see; mountains, lakes, rivers - every-

thing one´s heart desires! Set off on your journey

and DISCOVER the Harz!

GerMaNYSAXONY-ANHALTHARZlocAtIoNS oF HocHScHUle HARZ

Hannover Berlin

Dresden

München

Frankfurt a. M.

Stuttgart

Hamburg

Leipzig

Halle/Saale

HAlBeRStADt

WeRNIgeRoDe

Magdeburg

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publisher: Hochschule Harz, Friedrichstr. 57-59, 3885 Wernigerode Akademisches Auslandsamt, (Dipl-Kffr.) Katja Betker, aaa@hs-harz.de, Telefon +49 3943 659 150editorial: Akademisches Auslandsamt Hochschule Harzpictures: photograph archive of Hochschule Harz, Clemence Vernoux, fotoliadesign: TASHA ByNz kommunikationsdesign | Anke Dudaedition: 500 Exemplare | April 2012

hochschULe harz

Discover the Harz 3

Regional, practically orientated, international 5

Degree Programmes 6

stUDYiNG at hochschULe harz

General Information 7

Courses 8

Language of Instruction 8

Examinations and Grading Scale 9

Money Matters 9

Student Services 10

LiFe iN WerNiGeroDe aND

haLBerstaDt

Arrival and Orientation 12

Visa and Insurance 13

Accomodation 13

Student Life 14

Trips and Travelling 15

hoW Do i BecoMe aN eXhaNGe stUDeNt? 16

GUiDe to GerMaNY 18

77 students

3.300 students

1991

2012

reGioNaL, practicaLLY orieNtateD,

iNterNatioNaL

hochschULe harz

Since their foundation in the year 1991, the up-and-

coming locations in Wernigerode and Halberstadt

have developed rapidly. An innovative, practically

orientated range of degree programmes in the de-

partments of Automation and Computer Sciences,

Business Studies and Public Management attracts

an increasing number of students to the Harz region.

For the 20th Anniversary ca. 3,300 future academics

were enrolled – a great progress from the 77 registe-

red students recorded in the founding year!

The strengths of this young University of Applied

Sciences include ultramodern new buildings and

superb technical facilities that consistently main-

tain a high standard of education. In addition to

the interdisciplinary professional training, the focus

is on the intensive reinforcement of valuable soft

skills and comprehensive preparation for starting

a career. Furthermore the professors and teaching

staff at Hochschule Harz supervise only small semi-

D a c C B c

W

Content page | 5

nar groups - intensively and individually. The aim

of all activities is a degree programme based on

reality and practical experience. For this reason, the

entire range of degree programmes are constantly

checked and adapted to swiftly-changing markets.

Hochschule Harz is rooted in the region itself but at

the same time very internationally orientated.

Intensive fostering of international relations already

add an exciting cosmopolitan flair to the campus.

Department of Automation and computer Sciences Wernigerode Bachelor‘s Degree Programmesn Automation Systems and Computational Engineering (B.Eng.)n Business Administration and Engineering (B.Eng.)n Business Informatics (B.Sc.) n Computer Science (B.Sc.)n Mechatronics and Automation Systems (B.Eng.)n Media Informatics (B.Sc.) master’s Degree Programmen Computer Science/ Mobile Systems (M.Sc.)

Department of Public management Halberstadt

Bachelor‘s Degree Programmesn Administrative Economics (B.A.)n Administrative Management/ eGovernment (B.A.)n European Adminstrative Management (B.A.)n Public Administration (B.A.)

Department of Business Studies Wernigerode

Bachelor‘s Degree Programmesn Business Administration (B.A.)n Business Administration/ Service Management (B.A.) n Tourism Management (B.A.) n Business Psychology (B.Sc.)n International Business Studies (B.A.)n International Tourism Studies (B.A.) master‘s Degree Programmesn Business Consulting (M.A.)n Tourism and Destination Development (M.A.)

stUDYiNG at hochschULe harz GeNeraL iNForMatioN

A semester abroad is an extraordinary and unique experience for any student. you will discover what it

means to live and study in a foreign country, meet new people from different cultural backgrounds, learn

to speak a foreign language and master this challenge independently.

exchange students often realise that their daily studies in germany are very different from the systems

they already know.

n The academic year at Hochschule Harz is divided into a winter and a summer semester. n The winter semester courses start in mid-September and the summer semester courses start in mid-March.n Students generally attend 7 - 10 courses per semester. This is equivalent to 30 ECTS.n The earliest course starts at 8:00 a.m. The last course ends at 8:15 p.m. n Some courses are offered as block and/or weekend seminars.n Examinations take place at the end of a semester.

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DeGree proGraMMes

The official language of instruction in all degree programmes is German. In addition, a range of courses is available in English.

coUrses

According to content and educational objects courses are taught in different ways.n lectures and seminars are held by teaching staff and are often supported by PowerPoint

presentations. Students are encouraged to participate and are allowed to ask questions.

Some topics are only lectured on; other topics are developed through group work.n laboratories and exercises are specifically designed for their practical relevance and supplement lectures.n tutorials are often held by students for students and serve as a kind of coaching.

Shortly before examinations, subjects are repeated and explained again in tutorials.

Exchange students can select freely from the regular range of courses from the three departments, as well as

courses taught in English. In addition to these lectures language courses in German and other foreign languages

can be taken.

Students usually complete 7 to 10 courses or 30 ECTS per semester. Double Degree students follow a set

course plan of 60 ECTS per year.

LaNGUaGe oF iNstrUctioN

The official language of instruction in all degree pro-

grammes is German. In addition, a range of courses

are available in English.

We strongly recommend that you attain good to

very good knowledge of the German language in

preparation for your stay so that you can follow the

German lectures and complete the courses success-

fully. Students who choose a programme taught in

English and have only a basic level of German should

also do a German course alongside their studies.

eXaMiNatioNs

An examination must be taken in every course. The form of examination is to be determined by the teaching

staff, for example a “Klausur” (written examination) or a “Referat“ (oral presentation) or “Hausarbeit” (written

paper which is carried out at home).

GraDiNG scaLe

A B C

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1,0 / 1,3very good

1,7 / 2,0 / 2,3good

2,7 / 3,0 / 3,3SatiSfactory

3,7 / 4,0Poor

5,0failing

MoNeY Matters

There are no tuition fees at Hochschule Harz. Every

student who registers pays an administration fee per

semester of approx. 50 €.

The monthly rental costs are about 200 to 250 € and

will form the greater part of the expenditure. For

additional living costs approximately 150 to 200 €

should be planned. Naturally this depends on per-

sonal needs, but living costs in Germany are close to

average within the EU. Public Transport in Wernige-

rode and Halberstadt is free for students. In addition,

students are given discounts on various leisure ac-

tivities (e.g. cinema, theatre, swimming pool etc.).

stUDeNt services

Besides the degree programmes Hochschule Harz

offers a range of service facilities, which make

studying easier and enjoyable.

All service facilities can be used by presenting a

student ID card. This is a multi-functional chip card

which can also be used to pay at the canteen, for

photocopying and for the washing machines in the

hall of residence. Apart from that the student ID

card is a valid ticket on public buses.

INteRNAtIoNAl oFFIceDuring their studies abroad at Hochschule Harz,

young globetrotters can take part in international

study programmes, improve their existing German

language skills using the interactive and multime-

dia resources in the Language Centre and maintain

personal contact with German and international

students.

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The central institution for all international affairs is

the International Office (IO). This is also the most

important area of contact for exchange students.

Both before and during their studies, exchange

students can receive valuable help and useful tips for

every question connected with studying abroad.

lIBRARYHochschule Harz students can borrow most of the

books required for lectures and examinations from the

library. In addition to books, some lecturers use scripts

that summarise the entire learning content. These are

easy to use during lectures and make consolidation

and examination preparations easier at home.

UNIVeRSItY SPoRtS – FIt FoR tHe lectURe HAll Ideal training conditions, flexible course planning

and an extremely modern range of equipment get

students interested in fitness and exercise. Those

who love sports can choose between 25 courses in

over 50 different kinds of sport, with more than 30

sports coaches. Badminton, Volleyball and Football

are all time favourites. Modern sports such as Power

yoga and Capoeira or classics for nature lovers such

as Mountain Biking and Climbing are also available.

In summer the popular beach volleyball pitch in the

middle of the green Wernigerode campus creates a

real holiday atmosphere in the daily routine.

cANteeNAs well as the study-related services on offer, the

campus also caters for your gastronomic needs. In

the canteen you will find a full meal at a good price.

There is also a cafeteria and a sales kiosk on campus.

Pc- PoolS AND WIReleSS lANStudents are able to take advantage of several PC

pools for study-related research and project work.

The Wifi network can also be used on the entire

campus free of charge.

tHe lANgUAge ceNtReThe Language Centre of Hochschule Harz offers

a comprehensive range of general and specific

foreign language courses. Exchange students have

the opportunity to choose courses in German as a

foreign language. The offer ranges from beginner

courses to advanced courses in cultural studies,

grammar and Business German.

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visa aND iNsUraNce

People from the following countries do not require

a visa: member states of the EU, Switzerland, the

USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New zealand and Is-

rael. However, students from these countries should

make sure that their passport is valid for the entire

duration of their study visit in Germany.

All other foreign students wishing to enter the Fe-

deral Republic of Germany for the purpose of stu-

dying require a visa. The visa application process

can take up to three months. you should therefo-

re contact the closest representative (embassy) of

Germany in your country in good time.

Before travelling to Germany, various insurance po-

licies have to be taken out in your home country.

The most important is foreign health insurance. Eu-

ropeans are usually insured by European treaties.

Non-Europeans should take out private insurance.

In addition, we recommend you take out liability

insurance.

accoMMoDatioN

Exchange students are accommodated in shared

apartments in the student halls of residence in

Wernigerode or Halberstadt. They live in furnished

single rooms and share a kitchen and shower/WC

with 2 to 3 other students. Basic furnishing (bed,

cupboard, writing desk), Internet connection, wa-

shing machine and kitchen equipment are part of

the basic facilities in the halls of residence.

The student halls of residence are approximately

4km away from the campus of Hochschule Harz

and can be reached by bus in 15 minutes. The rent

is maximum 250 € per month. In addition, a deposit

of a monthly rent must be paid, which you recei-

ve back upon leaving your room in an immaculate

condition.

Should the number of exchange students exceed

the number of rooms available in the halls of resi-

dence, private student rooms of the same standards

as those in the halls of residence are sourced.

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arrivaL aND orieNtatioN

Wernigerode and Halberstadt can easily be reached

by train or car. We recommend the airports in Ha-

nover, Leipzig and Berlin when travelling by plane,

since trains to the Harz region go from them regular-

ly. Please use the multi-lingual website of Deutsche

Bahn, Germany’s national rail service, for informati-

on regarding train connections (www.bahn.de). your

destination is “Wernigerode“ or “Halberstadt“.

To make the start of studying abroad easier for

exchange students, the International Office offers

Orientation Days before the start of the semester,

which include the following activities:

- Guided tour of the campus in English or German

- Registration at the local registration office and

at the Aliens Department (for non- EU- citizens)

- Signing of the rental agreement

- Opening of a German bank account

(necessary for the monthly rent)

- Introduction to the computer services

- Introduction of the library and the

university sports

- Instructions for planning your course schedule

- City tour in English or German

The introduction programme is enlivened by group

leisure activities in the evenings and at the week-

end such as bowling or a hike up the “Brocken”, the

highest mountain in the Harz mountain range, and

a visit to the castle of Wernigerode.

LiFe iN WerNiGeroDe aND haLBerstaDt

trips aND traveLLiNG

The Harz is a very popular destination for trips and days out.

We highly recommend the following sights:

Further information are available at the local tourist information offices.

It‘s easy to organise trips to other German cities and places of interest thanks to the central position of

the Harz region. The German rail network is an extremely comfortable and popular method of transport,

although you must occasionally expect delays. Cheap group rates, such as the “Schönes Wochenende-Ticket“

and the “Sachsen-Anhalt-Ticket“, are also available. Of course, it is also possible to rent cars in Germany.

Thale Rübeland Quedlinburg

1 Braunschweig2 Dresden3 Leipzig

1

2

3

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stUDeNt LiFe

Not just academic training, but also culture, personal development and fun are an integral part of life at

Hochschule Harz.

SemeSteR PRogRAmme FoR excHANge StUDeNtSDifferent activities take place for foreign students during each semester. Some highlights are for example

barbeques, city trips and, in winter, a trip to a Christmas market. Alongside these optional activities, the

International Office organises regular meetings. These provide foreign students with an opportunity to ask

important questions and give feedback.

INteRNAtIoNAl eVeNINgThis event takes place once per semester and is extremely popular with students and teaching staff at Hoch-

schule Harz. As well as an international cultural programme, international specialities are provided on this

evening, cooked by foreign and German students together.

StUDeNt PARtIeSDuring every semester, there are numerous parties on campus and in the halls of residence. In particular,

the Welcome Party for new students, the “Campusfest“ and the end-of-year parties are legendary.

cINemAIn Wernigerode there is a nostalgic small cinema (the “Volkslichtspiele“), and in Halberstadt there is a modern

Multiplex cinema (the “zuckerfabrik“). In addition, the university cinema regularly shows films in German and

English. International films shown in German cinemas are generally dubbed into German, however.

BARS AND cAFéSIn the centres of Wernigerode and Halberstadt you will find various bars, restaurants and cafés. There‘s so-

mething for everyone here – from modern to international to rustic and traditional.

Campus-Plan Halberstadt Campus-Plan Wernigerode

hoW Do i BecoMe aN eXchaNGe stUDeNt?

Future exchange students from our partner institu-

tions are selected exclusively by their home univer-

sity and registered (nominated) at the International

Office at Hochschule Harz. After nomination, you

will receive information about online applications.

The approval will be confirmed by a “Letter of Ac-

ceptance”. you can read precisely how the applicati-

on works and which documents and forms need to

be included on the website of Hochschule Harz.

Students who do not attend a partner university

can also complete an exchange study period at

Hochschule Harz. you can request information on

this at the International Office.

Important prerequisites for successful studies abroad

are interest, openness and curiosity for the country,

the culture and the university itself, adaptability and

a certain amount of planning and preparation.

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initially, you yourself should prepare intensively

for your stay abroad:

n Inform yourself about studying in

Germany in general and in particular

about Hochschule Harz. n Contact former exchange students at your

university. They are experienced

“outgoing students“ and will be able to

assist you in making your preparations and

share their experiences. n Contact the International Office of your

own university and inform yourself

about important formalities.

test yourself – are you prepared for everything?

n How does the semester abroad fit

into your degree programme? n What are your personal objectives? n Will your language skills prove sufficient,

or do you require preparatory training? n How will you finance your studies abroad?n Can you apply for a grant?

Are you ready for the challenge of a semester ab-

road? Then let the adventure begin. Apply for a place

at Hochschule Harz.

We look forward to hearing from you!

coNtAct Box

Hochschule HarzInternational OfficeFriedrichstr. 57-5938855 Wernigerode | Germanywelcome.hs-harz.deexchange@hs-harz.de

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a GUiDe to GerMaNYthiNGs YoU NeeD to kNoW aBoUt GerMaNY aND the GerMaNs

“Germany has 82.2 million citizens spread on 357,104 km² of land. It is surrounded by 9 neighbouring

countries and has an extensive 12,531 km of motorway running through it, which is used by 41.2 million

registered vehicles. 1.93 million students attend over 391 universities. Most of these students study

Business Studies, Law or German Studies.“ (DAAD)

Do we Germans really always wear Leather Pants? Do we all have a cuckoo clock on our wall? Do we all

drink beer and eat sauerkraut? Find out about the Germans and their country for yourself! To start off with

here are a few things that are good to know:

meDIcAl cARe: In Wernigrode and Hal-

berstadt, you will find doctors for all kinds of me-

dical issues. you must pay a practice fee of 10 € per

quarter when going to a doctor (or when getting

a prescription). Pharmacies are easy to recognise

as they are marked with signs bearing a large red

“A“, and there are some located close to Hochschule

Harz. A “Not-Apotheke“ (emergency pharmacist) is

always available at the weekends.

goINg oUt: In a restaurant, each person usu-

ally pays his/her part of the bill. The waiter then asks

whether you‘re paying “zusammen“ (together) or “ge-

trennt“ (separately). If you want to give any tips in re-

staurants or pubs, rounding up the amount you have

to pay usually suffices (the service charge is already

included). When doing so, you usually tip the waiter

when paying the bill and say “Stimmt so“ (keep the

change) or “Machen Sie 20 draus!“ (make it 20)!

motoRWAYS: Germany is famous for its mo-

torways. Although there is no speed limit, they do

advise you to drive no faster than 130 km/h. Penalty

people. Bodily contact is found more between wo-

men than men. Usual greetings include: “Guten Mor-

gen/ Tag/ Abend“ (Good Morning/ Day/ Evening) or

“Hallo“ (Hello). When leaving you say “Auf Wiederse-

hen“ (Goodbye) or “Tschüss“ (Bye).

geRmAN FooD: There is more than white

sausages and pork knuckle to eat in Germany! Of

course, these hearty meals are still available. How-

ever, they have been enriched over the years. The

modern trend is moving towards healthy eating.

Every region in Germany also has its own typical

recipes. Some examples of regional dishes from

the Harz are game specialities, lentil stew, farmer‘s

breakfast, eggs in a mustard sauce and pancakes

with sugar. We also have “Baumkuchen“ (“tree cake“)

and “Brockensplitter“, a sweet speciality peculiar to

Wernigerode and its surroundings. Regional bever-

ages include the herb liqueur “Schierker Feuerstein“,

“Rotkäppchen Sekt” (sparkling wine) and “Hasse-

röder”, one of the most popular beers in Germany.

moNeY: Germany belongs to the European

monetary union, so transactions are made in Euro.

you can find out the current rate of exchange easily

on the Internet. VAT in Germany is currently 19 %.

This is often shown separately on receipts, but is al-

ready included in the prices shown on goods.

emeRgeNcY cAllS: Generally Germany is

a safe country, but this doesn‘t mean there are no

pickpockets or other petty criminals. Always lock up

your bike. In emergencies, you can contact the poli-

ce by phoning the number 110 and the fire brigade /

emergency doctor by phoning 112.

oPeNINg tImeS: Although opening times

vary from shop to shop, you should assume that

most shops close at 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, they

generally close earlier than this. Some larger super-

markets remain open until 8:00 or even 10:00 p.m.

All shops are closed on Sundays.

mAIl: Mail boxes in Germany are yellow. In

Wernigerode and Halberstadt, there are post offices

both near the university and in the city centre.

PUNctUAlItY: Punctuality is extremely

important. If you don‘t make it to an appointment

on time, you must excuse yourself in time. The lec-

turers, too, expect you to get to lectures on time.

RecYclINg AND cAN DePoSItS: Germa-

ny recycles widely. We separate our waste into pa-

per, plastic, (green dot) and “Restmüll“ (remaining

waste). Glass is disposed off in central containers.

There is also the so-called “Dosenpfand“ (can de-

posits). Empty plastic bottles and cans are brought

back to the shop or supermarket and you receive a

refund of 5 to 25 cent.

RelIgIoN: In Germany, the majority of chur-

ch members belong to the Protestant and Roman

Catholic churches (approx. 35% each). In Saxony-

Anhalt, approximately 80% of citizens have no reli-

gious affiliations. The other 20 % are either Protes-

tant (approx. 15%) or Roman Catholic (approx. 4%),

or belong to a different religion. Church Services

take place on Sunday mornings.

1 2

3 4

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points (colloquially known as “Punkte in Flensburg“ )

will be levied along with a fine for severe traffic offen-

ces. If you accumulate too many penalty points, your

“Lappen“ (Driver‘s license) will be confiscated and

you have to pass an exam in order to get it back (the

“Idiotentest“).

DRIVINg: Even though having a car affords

you a lot of flexibility, it is possible to manage well

in Wernigerode und Halberstadt on foot and by bus.

Parking spaces in the towns are hard to find and you

have to pay. There is free parking at the university

and the halls of residence. During the winter semes-

ter, you must put on winter tyres. Foreign driver’s

licenses are valid for half a year in Germany, after

which they have to be “transferred“. After one year,

you have to possess a German driver’s license.

gReetINgS: The Germans are relatively dis-

tant and not very tactile. Both men and women shake

hands when greeting each other. Hugs are only given

to friends and family. Kisses on each cheek are only

given to good friends, usually only among younger

FoRmAl oR INFoRmAl: The word “Du“ (the

informal way of address) is used exclusively for fami-

ly and friends, and among teenagers and students.

From the age of 18 onwards, every citizen has the

right to be addressed as “Sie“ (the formal form of

address). For this reason, students are also addressed

as “Sie“ by their professors, and vice versa. It is a sign

of respect to address people whom you don‘t know

or don’t know well with “Sie“. Should you get to

know each other better, the older person will ask the

younger to address them as “Du“ after a while, and

will address the other in the same way.

StUDeNt joBS: It is, in principle, possible

for students to hold a job during their studies. Some

students work part time as assistants in supermar-

kets and other students work as tutors or teaching

assistants for lecturers.

BeHAVIoUR: The Germans are polite, but

not excessively polite. The words “Bitte“ (please) and

“Danke“ (thank you) as well as “Entschuldigung“ (ex-

cuse me) are common and polite, but are not used

too often - excusing yourself once is quite enough.

WAlPURgIS: Walpurgisnacht (Night of the wit-

ches) is celebrated every year on 30th of April, on the

eve of the festival of St Walpurgis. Walpurgis is seen as

the patron saint who protects against evil spirits, which

are frightened away and banished by the Walpurgis fire

and by wearing masks. Nowadays, Walpurgisnacht has

become something of a mass event with a culture and

folk festival character, which attracts participants from

all over Germany. The festival is celebrated all over the

Harz region with fireworks and cultural events.

cHRIStmAS: Germany likes to start celebra-

ting Christmas during the Advent period. This inclu-

des the four weeks before Christmas Eve and starts

with the first of Advent. Houses are decorated with

pine branches, Christmas decorations and candles.

During the Advent period, almost every German

town opens a Christmas market, where you can

buy crafted products, drink German mulled wine

and eat German specialities.

WeAtHeR: you should be prepared for eve-

ry kind of weather during your stay in the Harz

region. The winter semester starts in September

and you can usually still feel the tail end of the

summer. Soon the temperatures will sink though

and, if they‘re lucky, the students will have a white

Christmas. In the Harz region up to 50 cm of snow

falls between December and February. At the be-

ginning of the summer semester, however, the stu-

dents should be aware that weather conditions can

be unreliable. That means temperatures may range

from 3°C to 13°C and it could rain. Soon, however,

it will get warmer. Then life moves beyond the cozy

living room and people start venturing into parks

to have barbeques or to go swimming. On average,

summer temperatures lie around 22°C; however,

they can rise to 30°C and more.

Hochschule Harz in Halberstadt

“Schlossberg“ in Quedlinburg

Mountain Brocken

Tourist attractions in Thale

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Welcome.HS-HARZ.De