Justus-Liebig Universität Giessen, Germany. Traveling to Giessen “Getting to Giessen by plane : 1) via Frankfurt Main Airport Frankfurt is one of the.

Justus-Liebig Universitt Giessen, Germany

Traveling to Giessen Getting to Giessen by plane : 1) via Frankfurt Main Airport Frankfurt is one of the largest, if not the largest, airports in Europe. There are two terminals (1 & 2). Both have foreign as well as domestic flights. For example, Lufthansa is the major airline in Terminal 1, whilst Delta and British Airways are the major carriers in Terminal 2. A free shuttle train "SkyLine" connects the two terminals. After obtaining your baggage, if you want to come to Giessen with the train, go to Terminal 1, lower level B (arrivals = Ankunft). The train station is below the airport. Here, you can buy a ticket for Giessen at one of the travel agents (one way = einfach) or at one of the automats signed RMV (the local public transport company. From the GLEIS 1 (Platform 1) there is a train (Line S8) every 20 minutes to Frankfurt main station until midnight (but with this latest train you will not get a connection from Frankfurt to Giessen). Last possibility from Frankfurt HBf (main station) to Giessen is at 23:28, arrival at Giessen main station 0:23. The third stop is Frankfurter Hauptbahnhof "tief" (main station-lower level). At Frankfurt Central Station you will arrive at one of the underground platforms. To change trains, you have to go upstairs to the main platforms. Trains to Giessen (usually the trains leave platform 14, 15 or 16 - but no garantee) are relatively frequent during commuter times (for time schedule check Die Bahn service). A fast one (RE or IR) will only stop in Friedberg and Giessen and later in Marburg. The journey to Giessen takes about 45 minutes. A single ticket from Frankfurt to Giessen costs EUR 11.Die Bahn service Helpful hint*be sure to have the correct ticket for the train that you are on. Getting caught riding without the correct ticket is a fine of 40 Euros!!! *

Location Giessen is located approximately 45 min by train North of Frankfurt-Main. Only a short train ride from Marburg, the town where the Brothers Grimm studied.

Living Arrangements Giessen offers many different dorms that international students have the opportunity to live in. The main dorm complexes are Eichendorffring, Unterhof, and Grnberger Strae. These dorms are different than the typical dorms in America. Each flur or floor has between 8-15 residents. A kitchen, bathroom, and common area are shared by all residents on the same flur. Flurs are coed, but each resident gets his or her own room.

Living Arrangements You can move in at the beginning of the month, and move out at the end of the month. Orientation for the Intensive Language program offered before classes begin for the semester, begins in the middle of the month. Students pay rent for the whole month. So to get your moneys worth, it might be better to move in a week or two before orientation begins. Be sure to email the school so they know if you are arriving early and figure out what arrangements you need to make with Studentenwerk. (student services)

Dorm Rooms Residents get their own room which includes: Twin bed Desk Chair Cabinets Shelves Sink

What to bring (extras) Bedding Some you could throw away at the end of your stay Possibly use your old dorm bedding Add some color to your room! Pictures You will miss your family & friends from home. It will help to see their familiar, smiling faces on your walls. Towel You can throw it away at the end. Journal Writing down your experiences during your stay will ensure you will remember those small things. Its great to look back on your experiences later in life! School Supplies It is cheaper to bring your own and throw it away at the end of your stay.

What to buy after settling in (Shops are generally closed on Sundays and dont stay open late) Curtains Not all rooms provide curtains. They can be bought at a cheap price at places such as Kartstadt or at other shops near Marktplatz. (bus stop) Small Fan It gets warm in the summer and the rooms do not have air conditioning. So it can get a little toasty! Extra pillow The pillows provided can lose fluff easily. Its always nice to have an extra little pillow around for comfort.

What to buy after settling in Detergent Laundry detergent can be found inexpensively in shops such as PennyMarkt and DM. Hair dryer/straightner Because of the electrical current difference between America and Europe, it is best to buy a hair dryer and hair straightener in Germany. These can be bought for a low price (about 5-20 euros) at Mediamarkt at the mall near Marktplatz. American products can burn out with just an outlet adapter. Clothes pins Doing laundry can be expensive. Hang drying clothes in your room can help save about 3 euros per load.

What to buy after settling in Food Every student will have access to a kitchen on their floor. Take advantage of your space in the fridge for lunch/dinner/snacks. The Mensa (cafeteria on campus) is not exactly close to the dorms. Its a great place to eat while on campus, but not convenient while off campus. Canvas shopping bag Its not only great for the environment but also great for your wallet! In most stores in Germany, grocery bags are not free. You must either bring your own, or buy a bag every time you shop at the stores. Ethernet Cord Internet is provided, but it is not wireless and you need a password to log on initially. (The cord, like many other items, can be bought at MediaMarkt.) Cell Phone Can be bought at MediaMarkt. You need a proof of your residence. Only some of the employees speak English so be sure to either know German or have someone that can speak relatively good German.

Registering for Classes It is recommended to arrive at least a few days prior to the beginning of registration for the semester. Many forms of paperwork along with proof of insurance are required. Giessen requires students to have either insurance covered by your home university or by the GermanAOK. *TIP: Be sure that Justus-Liebig approves your insurance if you use insurance covered by your university. If not, you MUST have the GermanAOK to register for classes. The buildings that you need to go to are not necessarily close to each other. You will do some traveling around town to turn in the documents. The International office at JLU isnt open for long periods of time, so be sure to check the semesters office hours.

Important Documents Be sure to bring all papers, receipts, etc that you have received from JLU. Passport Copy of your passport in case it gets lost or stolen 4 Passport photos Be sure to not be smiling in these. They are strict about it in Germany. You may be sent to take another passport photo with a straight face for your visa and other documents. Student card from your home university Insurance forms (E 109 or E 111)

Getting around Giessen Bus system Giessen has a great bussing transportation system. With the student card you can travel throughout the state of Hessen for free. Be sure to have your student ID card with you every time you ride the bus or you could get caught and pay a 40 euro ticket!!! So if you may have forgotten your ID card, just pay the small fee to your destination. A bus stop is generally a short walk from the dorms. A bus generally stops about every 15 minutes at the stops during the day. (i.e. Eichendorffering stop, on the 06, 19, 34, 49 minute of the hour) Be sure not to be late!!! The German Bus System is known to be strict on timing. It is rare for the busses to run late.

Getting around in Giessen Taxis Taxis generally charge 5 euros for each stop within Giessen. If 3 of you are going to the same destination, you can split the 5 euros by 3. Be sure to pay with bills or larger euro coins (50cent and euro coins are ok) *dont forget that 1 and 2 euros are coins! Bicycles and walking! These are great ways to get your exercise and just enjoy your day! Bicycles can be bought at flee markets for cheap too! For more information about traveling around Germany, visit this website! http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml

Where to eat (at least once) Youre studying abroad, so why not try new types of food?! For traditional German food such as Schnitzel, be sure to go to Alt Giessen Hotel and Restaurant. Your exchange experience is not complete without eating a Dner from Turhan! This is the BEST Dner-kebab haus in town! (if not all Germany) The staff is friendly and loves the regulars. (sometimes offering free drinks or delicious Turkish Tea) They are even open late!

Where to eat (at least once) Mr. Jones (right by the Hauptbahnhof in Giessen) Great place to stop for breakfast (if you have time) before you head out for your travel adventures. Kochlffel (In the city center with all of the other bistros and shops) This place has great bratwurst and currywurst for a low price! Any of the bakeries They all bake their own bread and have incredible sandwiches! Dont miss out on Ksebrot and Schokobrotchen!!! (cheesebread and chocolate bread)

Night Life Lokal International Usually good for a low key night. Sometimes has large parties which are a lot of fun! Audimax Party in lecture halls? Ja! Audimax is the largest lecture hall on campus and hosts parties every Wednesday night! These are not an event you want to miss out on! Haarlem Haarlem is a biergarten as well as a night club. This is a very popular site when the World Cup is going on, hosting public viewings. The inside (basement) is a dance club.

Night Life Ulenspiegel This Tanzbar (dance bar) also has a biergarten along with the dance bar in the basement. This is a popular bar on the weekends so be sure to get there early enough so as to not stand in line too long. Galant Bar & Lounge This is a more classy bar with cocktails. It is a good place to hang out with friends. Ascot This is just a small, hole-in-the-wall pub. The owner/bartender can seem unfriendly at first, but he is just a straight-forward person. It is a great place to just hang out with friends and eat peanuts. Kitchen Parties Have a family meal with all your closest friends in your kitchen. Get everyone together to eat, dance, and enjoy the night.

Trips with the University The international student program at JLU offers a few excursions for students to go on. These vary in cost, but all are very reasonable. The trip always begins with a tour. Students always have time to walk around and explore the city for themselves at the end of the day. A couple of destinations before classes actually start are Marburg and Bonn.

Excursions Marburg is just a small town a short train ride from Giessen. It hosts great markets on the weekend, has great cafs, and beautiful old buildings. This is where the Brothers Grimm studied while at college. Every visitor should make the uphill walk to the Schloss (Castle). At the top is a beautiful view of all of Marburg.

Excursions Bonn is another beautiful city that the school takes a trip to. This is the city that Ludwig von Beethoven was born and raised in. You will get the chance to see the house that they claim he was born in. But he was actually born in a small house behind the one they say it is. Another site to see is the University. This was the bishop of Klns castle years ago but is now the University. Bonn is the home of the original Haribo factory, and still exists today. The romantic Rhine river runs through this wonderful city.

More Places to Visit Botanische Garten-Botanical gardens in Giessen. They are beautiful! On a nice day, take a relaxing walk through the garden to clear your mind. Mathematikum Hands-on mathematics. Challenging puzzles, giant soap bubbles, deceiving mirrors, mysterious bridges and more are offered at the Mathimatikum. You are encouraged to touch and play with everything!

Traveling Outside of Giessen Plane (Frankfurt-Hahn) Most of the time if youre traveling around Europe by plane, your cheapest bet will be through Ryanair. To get to the airport you must take a train to Frankfurt-am-Main. A bus to Frankfurt-Hahn airport will be outside the Hauptbahnhoff. This bus is 12 euros each direction. Be sure to check all of their travel restrictions! They only offer a free carry on bag, extra luggage has a fee. Train Traveling by train can be much cheaper. A group ticket is available within Germany, or just the state. The ticket usually costs about 35 euros but up to 7 people may be on the ticket. This brings the cost of traveling down immensely. Just be sure to plan for the travel time. Taking the train across the country could take most of the day.

Phrases to Know Entschuldigung Excuse me. Schnes Tag Have a good day. Guten Tag- Hello/Good day. Wo ist die Toilette? Where is the restroom? Sprechen Sie English? Do you speak English? Prst! Cheers! (be sure to make eye contact!) die Polizei-The Police der Bahnhof The train station der Flughafen The airport Halo!

Extra Information In buildings, the ground floor is called the Erdgeschoss and the first floor up is the first floor. In elevators the Erdgeschoss is represented with an E. Unlike in America, in Germany you must pay to use a public restroom. It is usually only about 50cents. There are no screens on the windows so be careful! You will need a bank. Sparkasse is a common bank with Geldautomats (ATMs) all around town.

Comments from Past Students "My time in Giessen was a life changing experience. I met new and exciting people from around the entire world and created lifelong friendships. I would not trade my experience in Giessen for anything in the world." -Tony Behrens, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Comments from Past Students At first, I didn't know if I would like Giessen. Everything seemed small: my dorm room, the town, my group of friends... But somewhere between midnight coffee with my Yemeni, Lebanese, Ukrainian, and German floormates, the dinosaur statues in the Marktplatz, and nights out at Haarlem followed by bleary-eyed morning language class, I fell in love with the place. I can't even begin to explain how much I want to go back - you just have to do it yourself to understand. And try the Doener at Turhan - its probably the best anywhere!-Lisa Colburn Wesleyan College, River Falls Wisconsin

Comments from Past Students When I compare study abroad stories with friends who did other programs through my school, I realize how unique my time in Giessen really was. Rather than travelling with a huge group from my home university, I went by myself to a real German University. With real German students who would always turn their heads when I spoke English in class. It was really cool if you think about it. Classes were great, there are some great professors in Giessen. Travelling was unreal, completely amazing to go to a different city or country every weekend. And the people I met were fantastic, hands down the best part of my study abroad experience because really, I met a ton of other students doing the same exact thing as me. They left their home to live in an amazing part of the world for a semester. Even looking back a year later, it's almost unreal that it ever even happened. But in all honestly, going to Giessen was one of the best choices I've ever made. Jennifer Graham, Suffolk University, Boston

Comments from Past Students It was great studying in Germany. I got the chance to learn another language and out of 4 exchange programs I have gone through, that was my favorite. People were awesome and I really made friends for life. I guess that this whole situation of being away from home and going through pretty much the same problems brings people together. What amazed me the most was the trip opportunities we got... everything seems to be so close, just a few hours away you are in a totally different country, listening to another language, and facing a distinct culture. I seriously dont think there is any better way for you to grow up and see that the difference is good and is what makes life interesting. Jorge Faria, Univeristy of Brasilia- Brasilia, Brazil

Comments from Past Students "About my Erasmus experience in Germany, I can only say that it has been marvelous. I have improved my English skills and I learned a little bit of German as well. For my artistic career it has been really positive because I was working there all year. I made many important contacts that Im actually using to get many international gigs outside of Spain. The most important part is the friends I met from all over the world. Im totally sure that if I travel to some of their countries I will visit them, even years later. I think we made a nice group and everyone would be happy to be visited by any other one of us. Actually, I started missing my Erasmus year since the moment I left. I even cried when I had to say goodbye. While at the university, at least in my case, I received so much help from friends and teachers. They made our time there easier, Ill be thankful forever. Ultimately, I suggest everyone to take this adventure out of your country, your friends, and your family because it has shown me that I can adapt myself wherever I am. Kimy Gomez Kaefe (DJ Kaefe)- Badajoz,Spain