Useful information
The University of Göttingen provides wide support and assistance before and during the period of stay. We help with the visa application process as well as give all the necessary information concerning health insurance, travels as well as give advice on possible cultural or climate differences. We have a broad buddy system in practice. This includes a pick-up service from the train station, taking to a new home as well as giving a tour around the city and the University. The University of Göttingen organizes a lot of welcome events during the introduction week. The University of Göttingen also has a Welcome Centre which is a service facility for internationally mobile researchers and academics. Their portfolio of services include help with finding accommodation, companion service to visit local authorities or helping with legal matters. In case that you are accompanied by your family, we can also help with finding kindergarten or school for your children. More information on their service can be found here: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/welcome-centre/87827.html.
The University of Göttingen offers a limited number of rooms in the official halls of residence for international students. It is very important to contact the Accommodation Service as soon as possible, at least 3-4 months before your stay. The University however also helps with finding accommodation in the private housing market. More information can be found here: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/fettexchange-studentsfett-erasmus-erasmus-mundusstudents-from-non-european-partner-universities-daad-students/364087.html.
The University of Göttingen has a Language Centre German as a Foreign Language which offers over 50 different German courses which can be taken alongside regular courses. This courses are for free. Furthermore, special intensive courses are offered for students before the start of each semester, the cost of those courses is between 400 and 500 Euro. The German Language Proficiency Test for Higher Education Entry for Foreign Students (DSH) as well as the Test in German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) can also be taken at the Language Centre. The University also offers free courses in English as well as tens of other languages from beginners to advanced level.
How each individual budgets their living costs depends on their personal needs and preferences. The Göttingen Student’s Association, called “Studentenwerk”, provides a good and affordable basic infrastructure with numerous dormitories, cafeterias and dining facilities. Many of the cultural and sports facilities and public transportation authorities also give student discounts. For example the semester ticket which the student will get allows to travel for free around the Niedersachsen, including Hamburg, Hannover or Bremen. To cover the cost of living in Göttingen, you currently need at least 600 to 700 € a month. Students have to also pay an administration fee each semester which is 250 €. Throughout a year, there are many cultural events happening in Göttingen. There are theatre plays, symphonic concerts or pop-concerts (to those events, students can get a discount and sometimes pay as little as 1Euro for a ticket). There are also many parties organized in or outside the University. The climate in Göttingen is moderate, with rain throughout the year (there are 140 rainy days in a year). The temperature in winter can go as low as -23°C with average +1,5°C. It is necessary therefore to come with a warm jacket and good shoes. During summer the maximum temperature is 37°C, the average +17°C.
We offer a help to student with special needs. There are special disability-friendly accommodation. Many of the University facilities, including the central dining hall, central library or all the modern building of the University, are accessible for wheelchairs. The University has also appointed study assistants who support students with disabilities/chronic diseases in managing their everyday student life. This includes services such as: taking notes during lectures and seminars, processing study literature for visually impaired/blind students, helping with the use of libraries, etc. More information can be found here: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/408350.html.
Monitoring Activities begin at the University of Göttingen already before the selected Grantees comes to Göttingen. We suport and treck the Grantees within the visa application process and organization of their mobility (mobility period, arrival and departure date). After arriving to University of Göttingen we organize welcome meetings between Grantees and the local coordinators where all needed documents are signed and the first subsistance allowance is given to the Grantee in cash. We monitor the quality of the mobility by beeing in a regular contact with Grantees by email, regular meetings and by colecting reporting documents. All Grantees need to meet the local coordinators before their departure at the end of their mobility, sign the leaving documents and fill in the final reports.
The University of Göttingen is doing maximum for the international students so that they will feel welcome. Events that are focused on the international students are being held on daily basis. At the beginning of each semester, there is an introductory weekend and other welcoming events for international and exchange students to help them to get off to a quicker start and find their way around Göttingen easier. Moreover every semester foreign students can participate in a number of trips to German cities of political, cultural and historical interest as well as to other general touristic attractions. The Foyer International is a meeting place for students from all over the world offering regular language workshops, salsa courses, cooking and movie evenings, a course for creative writing as well as featured-country evenings aimed at promoting intercultural exchange. More information can be found here: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/2554.html