 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The University and Life as an Exchange Student |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home Freiburg Greater Freiburg Black Forest Culture Day Trips About Me/Contact |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The Albert-Ludwigs Universit�t Freiburg has just been voted an elite university and certainly lives up to it...the professors are fantastic, the facilities modern and the range of classes offered unbelievable. But don't be scared by this either....if you are an exchange student with limited german, you will find most of the professors are very understanding and won't mark you down because of grammar mistakes in your essay! In fact some of them like having foreign students in the class as they can ask your opinion about issues as a visitor to the country. Be prepared to learn a lot, even about yourself. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You will find that most Seminare in the arts dept involve you giving a Referat (spoken, interactive presentation) which is fun when everyone participates, and writing a Hausarbeit (paper) which you can usually give in during the semester break. Sometimes there are exams at the end but this depends on your course. If your German is understandable I recommend not just taking the Sprachlehrinstitut courses offered to exchange students but to challenge yourself with a real Proseminar, or if you have been at uni for 3 years or more, a Hauptseminar. These are more intellectually challenging, fascinating and you will learn a lot just by being there. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Sprachlehrinstitut offers fantastic language courses (I did German, French and Spanish) which are cheap for students. You can always do one just for fun. When you arrive you will get a lot of info regarding how to get your visa and enrol, but you will have to search yourself on the uni website to find out how to sign up for classes. Sometimes it is best to email the professor or department beforehand to see if there are places free, before the class fills up. On arrival, go to the International office (check the opening hours). Remember in Germany you sometimes have to sit outside a person's office in a queue during their "Sprechstunde" so get there early. They are very friendly, speak a few languages and understand the stress of being a new student. Each department also has staff who can advise you what classes to take. The German dept sometimes puts on classes aimed specifically at exchange students.
Enough about Scheine (pass certificates) and Vorlesungen. The student life in Freiburg is why you are coming, isn't it? The International Club (from Studentenwerk) puts on weekend hikes which are usually free, all through the Black Forest, in France, Switzerland...they even do trips to places like Prague and Warsaw for a cheap fare. Most Student dorms have summer festivals, a bar, parties (like shot night at Stusie). Try to make friends with Germans to practise your language, but other foreign students can also be lots of fun. The uni itself puts on a Summerfest near the KG buildings, with Djs, bands, food and parties. The student dorms and WGs have a real group feeling and often you will be invited to go "grillen", to a dress up party, to play guitar with the Spaniards or even to a friend's holiday house. Take every opportunity and remember to speak German every day! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|