Universtiy of Colorado at Denver Summer Study in Germany 3-Week Intensive Language & Culture Course Partner University in Northern Germany: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (Niedersachsen) Germany FAQ's concerning summer study What's the weather like? Humid and often rainy. Northern Germany has a temperate climate with very high humidity. The summer months are somewhat unpredictable, but you can count on rain at least part of the time. Temperatures can dip down into the low 50's (Fahrenheit) and be as warm as the mid to upper 80's during a warm spell. The mornings can be overcast and a little chilly, even in August. The high humidity intensifies the heat on warm days. It's good to dress in layers and always be prepared for rain.   What should I bring? As little as possible. Whatever you bring, you will have to carry it all with you. Your belongings should fit into one suitcase and an airline carry on bag (or backpack). A day pack is handy for short excursions and can be useful if a hiking trip comes up. For train travel, keep in mind that you have to get your bags on and off the train by yourself. The less you have, the more mobile you can be. It's best to leave all plug-in electrical appliances such as blow dryers and clock radios at home. Electrical current in Germany is different from that in North America, and most American appliances will fry if you try to use them anywhere in Europe. Adapters do not help. Some of the newer electric gadgets, however, are designed to convert to European 220 volt current. If you are not sure what you have, leave it behind. Be sure you bring your own medications with you. Even common pain relievers, such as aspirin, cost far more in Germany than in the USA. Allergy medications, insulin, and other prescription medications are certainly available in Germany, but it is much, much easier if you simply bring your own full supply. It's good to carry some German cash with you on the plane. Once you arrive in Germany, you may want to grab a cup of coffee or a snack. It's so much easier if you have a few Euros with you already. The exchange rate at the airport may not be particularly good so be sure to obtain some European currency in advance. Be sure you have all your necessary toiletries and a change of clothes with you in your carry-on. After ten or more hours in an airplane and a couple of hours of ground transportation, you will probably want to freshen up as quickly as possible. And it does happen that checked luggage can get delayed. So keep all your essentials with you in your carry on.   What about clothing? Bring rain gear. A light rain jacket and (or) an umbrella is absolutely essential. Good walking shoes are a must. Be sure to include plenty of underwear and extra socks. Laundry facilities are available, but be prepared to stand in line. Most students in Oldenburg dress much like Americans. It's fine to wear jeans and a sweatshirt to class. On warm days, shorts are far more comfortable. German buildings are not air conditioned. A sweater is nice to have for chilly mornings or late evenings. The humidity can make a cool evening feel rather cold. Bring a swimsuit and a towel. There will likely be several opportunities to go sun bathing and swimming at one of the many lakes near the town. Walking shorts are nice to have, especially when the weather gets hot and muggy. Unless you plan on going to a fancy concert or theater production, dress-up clothing is not at all essential. However, it is good to have at least one set of decent looking clothes for that evening at a good restaurant or in an upscale disco. German women like wearing skirts and German men often wear light jackets. Keep in mind that your main means of transportation is a bicycle, so dress appropriately for the bike.   Where do I get an application form? Please pick up your application materials from the Office of International Education. They are on the first floor in the CU building on 14th Street, downtown, between Larimer and Lawrence Street (across Speer Blvd. from the North Classroom Building). They are in suite 140. It's to the left when you walk in the building from the front.   How do I get to Oldenburg? You are on your own. Most students fly to a European airport then take the train to Oldenburg. Here are some airports in Europe listed according to proximity from Oldenburg:  Bremen (30 min), Hamburg (90 min), Amsterdam (4 hrs.), Frankfurt (6 hrs.) Other routes are possible, too, such as through London or Brussels. You can also fly to other German airports such as Cologne or Düsseldorf, but these may be more expensive. Bremen is by far the most convenient airport. You can get directly from the Bremen airport to the train station via light rail. Hamburg is also good, but you still have to change trains in Bremen to get to Oldenburg. Frankfurt and Amsterdam are probably cheapest, but then you have to deal with longer train rides and, especially from Amsterdam, several train changes. Be sure to find a travel agent who knows about getting to and from Europe. Don't forget the time change. If you leave on a Saturday, you won't be in Europe until Sunday. Be sure to figure in train travel time and layovers, as well. It's good to plan your trip as early as you can. Remember, the sooner you book your flight, the better your choices are for prices and travel dates.   Do I need a Eurail Pass? It depends. If you plan on spending all your time in Germany, you probably don't need to spend all that money on a Eurail Pass. There are special weekend bargains using the German rail system, and those fares are much, much cheaper than a Eurail Pass. There are also special buddy passes you can purchase in Germany that are available only for passengers who possess a non-German passport. On the other hand, if you plan on covering a lot of territory in a short period of time, a Eurail Pass makes good sense. Instead of paying for a hotel room, get on a night train and go as far as you can. If you want to wear yourself out by seeing all the major cities in Europe within two weeks, then a Eurail Pass is a good way to go. It's best to check with a travel agent to see what kind of passes are available.   What about a visa? Not in Germany. Americans traveling in Germany and the EU countries are not required to have a visa. If you are not an American citizen, then check with your consulate for information about the requirements for a visa to Germany. Everyone must have a valid passport and a proper international student ID card. Keep in mind that it takes up to six weeks to obtain a passport if your are applying for one for the first time. It's also good to keep a photocopy of your passport stashed in your luggage somewhere. If you lose the original, the photocopy can speed up the process of obtaining a replacement. It won't hurt to take your driver's license with you, but it is your passport that is considered valid identification at the border, in the banks, at the airport, etc. If you plan on staying in Germany for more than three months, you do need a visa to leagally reside there.   How safe will I be? Very. Germany is a highly civilized country, maybe more so than the USA. Crime rates are relatively low compared to the US, especially violent crimes. However, don't become overconfident. Pickpockets abound in Europe, and petty theft can occur any time. Common sense is the rule when dealing with your own safety. Keep the flaps on your bags closed and toward you. Carry your cash close to your body. And if you encounter strange or frightening people, simply avoid them. Germans, for the most part, keep to themselves, but they are very helpful to people in need. In Oldenburg, you will spend most of your time in familiar company, so there is no need for worry. In general, you will be safer in Oldenburg than you are in Denver.   Should I bring my grammar books? Maybe. Some students have found that their first year grammar text is useful for looking up verb forms, plurals of nouns, and other basic information. A medium sized dictionary is quite useful, otherwise, all course materials will be provided. Books get heavy when you carry them long distances, so it's best to leave them at home. However, be sure to bring along reading material for the trans-Atlantic flight. You will spend a full day getting to Europe, so having some portable entertainment will help occupy those long hours.   Do I need traveler's checks? No. It's much easier to carry some cash and an ATM card. Banks charge a fee for cashing traveler's checks in Germany. If you carry traveler's checks in American Dollars, you will also have to pay exchange fees. Most business are set up to accept Visa and Master Card for "larger" purchases, but Germans often deal in cash. Personal checks are useless in Europe, so don't bring them. When you withdraw cash from an ATM in Germany, the machine will issue Euros. Your home bank will calculate the exchange rate and apply the appropriate conversion fees. Remember, each transaction costs you money, so avoid using ATM's too frequently. Before you leave for Germany, convert some of your Dollars to Euros (and into other currencies if you plan on traveling outside of Germany). Main branches of American banks have currency exchange desks, smaller banks can order foreign currency for you if you request it in advance. How about credit cards? Yes. Just about every business accepts Visa and Mastercard nowadays in Germany. It's a good idea to have two different credit cards keeping one on your person and the other in a safe place. If you lose one, or it gets stolen, you will have a backup card for emergencies.   Is there anything else I need to know? Hundreds of things. Here are a few: Germany is eight hours ahead of Denver. Your body will probably be a little off kilter for a day or two after you arrive in Europe. Your eating and sleeping habits will be thrown off, so try to get onto local time as quickly as possible. Stores are closed on Saturday afternoons and all day Sundays in Germany, so plan your grocery shopping accordingly. There are no drinking fountains. If you want water, you have to buy it in bottles. Tap water is just fine to drink, but they don't serve it anywhere. Public restrooms often have coin operated stalls, so carry around a little change. The list goes on and on. The best way to discover Germany is to experience it for yourself in person. Have fun!   Who can I contact for more information? Tim Phillips - tim.phillips@cudenver.edu Bob McLaughlin - RMCL@HRZ1.uni-oldenburg.de