Exchange of students between University of Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau and University Hong Kong Supported by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

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1 Exchange of students between University of Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau and University Hong Kong Supported by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Dear exchange student, Thank you very much for your interest in studying at the University of Koblenz- Landau under the terms of the agreement signed by our universities. We would like to offer some general information about preparing your application and planning your study period in Germany. Application - Admission You must be nominated and introduced by your home university. Once the coordinator at the Landau campus receives a message from your university stating that you have been selected he will confirm that you are accepted. After having been accepted, your application has to be filled out on-line, printed out and sent by post to our university. The application form may be obtained either directly from the International Office at your home university or by downloading it from our website: Please send the application and the required preliminary study plan to the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) at the Landau campus; the address can be found on the first page of the form. Application Deadlines May 31 for the winter semester November 30 for the summer semester Academic Calendar The academic year is divided into a winter semester (1 October - 31 March) and a summer semester (1 April - 30 September). Teaching periods Semester Classes begin Classes end WS 2011/12 Monday, October 17, 2011 Saturday, February 11, 2012 SoSe 2012 Monday, April 16, 2012 Saturday, July 21, 2012 Important dates: (summer term ) Arrival: Welcome Day for Internationals: Documents for enrollment ready: Welcome Day for all starters: Orientation test for German language course: Application for library identification: Application for computer base identification: Start of lecture period: 1 st April 5 th April 2 th April 5 th April 10 th April 10 th April 11 th April 12 th April 16 th April

2 2 Orientation meetings Orientation meetings in university faculties and institutes are usually held before the beginning of classes. The International Office provides centrally-organized introductory events for foreign students; attendance is compulsory. Study Plan Write a study plan on a separate paper, stating the courses you wish to take. If necessary, you can make changes to your study plan upon arrival. Information on courses For preliminary information see actual course lists of winter term 2011 on the internet: &trex=step The actual course list for summer 2012 will be online in Februrary For additional information, please contact your coordinator at the Landau campus, Professor Dr. Martin Pütz directly. Information from the International Office to the exchange student After having received the complete application, the International Office will send the Letter of Acceptance and additional information about the university and the city of Landau. At that time, you will also receive an with basic information on the contract for student residences and the application for housing. Health Insurance (see DAAD scholarship) In Germany, health insurance is seen as the most important insurance. It is mandatory by federal law for all students and employees in Germany. It is mandatory for every exchange student to obtain a proof of health insurance of a public health insurance company in Germany as this is one pre-condition of enrolment. Private travel or emergency insurances will not be recognized as a student health insurance either. They are indeed often required for the application for a visa, but still they do not fulfil the requirements of enrolment. It is recommended to take out travel health insurance for the period you will spend in Germany until your registration at the University. Visa Residence Permit (see DAAD scholarship) You need a visa before entering Germany. Therefore, you must submit an application for a visa for study purposes (student visa) to the nearest German embassy in Hong Kong. This must be done before arrival: All foreigners who intend to study in the Federal Republic of Germany must show that they have sufficient financial means (approx. 500,-- /month) to be able to finance their study and costs of living. Should the student receive financial support by his/her home university he/she should show proof of that support via a respective letter stating amount of support, period of stay and name of partner university.

3 3 University Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau, will issue a letter of acceptance showing the amount granted by the DAAD scholarship. Both letters should be presented to the German embassy in Hong Kong together with private financial statements if necessary. Bring along all these documents to Germany as well! It is frequently the case that when you apply for a visa there is a requirement to show proof of health insurance. When applying for the residence permit in Landau you have to show a proof of health insurance again. Therefore see paragraph Health Insurance and DAAD scholarship. After your arrival: Once you are here, you will have to take the necessary actions to stay. You will first have to notify the authorities the Ausländeramt (Aliens Office/Foreign Registration Office) of your residence - a procedure called Anmeldung. As a second step, after enrolment will be finished, you have to obtain a residence permit from them because you are staying for more then 90 days in Landau. This can be prepared after arrival: You will also need to prove that you have a place to live in Germany. Bring a copy of your lease when you go to register at Ausländeramt. Be aware of the fact that you possibly have to register first with University Koblenz-Landau in order to be allowed to travel to further countries. Registration with university takes about one week after presentation of the necessary documents. Visa will be issued within two weeks after registration with university. For further information regarding visa application, see: Housing (see DAAD scholarship) We would like to point out that student dormitories are managed by the Studierendenwerk (an independent service organization), not by the University. The International Office makes great efforts to reserve rooms in the student residences for students in official exchange programs. Students receive a copy of the leasing contract together with a bill for the deposit and the total amount of rent by . The deposit and the total amount of rent must be payed by international bank transfer in advance. The leasing contract has to be originally signed with Studierendenwerk after arrival. The rent for a room is 1440 per semester and includes heating, water, electricity, use of bathroom/shower and kitchen. The Studierendenwerk has fixed the following leasing periods: Winter term: 01. October 31. March -- Summer term: 01. April 30. September Contracts for other leasing periods are not possible! Private personal liability insurance ( Privathaftpflicht ) The German legal principle of liability means that you are personally liable for any damage that you cause to persons or property. Accidents can happen easily and may have costly consequences - you might break a window, knock over a vase in a shop or cause an accident involving a pedestrian or a cyclist. If a person is injured as a result of an accident that you have caused, you are liable not only for material damages, but also for compensation, hospital and rehabilitation costs and for the loss

4 4 of earnings of the injured party. It is, therefore, advisable to take out personal liability insurance to cover the potential costs of an accident. Accident Insurance Unfallversicherung University Koblenz-Landau recommends all students to take out an accident insurance as well. Student Canteens and Cafeterias The student service organization - Studierendenwerk - runs student canteens and small cafeterias offering students reasonably priced menus. The student canteens are open during the semester from Monday to Friday and closed on weekends. Finances living costs When you are planning your budget for living in Germany you need to calculate your everyday living expenses including your food, accommodation (rent, deposit, other bills), books, clothes, leisure activities and socialising. The following financial obligations exist: Housing rent: 1440 for one semester (to be payed before arrival). deposit: 300 to be payed before arrival ( 30 will be deducted from the deposit for the rental of bedding and linens. You will be reimbursed 270 if you return your room clean and without any damage). Purchase of medical insurance: 80 per month for students younger than 30 years Charge of Sozialbeitrag (social subscription): 95 per semester to be payed upon arrival. This subscription is levied upon all students and is contributed towards the services of the University such as Studierendenwerk and the Student Union (AStA). It is not a tuition fee. Payment is a precondition for registration. Personal expenses for food, books, leisure activities: approximate cost 250 per month. Those costs of living add up to approximately per semester. Tutors Student tutors will be assigned by your coordinator in Landau. The coordinator will inform you about name and . Your tutor will guide you around the city of Landau, will show you the residence hall and the campus and will assist you with the administrative formalities during your first days in Landau. The tutors will assist you during your entire stay in Landau. You should contact your tutor before arrival. Tuition The University of Koblenz-Landau does not charge tuition from exchange students.

5 5 Course on German as a Foreign Language A weekly course (2 hours each) entitled German as a Foreign Language will be offered to all 3 students as a group. These classes are free of charge. DAAD scholarship: The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) announced a financial support for you for studying at the University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau campus, during summer semester This partial scholarship amounts to 1600 in total. Using this amount of money University Koblenz-Landau will arrange the following: - Housing at residence hall: The rent will be paid directly to Studierendenwerk. - Health insurance will be bought at AOK for lecture period. AOK is a local public health insurance company. A copy of the contract will be sent to International Office of University Hong Kong in order to arrange for student s visa. Should the student intend to stay longer in Germany/EU-countries than lecture period is running the student must show proof of health insurance coverage for this additional period and proof of sufficient financial means to Ausländeramt before the residence permit is being issued. We recommend to prolong the contract with AOK for this period by paying the insurance fee on a private basis upon arrival. - Sozialbeitrag (social subscription) will be provided to Studierendensekretariat as this is one pre-requisite for the enrolment process. DAAD scholarship + 1, Rent at students residence hall - 1, Health insurance (as to invoice) approx Social subscription Total: Contact Your coordinator at the Landau campus: Prof. Dr. Martin Pütz, Department of English, Puetz@uni-landau.de International Office at the Landau campus: Mrs. Jutta Bohn, Bohn@uni-koblenz-landau.de University address: University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau campus Fortstraße 7 D Landau