Intercultural Guide to Germany & LUH
Willkommen in Deutschland - Welcome at Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH)
We warmly welcome you to the LUH! A fantastic journey awaits you, one filled with interesting
study, people and exciting new experiences in the city of Hannover, Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony),
Germany! This city, you will soon discover, is of amazing possibilities with so much to offer. We invite
you to take advantage of this short guide. It is designed to provide you with information about the
country and culture that you will soon encounter.
Best of luck in all your endeavors and enjoy your stay in Germany!
(Above: The emblems of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Federal State of Lower Saxony)
Content
1. Basics & Map
2. Mentality and Etiquette
3. German Quirks: A Cultural Trip
4. University Life
5. Eating & Drinking
6. Travel around
7. Healthcare Issues
8. Other useful information
1. Basics
Name: Federal Republic of Germany
Population: 81,147,265 (July 2013 est.)
Area Size: 348,672 sq km (slightly smaller than Montana)
Government type: Federal Republic
Chancelor: Angela Merkel
President: Joachim Gauck
Bordering countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland
Coastline: 2,389 km • Forests and woodland cover 31% of the country
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm,
occasional warm, mountain (föhn) wind; high relative humidity
Lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster (-3.54 m)
Highest point: Zugspitze (2,963 m)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.32 (78.04 for males - 82.72 for females) 2013
Religions: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%
Capital: Berlin
Voting Age:18
Currency: 1 euro (€) = 100 cents ~ 1.35$
Map: Welcome to the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD)!
Travel destinations:
Hannover – Berlin: 3 hours by bus/car Hannover – Dresden: 4 hours by car/train
Hannover – Hamburg: 2-3 hours by train/car Hannover – München: 4-6 hours by train/car
Hannover – Düsseldorf: 2-3 hours by train/car Hannover – Frankfurt: 3-4 hours bei car/train
Hannover – North Sea: 3 hours by train/car
Hannover – Amsterdam (NED): 3-4 hours by car
2. Mentality & Etiquette
Language is not the only difference between Germany and other countries around the world. At first
glance, a lot of things will look familiar, especially for American exchange students. But also for
people from other continents: The German society, due to increasing immigration of people from all
over the world, has become a multicultural hotspot. For instance, the many signs of USA pop culture
and commercial life, exotic food stores, fashion wear, movies, music and TV-series from around the
world, English language in public etc.
But that should not mislead you that there exists a whole set of differences, as one of the most
immediate and obvious areas for misunderstanding between cultures is etiquette. The roots of
custom, etiquette, and religion rest deep within the values of a culture, and interaction with locals is
an excellent way to understand these values. What is a typical German like? What is considered
correct behavior in Germany? What you learn might surprise you!
The following is just a wrap-up of the most significant German mentalities. Do not take it too
seriously, since exceptions confirm the rule, but remember that in every stereotype there is also
some truth in it!
 Hello and Goodbye
When greeting friends and acquaintances, or when first introduced, it is customary to shake
hands. Usual greetings are “Hallo”, “Hi/Hey” (more informal) or “Guten Morgen”, “Guten Tag” or
“Guten Abend” (depending on the time of day). ‘How are you doing?’= “Wie geht es dir?” is not a
greeting phrase in Germany, but people actually expect an answer, hence, be not surprised to
hear an actual answer if you ask them how they are. Furthermore, you will never hear a cashier
in the store or a stranger in a bar ask that question, it is only common among friends. Close
friends and family members sometimes kiss each other once on the left and right cheek when
greeting or departing.
 Unfriendly Germans?
The blame that Germans are (kind of) “unfriendly and rude” is one of the most frequent
mentioned by foreign students, especially remarked by Americans. However, as a German raised
student, I can assure you that Germans are not inherently unfriendly and rude, but that indeed
there is a huge difference in how Germans deal with their surroundings, e.g. friends on the one
hand and colleagues (yet) strangers on the other hand. Germans, in public, just tend to be more
reserved and unemotional, only to open up and can become very warmhearted, loyal and good
friends in private.
In contrast, Americans rather present themselves as open, friendly and outgoing, greeting people
they just got to know or even strangers like “Hey what’s up” or “How’s it going?” but not really
expecting an actual answer.
Germans act rather distanced and, one could say, more efficiently driven: This attitude would
also explain why generally, Germans do rarely engage in small-talk conversations, unless there is
a clear reason for interacting. Furthermore, hence, if one day you get into the situation that you
need to ask somebody downtown or at the train station for the directions or whatsoever, you
should not take it personally (or as an offense) if you receive a focused, brusquely answer! It is
just the mindset of many Germans that makes it just seem logical for them to provide you only
with the pivotal information and nothing beyond that, which in effect may make them look
“rude”. Germans tend to be, often unintentionally, more direct in their opinions.
Also, if you need help or assistance, it is true that usually, you need to remark a request for help.
If you do so, indeed, you will get plenty of help, you just need to do the effort to actually ask
somebody to help you.
 The friendship concept
Another issue is that German friends (Germans would say: acquaintances) will usually not invite
you to their house party or to their home or whatsoever after the first time you met each other:
They just need some time to get to know you, to “get warm” with you, but in the long term you
will be a welcomed guest! With regard to this, you should be aware that is considered rude to
accept an invitation and not to join it in the aftermath without cancelling.
The Germans have a special definition of friendship. Do not be surprised if sometimes you are
referred to only as an acquaintance (Bekannte, Kollege) by Germans, where in America you
would already think of yourself as a good friend. The concept of what constitutes friendship
(Freundschaft) to Germans is quite different.
We call on upon your patience too proof you that not every German is inherently unfriendly!
 Punctuality
Being on time to both formal and informal appointments is the German idiosyncrasy par
excellence. It is not just a stereotype. Germans are usually really on time and expect it from each
other as well It is considered rude to arrive even a few minutes late: A common saying is that you
are better off when 30 minutes too early than one minute too late. (exception: The Deutsche
Bahn, which is the German Railway Authority. If you are late, just blame the Bahn or the public
transport for delays, and everbody will believe you!).
 (Dis)Order and Risk aversion
So how did Germans internalize this strict punctuality? It’s easy: They’re just masters of thinking
through every detail and scheduling their entire every-day life. Obviously, this is impossible, but
they do their best. They love to create to-do-list, write down every upcoming meeting in their
calendars or create detailed procedure plans for meetings or events. This also goes with the
overall mentality of Germans who in particular are rather averse to risks and try to minimize
them instead of taking risks. Not to say that they are ignorant towards new opportunities, but
they generally prefer to go into detail about an issue and study all possibilities before taking a
decision.
Focused on efficiency in almost every part of their life, their plans often don’t leave space for
spontaneous actions or indefinite promises. That explains why expressions like “See you around
then” or “I’ll call you later” are taken seriously and literally, so if you do not show up for an
invitation or do not call back even though you told them, they might feel offended!
So we strongly advise you to avoid misunderstandings: Just be direct when communicate with
Germans, say straight what you mean, and mean what you say! This might be a new and
uneasy way of communicating for you, but you will see soon that nobody is going to judge you
for being direct and straightforward in a conversation.
 The German Language
While the official language is German, you will encounter many people who can also speak
English fluently. However, the further one ventures from major cities, university campuses or
popular tourist destinations, the less likely it is that the locals will be able to communicate well in
English and strong American accent is not too easy to understand for unpracticed listeners.
Germany is a land of diverse accents and dialects. They reflect the strong regional diversity
celebrated in Germany.
The most proper form of German – that is, the accent and intonation most true to the rules of
written German, or Hochdeutsch – is spoken in Hanover, capital of the state of Lower Saxony. In
contrast, the dialects of Berlin, Bavaria, or Saxony are quite strong and differ from one another in
imaginative ways. Germans make strict distinctions between the various people in their
lives; their language facilitates this with a formal (Sie) and an informal (du) method of
address. When speaking German, it is considered inappropriate to address strangers or
superiors (those senior to you in age or rank) with informal language. However, it is
acceptable to use informal language with strangers in specific contexts, such as in a gym,
dormitory, or on a college campus, provided they are of the same social or academic
rank. Just let your acquaintance create the context of the conversation or relationship.
 Titles and Status
Academic and professional titles are considered part of an individual’s name. In college it is not
uncommon to draft an email to “Frau Professor Dr. Mayer,” for instance.
 Hand Gestures
Tapping your head with a finger indicates that someone is an idiot – and not that you are smart
or have just had a bright idea. Extending the middle finger, “flipping the bird,” has the same
offensive meaning for Germans. Waiving a hand back and forth in front of your face, palm side
facing inward, indicates that an individual is an idiot or inebriated (or commonly, both).
 Pedestrian Traffic
Germans conscientiously adhere to crosswalk regulations. If the crosswalk signal is red, they
usually will not cross the street, even in the complete absence of traffic. Also, pedestrians (and
bicyclists) have right-of-way. Bicycling is the most typical means of transportation!
3. German quirks: A short cultural trip
 The Flee Market (Flohmarkt)
Flee markets typically take place on Saturday mornings in a fixed location designated by the city.
There you will find stalls and tables staffed by locals vending all sorts of knick knacks, useful and
useless alike. There is almost no limit to what might be discovered at a flee market: 8 old comic
books, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, plastic Minnie Mouse figurines, silverware, helmets, TVs, and
DVDs. Bartering is encouraged. Check the local paper to find the nearest flee market. Cash only.
There are hardly any garage sales in Germany.
 Football
Germans, as you will notice soon, are really sport fanatics. However, sometimes it might look as
if “sport” is just another term for “Fußball” (football/soccer) because it is by far the most popular
sports activity in Germany and has its importance in media coverage and small talk
conversations, not only since Germany was highly praised for football fest at the World
Championship in Germany 2006 and since it won the World Championship in 2014.
On the weekend, Germans celebrate their
favorite club in the local leagues or in the
Bundesliga, which is considered as one of the
best professional football leagues in the whole
world. The games usually take place on
Saturday afternoon, Friday or Sunday
evenings. Then, people gather in pubs and
bars in the old town or they meet at some
friends to enjoy and support their favorite
teams.
Hannover ‘96 , a.k.a. “die Roten” (The Reds) is the biggest and most successful club in Hannover
and is also a member of the Bundesliga. We highly encourage you to go for a visit at one of their
home matches or to follow their games at one of the traditional pubs in old town! You can find
more information about hot to get tickets at http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/tickets.html .
 Christmas Markets
In Germany, it is very common to celebrate the Advent and to prepare for Christmas by gathering
on one of the traditional, placid and cozy Christmas markets. This celebration fest is originated in
Germany and usually takes place in the four weeks of advent, from the end of November to
Christmas Eve at the end of December. The
markets are held in the old town areas or in
pedestrian zones in numerous cities
throughout Germany and are mainly a
tradition to give people a feeling of warm
solidarity and pleasant. If you walk on the
narrow pathways on the market, surrounded
by tiny but finely decorated Christmas stalls,
you will hear Christmas songs played here and
then, you will come across groups of students
who enjoy a hot Glühwein (a delicious
alcoholic beverage made of red wine and
various mulling spices) and Christmas cookies, and you will find countless stalls where you can
find various Christmas items and gifts for the holidays. It is certainly a very pleasant event that
you should not miss out!
 Beer
We could write a whole novel about the
history, significance, its unique taste and
the special relationship between Germans
and beer, but we will not. We will just
advise you to try it out a.s.a.p and form
your own impression of the unofficial
German national drink. Here is a hint for
every international student coming to
Hannover: Try the “Herri” (Herrenhäuser
Beer, s. image)!
 Name giver of the university: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), who spend most of
his life in the city of Hannover, was one of the great thinkers
of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and is known as
the last “universal genius”. Leibniz made strong and
important contributions to the fields of metaphysics, logic,
philosophy of religion, mathematics, physics, geology,
jurisprudence, and history. Leibniz invented most notably the
calculus (1679) and binary arithmetics based on bits (1701).
You can find the binary system on the official LUH log as well!
The LUH also established a permanent exhibition on the
ground level lobby in the main building of LUH to
demonstrate its respect and to remind of the contribution of
Leibniz’ works during his life in Hannover. You want to get
more information about Leibniz and the LUH History?
Have a look at http://www.uni-hannover.de/en/universitaet/leibniz/index.php .
4. Eating and Drinking
Enjoy your meal or as Germans would say: Guten Appetit! Mahlzeit! When they drink, Germans say
Prost, which is equivalent to Cheers!
Food portions are rather smaller. Beer is stronger, Coffee is stronger and more robust in flavor.
Usually, the quality of food prepared or served in Germany is very high. The minimum drinking age in
Germany is 16 if enjoying beer, 18 liquor, and 14 when accompanied by parents.
Generally, drinking is legal in public, unless you encounter signs which indicate that prohibit drinking
(e.g. some subway or train authorities do not allow alcoholic beverages in their trains)
The Mensa (University Cafeteria) is a good place to have a delicious meal for a low price.
Usually there are no free refills for soft drinks, water or coffee in cafés and restaurants.
 Supermarket & Kiosk
You can find plenty of full-size supermarkets (grocery stores) around your neighborhood in
Hannover where you can buy all the different food and beverages you need. Usually,
supermarkets in Germany have also a small selection of hygiene products and household items.
Be aware that the different stores offer a different selection of products. The biggest and most
common stores are ALDI ,REWE EDEKA, LIDL, Netto & Penny (Opening hours 7-9pm, some REWE
stores are open until 11pm): The stores are usally closed on Sunday! To buy groceries or shop on
Sunday, go to the nearest large train station, which often has full-size grocery stores and other
shops.
During your stay, here and there you will encounter the Kiosk (it is similar to a 7-11 store), a tiny
shop stocked with newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, lottery tickets, chilled alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and sometimes snack foods. Open until very late at night and on Sundays, the
kiosk, is convenient and inexpensive.
 In the Restaurant
It is not necessary to wait to be seated in restaurants in most restaurants. Simply select a table
and sit down; the wait staff will soon visit to take meal orders. Pay at the register or ask for the
check when you intend to leave.
Tipping is not strictly necessary. Wait and service staff does not subside mainly from tips earned.
It is enough to round off checks, leaving small amounts as the tip in restaurants. In bars it is not
expected that patrons leave tips for drinks served.
Patrons are not automatically served water after being seated; water, like any other drink, must
be ordered. Tap water, called Leitungswasser, is usually free but must be asked for explicitly.
Some restaurants might charge you for tap water as well. Bottled water served in restaurants is
commonly carbonated.
 Local & International Food
Germany boasts its own catalog of fast food franchises, most are regional. The most popular fast
food in Germany is Bratwurst, Currywurst, french fries with ketchup and mayonnaise (which cost
extra) and Turkish and Greek food, such as small fast food shops with a Greek or Turkish menu
are found in all large towns and cities.
The signature Turkish dish is Döner Kebap, a kind of shredded meat sandwich. Rotating in the
front window of nearly every Turkish Döner shop is a large joint of meat (typically lamb or
chicken) that is kept heated. Prices are typically the kind that attracts hungry students (i.e. €3 €5 for a filling meal). You should really check it out!
Visitors will also recognize a number of familiar fast food restaurants (McDonalds, Burger King,
Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway) and name-brand products.
 Traditional Bars & Beer
With some exceptions, the etiquette in traditional bars in Germany is not unlike that of the U.S.
But do not occupy tables reserved for regular patrons. Guests can pay at the front cash register
or at their table for their drinks. Germany is also famous for its variety of different beer types
and its good quality.
It is true that Germans love to drink beer. You should be aware that some German beer might be
stronger than you expect it to be from your home country, so you should really drink carefully
and responsible when you go out and drink German beer and liquor for the first time and in
general.
5. University Life
The winter semester usually begins October 1 and ends March 31 and the summer semester is from
April 1 to September 31. Lectures begin about two weeks after the start of the semester. You can find
a lot of interesting information about Germany’s higher education system on
https://www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/publikationen/en/
Attention: There is no “24/7” service provided at German universities. In the most cases, opening
hours are weekdays from 8AM to 5PM, but beyond these times you will be very unlikely to reach
any employees, offices or institutions at the university.
Also, in contrast to many universities outside of Germany, there is no special security service
provided for the University area, except one unarmed guard at the main building of the Leibniz
University.
 Campus Life & Housing
The Leibniz University Hannover is –typically for Germany- integrated into the city, i.e. university
facilities and resident halls are dispersed throughout the city. Dorms provide inexpensive
accommodations for students and are open all year long (i.e. over the breaks). The housing
situation for students in Germany is somewhat different to the “on-campus/boarding home”system that is popular in the USA. For the 36,000 students that live in Hannover, only a very small
amount of rooms is available at student dorms. Therefore, international students are urged to
apply a.s.a.p. for student housing: First comes, first serves!
Due to this tensed dormitory housing situation, it is very common to acquire accommodations
not organized by the university, such as in in an apartment or in a “WG” (Wohngemeinschaft,
living with roommates), although it can be considerably a little bit more expensive.
Students do not share rooms, as is common in American dorms. Instead, students receive
individual rooms in a co-ed dorm and share specific facilities, such as kitchens, bathroom and
shower areas, and student-run bars/cafes/recreation or fitness areas located within the dorm.
International students can find information about housing by checking the following link:
http://www.international.uni-hannover.de/zimmervermittlung_hannover.html?&L=1
 The Main Building of LUH
The main building (Hauptgebäude, s. the middle image at the top) is the heart of the Leibniz
University, which includes the Students Service & Information Center, dozens of lecture halls,
class rooms and lounges for students to study with free wi-fi etc. There is also a scan & copy
center near the main entrance on the ground floor level. The main building is open 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, but you might be asked to show your student ID on Sundays and
holidays at the entrance to enter the building.
 The International Office (HI or IO)
The Hochschulbüro für Internationales (International Office, HI or IO) is on the right side of the
main entrance of the main building of LUH. It is dedicated to the care of the international student
population and helps them in all relevant issues. The IO also organizes numerous events, such as
intercultural workshops, language courses, movie & international cooking events and a lot of
more fun activities to join! If you do have any question or concern, please contact us. Please also
visit our offers at http://www.international.uni-hannover.de/international.html?&L=1
 Student-Faculty Relationship
Beyond lectures, students have minimal contact with professors and lecturers. The German
university system, which is influenced and shaped by the ideals and values of the “Humboldtsche
education system”, encourages students to organize themselves, study and research very
independently under an comprehensive approach to convey higher education. On the other
hand, most of the professors focus on doing their research, with a lesser extent on teaching
students. This is one reason among others why there is not such a personal, informal relationship
between students and professors, such as in the USA.
 School Spirit
American-style “school spirit” is absent from
German universities. A glance at a German
university will not render images of students
strolling to class clad in the colors or ensigns
of the “home team” or in sweatshirts
emblazoned with the university logo. There is
one small university shop in the Service center
of the administration building where students
can purchase clothing or other regalia
university insignia. This is not to say that
parents and students do not feel a measure of
pride in their affiliation with the university,
particularly if it is prestigious; it is simply to
emphasize that it is not advertised.
 Fraternities and sororities
These are called Studentenverbindungen, but they mostly have a bad reputation.You should be
aware of the fact that if you come across Verbindungen, especially the so-called
Burschenschaften, they have a strong affiliation with extremist nationalist ideology.
 University cafeterias (Mensa)
Mensas are not located in the dorms but next to the
university. Mensas offer inexpensive, healthy and filling
meals. Cafeterias are located near university facilities or
dormitories. Be sure to furnish a student ID card to receive a
discounted price. You can look up the different locations and
opening hours of all Mensas in Hannover at
http://www.studentenwerk-hannover.de/m-oeff.html
 International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
It is useful to possess an international student ID card while in Germany and abroad. With it you
will be eligible to receive discounts at university cafeterias and other locations throughout
Germany and the world, such as museums, restaurants, and theaters and in obtaining
accommodations or making travel arrangements. An international ID card can be obtained at STA
Travel or at the following address: http://www.isic.de/
 University Athletics & Sports Clubs
In 2010, the LUH was awarded and ranked best for its sport
facilities: However, compared to the U.S., German universities
have few sports teams. German schools are less team oriented,
and sports are not viewed as an integral part of the college
experience, as they are in the U.S. To Germans, athletics are a
leisure activity, something that students engage in
independently of the university.
Sports are beloved in Germany; people join local clubs, called Vereine, where they can play on a
team with other athletes. If interested in participating in sports, consult your university or the
local club of the sport of your choice.
If you are interested in staying physically fit and do not want to join an athletic team or sporting
club, Germany offers a vast selection of gyms. Whatever you demand from a fitness center, be it
racks and racks of free weights to high tech gadgetry, Hannover has something for you.
6. Travel around
Public transportation is simply excellent in Germany and especially good in Hannover: you can take
busses, trains and trams. They are safe and secure. As a student at LUH, you have free transportation
(except IC trains) within most of the state of Lower-Saxony.
 By subway and buses
All major German cities boast safe, expansive and efficient networks of
trams, subways, and buses. Each bus line and
light rail network is run locally and operates
often from very early in the morning until late
at night. German public transportation is very
punctual. Trains are periodically visited by
railway security officials who request that
passengers present tickets. Passengers are fined
(at least 40€) if caught riding without a ticket.
Train schedules, prices, and maps are available in every major train
station as well as at most stations. When in doubt it is best to ask an
official or local passenger.
 By rail
In addition to buses and light rail within major cities, there are large, safe, long-distance trains
that offer transportation to anywhere in Europe. The cost of these trains depends on your
destination, in addition to your desired travel class – first or second – and route. First and second
class wagons are marked with the numbers one (1) or
two (2) on the exterior of the train, respectively.
Tickets can be purchased online via the Deutsche Bahn
(DB) webpage, at automated machines and at ticket
counters in train stations. Train schedules and
information are also available on the DB webpage
(bahn.de) and in train stations.
Interrail travel is flat fee ticket and a popular way to
travel around Europe with only one ticket to acquire.
You can find more information about fees and
conditions
at
http://www.interrail.eu/interrailpasses/globalpass?gclid=CJ2u8ZLm1sACFUjHtAodtW0ASg .
 By plane
Ryanair , Air Berlin and German Wings are popular budget airlines among thrifty travelers. While
flights are very inexpensive, budget airlines charge for services provided at no cost by
mainstream airlines, such as luggage storage and in-flight meals. These charges are not always
apparent, so take care when purchasing tickets.
 Intercity Bus
Going by intercity bus is a cheap way to travel through Germany and Europe.
Check http://www.fernbusse.de/busverbindungen/ http://www.goeuro.de/ or http://touring.de.
 Taxi: Taxi service is metered. Taxi cars are usually yellow or black, but always with a yellow TAXI
sign fixed on the roof of the car. Be sure to ask if taxi drivers accept credit cards before the
journey. Taxis are only licensed to carry four individuals. Pay at the end of the journey. A small
gratuity (¢.50- €1) is appropriate.
 Car
If you plan to be in Germany for less than six months (i.e. with tourist status) your U.S. driver’s
license will be valid. If you are going to be in Germany for longer it may be necessary to obtain a
German license. It is wise to become familiar with German driving laws and etiquette before
getting behind the wheel. For example, there is no right turn on red if not explicitly indicated.
Be careful when driving on the Autobahn (interstate/expressway). Passing other cars on the right
side is illegal and dangerous. The minimum driving age is 18.
If traveling on a budget it may be advisable to take advantage of a ride sharing program. With
this arrangement travelers share a car ride to a destination. This is very common among students
in Germany. Although it is not dangerous to use these programs, keep in mind you will be riding
with strangers. http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/
 Bicycle
The bicycle is often the most economic and convenient form of transportation within the city.
Hannover has special bike lanes directly on sidewalks or roadways. Be sure to always lock your
bike to prevent theft. A cheap way to buy a bike would be to look for offers in the local
newspapers or at the Fahrradwerkstatt in the Nordstadt, a social project where used bikes are
very inexpensive but in good condition.
Do not ride while under the influence of alcohol; if caught you will be fined and you can also lose
your driver’s license. It is forbidden to ride bicycles side by side on sidewalks and roads; only on
designated bicycle paths is this type of riding permitted.
7. Health Care Issues
In case of emergency, call 112 (for Ambulance, Fire) or 110 (for Police)!
Emergency reception in hospitals is called Notaufnahme (only visit in urgent emergency)
 Emergency doctors
Emergency doctors are listed in local newspapers in the emergency medical service (Ärztlicher
Notdienst or Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) section. If you are in need of medication, look in the
pharmacy emergency (Apotheken-Notdienst) section of local newspapers or in the internet. You
can find the numbers and addresses of pharmacies with extended hours. In addition, pharmacies
will have the addresses and numbers of emergency pharmacies posted in their windows.
 Health Insurance
Students are required to have a German health insurance which covers basically all. You will
receive more information about this during your application process and upon arrival &
immatriculation. For very detailed information regarding German health insurance please visit:
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/healthinsurance.html
 Hospitals
Hospitals in Germany offer top-notch services and are staffed with highly trained medical
professionalsYou must be referred to a hospital by a doctor, unless it is an emergency. Like most
educated Germans, doctors and other medical professionals speak English.
 Private Practices and Dentists
If you are in need to find an appropriate physician or dentist, you can turn to the International
Office. The employees at the IO will be glad to provide you with appropriate information about
doctors or clinics.
 Drug Stores, Pharmacy
In Germany, the idea of a drug store, or Apotheke, is slightly different. Instead of providing
everything from prescription medicine to shoelaces, drinks, and other conveniences, with the
actual pharmacy far off in the back, German drug stores focus mainly
on medicines, prescription and over the counter. The shops are
usually small and in order to obtain medicines, prescription or not, it is
usually necessary to ask a pharmacist standing behind the counter.
German pharmacists also provide some degree of advising regarding
medical products sold. Outside of the Apotheke hangs a large sign
with a red, stylized letter A. Shops like Rossman or dm more closely
resemble American drugstores with one exception; they sell personal
hygiene products, over the counter drugs, health foods, and beauty
products, but do not fill prescriptions.
8. Other useful information
 Postal Services
Mail boxes are yellow in Germany and are adorned with a black postal
horn symbol. Postage stamps can be purchased in shops selling stationary
that have a post office sign in the window or above a doorway, automated
vending machines (s. image) or at the postoffice directly. Find more
information
here:
https://www.deutschepost.de/de/b/briefe-insausland.html
 Counting Building Stories
In Germany the first floor of a building is not counted when referring to a certain floor number in
a building. It is referred to as the Erdgeschoss (E), ground level. What Americans would call the
second story is in Germany called the first.
 Cash & Credit Card
Cash is the most common payment method but it
becomes more common to pay with a debit card (EC/
Girokarte) at some locations, usually larger shops or
supermarkets. Some credit cards, such as Capital One,
do not charge extra for their use in Europe. Bank of
America has partnered with Deutsche Bank. If you hold
an account with Bank of America you can withdraw
money with your American debit/credit card from
Deutsche Bank ATMs without incurring fees. As a
student you can receive free banking at most banks in
Germany. To open an account as a student you must
visit a bank and furnish documentation certifying your student status, passport, and residence
contract.
 Student Banking
If you will be receiving scholarship money or pay on a regular basis it would be wise to open a
German bank account. In this way you will avoid costly fees arising from currency exchange and
bank transfers. By having a German bank account you will also avoid ATM withdrawal fees. When
selecting a German bank use the same good judgment as you would for a U.S. bank, we
recommend Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse or Volksbank. When withdrawing cash from an ATM that
does not belong to your you will be charged around €6 ($10)!
 Subscriptions & contracts: Be careful!
If you stay for a semester or even longer in Germany, you will probably like to engage in a fitness
club, obtain a mobile phone contract or sign up for a newspaper subscription. But you should be
aware of the fact that contracts in Germany usually do not offer as much as flexibility as it is
common in the US or other states! Most of the contracts for fitness activities, mobile phones or
newspaper are signed to be valid for an extent of at least one or two years. Hence, to minimize
any troubles of needless, outstanding accounts when leaving Germany, please be careful when
considering to sign a contract and do not forget check the contract length.
 Mobile Phone & Communication
You are less likely to find a mobile phone/internet contract length to a lesser extent than a twoyears-period. Hence, ask your fellow Germans students or your study buddy for best and up-todate offers to find an appropriate contract or SIM-Card that can be cancelled on a monthly basis.
You might also check the following webpage, which consists of a list of contracts that can be
cancelled on a monthly basis: http://www.allnet-flat-vergleich.de/tarife/allnet-flat-ohnevertragslaufzeit/
Usually, you have free internet in your dormitory.
 Bathroom (WC) and Shower
The bathroom is referred to as a “WC” – an abbreviation
originating from the archaic English term “Water Closet.” In
public look for signs with this designation if a visit to the
bathroom is necessary. It is common to ask “Wo ist die
Toilette?” which means “Where is the toilet?”. Nobody
understands the term restroom/bathroom.
 Laundry
Germans commonly use clotheslines and metal drying racks to dry freshly washed clothing.
Clotheslines and racks are located in basements and on balconies of apartment buildings.
Washing machines and dryers are smaller in Germany, while wash cycles are longer.
 Plugs and Electrical Sockets
You probably need to purchase appliances (Hair dryer, alarm clock) or accessories (iPod charger,
laptop cable) with the German configuration or the appropriate adaptors. Adaptors are widely
available in appliance stores (MediaMarkt, SATURN, CONRAD) in Germany, duty free shops in
airports, and on the internet. The voltage of the European power grid is 220 volt, compared to
the 110 volt used in the U.S. Fortunately, this does not lead to any problems for your electric
devices.
 Recycling and Waste Disposal
Recycling in Germany is complex. Waste must be separated
into different bags, bins and containers. Some of the plastic
and glass bottles, as well as certain aluminum drink cans, you
purchase have to be returned to supermarkets, beverage
stores, or recycling centers for the deposit (Pfand). This system
is sometimes automated. The glass and plastic bottles,
aluminum cans, which cannot be returned in this way, must be
disposed of in the appropriate manner.
Other useful links
Meet a German: What’s typical for Germans?
http://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/lp/prj/mtg/typ/enindex.htm
http://www.howtogermany.com/
All necessary resources at the International Offices for incoming students:
http://www.international.uni-hannover.de/wegenachhannover.html?&L=1
Free-time activities in Hannover:
http://home.meinestadt.de/hannover/freizeit
http://veranstaltungen.meinestadt.de/hannover
Sports at LUH:
http://www.hochschulsport-hannover.de/
Study & live in Germany: All the information you need:
https://www.study-in.de/en/