International Pre-Arrival Guide 2016
MA International Tourism Management (MITIM)
MA International Business & Intercultural Management (MIBIM)
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Table of Content
Welcome to Heilbronn University................................................................................................. 2
Location of Heilbronn .................................................................................................................... 3
Information about Germany ......................................................................................................... 4
Travelling to Heilbronn .................................................................................................................. 4
Health Insurance ............................................................................................................................ 4
Visa Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 5
Your Finances ................................................................................................................................. 7
What to do before the departure ................................................................................................. 9
Arrival ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Luggage and Packing checklist..................................................................................................... 10
Accommodation .......................................................................................................................... 11
Welcome and Orientation ........................................................................................................... 12
University Campuses ................................................................................................................... 13
Schedule Winter Term 2016/2017 ........................................................................................... 15
Dos and Don‘ts in Germany ........................................................................................................ 16
Support and Advice ..................................................................................................................... 18
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Welcome to Heilbronn University
Dear Student,
Congratulations on your admission! We are very pleased to welcome you to Heilbronn
University and look forward to your arrival. The staff at Heilbronn University are ready to
assist you with any concerns you may have before and during your stay with us.
There are many things you need to prepare before joining us at Heilbronn University and this
guide will give you a helping hand along the way. The steps described in this guide are
intended to make the beginning of your stay in Germany easier. The guide provides
information to help you plan for your arrival in Germany, and more specifically, in Heilbronn.
You will find more information on Heilbronn University and on the MA Programmes on our
homepage for students:
https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/mibim/students
https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/mitm/students
Happy packing and see you soon!
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Location of Heilbronn
Heilbronn is a city in the province of Baden-Württemberg located in the northern corner of the
beautiful Neckar basin. It is spread out on both banks of the Neckar on a fertile terrace and the
highest spot inside city limits is the Schweinsberg with a height of 372 m.
Heilbronn is located between the tourist cities of Stuttgart to the south and Heidelberg to the
north. Both these cities can be reached easily by students and offer many sites and activities to
visitors, also attracting many students due to the vibrant nightlife.
Students can reach many popular tourist destinations in Baden- Württemberg by train on a
simple day trip and using a discounted Baden-Württemberg day ticket.
Heilbronn is less than two hours from Frankfurt – the most international city in Germany– and
just three hours from the Bavarian capital Munich.
Source: GoogleMaps (2014)
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Information about Germany
Should you be curious about getting more information on Germany in general, we
recommend you to visit the following webpage:
http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/
Travelling to Heilbronn
The nearest airport to Heilbronn is Stuttgart International Airport, located just over 1 hour from
Heilbronn. The most common way to travel to Heilbronn from here is by train. It takes between
1h 20 mins and 1h 40 mins, and you must change trains once, usually at Stuttgart main train
station. The price is usually about €15.
However, most international flights will arrive at Frankfurt International Airport. This is a large
airport and sometimes a bit confusing. In order to find the train to Heilbronn, follow the sign
“Fernbahnhof”. The trains to Heilbronn are usually not direct, therefore you will probably have
to change trains in either Mannheim or Heidelberg. The train ride takes about 2 hours and the
price is about €45.
The timetable for trains can easily be checked on the Deutsche Bahn website:
http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/.
Long distance buses have been introduced some years ago. They may be an alternative to the
railway. Routes and prices can be researched here: https://www.busradar.com/?currency=EUR
Health Insurance
Admission to Heilbronn University is only granted if proof of proper health insurance can be
provided. Student health insurance is available for approx. 78.50 EUR per month with the AOK
(a German health insurance company).
Students from EU countries should contact their health insurance companies at home and
ask for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If they provide sufficient proof of insurance
from their homeland, they are exempt from paying German health insurance.
Non-EU students must also provide evidence that they have health insurance to be exempt
from paying German health insurance. This may be in form of a health insurance certificate or
card from your insurance provider at home. The University will then inform the AOK that you
are insured, and you will be given a document exempting you from paying for German health
insurance. This exemption certificate must be presented to the University before you can
register as a student.
You can apply to the AOK insurance here in Heilbronn by email, contacting:
Fabian Schelle ([email protected])
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Visa Requirements
Student Visa and Residence Permit
In general, foreigners wishing to study in Germany will need a visa. A visa has to be obtained
before entering Germany. There are many different types of visas and we advise you to contact
the relevant German diplomatic service in your home country (Embassy or General Consulate)
that will be able to help you in applying for a visa.
All the visa procedures are under the responsibility of the student. We advise international
students to start contacting the local German diplomatic service as soon as possible to get
information and avoid delays.
A visa is usually valid for three months. When you arrive in Germany, you will have these three
months to apply for the Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel), which will be valid until the end of
your studies.
Citizens of European Union member states can enter Germany without a visa and do not need
a Residence Permit. A valid passport or identity card is sufficient.
Important information on the responsible authorities in Heilbronn:
There are different authorities for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) in Heilbronn, depending on
where your place of residence is located.
If your place of residence is in the city of Heilbronn, the responsible “Ausländerbehörde” is the
one located on the Rathausplatz:
Bürgeramt: Ausländerbehörde
Marktplatz 7, 2. OG, Zimmer 268-269, 273-286
74072 Heilbronn
Tel. 07131 56-2064
Fax 07131 56-3143
E-Mail: [email protected]
Montag, Mittwoch, Freitag 8.30 bis 12 Uhr, Donnerstag 14 bis 18 Uhr
If your place of residence is not in Heilbronn city, but in the administrative district of Heilbronn
(Landkreis Heilbronn), for example in one of the villages close to Heilbronn, the responsible
“Ausländerbehörde” is the one located in the Landratsamt:
https://www.landkreis-heilbronn.de/sixcms/detail.php/8698
[email protected]
https://www.landkreis-heilbronn.de/aufenthaltsrecht.917.htm
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Student Visa
A visa has to be obtained before entering Germany. In general, the documents needed for the
German visa are:
Valid passport – Preferably valid for the whole study period (18 months).
Letter from the university – The Registrar’s Office will send this letter to you as soon as
you are accepted to the Master Programme.
European Health Insurance statement – Students in Germany usually use the
AOK insurance company, which we also
recommend. You can apply to the AOK insurance by email, contacting Fabian
Schelle ([email protected]). AOK will
also send you the letter that you will need for the visa by email. The average cost of
the student health insurance is €78.50 per month.
Proof of finance – To get a visa, you need to prove that you can finance your studies
at a German University. At least the first year must be fully financed. Currently, German
authorities require proof of finance of a minimum of €680 per month (€8.160 for the first
year).
This money will have to be transferred to a German bank, so you will need to open a
German student account before coming to Germany.This student account is called
Sparkonto mit Sperrvermerk, and it restricts the withdrawal by month. The Sparkonto
mit Sperrvermerk is available in Deutsche Bank and Volksbank. Some countries allow
other forms of financial proof. Please contact your German Consulate or Embassy for
more information.
Visa procedures are different in each country. Please contact your German Consulate or
Embassy to know if you need a visa and what documents are necessary.
We also advise students to get information and start the visa process as soon as possible, to
avoid problems or delays.
Residence Permit
When you arrive in Germany, you will have three months to apply for your Residence Permit
(Aufenthaltstitel). The Residence Permit will be your identity document while living in Germany.
It will be valid for the whole Master Programme, and it can also be used for travelling. With the
Residence Permit, you can travel within the European Union and return to Germany, if you leave,
for example, to visit your home country in the middle of your study period.
To apply for your Residence Permit, you need to go to the International
Department (Ausländerbehörde).
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In general, the documents needed for the German Residence Permit are:
Valid passport – Preferably valid for the whole study period (18 months).
Confirmation of your matriculation – You will receive this document from the
University when you arrive.
European Health Insurance statement – The same document described in the visa
section.
Proof of finance – The same procedure described in the visa section.
Rent or housing contract – A document proving that you have a place to stay during
your studies in Germany. Students staying at the university student houses will receive
this document by email. Please check the link of our accommodation page for further
details.
A fee of €110 (subject to change).
Your Finances
Will my Money meet my Expenses?
...this is surely something many students worry about. It is difficult to calculate how much you
will need for rent, insurance, books, food, travel, leisure etc. We are here to help you out and
give you an overview of living expenses in Heilbronn.
Of course, your lifestyle will play a part on how much you will spend, but we will show you a
general overview of current student expenses. The cost of living for a student are about €800
per month*.
Rent represents the biggest chunk of your living expenses. Students have the option of living in
a student residence or in shared apartments. Of course, rent is cheaper in a student residence,
but unfortunately, the student residences in Heilbronn can only accommodate 11% of students,
so many students opt for shared apartments instead.
The rent for a room in a shared apartment ranges from about €210 to
€350, with student residences charging between €180 and €270. As a rule, apart from the first
month’s rent, you have to pay between one and three months’ rent as a security deposit before
you move in.
Finding a flat in Heilbronn turns out to be difficult these times. Therefore, we recommend you
to calculate expenses for a hotel or youth hostel until you find accommodation. Of course, there
are more unconventional ways to find a place to sleep like Hospitality Club, Airbnb,
CouchSurfing, etc.
Food for the month usually costs between €140 and €180. A meal at theuniversity cafeteria
costs ~ €2.50, depending on the weight.
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Health Insurance is mandatory for all students. International students will usually sign up with
AOK insurance; this costs ~ €80 per month.
In Germany, every household has to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag, an Obligatory Fee for Public
Radio and TV, which is €17.50 per month. The following link provides instructions and helps
understanding details:
http://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/e175/e1584/Informationen_fuer_Studierende_englisch.pdf
Heilbronn is a relatively small town so it is easy to walk from one place to another or to buy a
used bike. The most easy way to get one is a bike shop, where second hand bikes are sold
between 50 and 100€.
The following map shows you all bike shops located in Heilbronn:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/fahrradladen+Heilbronn/@49.151
3079,9.1732881,13z
There are more options for buying second hand if you join these facebook groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/secondhandhn/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/592484274113441/
Apart from the monthly expenses, there are also other expenses which a student must pay every
semester:
Semester Fee: €127,50
Public transport student ticket: ~€135 – students who register at the town hall stating Heilbronn
as their primary residence get this ticket free for one semester. However, it is not mandatory to
buy this ticket.
Here you can find an example of average monthly expenses*:
Rent and additional charges: €298
Food: €165
Clothing: €52
Textbooks and supplies: €30
Car, public transport/ alternatively semester ticket: €82/ €132
Health Insurance: about €78.50
Rundfunkbeitrag: €17.50
Communication (telephone, Internet etc.): €33
Recreation, culture, sport: about €35
Semester fee: €127,50
*Source: German Student Services (20th Social Survey of the Deutsches Studentenwerk, 2012
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What to do before the departure
Send Application for Admissions and application documents
Find a place to stay for the first few days
Look into accommodation options
Apply for a student visa (Visa for Educational Purposes), If you have to apply for one.
Students from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and
Brazil do NOT need to apply for a visa before entering Germany.
Plan your travels and book your flight (after obtaining your visa)
If you need special medication, you might want to stock them up for your whole stay in
Germany
For students requiring a visa, apply for a student bank account
Pay semester fee
Arrival
It is advisable not to arrive to Heilbronn on a weekend as all public administration offices and
most shops will be closed, especially on Sundays. Students are advised to arrive before the 26th
of September, as the first week of orientation is important and very useful.
Upon arrival at Heilbronn train or bus station, the public bus can be used to travel to most places
in the city. A one-way ticket costs €2.20 and timetables can be checked on the following website:
http://www.efa- bw.de/nvbw/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en&itdLPxx_frames=&i
tdLPxx_menu.
There is also a taxi rank at the bus and train station. A taxi usually costs
between €7 and €14 to most areas of Heilbronn.
For assistance, please contact any of the contact partners provided at the end of this
document.
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Luggage and Packing checklist
 Passport, valid for the entire stay in Germany (plus 6 months for students from
overseas.
 Student Visa (Students from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South
Korea, Israel and Brazil may enter Germany without a visa)
 Proof of Financial Support (not for EU citizens or students
from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
 Letter of Admission from the University of Heilbronn and all required documentation
(possibly proof of health insurance, transcripts from your high school and your university,
proof of language competence, etc.)
 An international drivers‘ license or a notarized translation of your national drivers‘
license, if applicable
 Additional travel documents (plane tickets etc.)
 Confirmation of accommodation –temporary or permanent
 Information on all of your medication in English
 Important telephone numbers: bank, credit card, contact partners at the University of
Heilbronn, accommodation etc
 Proof of payments: Semester fee, accommodation deposit (if applicable).
 Two copies of important documents (passport, letter of
admission, proof of financial support, plane tickets …) – one set of copies stays at home,
one travels with you
 In Germany, electricity charge is of 220V. You may need to bring along a
transformer. We also use this socket: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko. You may
want to bring a plugadapter but can also buy it here.

Clothing: It will be winter soon. Temperatures can often drop to minus temperatures
and in summer temperatures can reach up to 25 degrees Celsius or above. So don’t
forget warm winter jackets as well as clothes for sunny weather
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Accommodation
Finding the perfect accommodation can be a difficult task. Heilbronn offers many private student
apartments along with student dorms provided by the university. In the following sections, we
provide you with details on how to apply to the student dorms, how to orientate the private
housing market and where to stay upon your first few days of arrival.
A place to stay for the first few days
Heilbronn's youth hostel is a reasonably priced place to stay while you are still searching for
accommodation after arrival in Heilbronn. Both the public tram and bus service go to the hostel,
it takes between 15 and 20 minutes from the center of the city by public transport. Hotels can
be easily searched for on Heilbronn Marketing GmbH’s website.
Halls of Residence
There are three halls of residence managed by the Studentenwerk Heidelberg and two owned
by GEWO, a public housing company, which offer rooms and flats located close to the Campus
Heilbronn - Sontheim. In addition, there is a privately run residence hall called PaulA within
walking distance of the Campus Heilbronn - Am Europaplatz and one near the train station
called PUROpartment. A detailed overview is provided here:
https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/925935/02_accommodation.
The private housing market
When searching the private housing market it is important to note that you will study at the
Europaplatz campus, located in the north of the city. Many students find that it is better to live in
the centre of the city, which is within walking distance of the Europaplatz campus.
Rooms in shared apartments can be found in the following websites:
http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/ is the most popular website for students looking to share
apartments. It also provides the service in English.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hhnacco/is a facebook group for students looking for
accommodation in Heilbronn.
http://www.mitwohnzentrale-heilbronn.de provides students with the contact details of
accommodation providers.
http://www.zimmersuche.de can be used as a search tool to find guesthouses or temporary
accommodation in Heilbronn.
http://www.studentenwg.de is a search tool for shared accommodation in Germany.
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Further websites which are helpful for students looking for apartments are
(in German):
Heilbronner Stimme at http://www.immostimme.de
Südwestpresse at http://immo.swp.de/mieten/heilbronn-stadt
Bulletin board of the University portal http://www.hochschulenhoch3.de
If you have any further questions, please contact: wohnungsboerse- [email protected].
Welcome and Orientation
Your first week in Heilbronn will be packed full with activities and necessary registration
procedures. We will assist you with your accommodation search, registration with the town hall
and local authorities, opening a bank account (for those who need it) and registering with health
insurance etc.
We will also give you a guided tour of both campuses and the city. It will be both an exciting and
tiring week, so rest well before you come, we are looking forward to having you here!
You find the regular schedule for the semester here. In addition, there will be block courses.
There won’t be classes on Monday, 26th of September. Instead, there will be an introduction
about the university and the Master Programme. You will be informed about the Welcome
Programme at time.
Please check the information online on a regular base. Your schedule will be kept up to date:
https://splan.hsheilbronn.de/splan/mobile?lan=en&acc=true&act=tt&sel=pg&pu=15&og=110&pg=MIBIM1&s
d=true&dfc=2016-09-28&loc=6&sa=false&cb=o
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University Campuses
Heilbronn University is located across two campuses on either side of the city. You will study at
the Europlaplatz campus located in the North of the city.
German language classes are provided for free to international students on the other campus
in Sontheim.
Campus Heilbronn – Am Europaplatz
Visitors' address
Opening hours of the university facilities
Am Europaplatz 11
During the lecture and exam periods:
74076 Heilbronn
Monday through Friday
6:45 - 22:00
Postal address Max-
Saturday
7:30 - 13.00
Planck-Str. 39
During the lecture-free period between the semesters:
74081 Heilbronn
Monday through Friday
6:45 - 19:00
Contact
Telephone: 07131 504 – 0
Telefax: 07131 252470
Email address for random affairs: [email protected]
How to get here - Public Transport
To check out the timetables, go to HNV-Timetables (Local Public Transport Provider): Bus services from Campus
Sontheim towards Campus Europaplatz and timetables of the services 30 and 40.
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Campus Heilbronn – Sontheim
Address
Opening hours of the University facilities during
Max-Planck-Str. 39
the lecture and exam periods and during the lecture-free
74081 Heilbronn
period between the semesters:
External buildings:
Monday through Friday
7:00 - 22:00
X building: Bottwarbahnstr. 70
Saturday
7:30 - 13:00
Y building: Robert-Bosch-Str. 32
during the lecture-free period between the semesters:
Monday through Friday
7:00 - 19:00
Contact
Telephone: 07131 504 – 0
Telefax: 07131 252470
Email address for random affairs: [email protected]
How to get here - Public Transport
The university can be easily accessed via public transport with the bus services from the central station (outside the front
entrance). Use the following bus lines:
Service 61, 62, 63 Towards Flein/Gansäcker, bus stop Sontheim Hochschule
Service 64 Towards Flein/Horkheimer Str., bus stop Sontheim Hochschule
Service 5 Final destination Hochschule
To check out the timetables, go to HNV Timetables (Heilbronner Hohenloher Haller Nahverkehr/Local Public
Transport Provider).
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Schedule Winter Term 2016/2017
Source: https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/9454234/schedule-wt-2016_2017.pdf
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Dos and Don‘ts in Germany
Be punctual! Unpunctuality is considered a lack of respect to other people waiting
for you, so be on time for your appointment.
Use formal address and surnames until invited to use first names.
However, students and young people (< 21 years) will probably start on firstname basis in informal settings.
Furthermore, the word “you” can be translated by “du” or “Sie”.
Only use “du” for young people in informal settings. Always use “Sie” when talking to
people who are older than you and in case they did not invite you to use “du”. When
you are invited to use “du” with someone, it means that the relationship has become
more familiar.
In the greeting, shake the right hand and keep eye contact.
Shaking hands is the established form of greeting in Germany.
Do not ask “How are you?” if you are not really interested in how people are doing.
Be prepared to hear detailed information about people’s lives, as this question is
not part of the greeting, but an invitation to really talk about oneself.
When you sit at the table for having something to eat, it is common to say “Guten
Appetit” before starting. Before drinking, you often say “Prost” (Cheers).
In Germany, it is common to pay a tip at the rate of approximately
10% in restaurants, cafes and bars. This means you are satisfied with the service.
Politeness is important in Germany. Try to use the word “bitte” (please)
whenever you ask for something. Always say “danke” (thank you) when you get
something.
If you need help, do not wait for people to come to you, ask for it and people will
be glad to help you.
Always say your name at the beginning of a phone call, even if it’s
followed by “do you speak English? “
As people enjoy quietness and privacy, they may often close their doors but will be
happy to receive you if you knock on the door. A closed door doesn’t necessarily
mean that the person cannot be disturbed. When entering an office, it is common to
knock first and then enter the room immediately.
Cross the street only when the traffic light is green and do not jaywalk.
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Some important rules in Germany:
You are not allowed to smoke and drink alcohol below the age of 18 in general,
but you are allowed to drink beer and wine at the age of 16.
Carry your ID / passport always with you. It is possible that police officers
want to check your identity.
Do not litter (paper, cigarettes, chewing gum etc.) in the streets.
Otherwise you might be fined.
Do not ever, under any circumstances, show the “Nazi salut”, shout “Heil
Hitler”, or show swastikas or other symbols of the Third Reich, which is a
criminal offense and punishable up to five years imprisonment.
Sources and more information:
http://www.themigrantexpats.com/germanys-dos-donts-probably-shouldnts/
http://www.traveltaboo.com/germany-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/travel-tips-and-articles/5515#ixzz3hGcWeRKZ
http://www.young-germany.de/topic/live/settle-in-adjust/a-guide-to-german-etiquette
If you are looking for a funny introduction to the German culture, we recommend the 25 easy steps to
become German: http://unorderedlistadventures.blogspot.de/2012/11/how-to-be-german-in-25easy-steps.html
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Support and Advice
M.A. Dorothee Weissert
Dipl.-Betriebsw. Susanne Hilland
Coordination
Coordination
Master Programme International Business
and Intercultural Management
Master Programme International Tourism
Management
Max-Planck-Str. 39, 74081 Heilbronn
Max-Planck-Str. 39, 74081 Heilbronn
Telefon: +49 7131 504 6709
Telefon: +49 7131 504 426
Room: N 415, Campus Heilbronn - Am
Europaplatz
Raum: N 415, Campus Heilbronn - Am
Europaplatz
E-Mail: [email protected]
E-Mail: [email protected]
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