Arrival in Germany & Schmalkalden

1. When should I arrive in Schmalkalden?

Accommodation is provided exclusively for the time of the ISSS from Monday of the first week till Friday morning third week.
We cannot accommodate anyone arriving earlier or leaving later. You have to register on Monday between building C (Wirtschaft), third floor, room C 301 or 307. There is no chance to arrive earlier because all hotels in Schmalkalden are fully booked at this time of year. If you arrive earlier by airplane you have to spend the night in Frankfurt/Main and come to Schmalkalden on Monday of the first week. A recommendable hotel very close to the train station in Frankfurt is "Hotel Europa".
You have to leave your accommodation in Schmalkalden on Friday morning of the third week at the latest.

2. How do I get from the airport to Schmalkalden?

No matter on which airport you are arriving, you may use the train system to get to Schmalkalden. As the University of Applied Sciences has its own train station ("Schmalkalden Fachhochschule") you will not need a taxi cab for transportation (be aware that taxis are very expensive in Germany!). From Frankfurt you need approximately 4 hours to reach Schmalkalden with a good connection, from Berlin as well, but of course it depends on the timetable of the German Railway "Deutsche Bahn". You can find information about all connections at the website

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/DEU/en/index.shtml

For a departure in Frankfurt you may use the train station directly in the airport, just type "FRA" or "Frankfurt Airport" in the field of departure.

As destination enter "Schmalkalden Fachhochschule" and make sure you don't arrive at the Schmalkalden main station, for you would have to walk or take the bus from there to the university.

We recommend this train connection: From "Frankfurt Aiport", take the ICE train directly to "Eisenach", and then transfer to a local distance train (another transfer in "Wernshausen") to "Schmalkalden Fachhochschule".

One way from Frankfurt to Schmalkalden costs about 50 €, unfortunately student discounts are not available, but if you are travelling in with more than 4 people you may get a group ticket. 

3. How do I find the train station at the airport in Frankfurt?

Arriving at Terminal 1
If you arrive in Terminal 1, first pick up any baggage you may have in Arrivals. The way to the railway stations is signposted from here. If your train is due to leave from platforms 1 - 3, make your way to the Regional railway station. If your train leaves from platform 4 - 7, go to the long distance railway station.

Arriving at Terminal 2
If you arrive at Terminal 2, leave the Terminal after collecting your luggage by taking the Sky Line to the Airport railway stations. Follow the signs for "Railway Stations via Sky Line". Once you have arrived in Terminal 1, make your way to the Regional railway station if your train leaves from platform 1 - 3 or to the long distance railway station, if your train leaves from platforms 4 - 7. There are signs pointing the way to both railway stations.

4. What shall I do when I arrive at the University?

If you arrive according to the plan, you should make your way from the station to Building C (as shown on the map).
This is the red brick-stone building on the other side of the railway-crossing, on the left-hand side of the road that you can see from the station.
You should use our entrance on the other side of the building and come up to third floor to the ISSS office C 301 or C 307 if no one is there. From here you will be taken to your accommodation. Make sure that you can carry your luggage on your own.

5. What happens when I turn up later?

If you arrive after the first day of ISSS, you will still be able to participate, as long as you have informed us in advance of delay. You will still have to pay full fees, however.

6. Where can I get help and advice?

The ISSS office is in room C 301 where you get registered. Office hours will be published.

Dormitory & Living Issues

7. Where will I be staying?
   Some students will be staying in the university's dormitory, either on the campus or about 1 km away from the campus, others at students' or families' apartments.
   You will be told where you are staying when you arrive. If you are expecting to receive post from home, you should have sent it to:
   
   

FH Schmalkalden
Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften
ISSS - Prof. Dr. Richert
Blechhammer
98574 Schmalkalden
Germany

8. Will I be able to cook on my own?

Having a shared kitchen in the dormitories you of course you can and probably have to prepare food in your apartment. During the week from Monday till Friday (Mon-Thu: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fri: 7 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.) it is also possible to have breakfast and lunch in the "Mensa", where you can choose between several meals. For the menu you can see the following webpage (in German):

http://www.stw-thueringen.de/deutsch/mensen/einrichtungen/schmalkalden/mensa-schmalkalden.html#speisepl2

From Monday till Thursday as well the Cafeteria opens from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. so you could have some snacks or meals there if you like. In addition to that you can find several cheap (fast food) restaurants downtown or next to university that open usually till 10 or at latest 11 p.m.

9. Can I use the water from the kitchen for cooking and drinking?

Everywhere in Germany you will find a good water quality so that you can use the water from the tap for cooking as well as drinking.

In Schmalkalden the water is having even a higher quality than in huger cities for it is located in the mountains where several water springs are having their origin. For that you can even find a popular beverage manufacturer in Schmalkalden.

10. What happens if I lose the key for my room?

As you have a key that opens the main door of the dormitory, accesses you to the washing machines, storage room for bicycles, a fitness room, the main door of your apartment as well as your own room, many locks would needed to be changed in case you lose your key. Right now the cost for doing that is 800 €, so please take care.

Studying Issues - Lectures, Exams & General Schedule

11. Where do I have to pay the fees?
    The participation fee must be transferred in full by 31 March 2012. The bank account is:

12. How many courses do I have to take?

You can freely select your modules. For each module (12 contact hours, 1-hour written examination) you can earn one credit.

13. What are the exams like and when do we have to take them?

Each - always written - exam lasts one hour (60 minutes).
The specific form will depend on the lecturer in question, although there will be no multiple choice questions.

14. Which grading system is used?

Once the papers have been marked, the points scored will be expressed using the grading system at your home university. This is a grade that will be on your certificates. A minimum of 50 % is required to pass an exam and you will only receive certificates for the exams you pass.

15. When will I get my certificates?

Your certificates will be sent to your home university approximately six weeks after ISSS has ended, although this will depend on how quickly the lecturers mark the papers. Please take into account that mail from Germany to your home country may take several weeks.

16. Do I have to register to take part at the weekend excursions?

Yes. There will be a list where you can enter your name for the excursions you would like to participate. Please only register for the things you are really going to do, so that we can organise transport etc. For Berlin don't forget to bring a towel.

17. Can I use the library?

You will be given a library pass so that you can work there between lectures. The library is open Monday to Thursday 09:30 a.m. till 08:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 09:30 a.m. till 03:00 p.m. It does not open on weekends. Remember to show your library card at the front desk. Please note that it is not allowed to take jackets or food into the library (for that you can use the lockers with a deposit of 1 €) and cell phones have to be switched off during your stay there. Laptops are allowed to be taken inside, but they have to stay in silent mode and be registered at the counter. As well other books that you are taking inside have to be registered and shown while entering and leaving the building.

18. Where can I check my emails and do research in the Internet?

Whenever there are no lectures in the computer room of building C you can use the capacities for internet, researches and using the installed programmes. For that you will need an ID plus password, which you are receiving in the first days of ISSS.

19. Where can I do photocopies and print my documents?

Printing your documents can be done at the faculty. For printing you can use the capacities in the computer rooms and print your documents for 5 ct. per page b/w.

There is a copy machine in the library which can be used with copy cards purchased in the "Das Buchhaus" book store at the opposite site of the street to the university (crossing the pedestrian light at the intersection) (http://www.das-buchhaus.de/).

20. Where can I get new credit for my printing account at the University?

If you want to increase your credit of your account, just consult Mrs. Hoffmann in room C 318 and pay in cash by how much you want to expand your credit.

21. Where can I get new copy cards?

New copy cards can be purchased at the "Das Buchhaus" book store (at the opposite site of the street to the university, crossing the pedestrian light at the intersection).

22. Can I print my documents in colour at the University?

At the university's printers in all the computer rooms you can print your documents in b/w. If you want to have coloured copies you can print them at the book and copy shop "Das Buchhaus" just at the opposite site of the street to the university.

General Information about Germany & Schmalkalden

23. Which documents do I have to bring with me?

For issues of the university and the visa process you will have to bring the following documents with you:

24. How can I do phone calls to my home?

You have the possibility to use a public phone at the university (several can be found downtown). They are usually used with coins or calling cards that can be purchased in offices of "Deutsche Post". If you are in a guest family DO NOT call from your host's phone as this is very expensive.

International calling cards unfortunately cannot be found in Schmalkalden, but you may have a chance to purchase them in Berlin.

25. Are there any useful telephone numbers I should know?

Prof. Dr. Robert Richert      03683 688 3102
Police/Ambulance              110
Fire                                     112
Operator                             11834 (international)

26. When do shops open?

Supermarkets like ALDI, REWE, EDEKA and KAUFLAND usually open at 8 a.m. in the morning and close at 8 or 10 p.m. Other shops downtown and pharmacies may open later and close earlier like 6 or 7 p.m. during the week. On Saturday usually there are restricted opening hours for those as well, so that some may close at 2 or 4 p.m.

Please note that as well supermarkets as all other shops are closed during Sundays and National Holidays! You may just find restaurants, cafés and gas stations opened.

Most of the bars open till midnight or one a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

27. Where can I go for shopping?

The town's main supermarket is called REWE and lies halfway between the university and the town centre. Two other supermarkets called ALDI and EDEKA are just across the street from campus. In the town itself there are a couple of bookshops, bakeries, drug stores, clothing shops and a post office. Anything of a medical nature, including pain killers and throat sweets can only be bought at a chemist/pharmacy, called "Apotheke". There are two pharmacies near REWE and one in the town centre. If you wish to buy souvenirs you would be best advised to do this on the Berlin excursion.

28. Where can I buy calling cards and stamps?

In Germany stamps normally can only be bought at a office of "Deutsche Post". One office is located in EDEKA, another one can be found in the town centre. Telephone cards are available as well in these offices or in the Telekom shop, situated in KAUFLAND.

You can buy German sim cards to use in your cell phone: Many supermarkets offer sim cards (prepaid) and refill cards.

29. Can I use credit cards?

In general the use of credit cards in Germany is possible, but not very common.

Most of the shops accept debit cards like Maestro and in some it is also possible to pay with credit cards, but not in every one. As well in most restaurants, especially local ones, it is unusual or not possible to pay with credit or debit cards.

While entering a shop you may find signs on the door to let you know which methods of payment are accepted (Maestro / VISA / Master…).

If not please ask the personnel before ordering something!

For that please make sure you are always carrying enough cash with you if you go out.

30. Can I use ATMs and where do I find them?

As long as you have a Visa or MasterCard you can get money from cash machines in the major banks, such as Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank and Volksbank.

One cash machine of Sparkasse is just across the street of the university near EDEKA and ALDI. Other ATMs you can find downtown.

Please be aware that you will be charged for using a debit card of a foreign country.

31. How much is the Euro worth?

One Euro is roughly about 1.35 US Dollar currently. However, exchange rates are fluctuating, so you can find out about the current value before you leave e.g. in the internet.

32. Where can I find an English-speaking travel agent in Schmalkalden?

Reisebüro Anschütz, Lutherplatz 13 (near Maykels) has English-speaking staff that will be able to help you to plan trips and book tickets.

33. Where is the best place to buy train tickets?

As the train station only offers a ticket automat for regional, you should get information online or with travel agents at the bus station. They will be also able to advise you on the cheapest fares in case you book for a group of min. five persons.

To plan your journeys and book tickets, which can be downloaded with any computer in .pdf format and printed out e.g. at the university, you have to visit the German Railway's English-language page at

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/DEU/en/index.shtml

Note: For any booking in advance of the travel whether online or by telephone, you have to use a credit card with your name and you must take this credit card with you on the trip for identification (it is NOT possible to book for another person with your credit card or use the card of your friends / parents etc.!)

Also foreign debit cards (even if they are issued by Master Card or Visa) do NOT work for online booking.

Otherwise you can buy the tickets with the travel agents at the central bus station of Schmalkalden, directly at the automats in the train or at trainstations like in Frankfurt, Eisenach, Erfurt etc.

34. Are student discounts available for train tickets?

Unfortunately Deutsche Bahn does not offer student discounts.

But if you are travelling in a group of at least five persons you may get a group ticket or discounts if you book your travel in advance of at least five days.

35. How is the weather like in Germany in June?

Normally, day-temperatures in June vary between about 15°C and 25°C, sometimes even more than 30°C, and it tends to get quite humid. At night it gets quite cold (10°C). Although June is the sunniest month of the year, you should not be surprised to get caught in a rain storm. Do not forget an umbrella and warm clothes!

For current information on the weather in Schmalkalden see the following link:

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/GMXX4082_c.html?force_units=1

36. Where can I rent a car?

Avis (in Meiningen, tel. 03693 506123, www.avis.com)
Sixt (in Suhl, tel. 03681 709996, www.sixt.de)