Study in Heidelberg
March 14, 2012
Whether it's trampoline jumping, theatrical acting, singing or debating, Ruprecht Karl University offers a lot of extracurricular alternatives. There are many opportunities to become involved in politics, sports or cultural activities. "There's a huge choice here," says Jiawei Mao from China. In his free time, he participates in German and French courses.
Theater group with cult status
Everyone can participate in the courses at the central language lab and in university sports. The theater group of the Institute for German as a Foreign Language Philology "IdeFix" is particularly popular among foreign students. Only those whose native language is not German perform here, and at the end of the semester, they stage several performances in the university theater. In Heidelberg, this acting group has already achieved cult status. In 2008, it won the Award for Excellent Supervision of Foreign Students at German Universities.
Tips for newcomers
For many students, the faculty student council is the first contact point for information. The students who work here know the university inside out and offer special assistance to first-semester and foreign students. This is the place to go with all questions related to studying and searching for accommodation. Individual queries can be answered in the information room for foreign students at the Academic Foreign Office, or at the InfoCafe International in the Triplex canteen. Here, students can get help with finding a room.
Staying longer
Mahshid Mayar came to Heidelberg from Teheran to complete a master's course at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies. The university's good reputation brought it the award of Elite University in 2007. This attracts many students from around the world. Mahshid especially likes the intensive supervision she receives here and the close contact with fellow students. "I actually wanted to stay in Germany for only a year," she says. "But now I am so happy here that I'm considering doing my PhD in Heidelberg."
Author: Anne Allmening