Study in Konstanz

The University of Konstanz always wanted to rub shoulders with the upper league. From the beginning, its professors referred to it in private as "the little Harvard on Lake Constance." However, this was not without a smirk, since the university had neither the budget nor the reputation to compare with Harvard's.

Open instead of traditional

Despite this, the university's professors and researchers have reasons to be proud of their small institution. The University of Konstanz is located on a hill between a forest and meadows, and with its 1960s style, it looks a bit like a big, colorful playground. Modernity was the key idea here when this "reform university" was established in 1966 by a handful of professors with a vision. It was not only the research concept that was meant to embody individualism and openness. The university buildings were also supposed to reflect Konstanz's new spirit.

Elite university

Admittedly, some of the lecture rooms here occasionally experience a dripping ceiling in the winter. Also, the building design is obviously from an era that loved bold, bright colors. Any color scheme one might define as cool, calm and modern will not be found in this place.

However, it's not the appearance that really matters. The university is Konstanz's most modern feature. The concept of small classes, teachers with open doors and open ears, and a campus as a meeting place has proven to be effective. Since 2007, the University of Konstanz belongs to the select circle of Germany's nine elite universities. The accompanying investment in research and high revenues make studying here very pleasant. The positive effects are: more academic information-sharing among teachers, more positions for postgraduates and more opportunities for on-site jobs in administration and assistance.

The library is the core

The university library is the heart of the establishment. It is located in the center of the campus and is considered to be one of the best-equipped non-lending libraries in Germany. One big advantage here is that searching for books in a computer catalogue is not necessary. You simply go to the shelf and find all the books organized according to theme - and you can do this 24 hours a day. Whoever prefers to study at home can register at the university's computer center and browse through the complete catalogues, newspapers and databanks from their own computer.

However, it's exam time that really makes this university the place to be. Somewhere in the hurly-burly of this convoluted campus you can make yourself comfortable and let yourself ponder scientific theories while gazing at Lake Constance. And the university's inner courtyard unofficially serves as an extra lecture hall. This is where lectures are discussed over a cup of tea or coffee, and where good old-fashioned gossip is exchanged.

Author: Elena Singer