Program Q & As. 3) What is the required GPA to attend this program? You are required to have a 2.5 GPA to attend this program.

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1 Program Q & As 1) What is the college or university will I be studying at like? The University of Osnabrück has approx. 11,000 students. The university, founded in 1973, is located in the historical centre of the city, its attractive focal point being the prince-bishop s palace. The Humanities and Social Sciences moved into the inner city, whereas the Natural Sciences and Mathematics are located at the Westerberg, one of Osnabrück s most beautiful areas. Since its foundation 40 years ago the University of Osnabrück has developed into an attractive and innovative university. It is characterized by a wide range of modern courses as well as recognized international research achievements. The academic year in Germany is divided into a winter and a summer semester. In the winter semester, lectures begin in mid-october and end in mid-february. In summer semesters the lectures start at the beginning of April and end in mid-july. The remaining time, the vacations, are set aside for writing essays, preparing papers and exams, and for work placements. 2) Do I have to be a SUNY Oswego student in order to attend this program? No you do not. We accept SUNY Oswego students, other SUNY students and students from private universities. 3) What is the required GPA to attend this program? You are required to have a 2.5 GPA to attend this program. 4) Can people with no language experience apply? No. One year formal German training is required, however 2 years is preferred. While some classes are offered in English, that varies by department and cannot be guaranteed. 5) Does the university provide trips for International Students? Welcome Weekend features some excursions for international students. The International Office also publishes an international culture program monthly, which offers excursions, museum/theater visits, and more. There are also many events happening on campus for students to check out, including sports, theater/music performances, and international conversation groups to learn about new cultures. 6) Will there be a pre-departure orientation/arrival orientation? Yes, there will be an orientation at SUNY Oswego. Details on the orientation will be provided to students accepted into the program on the Studio Abroad website. You will be able to sign up for the orientation and let us know who will come with you to orientation. You may invite your parents, relatives, or significant other. Although orientation is not mandatory, we ask that you do your best to attend. If you are a SUNY Oswego student, we would definitely like to see you at orientation. If you are from very far away, we understand if you can't make it. All the students will receive pre-departure information at orientation and if you are not able to attend, information will be provided to you on Studio Abroad. Osnabrück also will host a welcome weekend orientation for international students which will combine a variety of events including tours, visits from government officials, and fun activities. This is not mandatory, but it is very strongly encouraged that you attend.

2 It is also strongly recommend that you participate in the Einführungswoche für Studienanfänger (orientation week for freshman students) organized by the Central Student Counselling Service (ZSB). Here you will receive important information about the content and structure of your study program and you will meet other German and international freshman students. More information can be found at 7) What if I arrive earlier than the group or stay on longer after the end of the program? If you arrive earlier or stay longer than the start date, you will have to make your own arrangements for that amount of time. This is acceptable as long as you ensure that you arrive to Osnabrück for Welcome Weekend. 8) Is housing provided? There are on-campus housing options provided. Students typically live in University of Osnabrück designated residence halls. The rooms are mainly single-room occupancy with kitchen facilities. There are university cafeterias and many inexpensive restaurants in the area. Students can also live in offcampus apartments, with placement assistance provided by the University of Osnabrück. 9) Who will I be living with? You will not have a roommate, but you will share kitchen facilities with other students if you choose oncampus housing. Off-campus apartment housing will vary. 10) Is the cost for housing included in the program differential? Housing is not included in the program differential. 11) Should I bring a cell phone, or buy one once I get there? If you bring a mobile/cell phone (or handy as some Germans refer to them) with you from the states, it can be very expensive to use, if it works at all. If you want to use a mobile phone, it is less expensive for you to purchase a pay as you go phone or a SIM card from one of the many networks like TMobile, Vodafone, or O2. You can purchase a phone for a low price (as low as 20 for some) and then purchase credit as needed, depending on the company. It is recommended you wait to purchase a phone until you get into Osnabrück, as service provider coverage varies by location, just like in America. 12) Do I make my own flight arrangements? Yes you will make your flight arrangements to get to Osnabrück. There is no airport to fly directly into the town, but Osnabrück is easy to reach, as it is a major stop on train lines running between Berlin- Amsterdam and Cologne-Hamburg. The closest airports are Münster/Osnabrück, Bremen, Hanover, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Frankfurt (am Main). There is a shuttle service from Münster/Osnabrück Airport to Osnabrück. The trip costs 9 Euro one way. Trains from Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Cologne stop regularly in Osnabrück. However, you first have to get from the airport to the train station (via streetcar, taxi, etc.). Ask the airport information center for the best, most affordable way. Frankfurt airport has its own long-distance train station.

3 13) Will I be met at the airport? You will not be met at any airport as to get to Osnabrück you will need to take a train from whatever city you fly into. You can request to be met at the train station if you are coming in on the specific date the university requires. More information will be given to you about this option later on. 14) Where are the classes held and how often do they meet per week? It can vary but most classes will have a lecture that meets once or twice a week, as well as a tutorial, practical, or other additional learning opportunity, which will vary in meeting times. There are many different subjects to choose from at Osnabrück. To see a full list of subjects, visit 15) Are the classes different than those in the United States? How many should I take? The University of Osnabrück has 10 different schools and departments, including arts, computer science, humanities, liberal arts and social sciences as well as in business, economics, health studies and theology. Participants normally take courses in German alongside German students. It is also possible to take courses in English from select Osnabrück departments but these are limited and students SHOULD NOT plan to have a full semester of English classes. The University offers German language courses on all levels during the semester which are free of charge. Students who wish to participate must take an entrance test in which their level will be determined. Please be aware that students may test lower than what they have been told previously. These tests are accurate, but teaching German abroad is sometimes a little different to teaching German in Germany, as they focus on speaking in German language courses on beginners level, so that the students learn how to communicate in every-day situations (and not to translate texts, etc.). It is always possible to change to a higher level if the teacher of a course notices that the level is too easy for a student, but they want to ensure that students are properly grasping the material. All students may also participate in English-German conversation groups organized through the university's international office. SUNY-Oswego participants are also permitted to take courses in the cognitive science program. This program is interdisciplinary with courses taught in English in psychology, linguistics, logic, and philosophy, as well as some courses in artificial intelligence and neuroscience. This program is especially popular with computer science students. There are a number of ways to give courses at German institutions of higher education, some of which we will describe below: A seminar is a lesson for a limited number of participants, in which academic problems are portrayed and elaborated in detail. The seminars are usually subdivided into Bachelor/Master. Students are expected to actively participate in seminars. Proof of academic achievement is usually given after successful completion of a presentation or essay. In a lecture the subject is conveyed to the students by the lecturer in the form of a presentation. Students are usually only required to listen and make notes. The contents of the lecture must

4 then be worked over at home by the students (or in a special tutorial). Proof of academic achievement is usually given after successful completion of a written examination (Klausur). An exercise is a class with a limited number of participants, in which students learn how to practically apply the scientific methods of working in a particular field. A tutorial is a working group linked to a lecture, seminar or exercise, in which the contents of the class are prepared or worked over. Tutorials are usually given by a tutor (generally an advanced student). Practicals are natural science classes, in which small groups carry out experimental work. A practical can, however, also be a period of time (usually during the vacations), during which the student gains practical experience in a company or organization. 16) Will my credit be accepted at my home school? You should keep any class guides or information given to you by your professor (online or in person) to take back to your home college. At the end of your semester or year of study a transcript will be sent to SUNY Oswego where it will be processed and sent on to your home school International Office, if necessary. It is at the discretion of your home institution to decide how to transfer the credits that you have received. We strongly recommend that you obtain approval for classes from your home institution at the time you are applying to study at Osnabrück. You will be given an Overseas Off-Campus Study Abroad Approval form for your advisor to complete and return. 17) How do I do my laundry? Depending on the accommodation you choose, you may have laundry facilities. 18) Where can I receive mail? This depends on your accommodation, but in many cases, your mail will be sent to your apartment address. 19) How will I get to class? University accommodation is located within walking distance of the campus. If you are too far away to walk, you can use public transportation. 20) Are there public forms of transportation? Yes, there is public transportation and even better, students at the University of Osnabrück can use public transport in and around Osnabrück for free! For more information, The Stadtwerke Osnabrück issues a booklet containing a complete timetable of the buses running in Osnabrück. This booklet is available free of charge from the service center of the Stadtwerke Osnabrück. 21) Is it expensive to live in Osnabrück? Your monthly expenses will depend on your lifestyle, but in general it is cheaper to live in Osnabrück than it is to live in one of the major cities. Most of your monthly budget will go toward rent, but there is also food, school supplies, and other expenses to keep in mind. For most information on the cost of

5 living in Germany, and for food price examples, visit 22) Do I need health insurance? Yes. Students are required to buy national health insurance once they arrive in Germany. This cost is included on your budget sheet but is NOT included in the program differential. You are also required to purchase HTH insurance. 23) What form of currency should I bring and how much? You should bring some Euros (available from your bank) with you on the airplane so that you have money when you land, but it is highly recommended you use a debit/credit card while abroad. Talk with your local bank and let them know that you are going abroad and ask about international charges/fees that may occur. You can also open a German bank account while abroad in order to bypass some of those service fees. More information about this is available in the Osnabrück International Student Handbook. How much money to have depends on your personal spending habits. You need to plan for weekly expenses for food, toiletries, etc. A good way to get an idea for costs of these items is to look at the price of food in Germany ( and compare prices to what you normally spend in America. You ll also want spending money, travel money, and money for school supplies, which are listed on our program budget sheets. Our guidelines are a suggestion, but again, it will vary person by person. 24) Are there internet facilities? Should I bring a laptop? The University of Osnabrück offers internet at the libraries and Cip pools (similar to computer labs) in many classroom buildings. If you are living in the university accommodations, there will either be a connection in the room ready for use (the cost of this will already be included in the rent), or you share a private connection with your flatmates. 25) What happens if I get sick? If you get sick while abroad it is important that you visit a doctor. You will have German health insurance, as well as HTH insurance, which should allow for you to receive the proper care. More information on health insurance and medical emergencies will be discussed at Welcome Weekend in Osnabrück. The PSB (Counselling Center) is also available to help students with any personal issues that may arise while abroad. More information is available here: 26) How can my parents get hold of me in case of emergency? Call Caitlin Pollard, Education Abroad Specialist for Germany at (315) or (315) If Caitlin is not available ask to speak to Dr. Joshua McKeown, Director of the Office of International Education and Programs at SUNY Oswego. 27) Will meals be provided for me? If so, how many per week? Meals are not provided, but there are numerous cafeterias and canteens on campus that offer low-cost meals.

6 28) Will I need a passport and a visa? Yes you will need a passport to travel to Germany. While you can apply for a student visa prior to departure, you are also able to enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit later (within 90 days). 29) Can I receive financial aid for Study Abroad? Financial aid is available to matriculated students that meet the requirements. Students are encouraged to meet with a representative from the Financial Aid Office at their home university to discuss their options. Students should take the program budget sheet with them to show the current costs of the program.