Guide for Exchange Students at Westfälische Hochschule BOCHOLT Campus

Transcription

1 Guide for Exchange Students at Westfälische Hochschule BOCHOLT Campus Westfälische Hochschule Office for international Students Room B Mrs. Regina Klauke Campus Bocholt Neidenburger Str. 43 Münsterstr. 265 D Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Tel +49 (0) Fax +49 (0) [email protected]

2 Campus Bocholt

3 Index Semester dates page 4 Examinations page 5 How to get to Bocholt page 6 International Office page 7 Getting enrolled page 8 Accomodation page 9 Transportation page 10 Health Insurance page Liability Insurance page 13 Registration page 14 Aliens Registration Office page VISA and Residence Permit page Bank Account page 18 Television and Radio page 19 Sports & Leisure page 20

4 Semester dates Summer semester 2014 Start of semester 01 st March 2014 Start of lectures 10 th March 2014 End of lectures 11 th July 2014 End of semester 31 st August 2014 Winter semester 2014/2015 Start of semester 01 st September 2014 Start of lectures 15 th September 2014 End of lectures 06 th February 2015 End of semester 28 th February 2015 Please schedule your journey to arrive in Bocholt the week before lectures start. This will allow you to settle in and complete all necessary formalities.

5 Examinations are taken as follows: summer semester: winter semester: over a period of two weeks past the end of lectures and re-sit: over a period of two weeks before the start of lectures in winter semester over a period of two weeks past the end of lectures and re-sit: over a period of two weeks before the start of lectures in summer semester In order to take examinations you have to register online via our QIS HIS system. You will obtain your password upon your arrival in Bocholt. The exact examination dealines will be published on the department s homepage in due time (

6 How to get to Bocholt The nearest airport to Bocholt is Düsseldorf (approx. 1.5 hours by train). You may also check flight connections to other airports such as Dortmund (Wizzair) or Weeze (Ryanair) for better prices. Train connections by Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway) can be checked online via Information as to public transportation by bus is available from Verkehrsverbund Rhein Ruhr (

7 International Office The Department of Business Administration, Economics and Information Technology operates an International Office at Bocholt campus which is dedicated to assist both incoming and outgoing exchange students. We will be happy to support you before, during and after your stay in Bocholt. We will usually contact you once you have received your Letter of Acceptance in order to assist you in finding accomodation and prepare your stay in Bocholt. Once you are Bocholt, we will assist you with all necessary formalities (as detailed below). Our student tutors will help you to get integrated in academic and social life. Contact: Ms. Andrea Tenbrink phone : fax:

8 Getting enrolled Upon your arrival in Bocholt please contact Ms. Andrea Tenbrink at the International Office to complete your enrolment procedure. Your student card will be issued in Bocholt. Please remember to bring the following documents for your registration: passport and visa (non EU-members) 2 recent passport photographs (with your name written on the back) certificate of valid health insurance (EU health insurance card or certificate from a German insurance company) non EU citizens need to apply for a German health insurance student ID or certificate of enrolment from your home university for ERASMUS-students: Learning Agreement, Confirmation Letter for arrival Upon registration, students need to pay a student and social facilities fee of currently 110,00. The fee has to be paid by bank transfer.

9 Accommodation There is no university residence or dormitory at Bocholt campus. Thus, the International Office at Bocholt campus will be happy to assist you in finding both appropriate and affordable private accomodation. There are various options - from staying in a host family to sharing a flat or house with other students, depending on your preferences. Whatever option you choose, the monthly rent will be Please complete the accommodation form and inform us of your exact date and arrival.

10 Transportation In Bocholt, going by bike is a good and practical means of transport and thus highly recommended. You may hire a bike from Förderverein ( Friends of Westfälische Hochschule ) via the International Office at a deposit of 50. Bocholt has a good bus network and buses go to the campus regularly. However, public transportation must be paid privately.

11 Health Insurance During your stay in Germany a sufficient health insurance cover is required. Students from countries within the European Union need to present their EU health insurance card. If you come from a country outside of the European Union you need a travel insurance for the first 4 to 6 weeks of your travel to Germany. This travel insurance must have a cover of ,00. After your arrival in Germany you have to apply for a German student s health insurance which costs approx. 80,00 per month. The International Office will happy to assist you with the application procedure. Please don t take out private health insurance in your home country for the whole period of your stay in Germany. This kind of insurance will not be accepted and you may have to pay cash for medicine, medical treatment and stay in hospital.

12 Addresses of health insurance companies AOK BARMER Hohenstaufenstr. 12, Bocholt Crispinussstr. 11, Bocholt phone +49-(0) phone +49(0) DAK TECHNIKER Krankenkasse (TK) Meckenemstr. 14, Bocholt Heidener Str. 50, Borken phone +49-(0) phone +49-(0)

13 Liability Insurance We highly recommend that all students take out liability insurance to cover any accidental damage caused to other persons or Property during their stay. This is not required by German law but Is nevertheless strongly advised.

14 Registration In Germany, you are obliged to get registered as a resident at the local Registration Office within one week once you have a permanent address. In order to do so, you need to go to Bürgerbüro ( Residents Registration Office ) which is located at Bocholt s town hall. Please remember to bring your passport (and, if applicable, your visa), full German address and name of your landlord/landlady (or tenancy agreement). Bürgerbüro Berliner Platz 1, Bocholt phone +49-(0) [email protected] Opening hours Mon Tue Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 8:00 am - 2:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 8:00 am -12:30 pm 10:00 am -13:00 pm

15 Aliens Registration Office Once you have arrived and registered with the Residents Registration Office you must go to the Aliens Registration Office (equally located at Bocholt s townhall) in order to apply for a residence permit ( Aufenthaltstitel ). Students from EU countries may be exempted from this rule. Please remember to bring the following documents: passport (and, if applicable, your visa) your registration certificate ( Meldebestätigung ) issued by Bürgerbüro copy of your certificate of study, letter confirming your financial support copy of your health insurance certificate

16 Ausländerbehörde Berliner Platz 1, Bocholt Tel.: Opening hours: Mo, Wed, Thur Tue Fri 8.00 am pm 2.00 pm pm closed 8.00 am pm

17 VISA and Residence Permit Usually, foreigners (from non EU-countries) need a visa to enter the country. For stays longer than 3 months you will also require a residence permit ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis ). Please apply for a visa in your country of origin. After immigration, you must apply for a residence permit at the Aliens Registration Office ( Ausländerbehörde ) in Bocholt. Please make sure NOT to apply for a tourist visa. You will need to apply for a student visa that allows multiple entries into the country.

18 Applying for a VISA When applying for a visa (usually for the purpose of studying) which permits immigration to Germany and stay in Bocholt, you must prove that you have sufficient financial funds. Thus, you must present a so-called proof of sufficient financial resources to the German embassy in your country of residence and to the city of Bocholt. The approximate value is per year which corresponds to 670 per month. Financial support is proven by: Setting up a so-called Sperrkonto, i.e. blocked account with a security payment of You will only be allowed to take out a maximum of 670 per month. Please note that the amount depends on the proposed duration of your stay. If you are only staying for six months you will only have to pay 6 x 670 into the blocked account. Presenting a formal commitment ( Verpflichtungserklärung ) of a third party (such as your parents) stating that they will support you with at least 670,- per month. The formal commitment must be presented to the German diplomatic representations. Presenting documentation of an acknowledged publicly financed scholarship (such as DAAD or from your home university) which will support you with at least 670 per month or similar proofs of regular income (e.g. salary).

19 U.S., Israel, Brazil or South Korea Students from so-called positive third countries outside the EU such as the U.S., Israel, Brazil or South Korea can enter Germany without a visa. However, they need to get their stay legitimized by the Aliens Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany. Thus, they need to apply for a residence permit ( Aufenthalterlaubnis ). Usually, students apply for 16 AufenthG. The above mentioned requirements for financial documentation apply accordingly.

20 Bank Account It may be advisable to open a German bank account for your own comfort e.g. when paying the rent via bank transfer. You can open a students account which will be free of charge. The International Office or tutors will help you do so you. Please remember to bring the following: passport full German address certificate of study The following banks are available: Stadtsparkasse Bocholt, Markt 8 Volksbank Bocholt, Meckenemstraße 10 Sparkasse Westmünsterland, Neustraße 21

21 Television and Radio For the use of your private radio and television sets you must pay a TV & radio licence fee which is charged by GEZ ( Gebühreneinzugszentrale ). The fee amounts 53,94 for three months. Please register online via Please note that you can be fined if you fail to register and fail your fee.

22 Sports & Leisure There is ample opportunity for sports and leisure in Bocholt and its surroundings. There is a notice board for sports opportunities on campus which are free of charge. You can also enquire within the faculty or contact the student representatives for each department. There are many pubs, bars and others places to go to in Bocholt. Your tutor will show you the most interested places for students.

23 WE WISH YOU A GOOD START IN BOCHOLT! Wissen. Was praktisch zählt.