This is a list of the things that must be dealt with in the first few days after arriving in Bielefeld. We hope this will facilitate the first steps a little.
Bielefeld is easily reached by train (Deutsche Bahn). Express trains ("Intercity") from Köln/Bonn (and the Ruhr area) and Hannover/Berlin arrive hourly. The university can be reached by tram/streetcar (line 4).
The first visit should be paid to the International Office of the university to acquire first information and help with orientation at the place of study.
The next thing we recommend is opening an account with a bank in Germany, as this is required by all such institutions as the student services and the health insurance. All the large banks (e.g. Deutsche Bank, Citibank Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Dresdner Bank, Postbank) have branches in the town centre. The Postbank runs a branch in the university hall. They offer current accounts for students, some of them free of bank charges. From this account the semester fees should be transferred, and here the monthly rent and if applicable the health insurance contributions will be paid.
The next way leads to a health insurance company (a list can be obtained at the International Office). Here, insurance should be taken out. For students, this amounts to approx. 55 EUR per month. EU citizens are strongly recommended to bring along the European Health Insurance Certificate (EHIC)
Two or three weeks after matriculation and payment of the semester fee applicants will receive - as proof of matriculation - an EDP printout (so-called leporello) with several certificates (matriculation certificate, BAföG certificate, semester stamp). The printout of the leporello is electronically processed in the EDP and enveloping system. The printout of single leporellos is not possible. A manually issued certificate of the matriculation will therefore not be issued.
On submission of a matriculation certificate the Central Library Desk (Zentrale Leihstelle) in A1 ? 151 will issue a student's ID which is at the same time a library ID. Further, it can be used in conjunction with the identity card to use public transport free of charge. The semester stamp which comes with the EDP printout must be glued to the backside of the student ID. In some cases, the semester ticket entitles to reduced admission to theatre, sports or other cultural events.
On submission of a valid student ID, a photo and 10 EUR, an international student ID will be issued by the Student Union (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss, AStA). Their office, in room C 2 -120, is open between Monday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Comprehensive Information on this topic can be found here.
A residence permit can be obtained at the appropriate aliens department. Comprehensive information on this topic can be found here.
Deutsch
My first day