Do's and Don'ts - Study in Germany

Etiquette ist in!

Of course, you'd like to make a good impression at your university, with your landlord or landlady, as well as among your new friends. If you're feeling a bit uncertain about how to behave properly in certain situations, we've got a few useful tips for you.

Hände schütteln zur Begrüßung, 
Bild: Britta Simon.jpg

Antonio has been invited to a party. It's his first in Germany. When he sees the host, he goes straight to him and hugs him. However, instead of returning the embrace, the host looks a bit irritated. Antonio is perplexed. "That's not what we do here," explains another guest.
The German guide to etiquette is called "Knigge" after Baron Adolph Franz Friedrich Ludwig Knigge,  and its rules are always immediately recognisable for outsiders. This is why it is helpful to spend a bit of time reading about them.

 

Tips Perjalanan dan Menetap di Jerman

Informasi dan Tips Perjalanan ke Jerman

Karakteristik dasar bangsa Jerman adalah sikap monokromik mereka dalam masalah waktu, contohnya mereka akan mengerjakan satu pekerjaan tertentu hingga selesai secara tuntas sebelum pindah ke pekerjaan lainnya. Mereka akan jujur dan terus terang dalam bernegosiasi, cenderung berbicara secara blak-blakan serta menyatakan ketidaksetujuannya secara terbuka, mereka juga tidak suka diburu-buru.

Mereka termasuk bangsa yang peduli. Jangan kaget jika tetangga atau teman (Jerman) melancarkan kritikan atau menegur secara langsung apabila kita melakukan kesalahan, menimbulkan kebisingan, atau memasak masakan dengan bau yang menyengat.

Di Jerman, melakukan pengawasan terhadap ketertiban umum merupakan “kewajiban” setiap warga masyarakat. Pada umumya mereka mempunyai kemampuam bahasa asing dengan baik (terutama Inggris dan Perancis), namun sering kurang pengetahuannya tentang budaya asing. Dalam berkomunikasi dengan bangsa lain, sedapat mungkin mereka lebih suka berbahasa Jerman.

Monumen Reinwardt kembali bersinar

Prasasti ahli botani Jerman C.G.K. Reinwardt(© Herwig Zahorka)

 

  

Dibiayai oleh Kedutaan Besar Jerman di Jakarta, monumen dari Caspar Georg Karl Reinwardt, pendiri Kebun Raya di Bogor, yang terletak tidak jauh dari kota Jakarta, baru-baru ini dibuatkan papan keterangan yang baru.

   
Kebun Raya Bogor sejak dibangun pada tahun 1817 dikenal di dunia. Reinwardt adalah salah satu ilmuwan pertama di antara sekian banyak ilmuwan Jerman, yang bekerja dan meneliti di Bogor. Bahkan Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mempunyai hubungan dekat dengan pengganti Reinwardt, Ludwig von Blume. Hingga hari ini terjalin  hubungan erat antara Bogor dengan para ilmuwan dan ahli botani asal Jerman.
Monumen tersebut dibuat pada tahun 2006 atas inisiatif ahli Botani asal Jerman, yang hidup di Bogor, Herwig Zahorka.

Source: jakarta.diplo.de

Jerman Menyediakan Dana Bagi Restorasi Borobudur

Dengan dihadiri oleh Wakil Menteri Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan RI, pemerintah Republik Federal Jerman dan UNESCO mensahkan kelanjutan kerja sama untuk merestorasi salah satu candi Buddha yang terpenting di dunia.

Duta Besar Dr. Baas (3 dari kiri) dan Perwakilan dari UNESCO Dr. Gijzen (3 dari kanan)
menyerahkan Kesepakatan antara pemerintah Republik Federal Jerman
dan UNESCO yang dihadiri oleh Wakil Menteri Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan RI (tengah)
(© Kedutaan Jerman / Glaschke)

 

Dari dana bantuan bagi pelestarian budaya Kementerian Luar Negeri Jerman sebanyak 106.000 Euro disediakan bagi kegiatan lanjutan yang akan dilaksanakan oleh UNESCO bagi pelestarian Candi Borobudur, yang sejak tahun 1991 termasuk dalam Situs Warisan Budaya Dunia-UNESCO. Sudah sejak tahun lalu Jerman menyediakan dana hampir 40.000 Euro bagi proyek ini.

Mitos-Mitos Tentang Studi di Jerman

Berkaitan dengan studi di Jerman, banyak orang meyakini mitos-mitos tertentu yang cenderung menyesatkan. Beberapa diantara mitos-mitos tersebut diantaranya:  

1. Hidup di Jerman serba enak dan mudah.
   
   Hal ini tidak selamanya benar. Memang benar bahwa Jerman adalah negara maju yang hidupnya serba makmur dan teratur. Akan tetapi tidak berarti bahwa mahasiswa hidup enak-enak.
   
   Disini mahasiswa justru dituntut untuk bekerja keras dan mandiri. Hal ini bisa sangat berat, khususnya bagi calon mahasiswa yang terbiasa hidup serba enak di Indonesia. Tidak ada lagi supir dan pembantu yang siap mengerjakan apa yang kita minta. Tidak ada lagi mobil serta fasilitas lainnya yang selama di Indonesia barangkali dengan mudah bisa didapatkan.
   
   Benar bahwa kuliah di Jerman serba bebas, akan tetapi kebebasan ini juga bisa berakibat fatal bila mahasiswa tidak bisa mendisiplinkan diri sendiri.

Kaffee und Kuchen – A Delectable and Sociable Tradition

Bakeries and cafés display their colorful
cakes in glass cases. (© picture-alliance / dpa )

In between lunch and dinner, there is traditionally a short break for a social gathering around a piece of cake or two and a hot steaming cup of coffee or tea. This ritual is referred to as Kaffee und Kuchen, Kaffeetrinken, or Kaffeeklatsch.

These days, it is still quite common to get together with friends and family on Sunday afternoon between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. to share some cake and good conversation.

Whether the gathering takes place at someone’s home or in a café or a confectionary shop, this tradition is a long-standing one in Germany. Records show that cakes have been baked in Germany for some 400 years.

The Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is made with Kirschwasser,
or cherry brandy,
which is produced in the Black Forest. (© picture-alliance / dpa)

A good number of German cakes have achieved international popularity. Some of the most popular tortes are also among the most elaborate. The Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) is a chocolate layer cake filled with whipped cream and Kirschwasser-soaked cherries and decorated with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries.

The Frankfurter Kranz is a white bundt cake layered with buttercream and sometimes also a red jam. The exterior is covered in buttercream and candied nuts before being adorned with cherries. Other people favor cheese cakes and cream cakes for special occasions. The most delightfully named cake would have to be the Bienenstich (bee sting cake), which refers to its honey and nut topping.

Despite its popularity in the US, the so-called German Chocolate Cake with its nutty coconut topping is, however, not a German cake. Invented by a woman in Texas in 1957, the cake takes its name from German’s Sweet Chocolate, a chocolate created by an American baker named Samuel German in 1852.

Informasi dan Tips Belajar di Jerman

Secara umum semua calon mahasiswa asing yang akan melanjutkan studi di Jerman diharuskan menyiapkan hal-hal penting sebagai berikut:

1. Persiapan Bahasa Jerman. Bahasa Jerman mutlak diperlukan karena komunikasi sehari-hari bisa dikatakan 100% menggunakan Bahasa Jerman. Bahasa Inggris memang bisa digunakan, tetapi bagaimanapun Bahasa Jerman tidak bisa ditinggalkan. Kalaupun seseorang akan mengambil program berbahasa Inggris, tetap saja kepadanya sangat dianjurkan untuk menguasai Bahasa Jerman, paling tidak untuk komunikasi sehari-hari. Tanpa penguasaan Bahasa Jerman yang memadai, kehidupan sehari-hari akan terasa sulit dan dikhawatirkan bisa mempengaruhi prestasi belajar nantinya.


2. Dokumen-dokumen Penting. Beberapa dokumen penting yang harus dipersiapkan diantaranya adalah Akte Kelahiran, Ijazah dari SD-SMP-SMA dan juga Ijazah Sarjana beserta fotocopy yang telah dilegalisir. Dokumen ini mohon disiapkan dalam jumlah yang cukup banyak, karena semua Universitas dan Fachhochschule mensyaratkan dokumen asli atau fotocopy yang telah dilegalisir.
   

Tips Ringan Studi di Jerman

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Selain sarjana (S1), banyak mahasiswa lulusan diploma (D3) di Indonesia yang meneruskan kuliahnya di Jerman. Sebagai tujuan studi, biaya kuliah di sana tergolong lebih murah ketimbang beberapa negara Eropa lain, di AS atau Australia.

Studi di Jerman memang menarik. Selain jurusan teknik yang memang diakui oleh dunia, Jerman juga terkenal dengan kedokteran, hukum, bahasa, komputer, ekonomi, dan masih banyak lagi. Sayangnya, kemampuan bahasa Jerman kerap menjadi penghambat untuk menikmati pendidikan di sana.

Ya, beberapa tahapan memang mensyaratkan perlunya Bahasa Jerman, selain Bahasa Inggris tentunya. Untuk itu, simak beberapa langkah awal sebagai tips ringan berikut ini:  

Liz Kaulard: 2011 Teacher of Excellence Award Winner

May 21, 2012

Liz Kaulard's German program is one of the largest in the country.
(© Liz Kaulard)

When Jürgen Klinsmann comes to your school, spends a couple of hours coaching soccer players, allows students to interview him, and talks about the importance of learning foreign languages, it makes a big impression. There is coverage in The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Die Welt, and on German radio program ARD Hörfunk. The community is talking and thinking, “Soccer is fun, and German is a language I’d like to be learning.”

The visit of the famous soccer coach was a highlight of Liz Kaulard’s more than 25 years teaching German at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California. Klinsmann came in 2003 and helped to generate public awareness of the Transatlantic Soccer Bridge, a program combining passion for soccer and German language, which Kaulard coordinated in Southern California. From 2001-2008, she organized two tournaments per year, delegated tournament responsibilities, wrote and sent press releases, and raised funding from various organizations.

Melanie Krehbiel: 2011 Teacher of Excellence Award Winner

Apr 27, 2012

Melanie Krehbiel has started German programs at both Kansas high schools where she has taught. (© Kelley DeGraffenreid
 

Out on the Kansas prairie, smaller school districts often lack the resources to offer foreign languages beyond Spanish. Students wishing to learn other languages must rely on distance-learning via television and the Internet.

Enter Melanie Krehbiel, better known to her students as “Frau Krehbiel.” Though hired to teach English at Sedgwick High, a school of 150 students around 20 miles north of Wichita, in 2008, Krehbiel requested to teach a German class as well. As she had done at Flinthills High, a smaller school in Rosalia, Kansas, where she began teaching in 2004, Krehbiel not only started teaching German. Through her special talent to inspire and motivate, she grew the German program, attracting many students to German language and culture. Sedgwick now offers German levels I to III. In the words of one student, she “brought a refreshing desire for opening teenage minds to the Great Beyond.”

Mencari Tempat Tinggal di Jerman

Bagi para siswa/mahasiswa yang ingin melanjutkan studinya di Jerman, sangat penting untuk menyimak artikel yang satu ini. Karena tempat tinggal merupakan hal yang paling utama yang kalian butuhkan jika kalian sudah memutuskan untuk studi di Jerman.


Silahkan disimak:


Alone or with others?

Hall of residence or shared flat? Alone or with others? Just two of many questions that you should ask yourself when looking for the right place to live.

WG breakfast, Photo: Hagenguth/DAAD

Students in Germany either live in a hall of residence or in private accommodation. In contrast to many other countries, Germany's universities do not automatically allocate a room when you register for your course. Rather, you have to go flat hunting yourself.

Living in a shared flat (WG)

Private shared flats (called Wohngemeinschaften in German, or just WG) are probably the most popular form of accommodation. Several students look for a flat together and each has their own room, while sharing kitchen and bathroom. The occupants also share the rent. Depending on where you study, you should reckon with 150 to 350 euros per month.

If you're looking in major uni cities like Munich, Cologne or Hamburg, you should allow yourself enough time to find a room in a WG. It's best to start before you leave home. Start by searching the internet. Numerous portals give a good overview plus the opportunity to send an email directly to a WG.
Other good sources for vacant rooms are the International Office and the noticeboards (Schwarzes Brett in German).

Applications Now Open for the 2013-14 German Chancellor Fellowship for Prospective Leaders

Apr 20, 2012

  (© picture alliance / JOKER) 

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s German Chancellor Fellowship Program is for university graduates from the United States, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China with an interest in international issues and demonstrated leadership potential. The program is targeted at accomplished young professionals who are likely to become decision-makers, thought leaders, and influential voices in their respective fields. Fellows will be recruited from a broad range of areas such as politics and public policy, law, media, business, the non-governmental sector, and the arts. The program provides fellows the opportunity to spend one year in Germany, where they will network with other prospective leaders from abroad and explore new solutions to the global issues of our times. This prestigious program builds on Germany’s established and growing reputation as a favored destination for problem-focused international dialogue and a meeting place for tomorrow’s international leaders.

Berlin and Munich Rated Among Top Student Cities Worldwide

Mar 5, 2012

Two German cities - Berlin and Munich - have made it into the top 20 in the QS World University Rankings' first ever "QS Best Student Cities" roster.

Berlin's Humboldt University
(© flickr user Beny Schlevich (batch))

QS, which bills itself as "the leadings global career and education network for ambitious professionals looking to further both their personal and professional development," publishes annual rankings of the world's top universities.

Leipzig Book Fair with 20,000 New Publications

Mar 14, 2012

Some 100,000 books, more than 2,000 publishers from 44 countries, many international writers and Europe’s largest reading festival: the Book Fair is opening its doors in Leipzig on March 15. The four-day fair is the first major book-trade meeting of the year and a forum for new springtime publications. During the fair, the city is expecting around 160,000 visitors. Literature from Eastern Europe, for which the Leipzig Book Fair is a traditionally renowned showcase, will again be a key focus in 2012.

Free Time in Deutschland - Lets Flyyyyyyy

Buat teman-teman yang suka terbang, berikut ada artikel menarik tentang kegiatan mahasiswa di TU Dresden. Silahkan disimak... ^^

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Gliding at the TU Dresden

At the TU Dresden, students reach new heights – literally. In a gliding course offered by the Academic Flying Group, students soar across the sky like a bird. On two days every year, new students have the chance to take a test flight in a real glider.

by Dominik Brüggemann

Im Landeanflug, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

The towing cable is latched and secured. The pilot checks the instruments, the rudder and stabilisers. Delta 54 is ready for take-off. The winch is released and the glider is pulled into the air at a speed of about 100 km per hour. With a light crosswind, the glider climbs steeply until it reaches an altitude of 400 metres. The cable unlatches and the two-seater “Twin Astir” sails silently over the Lausitz. Twice a year at the beginning of each semester, the Academic Flying Group, or “Akaflieg”, at the TU Dresden offers new students the chance to fly in their glider. About 30 flying enthusiasts showed up this semester at the Schwarzheide airfield to take a test flight with an experienced pilot.

One of them is the Geography major Nina Baake. “The club gave a video presentation about themselves in the lecture hall. That really hooked me,” she says, recalling the first time she’d heard of the group. But before she can take off, Vivian Rösler, the chairwoman of the club, gives her a briefing. She points out the most important instruments, tells her what to do in an emergency and shows her where the ‘barf bag’ is – in case she needs it.

Gliding is pure happiness

Im Cockpit, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

Luckily, Nina doesn’t need the bag. After her first flight, she can’t stop smiling. “Flying gives you an adrenaline high – a feeling of complete happiness,” she says. “I’m interested in this sport; I’ll be signing up with the club.” Her girlfriend is just as enthused after completing her first flight in a glider. “The view from up there is impressive and the feeling of floating quietly above the earth is amazing.”

“Akaflieg” is supported by experienced pilots like Lutz Plaumann. He has been flying motor-less aircraft since 1967. Because he was only 15 years old at the time, he needed a special permit which made him the youngest glider pilot in former East Germany. He proudly presents his logbook. So far he has logged a total of 1,327 take-offs. “The great thing about flying is succeeding at it. You’re overcome with a feeling of joy when you hit the thermic updraft and climb up to 2,000 metres,” he says, enthusiastically describing what makes this sport so unique.

The conditions are ideal in Schwarzheide, around 60 km northeast of Dresden. “It’s like an autobahn for gliding,” says club member Florian Herrmann. The former open-cast mines with their swaths of sand-covered terrain create excellent thermic conditions. This is where the sun heats up the ground especially fast. The warm air rises, allowing the gliders to circle overhead for long periods of time.

Flying in the summer, tinkering in the winter

Herrlicher Ausblick, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

To be allowed in the pilot’s seat, you first have to obtain a pilot licence and a physical. After an extensive examination in flight theory, you can pilot a glider in the company of an experienced flight coach. During this stage, you learn the basics of flying. Following your first solo flight, you must complete two more solo flights which are assessed by your flight coach. After you receive a radio licence and learn several additional flight manoeuvres, you can then obtain the basic A-level pilot licence.

Segelflieger, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

Flying is not the only thing the 35 members of the gliding club spend their time on. They have their sights on another goal – to build their own airplane which they’ve named D-B11. They are developing the plane’s hull, canopy and tail system all by themselves. The only parts they need to purchase are the wings and the tail construction. Student Maik Horneffer finds the project remarkable. “What makes it so impressive is that the students are developing a complete airplane from scratch.” Because the flying season usually ends at the end of October, there’s plenty of time to work on the D-B11 during the winter. The active members meet four times a week in their workshop located near campus. This is where they repair and maintain the three club-owned gliders and tinker on prototypes. If all goes according to plan, the D-B11 will be ready for take-off in 2015.

Source: study-in.de

Celebrating the New Year, German-Style

Does the “same procedure as every year” accurately describe your annual party? Perhaps you should try adding a little German flair to your New Year’s Eve, or Silvester, as its known in Germany. This means an obscure British comedy sketch called Dinner for One, jelly donuts, “fiery” drinks, and fireworks—lots of them—could be the highlights of your party this year.

Enlarge imageButler James, portrayed by Freddie Frinton, constantly trips over the tiger’s head in the sketch “Dinner for One.”(© picture-alliance/ dpa)Considered to hold the title of most frequently repeated TV show ever, Dinner for One, which is also known as The 90th Birthday, has been a popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Germany since 1972. While set in England and performed in the English language, it was actually filmed in Germany in 1963. It portrays the birthday dinner of 90-year-old Miss Sophie, who seems unaware that her butler, James, is playing the parts of all the other dinner guests. Cherished for its impish, slapstick humor, the show has attained cult status in Germany, and its catchphrase “same procedure as every year” lives on. Nevertheless, it has remained relatively unknown to native English speakers in the UK or US. (Click the link in the right-hand column to watch it online.)

Enlarge imageFeuerzangenbowle is a hot punch composed of mulled red wine with carmelized sugar that has been flambéed with rum.(© picture-alliance / dpa / Stockfood)Among the many drinks which may be consumed on New Year’s Eve, there’s one that is the star of the party:Feuerzangenbowle. This hot “fire tongs” punch takes the wintertime treat Glühwein, or hot mulled wine, and turns it into an event. Dry red wine is warmed with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel. Then a large, conical piece of sugar that has been soaked in rum is placed in a holder above the wine and lit with a match. The sugar proceeds to caramelize and melt into the hot mulled wine, creating a drink which is as much fun to watch as it is to drink. The toast at midnight is still traditionally done, however, with a glass of sparkling wine, which is called Sekt in Germany.

Enlarge imageThe famous Cologne Cathedral is partially hidden by the New Year's fireworks during this celebration.(© picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb)As many Germans living abroad will readily attest, the loud cracks and booms of thousands of simultaneous fireworks are dearly missed at the stroke of midnight in the US. The tradition of welcoming the New Year and driving away evil spirits with the help of loud pyrotechnics is not unique to Germany. However, unlike the city-sponsored firework displays that many are accustomed to in the US, it seems that every man, woman, and child takes to the streets or the rooftops of the cities in Germany to contribute to the cacophony of sound and the showers of light.

Once the midnight bells have tolled and all the fireworks have all been set off, it’s time to bring out the jelly donuts. This donut is often called a Berliner outside of Berlin, because it is said they were created there in late 18th century. People in Berlin simply call them Pfannkuchen(pancakes). Whatever the name, beware of reckless consumption, because each donut may contain a practical joke – mustard in place of jam – which some say will bring bad luck. Should this happen, you may want to buy a few more marzipan pigs or a four-leaved clover, since these are said to bring good luck.

Enlarge imageStrange figures emerge after the molten lead is poured into cold water. Their interpretations vary greatly, too.(© picture-alliance / ZB)Some Germans also enjoy a bit of fortune telling amusement with Bleigießen(lead pouring). To do this, one melts a small amount of lead over a little flame and then pours the molten metal into cold water. The metal hardens, and the shape that emerges can then be interpreted with the help of a book to determine what the year ahead holds in store. Fortune cookies are another popular alternative.

After so much late-night fun, one looks forward to a hearty meal on the first evening of the New Year. There are many superstitions surrounding what should or shouldn’t be eaten. Poultry, according to some traditions, shouldn’t be eaten on New Year’s Day because the bird might cause your good luck to fly away. Many in the areas around the Rhine, however, look forward to their annual New Year’s goose. Other traditional meals may include fish such as carp or pickled herring. Keeping a scale from the carp in your wallet, says one legend, will ensure that you won’t run out of money during the year to come.

Lastly, in case you're wondering, the tradition of thinking up a few New Year's resolutions is also commonplace in Germany, but luckily one doesn't have to follow these until January 1.

Frohes Neues Jahr! Happy New Year!

© Germany.info