From lutterdc@cs.purdue.edu Mon May 3 20:49:49 1999 Path: news.nic.utwente.nl!surfnet.nl!news-ge.switch.ch!newsfeed.berkeley.edu!sunqbc.risq.qc.ca!newshub.nntp.mr.net!NewsNG.Chicago.Qual.Net!129.79.6.160!news.indiana.edu!news.iupui.edu!mozo.cc.purdue.edu!not-for-mail From: lutterdc@cs.purdue.edu (David Lutterkort) Newsgroups: soc.culture.german,soc.answers,news.answers Subject: soc.culture.german FAQ (posted monthly) part 4/6 Supersedes: Followup-To: soc.culture.german Date: 1 May 1999 10:35:10 GMT Organization: Purdue University Lines: 1364 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Message-ID: References: Reply-To: scg@cs.purdue.edu NNTP-Posting-Host: proxima.cs.purdue.edu X-Trace: mozo.cc.purdue.edu 925554910 6989 128.10.8.80 (1 May 1999 10:35:10 GMT) X-Complaints-To: usenet@mozo.cc.purdue.edu NNTP-Posting-Date: 1 May 1999 10:35:10 GMT Summary: These postings contain a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers) posted to soc.culture.german. Please read them before you post a question. Originator: lutterdc@cs.purdue.edu (David Lutterkort) Xref: news.nic.utwente.nl soc.culture.german:163600 soc.answers:9362 news.answers:73046 Archive-name: german-faq/4 Last modified: 1999-04-29 Posting-Frequency: monthly URL: http://www.cs.purdue.edu/~lutterdc/scg/ Version: 1999-04 http://www.cs.purdue.edu/~lutterdc/scg/ (The original !-) ================================================================== This is part 4 of the ASCII version of the FAQ list for soc.culture.german. Find the WWW version at Table of Contents for Part 4 ============================= 13. Books 13.1 ISB Numbers on the Net 13.2 What German Dictionaries are Available? (Deutsch-Deutsch!) 13.3 Which Books do German kids read? 13.4 On-Line -- The Gutenberg Project 13.5 Mail Ordering Books 14. Audio / Video 14.1 Different Video Norms! 14.2 Movies 14.2.1 Dubbing?! 14.2.2 Contacts 14.3 Mail Ordering 14.3.1 Audio / Music 14.3.2 Video Tapes 15. Foreign Affairs; Consulates / Embassies 15.1 General Remarks on the Embassies 15.2 Foreign Embassies in the FRG 15.3 Embassies and Consulates General of the FRG abroad 15.4 Other Foreign Affairs Institutions 16. Goethe Institutes 17. Educational System 17.1 Schools 17.1.1 The basic structure of the German school system 17.1.2 Vacations 17.1.3 International Schools in Germany 17.1.4 German Schools Abroad 17.1.5 Summer Schools for German Abroad 17.2 Universities 17.2.1 Statistics 17.2.2 Listings, Rankings 17.2.3 Studying at a German University; Exchange Programs 17.2.4 Finding the Right One... (On-Line) 17.3 Volkshochschulen 17.4 Education-Relevant Addresses 13. Books In Germany, the price for a book is set by the publisher and all retail stores are required to sell the book at that price, a regulation that is under heavy attack from the European Union right now. As a consequence, there is little point in shopping around for a good bargain on a book. The only books that you can buy at a discount in Germany are damaged books, even though it often takes an expert to see what exactly the damage is. The Preisbindung, as this practice is called in German, means in particular that the only differences in price between `online booksellers' come from their differing fees for shipping and handling, not the books themselves.1999-04 13.1. ISB Numbers on the Net You can find all the books in print in Germany at Verzeichnis lieferbarer Buecher , a site maintained by the association of German booksellers. You can also try the search engines of any of the `online booksellers'; their search results usually contain the ISBN, among other things.1999-04 13.2. What German Dictionaries are Available? (Deutsch-Deutsch!) o Der Brockhaus in einem Band: US$39.95 (US) o Wahrig (Bertelsmann) US$48.95 o Wahrig DTV Woerterbuch (paperback) US$21.95 o Deutsches Woerterbuch von H. Paul (Niemayer) US$68.95 o Duden deutsches Universalwoerterbuch US$49.95 o Knaurs grosses Woerterbuch der deutschen Sprache US$45.95 1995-4 13.3. Which Books do German kids read? Bring up any of these book titles in conversation with a German under the age of 40, and you have a sure-fire way to go down the road to nostalgia ... o by Ottfried Preussler o Die kleine Hexe o Das kleine Gespenst o Der starke Wanja o Krabat o Der kleine Wassermann o by Max Kruse o Urmel aus dem Eis (and more Urmel books) o by Michael Ende o Jim Knopf und Lukas, der Lokomotivfuehrer o Jim Knopf und die Wilde 13 o Die unendliche Geschichte o Momo o Der satanarchaeoluegenialalkohoellische Wunschpunsch o by Erich Kaestner o Das fliegende Klassenzimmer o Emil und die Detektive o Puenktchen und Anton o der kleine Mann o by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg 1998-04 o Der kleine Vampir 1994-10 13.4. On-Line -- The Gutenberg Project The German Branch of the Gutenberg Project has now gone far beyond offering just fairy tales. For a guide to that and other German online books, you might want to check out Jim Campbell's page. 1998-01 Also try going to the Human Language Resources page and to their German listings. 13.5. Mail Ordering Books The FU Berlin maintains a list of German publishing companies and bookstores , including many mail-order bookstores. Some of the more popular mail-order bookstores are o Amazon.de , the German branch of amazon.com , o Bertelsmann Online , the online store of the largest German publishing company, o Buch.de , Aachener Buchversand, o Buecher.de . 1999-04 Here is a list of bookstores and publishing companies, both in Germany and abroad, that somehow deal with German books: The German Information Center (look up the address in `the newspapers section'.) 1995-3 Der Buchwurm PO Box 268, Templeton, CA 93465, tel +1(805)238-2353, fax +1(805)238-9523 German Books, Music Tapes, CD's, Journal Subscriptions, etc. 1994-6 Mary S. Rosenberg, Inc. 1841 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, tel +1(212)307-7733, fax +1(718)857-7163 Mail order, but no credit cards! However, checks do not need to clear your bank before they send merchandise. 1994-6 Schoenhof's Foreign Books 76A Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, tel +1(617)547-8855, fax +1(617)547-8551 Accepts Visa, MC, and AMEX. French, German, Italian, and Spanish books 1994-6 Adler's Foreign Books, Inc. 8220 N. Christiana Ave, Skokie, Illinois 60076, tel +1(800)ADLERS-1 Accepts major credit cards, no current catalogue! 1994-6 Buch-Bruecke 96 Sweet Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019, tel/fax +1(518)399-6516 They have a very good selection of German language books, videos, cassette tapes, CD's, and magazines, at reasonable prices. A catalog is available. 1994-7 International Book Import Service, Inc. 2995 Wall Triana Highway, Suite B4, Huntsville, Alabama 35824-1532, tel +1(800)277-IBIS fax +1(205)464-0071 1996-03 1995-4 Continental Book Company 80-00 Cooper Avenue, Bldg. #29, Glendale, NY 11385 1994-6 Mail order Kaiser Postfach 401209, 80712 Muenchen, Germany, tel +49(89)362001 Mail order bookstore in Germany. Delivery worldwide at German domestic prices. Monthly newsletters. 1994-6 ATS (Associated Technical Services) 855 Bloomfield Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 Technical Dictionaries 1994-6 2001 Ferdinand-Porsche-Str. 39, Postfach 61 06 37, 60348 Frankfurt/Main, tel +49(69)4208000, fax +49(69)415004 or: Kantstr. 41, 10625 Berlin 12, tel +49(30)3125017 They deliver only to European countries. A Bill will be included on delivery. The value of an order to abroad must be above 50 DM. Only books are delivered abroad, no CD's, tapes or records. 1994-6 Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft Hindenburgstrasse 40, Postfach 11 15 53, 64230 Darmstadt, Germany, tel +49(6151)33080, fax +49 6151 314128 1994-6 Carl Hanser Verlag Postfach 86 04 20, 81631 Muenchen Take major credit cars, and offer books from BASIC programming to Object-Oriented methods. Nice little catalog - these are the distinctive bright red books with blue trim. 1994-6 Die Weisse Rose Rozengracht 166, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, tel +31(20)638-3959, Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10-18, Sat 11-17 1994-6 Deutsches Komitee fuer elektronische Buecher (German Electronic Book Committee GEBC), Bertelsmann Electronic Publishing, fax +49(89)43189-737 1994-7 Bibliographisches Institut & F.A. Brockhaus AG fax +49-621-3901-389 www http://hyperg.tu- graz.ac.at/FE06933E/A0x811b9908_0x000b835a 1994-7 Langenscheidt KG fax +49-89-36896-258 1994-7 dtv (Deutscher Taschenbuch-Verlag) Friedrichstrasse 1a, 80801 Muenchen 1994-7 Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag Hedderichstrasse 114, 60596 Frankfurt/Main 1994-7 Suhrkamp Verlag Lindenstrasse 29-35, Postfach 10 19 45, 60325 Frankfurt/Main 1994-7 Verlag Philipp Reclam jun. GmbH Postfach 1349, 71254 Ditzingen 1994-7 Verlag R.Piper GmbH & Co. KG Georgenstrasse 4, 80799 Muenchen 1994-7 Diogenes Verlag AG Sprecherstrasse 8, CH-8032 Zuerich 1994-7 14. Audio / Video How to convert between Norms, how to get tapes, etc. 14.1. Different Video Norms! PAL videotapes (as used in Germany) will not display properly using an NTSC (used in, eg, USA) based VCR and vice-versa. There are services where video conversion from any to any other can be made for a fee (VHS, VHS-C and 8 mm types of cassettes.) This will allow playback of videotapes made overseas using US TV's and VCR's (PAL, SECAM -> NTSC) and vice-versa (NTSC -> PAL, SECAM, etc ...) It is also not too expensive to get a VCR which is able to play NTSC and PAL tapes. Only a few VCR's are able to record and play VHS tapes in NTSC and PAL (e.g. Panasonic AG-W1, about DM 5000). Cheaper VCR's are able to play different formats (NTSC, PAL, SECAM). Do it yourself With these setups you can transfer from NTSC to/from PAL at reasonable cost. Don't expect studio quality though: o Akai VS R110EM is a three system unit - PAL, NTSC, SECAM , costs about US$200 mailorder (smile video, nyc). o AKAI VSX-560, *HiFi-Stereo*, tuner, features include NTSC playback on PAL TV, US$500 (mailorder from 47th St Photo) o AIWA MG360S also 3 systems, costs about US$450 (mail order, j/R music world, nyc, +1(800)221-8180) o Another VCR that is reasonably priced is sold by Radio-Shack. The VCR is available through special order only; and not all Radio Shack employees know that this machine even exists. If they don't, have them look in the current catalog for #16-706. The cost is US$600. (You'll need a second VCR for conversions.) 1994-3 Commercial conversion o Mind Logic's rate is US$18 for the first two hours of conversion. They also put together a technical overview of the subject. 1996-04 o Hamilton-Smith Merrill, Ia, USA, email hamsmith@pionet.net, tel +1(712)938-2507 1996-04 o International Video Conversion 520 Harvest Lane, Raleigh, NC 27606-2217, tel +1(919)233-8689 Fees: US$25 + 5 S&H, Price of a High Grade Cassette Included, 2hrs or less. Delivery: Mailed back the next day, express shipping at request. Payment: Check, Cash or Money Order mailed with tape. o sasjrm@unx.sas.com does it for US$5 per hour + US$3 for the blank tape. Formats: NTSC, PAL, NPAL, MPAL, SECAM, MSECAM o Soffel VDO 2250 Monroe St #263, Santa Clara, CA 95050, tel +1(408)985-2098 US$20 per tape (up to 2h, each add. hour US$10). Tape, S&H included. Mail only, next day shipping, overnight available. Check, cash, money order. Does: NTSC (8mm, Hi8, VHS) -> PAL (VHS) o Video Conversion tel +1(614)833-6872/NTSC URL: http://www.videoconversion.com/ Price: $9.99 + S/H for one VHS tape containing up to 3 hours of material o Give your local shops a try! I found a Camera Shop that does PAL <-> NTCS conversions; a bit expensive, though (US$20/h). But if you need something the very next day... 1994-1 14.2. Movies 14.2.1. Dubbing?! American (and other foreign) films are almost always dubbed into German when they're released in Germany. Frequently, the title of the movie is changed, as well, so that it makes more sense in the German language. It is a recurring subject for discussion in soc.culture.german whether this is desirable or despicable. Before judging an issue like this, please consider the market forces at work; the point is that dubbing costs more than mere subtitles. Why do they do it anyway, then? Obviously there is a sizable and steady demand which absorbs the added cost! If you feel that dubbing should be abolished, then, please, also provide an insight in how you believe this presently existing preference can be redirected! 1996-03 14.2.2. Contacts Producer's Masterguide is an international production manual for film, broadcast-tv, commercials, videotape & cable industries since 1980. email producers@masterguide.com 1996-03 14.3. Mail Ordering 14.3.1. Audio / Music Some places where to get a hold of the latest from the charts; (did you know that modern match makers hold as an utmost important compatibilty criterion what the couple thinks about Volksmusik?) o Euroexport Intl Music Mktg; Austin, TX, USA; +1-800-872-2966 1996-1 o `See the entry' on Der Buchwurm in the Books section. 1996-01 14.3.2. Video Tapes For conversion of videotapes (NTSC <-> PAL) see subject `Audio / Video Tapes' o German Language Video Center, 7625-27 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, Indiana 46226, tel +1(317)547-1257 Free catalogue; hundreds of movies; prompt and courteous service. The movies cost US$10.50 to rent for 30 days (includes shipping time to and from you, so it's realistically about 2 1/2 weeks), with a US$20 initial deposit (refundable when you decide you don't want to rent any more videos from them). 1995-3 o The Olivia and Hill Press, PO Box 7396, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107, tel +1(313)663-0235, fax +1(313)663-6590 Selection of German-language cassette recordings of novels, plays, and radio plays, e.g. Duerrenmatt's Der Richter und sein Henker. Free catalogue. o Schau ins Land, PO Box 158067, Nashville, TN 37215-8067, tel +1(800)824-0829 Monthly audio magazine of news, stories, music, etc. Comes with a written transcription including a vocabulary glossary. Approx. US$120/yr. in the US. 15. Foreign Affairs; Consulates / Embassies Some basic background; lots of addresses. Federal Republic of Germany is abbreviated by FRG 15.1. General Remarks on the Embassies The German Consulates are very helpful in getting information about anything concerning Germany (travel, politics, laws ...) They're very thorough and supply lots of information in response to requests. Among other things: o info about quarantine questions (importing pets) o all German phonebooks available o business/government directories o registries of names and contact addresses of German citizens in foreign countries (one has to register oneself upon arrival) 1996-12 They also sponsor the German Information Center (address in the `Newspapers section'). For background and general information on Germany the German Embassies will send anyone a complimentary copy of the booklet Facts about Germany. There is a list of all embassies/consulates in the US. You get it from the Department of State. Its title is Foreign Consular Offices in the United States and it contains addresses, names of the staff and phone numbers. You might find the booklet in most public libraries. For quite a lot more embassies and consulates (etc.,) besides those related to the FRG, try globescope's embassy page! 1996-10 15.2. Foreign Embassies in the FRG o Botschaft der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika, Deichmanns Aue 29, 53170 Bonn, tel +49(228)339-1/-2053, fax +49(228)332712, Amtsbezirk: Nordrhein-Westfalen There are a number of other consular instutions in the FRG... in case you live elsewhere you might need to contact Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Leibzig, or Stuttgart. Let me know -- I'll get you the address, too. o Konsulat der Ungarischen Republik General-Vollmann-Strasse 2, 8???? Muenchen, +49(89)911032, 1997-06 o Die Botschaft des Staates Israel in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Simrockalle 2, 53173 Bonn, tel +49(228)823-0, fax +49(228)361916, fax +49(228)356093, email botschaft@israel.de Generalkonsulat des Staates Israel in Berlin, Schinkelstrasse 10, 14193 Berlin, tel +49(30)893220-3/-4/-5, fax +49(30)8928908, email konsulat@israel.de 1995-11 o Botschaft von Singapur, Suedstr.133, 53175 Bonn, tel +49(228)9510314 1996-11 15.3. Embassies and Consulates General of the FRG abroad o Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany 4645 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, DC 2007-1998 USA, tel +1(202)298-8140, fax +1(202)298-4249 and 333-8506 Konsularischer Amtsbezirk: District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia Honorary Consuls to the USA ... are listed separately. Consulates General of the FRG o Marquis Two Tower, Suite 901, 285 Peachtree Center Avenue, N.E., Atlanta GA 30303-1221 USA, tel +1(404)659-4760 to -47621-5142, fax +1(404)659-1280 Amtsbezirk: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee o Three Copley Place, Suite 500 Boston, MA 021116 USA tel +1(617)536-8172 fax +1(617)536-8573 Amtsbezirk: Connecticut (except Fairfield County), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont o 676 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3200 Chicago, IL 60611 USA tel +1(312)580-1199 fax +1(312)580-0099 Amtsbezirk: llinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin o Edison Plaza, Suite 2100 660 Plaza Drive Detroit, MI 48226 USA tel +1(313)962-6526 fax +1(313)962-7345 Amtsbezirk: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio o 1330 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 1850 Houston, TX 77056-3018 USA tel +1(713)627-7770 bis 7773 fax +1(713)627-0506 Amtsbezirk: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas o 6222 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA tel +1(213)930-2703 fax +1(213)930-2805 Amtsbezirk: Counties Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara und Ventura des Staates Kalifornien sowie der Staat Arizona o 100 N. Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132 USA tel +1(305)358-0290 bis 92 358-19321-55481-2906 fax +1(305)358-0307 Amtsbezirk: Florida sowie Puerto Rico und die Amerikanischen Jungferninseln o 460 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 USA tel +1(212)308-8700 fax +1(212)308-3422 Amtsbezirk: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Fairfield County des Staates Connecticut, Bermuda o 1960 Jackson Street San Francisco, CA 94109 USA tel +1(415)775-1061 fax +1(415)775-0187 Amtsbezirk: Kalifornien (mit Ausnahme der Counties Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, und Ventura), Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming sowie die amerikanischen Aussengebiete Baker-, Howland-, Jarvis-, Johnstoninsel, Midway- und Palmyrainsel o One Union Square, Suite 2500 600 University Street Seattle, WA 98101 USA tel +1(206)682-4312 fax +1(206)682-3724 Amtsbezirk: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington o Deutsche Botschaft Singapur Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Road #14-01, Singapore 9124, tel +65-7371355, fax +65-7372653, www http://www.commerceasia.com/germanembassy/, email germany@singnet.com.sg 1996-10 o Konsulat der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Via Solferino 40, 20121 Milano, Italy, tel +39(2)6554434, fax +39(2)6554213 o Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania Agustinas 785 Piso 7 y 8, Casilla 9949, Santiago de Chile, tel +56(2)335031/5, fax +56(2)336119, Office hours: 9-12 am o Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania Villanueva 1055, CC 2979, Buenos Aires, Argentina, tel +54-(1)778-2500 1997-07 o Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania La Cumparsita 1417/1435, CC 20014, Montevideo, Uruguay, tel +598-908041, +598-913970 o Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania Av. Venezuela 241, CC 471, Asuncion, Paraguay, tel +595-24006, +595-24007 o Honorarkonsulat der Bundesrepublik Dtld. Jorge Memmel 631, Encarnacion, Paraguay, tel +595-25567 o Honorarkonsulat der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 208-310 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, tel +1(204)947-0958, weekdays 9:00-12:00 o Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 23 Belgrave Square, SW1, London, UK, tel 071-235-5033 15.4. Other Foreign Affairs Institutions Auswaertiges Amt Postfach 1148, 53001 Bonn, Adenauerallee 99-103, 53113 Bonn, tel (0228)17-0, fax (0228)17-3402 www http://www.auswaertiges- amt.government.de/ Coordinator Prof. Dr. Werner Weidenfeld Koordinator fuer die deutsch- amerikanische zwischengesellschaftliche, kultur- und informationspolitische Zusammenarbeit, Auswaertiges Amt, Postfach 1148, 53001 Bonn, tel (0228)17-26611-28701-2678, fax (0228)17-3402 United States Information Agency German Country Affairs Offlcer 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20547 USA, tel +1(202)619-5940, fax +1(202)619-6821 Parliamentary Groups Deutsch-Amerikanische Parlamentariergruppe im 12. Deutschen Bundestag Referat PB 3, Sekretariat der Parlamentariergruppen, Bundeshaus, 53113 Bonn, tel (0228)16-7466/3588/2444/3879, fax (0228)16-85124 The Congressional Study Group on Germany Suite 422, 1755 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 USA, tel +1(202)332-3532, fax +1(202)543-7145 16. Goethe Institutes The various Goethe Institutes (English page ) are funded by the German government to provide an opportunity for people outside Germany to become acquainted with German culture and learn German. They offer: German classes of which readers of soc.culture.german report that they are intense but really make you learn. library services that are open to all, including getting material via interlibrary loan or fax. They do not charge - yet - for any such services. exhibitions My favorite still is Vee have vays to make you laugh - German humor. This page contains a list of all Gothe institutes world-wide, including websites, mailing addresses and everything else you need to get in touch with your friendly neighborhood Goethe Institut. 17. Educational System School examinations generally furnish no basis for evaluat- ing aptitude ... The true test of aptitude for a profession does not come until later in life. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1925) Look at the Bildungsseiten of DINO. They cover all major issues! 17.1. Schools You find many online schools at this gopher or in this WWW server. 1995-3 Quite a lot of information about German schools you find at the DINO pages of the IFBG of the U Goettingen. 1995-11 17.1.1. The basic structure of the German school system The public schools are subject to state laws, not federal, which is why there are considerable differences between states. The basic scheme of grammar school (years 1-4), secondary schools, level 1 (years 5-10), secondary schools, level 2 (years 11-13) is used throughout the country. The basic law gives people the right to self-fulfillment and the right to choose their occupation or profession, place of work, study or training according to their individual abilities. That is, every student can choose which school to attend (if she or he is fit to attend.) In Germany school attendance is compulsory for children of ages 7 to 18. At least nine years of this period they must attend a full-time school and then they choose either to continue the full-time schooling (Gymnasium) or attend a vocational school (Berufschule) parttime. Attendance at public schools is free-of-charge; textbooks and other supplies may also be provided (in part). By far the great majority of students choose public school training. There are private schools (notably the Waldorf schools), too. However, their number is very small. 1997-06 In 1995 there were just below 10 million students in Germany -- taught by 670,000 teachers in 43,200 schools. 1997-06 School type early 1950-ies late 1980-ies Hauptschule 80 32 Realschule 7 26 Gymnasium 12 32 Gesamtschule N/A 9 Attendance in major German school branches (Percent) 1997-06 17.1.2. Vacations Find an overview at FU Berlin. 1996-04 17.1.3. International Schools in Germany o John-F-Kennedy-Schule Teltower Damm 87-93 14167 Berlin tel (030)8072710 fax (030)8073377 o International School of Duesseldorf e.V. Leuchtenberger Kirchweg 2 40489 Duessseldorf tel (0211)407056 fax (0211)4080774 o The Frankfurt International School An der Waldlust 15 61440 Oberursel tel (0617I)202-0 fax (06171)202-384 o Hamburg International School Internationale Schule Hamburg Holmbrook 20 20605 Hamburg tel (040)8830010 fax (040)8811405 o Europaeische Schule Karlsruhe Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 1 76139 Karlsruhe-Waldtstadt tel (0721)683001 fax (0721)687233 o Europaeische Schule Muenchen Elise-Aulinger-Strasse 21 81739 Muenchen tel (089)6372611 fax (089)6378418 o Munich International School Percha-Schloss Buchhof 82319 Starnherg tel (08151)2606-0 fax (08151)2606-49 1995-10 17.1.4. German Schools Abroad The first German school abroad was founded in Osorno, Chile, in 1854; more than 100 years old are also the schools in Lima, Athens, Buenos Aires and Madrid. The number of German schools abroad is growing over recent years. Currently (1996) there are a total 139 schools with 1172 foreign- service teachers and 83,275 pupils. These schools may be broadly classified into three categories: German-language, bilingual and local-language. They are supported with approx. 1/3 of the federal cultural budget for foreign countries...some 330 million DM. The syllabusses of German foreign schools are at least partially identical to those in Germany, thus providing a qualification which is recognized in Germany. Children of German parents, who live temporarily abroad, can return to Germany and start a vocational training program or college without further difficulties. The bilingual character and bi-cultural educational objectives is of growing importance, too. The diplomas issued by German schools abroad are recognized in both countries. Schools Teachers Pupils Africa 4 24 520 America 5 46 1996 Asia/Australia 20 92 3230 Europe 13 116 3252 German-language: German educational objective Schools Teachers Pupils Africa 7 135 5757 America 16 237 22615 Asia/Australia - - - Europe 27 412 8195 Bilingual: integrated teaching program; bi-cultural education objective Schools Teachers Pupils Africa 1 2 204 America 20 75 15193 Asia/Australia 2 - 428 Europe 24 33 11915 Local-language: additional German teaching; leads to German Diploma of Conference of Culture Ministers 17.1.5. Summer Schools for German Abroad (Actually only in the US, so far...) o German Institute of German Language and Culture, Summer Sessions, Dept. GH, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2010 USA, tel +1(805)893-7053 o Yale Summer Institute fuer Sprachen, Yale Summer Language Institute, P.O.Box 2145, Yale Station, New Haven, CT 06520 USA, tel +1(203)432-2430, fax +1(203)432-2434 o Deutsche Sommerschule im Suedosten, 263 Duaer Hall, University of Florida, Gainesviiie, FL 32611 USA, tel +1(904)392-2101 o Sommerschule, in the Nation's Capital, Dept. of Germanic and Slavic Languages, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA, tel +1(301)405-4091 o Waldsee German Village, Concordia Language Villages, Moorhead, MN 56560 USA, tel +1(218)299-4544, fax +1(218)299-3807, www http://www.cord.edu/dept/clv/Waldsee.html 1996-11 o Deutsche Sommerschule Taos, University of New Mexico, Ortega Hall, Room 437-B, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA, tel +1(505)277-5335, fax +1(505)277-9138 o Deutsche Sommerschule am Pazifik, Portland State Wniversity, P.O.Box 751, Portland, OR 97207 USA, tel +1(503)7254183, fax +1(503)725-4840 o Deutsche Sommerschule an der Millersville University, Department of Foreign Languages, Millersville University, Millersville, PA 17551 USA, tel +1(717)872-3526, fax +1(717)871-2003 o Deutsche Sommerschule am Atlantik, Department of Languages, University of Rhode Island, Building 129, Independence Hall, Kingston, RI 02881 USA, tel +1(401)7925911, fax +1(401)7924694 o Deutsche Sommerschule in Middlebury, 206 Sunderland Language Center, Middlebury Gollege, Middlebury, VT 05753 USA, tel +1(802)3883711, fax +1(802)388-1253 1995-10 17.2. Universities 17.2.1. Statistics Total number of students in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1993: 1,875,200 1997-06 Where students live. (Percentages, 1993 values) In their own apartments 40 With their parents, other relatives 21 In appartments with other students 20 In student halls of residence 13 In lodgings 6 1997-06 Most frequently chosen academic majors (1993 values) Business studies 127,641 Law 93,341 Medicine 88,000 Mechanical Engineering 85,889 Electrical engineering 79,678 Economics 67,748 German 66,543 Computer science 45,900 Civil engineering 43,176 Biology 41,380 1997-06 Number of institutions of higher education (1993 values) 1997-06 The largest student populations (1993 values) 1997-06 Universities / Technical Universities 80 Theological Colleges 17 Polytechnic Universities 8 Teachers Colleges 8 Art Colleges/Music Colleges 45 Polytechnic Colleges 127 Civil Service Training Colleges 30 Berlin 150,000 Munich 105,000 Cologne 82,000 17.2.2. Listings, Rankings Listings The most accessible listing of the many German universities is probably found in The World of Learning, which should be in the reference section of the libraries of most universities in the English speaking world. It lists Universities, faculties, departments, affiliated organizations, as well as academic staff with respective general areas of specialization (e.g. structural mechanics). 1994-3 Rankings There are no rankings for German universities in the American sense of the word, with widely accepted institutionalized reference listings. Some news magazines have picked up the habit of running annual surveys (you figure out their models;-) The two most typically employed methods are inqueries on faculty level about the best other-than-your- own unversity (in their field of expertise) and on students level about the quality of their school as they perceive it. 1996-03 17.2.3. Studying at a German University; Exchange Programs Foreign students from a large number of countries who want to study after high school at a German university or Fachhochschule need to attend the Studienkolleg for two semesters and pass an examination. Tuition at a Studienkolleg is free. Information about Studienkollegs in Germany: Guenther Miklitz, Studienkolleg fuer auslaendische Studierende, an der Universitaet Bonn, email usa000@ibm.rhrz.uni-bonn.de 1994-11 Although the German educational system is quite different from the US system (no degree until a masters equivalent etc.,) it's still possible to obtain a German degree with non-German background. The place to contact is the Auslandsamt (foreign office) of the involved universities. Usually it is easier to just go with an organized program. Especially since these programs usually guarantee some sort of credit transfer which is (depending on your home university) hard to impossible to get otherwise. Some programs also include special classes (sometimes in English, sometimes German classes for foreigners...) which will otherwise not be offered -- German students are supposed to find their own way through the university jungle... The big advantage of going alone is the financial aspect. Education in Germany is basically free i.e. university students pay a nominal tuition of typically approximately US$30 a semester for their education (plus books, living expenses and the usual public transportation -- all of which amounts to an (estimated) US$600-900 a month, less in the eastern part of Germany.) Students in Germany typically live in (shared) apartments, dorm rooms are only available for about 3-8% of the students (these numbers being higher in the east). Getting a dorm room is often included in organized programs, I suppose it will be hard to find one, if you're on your own, but your can always try. (Getting a dorm room will probably save about US$100/month.) 1995-3 A specific remark: For students of subjects related to economy the AIESEC organization may be a valuable pointer! In Germany you can try, e.g., Deutsches Komitee der AIESEC e.V. Subbelrather Str. 247 50825 Koeln tel +49(221)551056 and most universities should be able to help locate local branches. For more information on the Ontario/Baden-Wuerttemberg Exchange program send an email to ontbw@post.queensu.ca to Ontario/Baden-Wuerttemberg University Student Exchange Kingston Hall, Room 400 A, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada; tel: +1-613-545-6924 fax: +1-613-545-6930 1996-02 A good general collection on the topics (also interesting for German students who want to study abroad) can be found at the gopher of U Kaiserslautern 1996-04 17.2.4. Finding the Right One... (On-Line) There are several other files available: o Martin Schwartz maintains a list of all German universities, Fachhochschulen, Berufsakademien and other institutions of higher learning at this website 1999-04 o Felix Holderied maintains a similar, more compact list 1999-04 o The virtual library at U Karlsruhe offers an impressive collection of pointers sorted by subject. Most of these point to university sources.1995-6 o This list of universities and the like, which by now is a bit dated, might also be quite useful to some folks. 1999-04 ok Also you should check the Zentralvergabestelle fuer Studienplaetze (ZVS) ZVS, Sonnenstrasse 171, 44137 Dortmund, Germany 1996-02 17.3. Volkshochschulen The Volkshochschulen are evening schools open to everybody. For a modest fee of some amount (from around DM 20 to maybe DM 200; depends much on the type of course you choose) they offer courses to further your professional background, to prepare for taking the Abitur examination, or for plain pleasure and hobby interests. 1995-11 17.4. Education-Relevant Addresses Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Similar to the NSF in the USA. Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD 1999-04 The addresses of the branch offices of the DAAD can be found at this website . The DAAD is o an organisation of the institutions of higher education and student bodies in the Federal Republic of Germany, founded in 1925, refounded in 1950 o an institution for the promotion of international academic exchanges o an intermediary for the implementation of foreign cultural and academic policy as well as for the educational co-operation with developing countries o the national agency for the EU programmes ERASMUS and LINGUA and German information service for COMETT and TEMPUS o the IAESTE National Committee for the exchange of student trainees (The above is an excerpt from http://www.geist.de/daad/info- E.html. ) 1996-09 Very important for foreign students who want to study in Germany and also for German students who want to study in another country. They also have an office in New York 1999-04 Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Mirbachstr. 7, 53173 Bonn 1, tel +49(228)354091 An important source of scholarships for German students abroad and in Germany, essentially a national honors society. Membership is by invitation only. 1999-04 An older, inofficial website with inofficial materials. 1997-01 Fulbright-Kommission Theaterplatz 1a, PF 200555, 53177 Bonn (Bad Godesberg), Germany tel +49(228)363130 1995-4 Konferenz der Kultusminister Postfach 22 40, 53012 Bonn This is the place where they decide about transferability of foreign academic degrees. Maybe they answer questions. Any experience how helpful this address is? Representative of German Industry and Trade One Farragut Square South, Washington, DC. 20006, tel +1(202)347-0247 -- ** David Lutterkort Dept. of Computer Science Purdue University ** ** email: lutter@purdue.edu url: http://www.cs.purdue.edu/~lutterdc/ ** You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him walk on it. G. Larson You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think. D. Parker