#1 Students Live and Relax “Downtown”
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The center of the medieval university town of Marburg, home to Philipps-Universität, is one of the most popular places for students to live. Small and inexpensive apartments in half-timber buildings in walking or biking distance to university buildings – plus access to the shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the winding, cobblestone pathways – make living in the historical area a truly attractive proposition. Photo copyright: Viola Düwert
#2 Enjoying Sunny Weather at the Cafeteria
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Students at the Riedberg Campus of the Goethe University of Frankfurt – the new home for the natural sciences – enjoy lunch outside at a Mensa or cafeteria. Lunch is typically the largest meal of the day in Germany, but options for students and faculty across Hessen include everything from a hot meal with side dishes or a simple sandwich. Vegetarian options are always available. Meal plans don’t exist in Germany, which gives students flexibility to enjoy eating on campus and off. But with the cost of a full meal at the Mensa rarely breaking 5 euros and plenty of options, Mensa is usually the most popular option and a central gathering place on campus. Photo copyright: Goethe-Universität
#3 Exchange Student from Purdue University
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Chemistry major Cody Martin came to Germany to complete a research internship at the Philipps-Universität Marburg through the highly competitive RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) scholarship program run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Martin spent several weeks in the summer between his junior and senior years at Purdue University gaining experience in hands-on chemistry research, learning to work as part of a multicultural team, and exploring Hessen, Germany, and Europe.
#4 Getting Around on Two Wheels
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The 19th-century campus of Fulda University of Applied Sciences is located in one of the most perfectly preserved Baroque towns in Germany, all of which can be easily explored by bicycle. This form of transportation is so popular in Germany that bicyclists often have their own lanes and traffic signals alongside cars and places to lock up are easy to find. All participants in the Fulda ISU summer programs start with a bike and a helmet!
Photo copyright: Werbeagentur creart
#5 Modern and Historic Buildings on Campus
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In most Hessen universities – and the university towns themselves – physical spaces reflect the changing course of European history and architecture. The Offenbach Academy of Art and Design is in the process of creating an entirely new campus alongside the banks of the Main River, but students currently work in both hyper-modern new facilities and a 19th-century palace. Photo copyright: Wolfgang Seibt
#6 Summer Programs Combine Academics and Fun
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The Hessen:ISUs (International Summer Universities) give international students a chance to sample some of the best coursework in Hessen – in English – during month-long courses in subjects as diverse as European Finance and Renewable Energies. The academic program is rigorous, but opportunities to explore Hessen and the German culture abound. Popular choices include the German cooking classes where students from around the world explore local favorites such as the fragrant, herb-based “green sauce” used for meat and potatoes. Students from ISU Fulda enjoy preparing a meal together in this photo. Photo copyright: ISU Fulda
#7 New On-Campus Facilities Across Hessen
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The newly remodeled entryway to the Physics Department at Justus Liebig University of Giessen reflects major recent investments across Hessen in university buildings and grounds. Renovating architectural treasures built centuries ago to meet the needs of modern university life and building new labs, lecture halls, cafeterias, and student dorms has truly changed the face of the university landscape. Students and faculty alike are reaping the benefits. Photo copyright: Rolf K. Wegst
#8 “Summer Semester” in Germany
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The “Summer Semester” in Germany goes from April to the beginning of July, giving students plenty of time to enjoy the mild summer weather and long days of northern Europe. Here, students at the Philipps-Universität Marburg University take advantage of the good weather by relaxing outside. Smaller seminars may meet outside when the sun is shining. Photo copyright: Tina Heppenstiel
