U N I V E R S I T Ä T H O H E N H E I M M . S c . P r o g r a m m e C o o r d i n a t o r s

T h e O f f i c e o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l A f f a i r s

S t u d y i n g a t H o h e n h e i m - F a c t s a n d S k i l l s -

A Seminar for Students of the M.Sc. Programmes

AgEcon

(Agricultural Economics) AgriTropics

(Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics & Subtropics)

EnvEuro (Environmental Science - Soil,

Water and Biodiversity)

EnviroFood (Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production)

EUR-Organic (Organic Agriculture and Food

Systems) Crop Sciences

11th and 12th October, 2010

DOCUMENTATION

Seminar conducted by: Reiner Laue – PACTeam assisted by: Kerstin Hoffbauer, Katrin Winkler and Student Assistants: Elias Njiru and Yusuf Nadi Karatay

PACTeam GbR - Dr. Jochen Currle & Reiner Laue Die Berater für Moderation, Beratungsmethodik und Organisationsentwicklung Hauptstr. 15 88379 Guggenhausen Tel/Fax: 07503/ 791 Email: info@pacteam.org Homepage: www.pacteam.org

CTeamAP

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“We are all learning, learning and learning … so, don’t be afraid to come and study here in Hohenheim” (Verbatim quotation from Mr. Reiner during his

welcome speech on 11th Oct 2010)

Participating Students

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Introduction

At the beginning of the seminar Kerstin Hoffbauer and Katrin Winkler welcomed all participants, and introduced the moderator Reiner Laue, and Elias Njiru and Yusuf Nadi Karatay as his assistants for this seminar.

The schedule and the expectations for this seminar are stated by these clip boards;

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

We got to know each other by making a “tooth wheel”, in which we sat in pairs opposite each other to discuss the following: source/origin and meaning of our names, polite and impolite behaviours when addressing somebody in our cultures, the most surprising experience in Germany since our arrival and our wishes for this workshop.

We found out that it is polite in Russia to look at a person directly into the eyes, but not staring, while shaking hands with someone. In Nepal, it is polite to clasp your hands together while greeting someone. We also learned that it is impolite to ask personal/private questions on 1st meeting in Venezuela, while in Ghana it is impolite to look someone directly into the eyes and putting hands into the pocket while talking to someone.We were informed that we should always remember that what is considered polite in one culture could be considered impolite in another culture.

Our expectations included; to learn more about the advancement in technology and technological know-how in the European Union, to understand the different perspectives and approaches to education in Germany and to have a foreign university experience.

Our worries and concerns included; apprehension regarding the host country (i.e. are Germans receptive and open?), food, weather and making friends.

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We learnt that some of our most surprising experiences in Germany included having no internet for two weeks in the hostels (for the new-comers), a European resident being asked to identify himself just after crossing the German border, a huge cam-pus with lots of inter-national students (our expectation was a small campus) and language barrier (e.g. it’s hard to purchase groceries at the supermarket if one does not speak German).

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BIOLOGICAL BACKGROUND: MEMORY

Information on our memory is one part of biological background information. Understanding its function as well as its potential and limitation helps to acquire knowledge efficiently. You can do this small exercise. Get someone to read out the 15 names and then write down as many as you can remember. You will find out the following:

Three levels of memory

We use the ultrashort-term memory to recognise our environment. It acts as a filter because we do not memorise the vast majority of information, but we delete it immediately. This is to prevent an overloading of our mental capacities.

Our short-term memory has a capacity of about 7 units. This is the reason that we can memorise new telephone numbers for a short while, before forgetting them again. Concerning reading a book or listening to a lecture, we often assume to understand everything; however again, after a short while we forget much information due to the limited capacity of our short-term memory. We can stretch the capacity of the short-term memory by combining several digits, by putting them into an already existing context and by having a special interest in the topic. Remember the exercise with the list of names that you had to remember. The names that are familiar to you, maybe from friends and relatives, are very easy to remember but others are not.

The long-term memory serves to store information for a very long time, even for our whole life. The information reaches this level by means of repetition. All information has to pass through the two previous levels with the short-term one as the bottleneck.

Mental potential and information channels

These results have two major implications:

We memorise information more efficiently if we use more than one channel for taking up information.

The more active we are dealing with a given subject, the better and the longer we can remember it (e.g. dealing actively with exam regulation booklet).

Three levels of memory 1. Ultrashort-term =

(sensoric) memory 2. Short term memory 3. Long-term memory

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STRUCTURING

Structuring helps tremendously to remember complex issues. Firstly we should gain an overview by understanding the major aspects, thus we work horizontally. By doing so we are working in accordance with the capacity of our short-term memory. As a second step we decide on which minor aspects and details should be tackled.

Topic

Major aspect

Minor aspect

BIORHYTHM

The following graph illustrates shortly how the human biorhythm works. The human biorhythm determines our mental fitness. It is characterised by two peaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Due to our own experiences we know that at lunchtime we normally feel a bit tired. In many countries this is one reason that a siesta break is very common.

For our studies we should organise our working time in accordance with our normal rhythm, i.e. doing deman-ding tasks during peak times. During the first three semesters of the master programme we should use the morning hours pro-ductively for reviewing notes, clarifying open ques-tions, etc., because all lec-tures are taking place in the afternoon.

Sufficient breaks are the key for the use our potential optimally! If we neglect the breaks the low periods are extended and the peaks are not as high as they could be!

6 h 9 h 12 h 15 h 18 h 21 h 24 h 3 h

degree ofmentalfitness

Human biorhythm during 24 hours

100%

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ASPECTS CONTRIBUTING TO SUCCESSFUL STUDIES

The chart below highlights the four major aspects that contribute to successful studies. While each of them is crucial, the M.Sc. degree as the final result can only be achieved if they are balanced. Efforts in the field of acquiring knowledge are in vain if the administrative requirements like extending the visa are not met, if we are no able to use our time efficiently or if we neglect our social contacts.

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READING SKILLS - INFORMANAGEMENT

Dealing with reading skills was the next topic. The focus was not on the actual reading process, but on how to use scientific literature efficiently (in contrast to reading a novel, which we start at the first page and read up to the last page). In order gain practical experience in working in a target-oriented way, we collected questions concerning a text titled "What is studying all about?" (Source: Andrew Northedge, “The Good Study Guide”, 2000)

The step "posing questions" is one of several ones, as it is shown in the table. Nevertheless we realised that this new approach needs a bit of practice, but it is one way of reading in a more focused way.

By following the steps we structure the information and reduce the volume. This is crucial to deal systematically and efficiently with larger amounts of information.

This intensive work ensures that the neutral information stored in the book gradually becomes our own knowledge that we can use in many ways: explaining it to others, using it for designing projects, demonstrating it in examinations etc.

Understanding the subject and being able to apply what we have learnt boosts tremendously our motivation to explore new complex situations.

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ALIENS' ACT

The Aliens' Act (Ausländerrecht) was our next topic. After collecting questions that covered a wide range of topics, the answers were visualised on two boards. It became clear that some aspects are not exclusively relevant for foreign students, but are valid for both foreigners and Germans as well as for foreigners in general. Logically it is not only the Aliens' Act that provided the answers but that also other rules and regulations apply.

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Some of the answers to regarding the Aliens Act were discussed and grouped as shown below:

QUESTIONS REGARDING TO JOBS/MONEY/TUITION FEE

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DORMITORIES

We gave you some basic information on the organisation concerning the life in the dormitories, the rental contracts and other important information. The following list summarises the most important points. Please also read the “Terms of lease” carefully and abide to the terms. Failure to abide to the terms can lead to immediate termination of your rental contract. Please inform yourself, ignorance is no excuse.

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- The advantages of living in the dormitories include the close proximity to the University, the cheap lease, the possibility to meet people and the tight situation on the housing market. The disadvantage is the fact that there are always more applicants than available rooms.

- The distribution of rooms takes place through a quota system, in which every institute get a defined number of rooms and can then allocate these independently.

- As a consequence the management of the dormitories takes place through the coordination offices. Please contact the coordinators first if you want to

o apply for a room o sublease your room o cancel your contract o extend your contract

Ms Renz from the Office of International Affairs will then inform you on the possibilities you have.

- Each dormitory is looked after by a janitor. He can be contacted in case you have problems, e.g. something in the dormitory is not working.

- The rules are part of your rental contract. A translation is provided for you. Please read them carefully and abide to the rules.

- Common rooms have to be cleaned by the inhabitants, contact your neighbours to find out the system of sharing the cleaning duties among yourselves.

- Pots and plates are owned individually. If you wish to use other peoples pots and plates please ask for permission first.

- In Germany we have a waste separation system. Please abide to it. The most important parts of it are the following:

o Green bin: plain paper without metal, plastic or foils on it, e.g. newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, packages for noodles, corn flakes, etc.

o Brown bin: compostable material, do not put anything from animals into this bin - no meat, bones, sausage, fat.

o Yellow sack: packaging material, e.g. shampoo jar, skin lotion jar, tooth paste tube, meat tray, sausage tray or plastic foil, cheese foil, yoghurt cup, milk carton, juice carton, plastic bottles, metal cans and all sort of metal foils or plastic foils etc. (take care that there is no deposit on the cans and bottles you want to dispose of!)

o Grey-black bin: all the rest e.g. torn cloths, dirty paper, medicine, ash, CD’s, discs, wire, cable, film, photos, bulbs, plates, rubber parts, hair, spray containers, coffee filters, tea bags, bubble gum, metals, tapes, candles, leather, lip stick, nails, pens, cooked kitchen wastes, soap, tampons, ink, shavers, cigarettes etc.

o Batteries must be returned to the shop or to the municipality o Glass is collected in containers sorted by colour

- No waste collection on balconies is allowed.

- No double or more occupation is allowed. Violation of this rule leads to immediate termination of your contract.

- Reduce the level of noise at lunch time and after 10 pm.

- Check notes hung on the notice-boards regularly for information.

- Before moving out make an appointment with the caretaker and paint your room (paint is provided).

- Every semester a proof of matriculation has to be submitted to the “Wohnheimverwaltung” office.

- Use energy and water cautiously. Do not heat while the window is open. Switch lights off when you leave the room.

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OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF THE M.SC. PROGRAMMES

All M.Sc. courses are intensive 2-year programmes consisting of:

1. Semester: 5 modules

2. Semester: 5 modules

3. Semester: 5 modules

4. Semester: master thesis

STRUCTURE OF THE M.SC. PROGRAMMES M.Sc. AgEcon:

5 compulsory, 5 semi-elective 5 elective

M.Sc. AgriTropics:

8 compulsory 7 electives

M.Sc. CropScience:

3 compulsory, 5 semi-elective 7 elective

M.Sc. EnviroFood: 7 compulsory 3 semi-elective 5 elective

M.Sc. EnvEuro:

5-6 compulsory, 3-4 semi-elective and (1. & 2. Semester) max. 2 elective

M.Sc. EURO-Organic:

8 compulsory 7 elective

WHAT IS A MODULE?

A module is a teaching unit and can consist of several parts (lecture, seminar, excursion, practical training)

Modules can be either blocked or unblocked A blocked module takes place in every afternoon for three and a half weeks with an exam at the

end of the period. Unblocked modules take place once in a week in the mornings and the exam is taken at the end

of the semester.

GRADING SYSTEM

The grading system of is based on the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) Each module has a value of 6 credits 15 modules = 90 credits The master thesis has a value of 30 credits your total master degree requires 120 credits

WHAT IS A CREDIT?

Credits are used to characterise the estimated workload that you need in order to successfully complete the module. One credit corresponds to a workload of 25 to 30 hours. One module requires a maximum workload of 6 x 30 hrs = 180 hrs (~ 70 hrs of lecture, rest is preparation on your own or in groups)

15 Modules in total

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GRADES

The result of your exam is assessed with grades (A to D) and grade-points (4 to 1). A (very good) = 4 B (good) = 3 C (medium) = 2 D (pass) = 1 F (fail) = 0 Your overall performance will be assessed with credit-points. Credit points are calculated by multiplying the credits with the grade-points of each module or the thesis.

OVERALL GRADES

To obtain the degree “Master of Science” an overall grade of at least 120 credit points has to be obtained. Minimum: 120 credits, average grade D = 1 120 x 1 = 120 credit points Maximum: 120 credits, average grade A = 4 120 x 4 = 480 credit points

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

The examination regulations were a major topic. The examination regulations describe the objective of our Master Programmes (see § 1) and all relevant rules and regulations that are binding for both the students and the professors. In other words: it is like a contract showing the conditions in terms of "do's" and "do not's" under which you can study in Hohenheim.

Summarising, here are some of the key aspects that apply to all examination regulations:

Topic Regulation

Sickness during module

You are allowed to participate in exam since presence in the lectures is not compulsory. It is your responsibility to get the information presented in the module, the best way is to ask your colleges to collect the handouts for you.

Sickness during exam

In case you are not participating in the exam you need a medical certificate.

Handout material Handouts are provided by the lecturers.

Number of exams per module

There is one exam per module, but up to 30% can be course work.

Type of examination

Exams can be either written or oral, it is stated in the respective module description.

Registration for exams

Registration for modules with the coordinators is required. TropenMaster students do not need to register for the compulsory modules, but for optional modules.

The thesis must be registered at the end of the third semester (30th March).

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Topic Regulation

Postponing exams Generally not possible, exception is own sickness or sickness of one’s own child that must be proved by a doctor's certificate to be given to the coordinator or to the Prüfungsamt (Examination Office).

Failing an exam Every examination can be repeated once and three modules can be repeated twice. The repetition has to take place within 3 months from notification of failure.

Failing the thesis Thesis can be repeated once with a new topic.

Cheating When found guilty, the exam is marked F (failure).

Remarking exam You have the right to check/assess the results. In case you can prove that marking was incorrectly done you can ask for remarking.

In any other case: if you passed the exam (D or better) you cannot ask to repeatthe exam in order to score better.

Hint: Professors can only mark what they can understand. Thus a logic and coherent presentation, and, in case of written exams, readable handwriting are crucial to allowing professors to judge all knowledge that you presented.

Master thesis at other faculties

The topic of the thesis can be linked to any compulsory or optional module that you have attended. Co-supervision by institutions outside Hohenheim is possible.

Ranking system The M.Sc. grade will be certified with the M.Sc. certificate. A ranking system like some of you might know from your home countries (Class, Division) is not usual in Germany.

HOHENHEIM WEBSITE

Yusuf gave a brief introduction to the University’s website, in order to give the participants an impression of the structure of the webpages and to facilitate their ability to find information themselves. The most important web pages and information are summarized below:

Uni-Homepage: http://www.uni-hohenheim.de

Registrations for “Online Studium”, webmail, e-Learning portal, library and intranet

Module Catalogue: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/modulkatalog.html

Under Faculties/Institutions you will find links to all institutes. There you can find additional information like contacts, addresses, publications, links to personal web pages, study material, current research activities and additional information.

Under News and Events you can find event dates, menus for the canteen and job offers (German).

Childcare: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/1622.html?&L=1

Microsoft Academic Alliance Program: https://rz.uni-hohenheim.de/msdnaa.html

Accomodation: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/housingexchange.html?&L=0

International Matters: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/internationales.html?&L=1

Sports

- sport programme published each semester - most offers without registration, if required

registration in ASTA-office - http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/unisport/

Music and theatre

- choirs, orchestras, bands, guitar groups etc. - Information at:

Tel: +49 (0)711/459-4072 Fax: +49 (0)711/459-3858 Email: unimusik@uni-hohenheim.de Building: EuroForum Office: Room 104

- http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/unimusik/

Religious groups

- Christian http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/oehg/ or http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/~tjc

- Moslem (no webpage) - further information please refer to

announcements at the ASTA

International Students

- International Students Organisation ISO http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/iso/

o offers tours and social activities o Tandem programme for languages o Buddy programme for exchange

with German students in Hohenheim

- International Student Initiative ISI http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/isi/

- AIESEC http://www.st.de.aiesec.org

Parties

- Thursdays, TMS party - Irregular

o Kneipe: Schwerzstr. 2 o Gilb: Schwerzstr. 1

Movie

- Hohenheim movie group shows movies in lecture hall B3 in German

- http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/astafilm/ - English movies at Corso in Vaihingen - http://www.corso-kino.de/

Internet and email

- application for access to internet and an email account in PC room 2

- requires a valid student ID card

Public transport

- with a valid student ID card public transport within the Stuttgart boundaries can be used for

free after 6 pm and during weekends or public holidays

- semester tickets are available for 175.00 € - electronic timetable of bus, U-Bahn and S-Bahn

under http://www.vvs.de/en/index.php - Using the Ticket Vendor

Map of Stuttgart and Hohenheim online

- http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/stuttgart/stadtplan/index.en.html

ORGANISING DAY-TO-DAY STUDIES

Our plenary discussion on organising day-to-day studies focused on three milestones as summarized on the table below and on the following photos:

Before a module starts: We should get an overview by means of the "Detailed Schedule" or “Degree Course Scheme”.

During a module / unit Initially: getting an overview on the specific subject.

during lectures: maintaining the overview, concentration on main points, following the logic and red line of the lecturer

Issues that are not understood can be asked for and / or clarified later.

Do not try to note down everything the lecturer says, it is not possible. Note down only key words.

After the lecture: check your notes, discuss the contents with fellow students and keep up-to-date as precondition for good exam results!!

Preparing exams Simulate the exam situation with friends, formulate own questions a professor might ask, ...

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LEARNING IN GROUPS

Learning in groups is a methodological tool, which is very useful in some situations. However, when deciding to do so, certain conditions have to be met to make such meetings successful events. As a result we should change the working approach during the learning process. Of course, the steps 3 to 5 can and should be repeated several times depending on the volume and on the degree of difficulty of the subject.

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LANGUAGE CENTRE We had the pleasure to have Dr. Uta Aifan from the language centre who informed us on the possibilities of learning German and other languages. These are the seven steps to learning German and/or any other language:

1. Test and inform yourself

2. Consult your expert

3. Register online or personally in time

4. Pay the fee and buy the book

5. Start studying

6. Participate regularly and be active

7. Make sustainable effort

Further information on the webpage: https://spraz.uni-hohenheim.de/ or via email spraz@uni-hohenheim.de

ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Administrative requirements are part of every society and institution. One key aspect is to do all administrative procedures within the envisaged period of time before the dead line ends. To be on the safe side it is very much recommendable to do all procedures early enough which gives some additional buffer time for both eventually clarifying questions that may pop up and in case of e.g. sickness. Furthermore all required documents should be attached immediately to prevent that the administration has to come back to you.

Some of the main requirements that are listed here:

Check the data online that all the details are correct. If there are any mistakes in the spelling of your name, different first and family names, address or date of birth or anything you notice please inform the student secretariat.

Consult: https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/pruefung.html?&L=1

Renewal of the registration every semester: every semester you have to re-register yourself as a student in Hohenheim. This is simply done by paying the registration fee. You can find the pay slip already attached to the papers connected to your student ID card.

The deadlines for payment are on the 15th February and the 15th July, depending on the semester. These dates are also printed on your student papers.

Your visa extension will be granted for either one or two years. For extension of visa the following documents have to be provided: passport, proof of matriculation or admission letter, health insurance certificate, proof of registration at the municipality, financial statement and a fee of 50 €.

In case you change your residence or you are leaving the country do not forget to un-register at the municipality.

COMMUNICATING WITH PROFESSORS

This is an additional note on how to communicate with professors in Germany, as it may be different compared to your home countries. The most important points are:

- It is better to make an appointment if you want to see a Professor in his/her office.

- It is often better to send the class representatives to speak to a Professor if the whole class is concerned.

- Of course one should always be friendly.

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- Present problems in a structured and impersonal way. Do not make the Professor feel personally attacked.

- It is good to present concrete suggestions for possible solutions to the problems presented.

- Confronting the Professor in his office is more comfortable for him than before the whole class, on the other side he/she may be more “hard”.

- Come prepared and bring material if appropriate,

- If you visit without an appointment then respect office hours,

- Switch off or put your cell phone on silent,

- Listen carefully to what he/she is telling you.

EVALUATION

Finally you, the participants, had the opportunity to evaluate the seminar and suggest improvements for the next seminar to us. Their evaluation and suggestions are summarized below.

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Annex

ALIENS ACT - DEUTSCHES AUSLÄNDERRECHT

Legal Rules and Regulations for Foreign Students1 (October 2006)

Studying in Germany offers you a waste range of options for enhancing your professional career and for gaining a lot of personal experiences. Like in any other country, a few rules and regulations exist for foreigners and for foreign students2. Knowing these rules and regulations and sticking to them will contribute considerably to a successful stay in Germany. The basis: All foreigners need a valid passport and a permit (Aufenthaltstitel3) if they want to stay in Germany. Only few exemptions apply for tourists and for visiting relatives. Please note: In Germany everybody (both Germans and foreigners) must be able to proof his /her identity by means of a passport or an ID (ID only applicable for Germans and EU-citizens) when being asked for by the police. An officially certified copy including an officially certified pass photo can be accepted by the police.

1. For non-EU citizens The permit (Aufenthaltstitel) has to be obtained in its correct form (see below) before entering Germany. Entering Germany as a tourist does not qualify you to apply afterwards for a permit for study purposes. In such a case you have to leave the country and have to apply abroad!

Three (3) types of permits (Aufenthaltstitel) exist: (1) Visum: for entering Germany. This visum is issued by the German Embassy abroad and allows to enter Germany. (2) Aufenthaltserlaubnis: allows to stay in Germany for a restricted time period and a specific purpose. This permit is issued, amongst others, to foreign, non-EU-students. It allows to work in Germany to a limited extent (see below) (3) Niederlassungserlaubnis: is not restricted in terms of duration and includes a work permit.

1.2 Features of the Aufenthaltserlaubnis For students the Aufenthaltserlaubnis is linked to a specific purpose having two components: 1. the enrolment at a (1) specific university for a (2) specific subject. 2. It is restricted in terms of duration because it is expected that the student returns to his home country after having finalised his studies. Please note: Linkage between the Aufenthaltserlaubnis and a given purpose: (1) Changing the subject (e.g. from agricultural sciences to food technology) at the same university or (2) changing from a university like Hohenheim to another type of university (e.g. Fachhochschule Nürtingen) and even if the same subject is pursuit: both cases are considered as a change of purpose which normally is not permitted. However, changing the purpose is possible in certain cases: - Within the first three semesters of your studies - Changing the subject later than three semesters in case considerable results of the first subject are accepted for taking up the new subject. - The final examination of the new subject can be reached within a reasonable period of time, thus the overall duration in Germany does not exceed 10 years (including possible language courses, practials etc.).

1 „Foreign students“ stand for students from Non-EU-countries. 2 All information is given to the best of the knowledge of the author, however no responsibility can be taken in legal terms. 3 In this text the German expressions are also used for the technical terms since they are binding when dealing with the respective authorities.

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If you intend to change your purpose, the office for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) has to agree with it in advance! It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the permission, but not the university’s obligation.

1.3 Employment in the context of the Aufenthaltserlaubnis Foreign students should not be a burden to the German labour market and, consequently, are not granted a residence permit4. Therefore the office for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) insists on the proof of having sufficient funds which allows you to cover your living expenses. Nevertheless, some options for being employed exist:

(a) Working as an academic assistant (wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft: Hiwi) at the university or a research institution is considered as being supportive to the studies and is always permitted up to 80 to 82 hours per month. Please note that the office for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) has to make a respective note into your passport! There is no need to consult the labour office (Arbeitsamt) since scientific work is not related to a work permit. If you have been offered such a position as Hiwi, you should ask your employer for a letter stating exactly this type of job offer (including number of working hours per month). This letter should be presented to the office for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde) – together with your passport. The Ausländerbehörde then just has to stamp their approval of this scientific position into your passport. Important hint: The job at the university must be linked your studies, a job e.g. as an casual worker at the mensa is not considered as being related to scientific work!

(b) Employment by means of a normal job As a student you are entitled to be employed for up to 90 full calendar days or 180 half calendar days5 per year within and, of course, outside the university. Be aware that in case a job lasts only for one hour per day, every day is calculated as one half day! Practicals that are not required by the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung) are considered as employment and consequently are subject to the 90 days /180 half days rule. Ask always your employer to certify the number days you were working.

1.4 Duration and extension of the Aufenthaltserlaubnis Normally the German embassy / consulate abroad issues a visa valid for 3 months. After entering Germany, matriculating at the university and registering at the civil office (Bürgerbüro) in your town of residence (not town of the University) you have to apply for the Aufenthaltserlaubnis. Documents needed for applying for the Aufenthaltserlaubnis: - Proof of matriculation; - Proof of health insurance; - Proof of sufficient financial means. The Aufenthaltserlaubnis is valid for one year, maximum for two years. It has to be renewed before it expires! When applying for renewal, the student has to provide the following documents: - Proof of being matriculated; - Proof of sufficient funds (by means of account statements of the last 3 months, or by

recent bank statement, or by scholarship or by recent financial commitment of a third person or institution);

- Proof of health insurance; - Valid passport of the home country with valid Aufenthaltserlaubnis; - Fee of 20 € (except students having a scholarship showing a respective proof).

Important hints: The application is done in time if the current permission is still valid (Example: the current Aufenthaltserlaubnis is valid until 30 April and the renewal is applied for on 29 April). However, when missing the dead line, you are considered as being illegally in Germany, which can have severe consequences like being expelled.

4 Students from EU countries who would like to work are in prinicpal subject to the same rules as Germans. 5 Half day= up to 4 hours per day

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The German authorities can renew the Aufenthaltserlaubnis for maximal 2 years, however they normally grant only 1 year. This is completely legal and is no reason for complaining.

2 EU - citizens People from these countries who want to study here enter Germany without a visa and do not need to apply for any permit. Students from the previous 15 EU countries have the same status as Germans in the field of employment. Students from the new EU countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus) are entitled to work 90 full days / 180 half days per year. Financing your studies exclusively by means of such a timely restricted job is not possible. Exemption: Students from Malta and Cyprus have the same status as Germans in the field of employment.

3 General remark The Office of International Affairs (Akademisches Auslandsamt) can assist you in conjunction with problems related to your status of being a foreigner, however the final decisions are with the respective authorities. In order to prevent severe problems, it is of utmost importance to stay within the legal frame for foreigners. In case of uncertainties, please ask prior to any step you intend to do. Enjoy your stay in Hohenheim! Reiner Laue (Translation and adaptation of a respective paper of Akademisches Auslandsamt of University of Hohenheim)