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Living in Marburg

  • Helpful Everyday Tips

    Trash Disposal: The conservation of our environment is an imperative step for everyone. Therefore Germans pay close attention to how they dispose of their trash and recyclables. Please respect their laws and customs, regarding waste in your dorms and public. You will usually find separate trash cans for paper, plastic, biological garbage, glass and other waste everywhere.

    Recycling Deposit: When buying beverages in plastic or glass containers and metal cans, you will usually be able to return them to the supermarket where you originally bought them. The refund of your deposit ranges from 0,08€ to 0,25€, depending on the type of container.

    Restaurant and Eating Etiquette: Serving is more casual in Germany, so please be patient. Water is usually not served for free, and refills of any type of drink are not either. You will however often be able to ask for an additional glass of tap water. Once you would like to pay, please kindly inform the waiter/ waitress as they will not come to collect your payment automatically. As general practice, Germans tip around 10%, as service is not included in the bill

    Alcohol Consumption: Please always be careful when you go out and drink alcohol. Also note that many of the German beers have a higher alcohol content compared to other beers.

    Air Conditioning: Usually you will not find air conditioning in German places, except for some malls. Private houses, the dormitories, university buildings and restaurants do not have any air conditioning. Please open the windows to circulate the air.

  • Medical emergencies

    If you have a cold, you may first try to get over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy (Apotheke), which you will have to pay for on your own. If you are prescribed any medicine by the doctor, you will be able to recover at least part of the costs. Therefore you will need to hand in the prescription and all receipts, so that we can forward it to the insurance and recover the costs.

    In search for a doctor, we can recommend you one that speaks English well, but there are also many other doctors and dentists in Marburg, who can be easily found online. If you wish, one of our staff members can help you set an appointment or even accompany you, if you have difficulties finding your way or talking to the doctor.

    In case you wish to see a doctor, please keep in mind, that many doctors’ practices close very early on Wednesdays and Fridays or may even remain closed.

    You can find some further information here

  • Shopping

    Grocery and department stores: Shopping bags usually cost money. To save the environment, please remember to bring your backpack or any other reusable bag, as for example the free ISU bag which is given to you upon arrival.

    Most supermarkets and department stores have shorter opening hours on Saturdays (until early evening mostly) and are closed on Sundays and holidays.

    There are many inexpensive stores to get most of your household supplies that you could not bring with you, like towels, toiletries, e.g.: Woolworth, Teka, NKD, Rossmann are all located closely to the CNMS where your classes will take place.

    To receive medication, including over the counter medication, you will need to go to a pharmacy in most cases.

  • General Remarks on Clothing and Weather in Germany

    ISU classes and most of the ISU events are informal, and casual wear is sufficient (e.g. excursions, guided city tour, welcome session with ISU’s academic directors).

    Further usually summers in Germany are nice and sunny; yet, the weather conditions can change rather quickly with rain or dropping temperatures. Please prepare for the variety of weather conditions that may occur within Germany, including clothes for hot and cold weather, rain repellent garments (plus umbrella), good walking shoes and sun protection.

    The opening and closing ceremony are formal occasions and the closing ceremony takes place in a historical/ elegant venue; and thus, we would like to ask all ISU students to dress appropriately. Khaki/ dress pants and dress shirts are recommended for men. Women are recommended to wear dress pants or skirts with a blouse or cocktail dress.