Living in Bonn
Bonn is a lively city of about 300.000 inhabitants situated at the river Rhine. The former capital of West Germany hosts a number of international organisations including the United Nations and more than 150 non-governmental organisations.
Ludwig van Beethoven, Bonn’s most famous citizen, was born here in 1770. An annual music festival is named after him: the International Beethoven Festival takes place every autumn. All in all, Bonn looks back on 2000 years of history. The cityscape still reflects many historical aspects: Roman traces as well as the marks of the era, when Bonn was the residence of the Princes Elector. The high-rise former office building of Parliament testifies to the period as capital. The University of Bonn was founded in 1818 by the German emperor Friedrich Wilhelm III. Today, it is a home to almost 28.000 students and thus one of the biggest universities in Germany.
The Institute for Informatics is located on Campus Bonn-Castell at a calm and safe district only a hundred metres off the banks of the river Rhine. The campus includes a cafeteria and the university's sports facilities most of which can be used for free by students of the University.
Service for (international) students
Arriving at a new town, and, for international students, in a new country is a difficult task. Therefore, the Institute for Informatics is offering new students support in getting settled as citizens of Bonn and students of this university.
The Master Program Office helps prospective students during their visa application, in finding a suitable room, in getting enrolled at the University of Bonn and registered for German classes.
The Institute's Study-Buddy-Program is designed to support first semester students of this program during their first weeks in Bonn. Each student is assigned a second or third semester student who is his/her personal contact during the weeks before and after their arrival. A Study Buddy collects his or her students from the train station in Bonn and brings them to their accommodation. He or she helps them with all administrative tasks to be completed before enrollment, shows them around Bonn and the university campus.
The Mentoring Program is offered to every new master student of this institute. A professor or lecturer becomes the personal advisor of the student in study-related issues. This commitment continues until the student graduates.
The University's International Office has established a variety of university-wide programs that help international students to settle down more easily in Germany, including the International Club and the University's Study Buddies. Further information can be found on the website of the International Office.
The International Office has also published two brochures for international (master) students with general information on student life in Bonn:
Accommodation
Although Bonn is not the most expensive city, finding affordable accommodation might be difficult, especially at the beginning of a semester. Prospective students of the Master of Computer Science Program can get a room at one of the student residences run by the university. Alternatively, students can opt for a private accommodation. For further information on housing in Bonn, please consult the following websites:
Student jobs
Many German students finance their studies by working. International students are also allowed to work in Germany. The International Office has listed all information concerning work permits for international students. To job seekers, the University offers an online job fair in English and the Studentenwerk Bonn another one in German.
General tips and info regarding student jobs in Germany is provided by DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): "Earning Money".
The University
Brochures to download with general information on the University of Bonn:
