Useful tips for every day
Every country has its own customs and traditions, and Germany is no exception. In order for you to know how best to behave in certain situations and what is better not to do, we have provided some tips. These should make it easier for you to settle in and integrate at the University of Wuppertal.
- strategies and practical tips for coping with a cultural shock
- scheduling
- visible and invisible values
- crisis - what now?
- working during studies
Training and advice on "intercultural competence" is offered by the Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB) and the Zentrum für Graduiertenstudium (ZGS).
The new editions of the illustrated dorm dictionary for download (32 pages):
- German – English – Chinese
- German – French – Arabic
- German – French – Spanish
- German – Polish – Russian
Printed copies of the dormitory dictionary can be ordered for 50 cents each here:
Servicestelle Interkulturelle Kompetenz des Deutschen Studentenwerks
Tel. 030 29 77 27 71, sik[at]studentenwerke.de
- Stick to appointments you make with Germans and inform them of delays as soon as possible. Making appointments lightly is unacceptable, so major conflicts can result.
- Make an appointment if you want to discuss something. Otherwise, there is a great risk that you will either be perceived as a troublemaker or rejected for lack of time. To avoid being cut short and disappointed, do not approach Germans spontaneously. It may already be sufficient to make an appointment by saying: "I would like to discuss this matter with you. Is it possible now or would it be better at another time? If not, when?"
- Take agendas seriously and make sure your issues and their concerns are included in them.
- Make appointments with Germans in everyday life as well - for private visits and invitations just as if you wanted to use services.
- Be prepared to have the undivided attention of a German when you finally have an "appointment" with him or her. Now he or she has time for you. And now it would be insulting and rude if he or she were to devote parallel time to something else. This applies both professionally and privately.
- Don't expect Germans to be flexible. They will do things in order and will often tell you, "Slow down. One thing at a time".
- You can count on the fact that Germans do not change decisions so quickly once they have been made. Therefore, bring your ideas and suggestions into the planning.
Address & Contact
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Abt. 3.3 - Internationales Studierendensekretariat (student admission and registration)
Gaußstraße 20
42119 Wuppertal
Germany
Personal consultation hours in the Student Service Center (SSC) right at the main entrance (building G, room G.08.16):
Tuesday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
For organisational reasons, office hours may change sometimes. You can always find the latest information about office hours on the Student Service Center page under "News".
Telephone consultation and advice:
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
