FAQ

• Does the summer school take place virtually or in the classroom?
  The summer school will only take place as an in-person event.

• I have submitted my application. What happens now?
  After the application deadline (30 April 2024) it will take 2-3 weeks to process your application.

• When will I receive more information about the program?
  We will send you all the information you need to know about your participation in the summer school program when we send the Confirmation of Acceptance. You will receive the final course timetable and detailed program information 4 weeks before the course begins.

• I come from a non-EU country and I need a letter of invitation to apply for a visa. How can I get this letter?
  Indicate that you need a letter of invitation for a visa in our application form. If you provide your passport number and your date of birth, we can issue a letter of invitation, which we will send to you once we have received payment for the program fees.

• What do I need to do before I travel?
  After receiving confirmation that you will be participating, you should book your flights to and from Germany.
  Please make sure that you have taken out sufficient insurance (health, 3-party liability, etc.). You should also start looking for a room to stay in Hamburg as soon as possible. You can buy a cheap SIM card once you have landed in Germany.

• How do I get to Hamburg? (which airport, train station, etc.)
  Hamburg Airport (HAM) is an international airport, which is quite close to the city center, and is the easiest way to get here. The Bremen airport (BRE, approx. 2 hours away) and Berlin airports (SXF and TXL, approx. 3 hours by train) are the next closest airports to Hamburg.
  Travelers within Europe may also take the train.

• How do I get to my accommodation from the airport?
  There are two options: either take the S-Bahn (light rail) or take a taxi.
  As we do not provide a public transport ticket, make sure you buy a ticket to get you from the airport to your destination (we recommend buying a single ticket for zones A and B, which costs EUR 3.80). Average price for a taxi ride from the airport to the accommodation we booked for you is EUR 35.00.

• What type of clothing should I bring?
  The summer weather in Hamburg is warm; therefore, you need to bring light and cool clothes. You can wear T-Shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts, skirts and sandals. However, sometimes it is rainy or the temperature is cool. Therefore, you should also bring an Umbrella and a lightweight Jacket.

• What do I need to bring?
  You can bring your Insurance documents and numbers, and emergency contact details, in case this information is needed during your stay in Hamburg. Also, make sure to bring enough money for personal expenses.

• When are my program fees due?
  Once we have sent the Confirmation of Acceptance, you have 14 days to transfer the program fees. Unfortunately, we do not have a PayPal account, and we are unable to accept cash transactions on campus.

• What is covered in the program fees?
  The program fees include:
  • 2-week program in Hamburg
  • up to 6 ECTS
  • official certificate
  • course materials
  • water and fruits during the course days
  • get-together on the first evening

• Is accommodation included in the program fees?
  No, accommodation is not included in the program fees.

• How can I find accommodation in Hamburg?
  If you book the Summer School program without accommodation, you should start your search for accommodation as early as possible because the housing demand in Hamburg is high.
  The Studierendenwerk Hamburg offers students rooms for short-term rent in the housing complexes of Kiwittsmoor and Gustav-Radbruch-Haus. Find the application for admission and further information at Application information for short-term tenants. If you have any questions, you can contact the Central Short-term Rental Office.
  If you are looking to rent a room in a shared apartment for short-term, you can visit the online housing portals linked below. Filter the type of accommodation and rent type according to your needs, select your Move-in and Move-out dates and start your search.

• Online housing portals:
  • WG-Gesucht.de
  • WG-Suche.de
  • Home Company
  • Housing Anywhere
  • City Wohnen
  • Tempoflat
  • Sabbatical homes
  • Airbnb

• Further helpful links:
  • Renting in Hamburg
  • Index of abbreviations

• When does the Summer School start?
  The Summer School program starts on 15 July.

• When will I get the course timetable?
  The final timetable will be sent to you approximately 4 weeks before the course begins.

• Can I get a grade for participating in the program?
  Of course! Please indicate that you would like a grade in the application form, so we can make the required arrangements.

• When should I arrive in Hamburg?
  You should arrive by 14 July, and not plan to leave before 26 July. Of course, you are more than welcome to arrive a few days earlier to explore the city.

• When does the Summer School start?
  The Summer School program starts on 15 July at 9 am.

• Where are the lectures held?
  We will send you detailed information on our locations in advance, so you can find them easily.

• Are there classes on the weekends?
  Our courses are generally from 9 am to max. 6 pm Mon–Fri. The weekends are yours to enjoy!

• What costs will I have to pay during the program?
  You will have to pay for your accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, the public transport ticket and any other personal expenses.

• How do I get around in Hamburg?
  You can take the bus, the local overground and underground trains, the regional trains, or even the ferry to get around in Hamburg. See the pages of the Hamburg Public Transport Association (HVV) for timetables, fares, tickets, and other services.
  You can also go by bike if you wish to get around in a climate-friendly and active fashion. You can buy a new or used bicycle or use the bike rental service StadtRAD Hamburg.

• How does a StadtRad (city bike) work?
  The easiest way to use the StadtRad system is to use the StadtRad Hamburg App. The red bikes of StadtRad are available almost all around the City. To find the stations and available bikes check the map on the smartphone app.

Hiring a bike

1. Select a bike and type its number into the app
2. Tap the display on the handlebars
3. Press the red lock button
4. Remove the station lock

If you have a customer card, tap the bike’s display and hold the card up to it. Then, go on with the last two steps described above to unlock the bike.

Taking a break

1. Press the red button
2. Close the bike's integrated lock on the back wheel
3. Confirm that you are taking a break on the display
4. You can find the unlocking code on the display and in the app
5. To unlock the bike again tap the display and type in the unlocking code

Returning the bike

You can return the bike to any station you want. Electric cargo bikes must be returned back to the home station.

1. Press the red button
2. Close the bike's integrated lock
3. Insert the lock into the parking position

• What outdoor activities does Hamburg offer?
  Hamburg offers a variety of possibilities for outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, cycling and rowing. For information on the public parks, hiking routes, cycling paths and more, see the following websites:

• Hamburg by Foot
• Hamburg by Bike
• Outdoor Activities in Hamburg

In and around Hamburg you also have various options for trips to lakes and beaches. Further information, locations and pictures can be found under the following links:

• Lakes in Hamburg
• Day trips to the Sea
• Islands and Beaches

• What tours can I do in Hamburg?
  Discover the unique buildings, canals and bridges of Hamburg’s Speicherstadt, the historical world’s largest warehouse complex​​​​​​​ and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  Discover Hamburg from the water: The classic harbor tours sail through the port, Speicherstadt and along the container terminals. You could also choose guided tours in English.
  To know more about the tours or to book online, you could visit the following websites:

• Hamburg Citytours - Harbour tour
• Hamburger Rundfahrten

• What Museums does Hamburg have?
  The museums in Hamburg are very diverse. There are not only those that take you on a journey into history, but also modern art museums.
  For a special experience, you can visit the Panoptikum, the largest and oldest wax museum in Germany. It presents over 120 wax figures.
  The collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle includes pieces of medieval art, German Romanticism and international contemporary art.

• When does the Hamburg Fish Market open?
  Thousands of locals and tourists visit the Hamburg Fish Market every Sunday morning, an event that takes place since 1703. You can find almost anything there – fish, fruit, flowers, clothing and souvenirs.

Opening hours:

• Summer (April — October) Sundays 5:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.
• Winter (November — March): Sundays 7:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m

How to get to the Fish Market:

• U3 to Landungsbrücken
• S1 and S3 to Reeperbahn

• Is there an emergency number I can call during my stay in Hamburg?
  For non-life-threatening accidents and illnesses, contact your doctor, or emergency services (Tel: 116 117). Otherwise, hospitals in Hamburg also provide emergency care.
  In emergencies, you can contact the following hotlines:

• I have a food allergy. Can this be taken into account in shared meals?
  Yes, food allergies will be considered in shared meals. If you have a food allergy please fill in this information in the application form.