Study in Bochum

Facts

365,587 Inhabitants ¹

59,140 Students ²

6 Higher education institutions ²

WELCOME TO BOCHUM

The residents of Bochum must have a very special relationship to their city. The former mining and industrial city located in the conurbation of the Ruhr region is adjusting to the challenges of the future, and that’s one of the reasons why its inhabitants love their city. For all of its subtle charm, you might not recognise what makes the city worth loving at first glance. The German singer Herbert Grönemeyer wrote a famous song about Bochum, in which he sings: “You’re no beauty, grey with work, you love yourself without make-up, you’re the honest type.” It’s amazing how in so few words one can sum up Bochum – not especially beautiful, but honest.

The Ruhr region used to be the centre of Germany’s heavy industry. It was a coal and steel producing region, called “Germany’s black lung”. The region was known for its mines, smelting furnaces and winding towers. In the meantime, however, the “Ruhrpott” as they call it, has transformed itself into a cultural region – home to more than five million people and the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

Walking through the city, you can still see the traces of Bochum’s industrial past. The last mining buildings are still standing on the city outskirts, closed-down factories which had once produced steel, and the pubs where the former “Kumpel” (coal miners) still meet. Bochum used to be grey and bleak, a city of factories and workers. Its work-weary past is evident in its often plain, functional buildings. You won’t find a quaint historic centre here. Even the architectural style of the Ruhr University, located on a hill at the edge of town, was clearly designed to be functional. The boxy-looking buildings from the 1970s are divided into departments and arranged on campus accordingly.

Tip

Go to Bochum’s nightlife district called “Bermuda Dreieck” and eat “Fritjes”, a special type of chips, in one of the many snack bars. Often they come with different sauces, e.g. saffron or pili pili. Sometime these sauces are homemade and often a special highlight.

You can gain an impression of times past in Bochum’s most famous museum – the . There you can experience how important coal mining was to the city and see the melancholy in the eyes of some of the visitors. You also get a sense of the grandeur of the past in the Jahrhunderthalle, which now serves as a venue for concerts and performances.

Interview

GIORDANO FROM ITALY

INTERVIEW WITH GIORDANO FROM ITALY

Giordano is 22 years old and studies Modern Languages at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB).

Why did you choose to study in Bochum?

The RUB campus is one of the largest in Germany, and I had always wanted to have this “campus experience”. I don’t really like big cities, and that’s why I thought a smaller student town would be more my thing. It’s not so expensive and the social life here is interesting, too. What’s more, Bochum is strategically well-situated. From here you can easily reach other beautiful German cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf or Bonn. And with the semester ticket, it’s doesn’t cost a thing! Bochum is also relatively close to the Netherlands and Belgium.

How did you prepare for your stay in Bochum?

I spoke with some former Erasmus students at my university in Italy and they shared some tips and tricks with me, like how to find accommodation or what courses I should take.

What should you definitely do before coming to Germany?

I had been studying Modern Languages so I could already speak German when I came, but some of my friends didn’t know a word of German. I think it’s very useful to know at least a little German so you can deal with the bureaucratic formalities in the beginning.

I don’t mind a few rainy days, but you should remember that it does rain more in Germany than in Italy. That’s why you should definitely pack rubber boots and a coat – German weather is unpredictable!

Did you have any expectations of Bochum?

The main reason I chose Bochum was that the cost of living was relatively low compared to other cities. The university is also very well equipped in comparison with other universities. So that’s what I was expecting.

Did Bochum meet your expectations?

Absolutely! Both in terms of the cost of living and the university. It’s easy not to spend too much money and still have fun. RUB offers you lots of possibilities: a gigantic library, cafés, fitness rooms and an enormous botanical garden.

What was the hardest thing for you when you first arrived?

German bureaucracy – it definitely tests your patience in the beginning.

And how did you deal with it?

I planned my days around office hours and always reminded myself to take care of all the paperwork before focusing on something else. And you don’t forget that you’re not the only exchange student who’s struggling with bureaucracy – suddenly I found my best friends standing in the queue with me at the International Office. We helped each other! But I have to say that the staff was very efficient and helpful – so there’s no reason to be afraid, just ask if you have a question!

What was the most surprising thing about Bochum?

Obviously Bochum is not the prettiest city to live in or visit, but it has a lot of history! Germany succeeded in turning one of the most polluted areas in Europe into a vibrant region with good living conditions. You can go ice-skating in an old steel mill or watch a play in a former coal mine. And those are just two examples of the unique character of this city. Bochum and the Ruhr region are highly underrated!

Do you have any tips for coming in contact with Germans?

Germans don’t care too much for small-talk and often appear aloof at first, but that’s just a cultural peculiarity. They quickly warm up to you as soon as you get to know them better. I participated in the tandem programme, organised by RUB. The goal is to bring people together who want to learn and practice speaking each other’s native language. I think it really helped me improve my German skills and get to know some real Germans.

For me, studying in Germany means…

Immersing myself in a completely different academic system and trying to learn as much as possible from a foreign culture.

Describe Germany in three words:

Efficient, serious, comfortable

LIVING IN BOCHUM

At the Westpark nearby the Jahrhunderthalle you can picnic and play sports. It’s also where you’ll meet lots of students.

You can experience even more nature to the south of Bochum at Kemnader Lake. There’s an eight-kilometre path around its periphery where you can go jogging, inline-skating, biking or hiking. You’re not allowed to go swimming there, but you can rent a paddle boat or a canoe and paddle across the lake.

When people from Bochum go out, they meet up at the “Bermuda Dreieck“ – several streets at the edge of downtown filled with pubs, bars and clubs. Lots of people sit at tables outside and enjoy the weather in the summertime. It’s also the scene of concerts, parties and events of all kinds, which are especially popular among students.

One of the major summer highlights is the “Bochum Total” festival. You can enjoy concerts by well-known and new, up-and-coming bands throughout the city for four days at no charge.

Links

Bochum is known far and wide for its excellent theatre and performing arts scene. The Bochum is the largest theatre in town and offers a programme of theatre classics and modern pieces. The is a bit smaller, but just as renowned. It features a repertoire of classical and modern plays. The theatre “” performs works which are sometimes quite extraordinary. It’s a good idea to ask students who come from Bochum which performances they’d recommend watching or experiencing.

How to find a room in Bochum

Many university and college towns have dormitories or student halls, and a room there is often the most affordable accommodation. To obtain a room in a dormitory or student hall, you have to apply to your college or university’s student union (). Our ‘Find Student Hall’ function can be of practical help. You only need to make a few mouse clicks to get to the online application form. Find a room and more information about dormitories and student halls in Bochum.