Study in Essen

Facts

582,760 Inhabitants ¹

100,315 Students ²

4 Higher education institutions ²

WELCOME TO ESSEN

If you come to Essen on a Saturday, don’t be surprised to find the streets filled with thousands of people. Many people like going downtown to shop, visit museums or spend the evening at one of the many theatres. Essen, a city in the middle of the Ruhr region conurbation, is a shopping paradise and cultural centre.

But it hasn’t always been that way. Like the entire region, Essen still bears the traces of its heavy industrial past. You can still see the old collieries on the outskirts of town. The , a former coal mine at the north end of the city, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws many tourists to the city every year. Essen (along with the entire Ruhr region) was the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and impressed visitors with an interesting mix of history, art and lifestyle.

The steel manufacturing conglomerate “ThyssenKrupp” has left its imprint on the entire city. The family-run company, founded in the 19th century, has significantly shaped the history of Essen and all of Germany for that matter. You can learn more about the impressive history of the Krupp family and their company at the , which exemplifies the power and wealth the family amassed.

Tip

If you want to gain a good first impression of Essen’s cultural diversity, hop aboard tram line 107. This is Essen’s “cultural line” which takes you to all the interesting sights in Essen, such as the Zeche Zollverein, Aalto Theatre and the Folkwang Museum.

Interview

YINGQIAN FROM CHINA

INTERVIEW WITH YINGQIAN FROM CHINA

Yingqian comes from China, is 25 years old and earned her master’s degree in “Technical Logistics”.

Why did you decide to study in Essen?

I had heard about the Ruhr region when I was in primary school. I learned about the history of the Ruhr region, coal mining and the steel industry. That’s how I got my first impression of Germany. Later, I looked at the higher education institutions via Internet. I chose to go to Essen because of the central location of the university.

How did you prepare for your stay in Germany?

I had been learning German at my university in Shanghai. I also participated in workshops offered by the DAAD in which I learned something about the culture and the traditions, for example, how to make “Glühwein” (mulled wine).

What should international students take care of before coming to study in Germany?

The language is especially important. Though I’d taken language courses in China, I hardly understood a thing when I first came to Germany because everyone was talking so fast. And to get my visa prolonged, I had to pass a language test here within one year. It can help to know something about the culture as well.

What was the hardest thing for you in Germany at the beginning?

I had to get used to the fact that people here are not reserved. They’ll tell you straight out, “No, that’s not right!” In China we express such things a bit more discreetly.

How did you find an accommodation?

I looked for a flat-share and found one on the Internet.

Why is Essen a good place to study?

I like that the university is so centrally located. After lectures, you can go into town and shop or grab a coffee. I like that there are so many programmes and events targeted at international students, offered by AStA [editor’s note: short for “Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss” (General Student Committee)] or the International Office. They frequently offer workshops and excursions at a very low cost.

What is the easiest way to get to know other students?

You meet people very quickly at workshops. I also went to the student committee in my department (Fachschaft), because they arrange excursions to companies with the help of professors.

LIVING IN ESSEN

Many students like living in the northern districts around the University of Duisburg-Essen. Lots of young people live in the south district and the Rüttenscheid quarter on the opposite side of downtown. The is definitely worth seeing. Considered to be Germany’s first garden city, it represents the human-friendly living standards at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the immediate vicinity of Margarethenhöhe, you’ll find the Gruga Park, the largest park in the city. This is where the city’s inhabitants go to relax, play sports or meet with friends. The park offers something to art enthusiasts as well; sculptures and installations are situated throughout the park grounds. If you head further south, you will reach the Baldeney and Kettwiger Lake where you can go inline skating, cycling, surfing and canoeing.

We recommend taking a tour of the Zeche Zollverein or seeing an exhibition at the . Newly rebuilt in 2010, the museum has made a name for itself with a number of fascinating exhibitions of classical and modern art.

Links

Because Essen is home to people from so many different countries and cultures, the city has a colourful range of cuisine to choose from. Around the Rüttenscheider Stern, you’ll find a wide array of small and interesting dining locales which cater to every kind of taste. There are several culinary festivals in Essen, especially in the summer time. At these festivals, many restaurants present their cuisines and you can try out a wide variety of dishes.

How to find a room in Essen

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 Essen.