Study in Kempten

Facts

68,940 Inhabitants ¹

5,728 Students ²

1 Higher education institution ²

WELCOME TO KEMPTEN

Snow-tipped mountains, green forests and cows lazily grazing on the meadows: That’s pretty much how most people imagine the Allgäu region. And they’re right! You just have to venture a little outside of town to go swimming in mountain lakes in the summertime and enjoy the tranquillity of a walk in the forest. But if you study in Kempten, you’ll also discover that the Allgäu is a vibrant, modern region with many innovative companies. Additionally, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany.

Kempten is often called the “metropolis of the Allgäu”. That’s because it is home to about 69,000 people, and numerous corporations and medium-sized firms have established operations in the surrounding region. Kempten is also a tourist magnet and draws some five million visitors every year. The city is situated on the border to the Tirol and Vorarlberg regions of Austria.

On a stroll through the centre of town, you will immediately notice the many historic buildings and structures. Kempten was mentioned in an ancient Roman manuscript and is widely believed to be the oldest city in Germany. In addition to the church towers rising over the city, you’ll find the especially impressive. Inside this former Benedictine monastery, you can admire ornately decorated rooms and historic paintings.

Tip

Definitely try some of the cheeses produced in the Allgäu region. Each type has its own unique smell and flavour, and you’ll find your personal favourite in no time.

Are you interested in the life and times of the ancient Romans? Then you should definitely visit the . Cambodunum was the name of the Roman administrative outpost located in Kempten long ago. In the park, you can view the actual excavation sites and discover the traces left behind by the ancient Romans. Interestingly enough, the name Kempten comes from the original Latin name Cambodunum.

Interview

KOHEI FROM JAPAN

INTERVIEW WITH KOHEI FROM JAPAN

Kohei comes from Japan and is 24 years old. He studies Business Administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Kempten.

How did you prepare for your studies abroad? Was it hard for you to leave home?

Ever since I first began at university, I’ve wanted to study abroad in Germany. The most important thing for me was learning to speak German well. Not only did I practice German with a teacher during the semester, but also in the semester breaks. It was great that I also found a language partner with whom I could improve my language skills further. Other than that, I didn’t prepare all too much for my studies in Germany, because as I said, the most important thing for me was learning the language. I didn’t find leaving home very hard. I know I’ll only be studying here for a year and then will return to Japan.

Have Kempten and Germany met your expectations? Were there any surprises? If so, what were they?

I haven’t really put any thought into whether my expectations were met. I’ve been studying in Kempten now for one semester, and when I’m finished here, I’ll consider whether my expectations of Germany and Kempten proved to be true. But there were definitely some surprises. Normally I lead a very quiet life in Japan, and that’s why Germany often seems very loud to me. I’m always surprised by the noise – it’s quite strange to me.

Was/is life in Germany expensive for you? And is life in Germany very different from life at home?

Living in Germany is not more expensive than at home. For example, I sometimes like drinking a beer or wine, and both are cheaper than in Japan. The big difference, I find, is the food culture. Japanese prefer rice and fish, which Germans don’t eat so often. We use soy sauce in almost everything. German cuisine has lots of meat and potatoes, which was something I had to get used to.

What do you like best about Kempten? Is there a place here that you especially like?

I like the historic downtown the best. It’s very pretty and I like spending time there, drinking a coffee or meeting with friends. International students should definitely visit the weekly market. They sell lots of good produce from the region which I like very much.

LIVING IN KEMPTEN

If you receive a study place in Kempten, you’ll also receive a piece of untouched nature and mountains at no extra charge. Due to its location at the foot of the Allgäu Alps and its proximity to numerous Bavarian lakes, Kempten is a mini paradise for nature lovers and active students. The “home-town” mountain of Kempten is the Mariaberg. It’s just a few minutes away from the centre of town and is 915 metres high. You can take walks or go hiking there, and if you want a real challenge, you can mountain-bike up the more difficult trails.

And your faithful companion is the fantastic view of the Allgäu mountains and landscapes. Outside the city, there are numerous hiking and biking trails as well as swimming lakes which are perfect for outings with your friends in the summer. In the winter, you can try out a very popular winter sport, cross-country skiing, on one of the many cross-country ski trails, or go ice-skating in the ice stadium.

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Kempten is also the one place in the Allgäu where numerous live events are held – concerts, readings, comedy shows etc. The cultural event centre “bigBOX Allgäu” is situated quite centrally, and after a concert, you can easily walk downtown to go out for drinks. A nice locale is the Künstlerhaus Kempten, situated inside an old town mansion. That’s where people of all generations meet – from grandparents to grandchildren – to drink coffee and watch the artists who regularly perform there.

How to find a room in Kempten

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 Kempten.

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Facts

WELCOME TO KEMPTEN

Tip

KOHEI FROM JAPAN

LIVING IN KEMPTEN

Links

How to find a room in Kempten

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Cities similar to Kempten

Bingen

Cottbus

Lüneburg

Würzburg

Heilbronn

Berlin

Göttingen

Geislingen an der Steige

Zwickau

Bochum

Frankfurt (Oder)

Bonn

Kiel
STUDYING NEXT TO THE SEA

Facts

WELCOME TO KEMPTEN

Tip

KOHEI FROM JAPAN

LIVING IN KEMPTEN

Links

How to find a room in Kempten

Tags

Cities similar to Kempten

KielSTUDYING NEXT TO THE SEA

Kiel
STUDYING NEXT TO THE SEA