Study in Zwickau

Facts

88,690 Inhabitants ¹

3,267 Students ²

1 Higher education institution ²

WELCOME TO ZWICKAU

As the centre of Saxony’s automotive industry, Zwickau is a city for car enthusiasts. Although Volkswagen operates modern facilities here today, Zwickau is the birthplace of the famous East German Trabant. The Trabant, or “Trabi” as it’s commonly called, is an iconic symbol of the former GDR. Practically every East German family owned a Trabant until 1989. If you want to learn more about Trabis, you should visit the August Horch Museum.

Zwickau is a green city, located between the western Erzgebirge and the Vogtland. On your way to this Saxon city, you will pass idyllic forests, countless lakes and quaint villages. The best way to reach Zwickau is to take the regional train via one of the larger neighbouring cities. You can visit and within about one and a half hours, and , and are not very far away either.

As you leave the main train station and head towards downtown Zwickau, you’ll see fountains of all shapes and sizes everywhere. Jets of water spray and splash from animal heads and statues, lending the city a unique charm of its own. On your way downtown, you’ll pass the , a large lake surrounded by woods and meadows. Students often come here to relax after a stressful day of classes in the summertime.

Tip

If you come to Zwickau, don’t miss the chance to take a ride in a Trabant. You can rent a “Trabi“ at numerous locations, drive it yourself (if you have a license) or have someone chauffeur you around.

When you arrive downtown, you’ll find yourself walking down narrow streets and past Wilhelminian-period buildings until you finally reach the main market square, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Zwickau’s historic city hall. There are many attractions located nearby, for example, the birthplace of the composer Robert Schumann and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Here on the marketplace you’ll also discover the Gewandhaus, a theatre where you can watch plays or listen to the music of Robert Schumann.

Interview

MUSABAEVA FROM KYRGYZSTAN

INTERVIEW WITH KYMBAT MUSABAEVA FROM KYRGYZSTAN

Kymbat comes from Bishkek, is 24 years old and studies Computer Science at the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau (WHZ). She is currently writing her master’s thesis at a Saxony-based company.

Why did you decide to study in Germany?

I came to Germany some years ago to get my bachelor’s degree. Before that I had been studying Computer Science for three years in Bishkek and attending German courses. My university has a partnership with the WHZ in Zwickau. The best students of each year are given the opportunity to study abroad in Germany. And because I was one of the best, I was allowed to go. I then continued my bachelor’s programme in Zwickau.

How do you finance your cost of living?

I received a DAAD scholarship in the first year. Then I applied for a scholarship from a bank, and I got it! I wrote my bachelor’s thesis at a company in Saxony. The company pays for my entire master’s degree programme, and currently I’m writing my master’s thesis there, as well. I think it’s great because I started out very early, putting what I’ve learned to practical use and becoming acquainted with a Germany company.

How did you prepare for your stay in Germany?

Because of the cooperation between the two higher education institutions, I really didn’t have to prepare very much. And that was good because I’d never been abroad before and didn’t know what to expect. I was able to speak very good German, which was good preparation. Our partner office in Zwickau took care of the flat, visa and other student-related matters. The International Office at the WHZ Zwickau also provided us with lots of assistance.

So you quickly felt right at home in Zwickau?

Yes, absolutely. We were a group of six Kyrgyz, so none of us were alone. Of course, it took some getting used to. Everything is so different in Germany, but also extremely interesting. I didn’t get homesick in the beginning because I was experiencing so much and meeting so many new people. And our studies were very demanding – the subject and the academic system were completely new to us.

Did you get to know German students quickly?

Not as quickly as I had hoped. German students often go out together in groups, so it’s hard to get acquainted. But eventually it worked out, especially through the degree programme. In Computer Science we often work together in groups which are reshuffled from time to time. And now German students frequently invite us to parties and activities, which is very nice.

How do you like Zwickau as a student town?

I like Zwickau very much. It took me a while to get used to living in such a small city, but I began feeling at home very quickly. Everything is in biking distance. For example, I often ride my bike to the indoor swimming pool. Zwickau is super for concentrating on your studies because there’s little to distract you. If you need to take a break, there are many places you can go hiking or cycling in nature. And the cultural programme here is super. I like that a lot. Plus the city is quite inexpensive. My rent is low and dining at the Mensa is cheap. That’s why I can save a lot of money every month which I use for going on excursions, for example.

What difficulties have you encountered in Zwickau?

The hardest thing is still the language. I find it difficult to understand the local dialect – sächsisch – and I’ve been here for five years now. Everyone speaks dialect at my company and I have to concentrate very hard to understand what they’re talking about. It was very frustrating at first, but now I know it’s wasn’t my fault, it was simply the dialect.

Do you want to stay in Germany after graduating?

Definitely! My chances of finding a job as a computer scientist are quite good, so I’d like to try. I also want to get more practical experience and become better acquainted with professional life in Germany.

LIFE IN ZWICKAU

When you need a breather from academic life, you’ll find that Zwickau offers many places to rest and relax. In addition to the Schwanenteich, the banks of the Zwickauer Mulde provide plenty of space to stretch your legs. You can take an extended cycling tour through the woods around Zwickau or go on an excursion to one of the nearby lakes.

Links

On warm summer evenings, you can meet up with German and international students at barbecues which are regularly held behind the student residence hall in the centre of town. And when the weather turns cooler, there are many inviting restaurants and bars on the main marketplace.

How to find a room in Zwickau

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 Zwickau.