Has anyone been to Heidelberg, Germany? If so, what is it like?
471540
I wasn't there, but currently I am an exchange student in germany. My host sister is studying math there, and she says it's absolutly beautiful. There is the 'Philosopher's Weg' (way) that has a lovely view, the old castel and Altstadt are also really pretty. I'm excited to be going there later in June! Good luck studying there! It's got a great rep and is beautiful to boot!
114548
According to most studies, the University with the best international reputation is Heidelberg. The rest depend on the field of study. \nHere is a complete listing of various ways to rank German universities.\nhttp://www.tu-berlin.de/eng/service/ranking.htm
805661
I would like to encourage you to spend some time abroad.\n\nThe easiest way would abe a country with english as main language: canada, england, ....\n\nFor germany I enclosed a contact, I suggest you contact them. The advantage to go to Germany is: in the center of europe, easy travelling around, all german students learn english from the 4 th grade and speak some kind of english (so you would not be totally lost).
240717
Personally, no.  But I've had quite a few friends who have gone.  I'd recommend it. I wish I had gone, but was into travelling.\nAnyway, they offer some good courses, you can learn a trade you can get into when you leave, you earn money while you're there. After you "graduate", the money you've earned is given to you in a lump-sum check to get you started, like renting an apartment, etc.
291805
Hope you have a place to stay, as hotels were booked over a year ago here in Germany!
315348
No. I just went to Germany for 2 1/2 weeks...........and came back 2 1/2 weeks ago.....damnit. But I wishh...im broke......go DEUTSCHLAND
801609
As you know, I've also answered your question about Ramstein; so I'll give you more details for both here -- rather than writing out the same answer twice.\n\nBottom Line TRUTH: "What you get out of an overseas assignment is a direct measure of what you put into it -- period!"\n\nThere are a lot of people who sit around base all day long, and never do anything or go anywhere. If you ask them how they liked their assignment they'll tell you it was terrible because "There's nothing to do." But if you put in nothing, you get nothing -- it's that simple. Now, if you're willing to get out -- there's tons of things to do.\n\nSpangdahlem is almost right on the border with Belgium. There are all sorts of places you can go for a day trip. You can go to Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris. All of these are a few hours away.\nThe city of Trier, nearby Spang, is the oldest city in Germany, and has old Roman ruins, and great shopping. \n\nEvery base offers language courses to help you integrate. If you're willing to extend the effort, you can learn the language, and do even more. Also, Both Ramstein and Spang offer university courses with the University of Maryland where you can get your education through a Master's Degree.\n\nYou can go skiing in the Alps, and visit King Ludwig's castles (AWESOME). You can take tours offered by the base and visit anyplace in europe you want to go: Italy? England? Spain? You name it, there are tours.\n\nAlso, there's a company called "Ryanair" that flies out of a nearby commercial airport that offers super-cheap airfares (say -- twenty dollars -- round trip) to London, and to many other locales in Europe. Take advantage of it.\n\nBoth Ramstein and Spang have very active Officers' and Enlisted Spouce's organizations. If you want to be involved with base activities and meet new friends, you'll have all the opportunities you want.\n\nYou can travel, you can sightsee, you can shop, you can take classes, you can be involved with the community. You can be as involved and active as you wish. That's what I mean when I say, that what you get out of the experience is exactly what you put into it.\n\nAny questions??\n\n==============================================\n\nSpangdahlem is in the Eifel Region of Germany. It's a very little town and a very big base. The closest towns nearby are Bitburg and Trier (the oldest city in Germany). Spang has a fairly high ops tempo, and it's a busy place to be. If you can make your question more specific, I'd be happy to give more details.
358339
Great question!  I asked myself that when I first travelled there and am happy to say that there are many opportunities.\n\nI don't know how much time you will be spending in Germany, but if you have the time, the best way would be to enroll in a German language course:\n\n               1.  Volkshochshule\n               2.  Akademisches Auslandsamt (at the local University\n               3.  Hire an instructor\n\nBut, if you want to save some money and would like to meet people at the same time, try a Language Exchange (Austausch) where you give an English lesson for an hour and receive a German lesson in return.\n\nAnother option, which I wouldn't recommend if you are a youngish female, is to initiate a conversation with a single elderly person in a small but public cafe.  If you choose to do that, you need to look the part: dress professionally, hair brushed, maybe a language book under your arm, etc.  Otherwise you may project the wrong impression.\n\nThe German people are very understanding and helpful.  Meet them halfway and you'll be pleasantly rewarded.\n\nHave fun.
1087828
Here are over 200 pictures of Menningen, Germany...\nhttp://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?ei=UTF-8&fr=sfp&p=Menningen+DE
596884
Oh, yes, way fun!  Cool grammar, cool music, neat words (loooong ones).  You don't have to sound like some mad evil monster either.  I personally find the language quite romantic (when spoken well).  Read neat poetry, too.  Nice nice people...everyone I've met, you try to speak German, they just compliment the heck out of you and say your german is so good! Germans think their language is more difficult than quantum physics, so anything you say is heartily welcomed.  Just try not to have the king or queen of grammar for a teacher, there's a lot of grammar, it's complicated, and you're better off picking it up slowly than trying to memorize it all at once.  Also, los!
1182278
err Yep...Im married to a German aswell.\n\nSo I took her and my Dutch/German nieghbours to watch England in Köln the other day. (on the bigscreen not in the stadium...im not rich!).\n\nThe atmosphere in the centre of Köln was brilliant (pity the last goal had to fall).\n\nI really really wanted England to meet Germany in R2...but will be quite happy if Sweden knock them out :)
466982
http://www.germany-tourism.de/pdf/bedeutung04_e.pdf
1056815
Germany, without question. Lots to see and do, not only that you're close to a lot of other countries. I loved the people there. I was in the Army, stationed in Mannheim, about an hour south of Frankfurt. That country is awesome, if I could afford it, I'd go back in a heart-beat.
99337
Pretty good\nSee this list of facts\nhttp://www.germany-info.org/relaunch/politics/german_us/facts.html
702391
Hey, my cousin goes there - doing her A-levels. She loves it! From what I've heard everyone seems pretty nice. Some of the teachers are a bit s*** but you get that everywhere don't you!\n\nI suggest having a look round yourself - it's the only way you will ever truly get a feel for the place. \n\nThat's really wierd that someone on here actually was able to answer that question of yours! Anyway, I hope you are happy wherever you end up!
682536
My husband is in the Army.We have been in Germany for 4 years.We are stationed in Vilseck.The housing is nice.The drivers exam is a pain.The food is excellent.The exchange rate blows.I could give you more info if i knew what part of Germany?Family members?Pets?Lemme know if i can help.
557911
first of all congratulations to you and your husband to your new job. i'm german, my husband is american, though i know both ways of living. in general germany isn't too different to the usa. especially around the bases the people are used to americans and speak english. you won't find a problem, if you don't speak german, so don't worry about this. the voltage regulator was already mentioned, we have 220 V instead of 110 V. if you intent to bring your own electronics, vacuum, kitchen things etc. just get one regulator for each room.\nsupermarkets, stores etc. are about the same like in the usa, maybe you find it a bit expensive though, but that's all. but on base you can shop at the commisary and they are cheap and have a good variety.\nyou will find lots of pubs in germany. don't hesitate to go out in the evening with your husband and mix with germans on the bar, the people are open, you will find friends.\nsomething popular in germany is to sit in street cafe's in pedestrian zones, i havn't found that much in usa. it's nice in the sunny summermonthes to sit and enjoy a coffee or a beer. speaking about beer, germans drink beer even during the day, even in the lunchbreak from work. you will find that astonishing. the weather is a bit to compare like maybe washington/oregon area. \ngermany is very clean, we hate if people throw trash on the streets.\nif you decide to bring a pet go to your vet in time. germany has strickt regulations like microchip and all this.\nyour kids will find special english speaking schools.\ntraffic is very regulated. just be careful on the 'autobahn', we have no speed limit and look careful before you go in the left lane, there might be a car coming with super high speed. don't drink and drive, penalties are hiiiiiiiiigh!!\nif you live this 'low carb' way...forget it. german food is rich in calories, gravy on everything, massive amounts. order a salat, if you intend to diet. dining out is very safe. our government control very strickt hyginical circumstances in restaurants. don't miss to eat bratwurst on one of the street stands, it's way better than in usa!\nthere is no dresscode, run around as you like. long pants or mini skirt or even topless on the beaches...all up to you and nobody cares.\nas everywhere in the world, crime is mainly in big cities. keep your normal sense and keep an eye on your sourroundings if you decide to run around in the middle of the night alone in a big city. \nwe lock our doors, but in general there isn't too much to worry about.\nalcoholic beverages are not sold at special liquor stores, you find them in every supermarket, same with cigarettes.\nyou will find supplies for all your hobbies you might have, like knitting, sewing or whatever, same like in the usa.\nand last but not least: the trainsystem is great, use it! you can reach every city at every time of the day by train. it's cheaper then gas for your car quiet often and the trains are nice and on time. make daytrips to other cities on the weekend and explore the country. if you have trouble reading the timetables go to the counter and just ask. tickets for short connections are sold over machines, you will find them a bit difficult at the beginning, ask somebody standing next to you, they will help you. longer trips are sold at the counters. buses serve the rural areas on sceduled timetables which hang on the busstations. taxis are quiet expensive, something luxury for the weekend, when you want to go to a pub and drink some. you don't wave them down. they wait at special taxi stands or you order them by phone. if you are in a pub or restaurant just ask the bartender, he order one for you.\naaaah, one more thing..bring adapters for your electronics from usa. we have in europe different plug ins and its not easy to find them in germany unless maybe you find them at the commissary.\nhave a fun stay in germany. i live right now with my hu