German Basics

Starting life in Germany

Welcome to Lübeck! Here are some important points you may want to consider about life in Germany and especially in Lübeck.

Where to get food

There are several different kinds of supermarkets around the campus that might be useful during the first days after arriving in Lübeck.

  • Campus Center (Hochschulstadtteil, Alexander-Fleming-Straße 1 )
  • Wirth-Center (Ratzeburger Allee)
  • REWE (Mönkhofer Weg).


Generally, there are supermarkets such as EDEKA, SKY or REWE as well as discounters such as ALDI, Penny or LIDL that are located all over the city.

  • Real: Alexander-Fleming-Straße (next to students dormitory)
  • Rewe: Mönkhofer Weg (near bus stop Kahlhorststraße)


Please be aware that supermarkets usually close at 20:00 p.m. (exceptions: Penny/ REWE at 22:00 p.m., REAL at midnight).

In case of emergency

Ambulance/Fire Brigade: Phone 112
Police: Phone 110

Police office near the dormitory: Alexander-Fleming-Str. 6-12, Phone (0451) 1310

Medical Emergency

Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein/University Hospital (open: 24 hours)
Notaufnahme (Emergency room)
Campus Luebeck, Building 40
Ratzeburger Allee 160
Phone (0451) 500-0

Sana Kliniken Luebeck
Kronsforder Allee 71-73
Phone (0451) 585-1315

Shopping

Opening hours

  • Supermarkets: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 20:00 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. - 18:00 p.m. (some 20:00 p.m.)
  • Shops: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 19:00 p.m. (some 20:00 p.m.); Saturday: 9 a.m. - 16:00 p.m. (some 18:00 p.m.)
  • Banks: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 14:00 p.m. - 16:00 p.m.
  • Post office: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 18:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • German postboxes are yellow and are located a different locations around the city.

Please Note: most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays!

Weekly Markets (open air)

Fresh fruit, vegetable, fish and meat:

  • Am Brink (next to Ratzeburger Allee): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 8 a.m. - 13:00 p.m.
  • Markt/Rathausmarkt (city centre): Monday, Thursday, 10 a.m. - 18:30 p.m.
  • Koberg (city centre): Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 18:30 p.m.

 

Doctors

Please make an appointment (by telephone or personally), before you go to a doctor. For a medical treatment you need to bring your health insurance card. The medical treatment will be paid directly by your insurance company.

The nearest place where you can find different kind of doctors:

Medizinisches Gesundheitszentrum im Hochschulstadtteil (MGZ)
Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 1-3

Pharmacies

Some kinds of medicine are available without prescription, others can only be obtained with a prescription by a doctor.

Pharmacies near Lübeck University of Applied Sciences:

  • Pinguin Apotheke, Alexander Fleming Str. 1, Phone (0451) 29 2 89 66 6
  • Apotheke am Mönkhofer Weg: Mönkhofer Weg 78, Phone (0451) 58 31 60
  • Apotheke am Klinikum: Ratzeburger Allee 111-125, Phone (0451) 5 02 22 39

 

Important German holidays

  • New Year's: January 1st
  • Good Friday: Friday before Easter
  • Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
  • May Day: May 1st
  • Ascension Day: 10 days before Whit Sunday (Thursday)
  • Whit Sunday and Whit Monday
  • German Unification Day: October 3rd
  • Christmas Eve: December 24th
  • Christmas: December 25th and 26th
     

Studying in another country exposes you to other cultures, coping with other people and their different habits, and possibly even speaking another language. This can cause excitement, happiness, culture shock, or homesickness, but all in all it will expand your personal horizons and be a great experience you will never forget. To make your transition as smooth as possible, and your stay comfortable, it is essential to prepare your stay abroad well in advance. 

Studying in Germany means to behave self-motivated and active. You need to organize yourself very well. There are challenges which might seem hard at the beginning but will prepare you very well for your post-graduate life. For instance, it is common in Germany that students search for an internship without aid from the university. This is a very good exercise for possible future job searching. Altogether, students in Germany benefit from their studies, in broadening their academic knowledge and maturing as an independent individual.

Below, we have listed several links where you can get further information about life in Germany in general, as well as practical advice for your stay in Lübeck.