Welcome Booklet for Visiting Scientists - Uni Kassel

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Welcome Booklet for
   Visiting Scientists

Version 20.01.2015
Table of Contents
ABOUT THE ICDD ............................................................................................................................ 4
ACADEMICS .................................................................................................................................... 6
      •      TEACHING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 6
      •      THE GERMAN GRADING SYSTEM ......................................................................................... 6
      •      ENGLISH-TAUGHT MASTER PROGRAMS AT KASSEL UNIVERSITY ................................................ 8
      •      LECTURE PLAN (VORLESUNGSVERZEICHNIS) ........................................................................... 8
      •      ACADEMIC PROTOCOL AND CLASSROOM CULTURE ................................................................. 8
      •      COPY CARD FOR GUESTS ..................................................................................................... 9
COMPUTER AND IT SERVICES ............................................................................................................. 9
EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND MEDICAL CARE ....................................................................................... 10
      •      EMERGENCY NUMBERS .................................................................................................... 10
      •      DOCTORS....................................................................................................................... 10
      •      SPECIALISTS AND ENGLISH-SPEAKING PRACTITIONERS .............................................................. 10
      •      HEALTH INSURANCE ......................................................................................................... 10
EVENTS, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING ................................................................................ 11
      •      EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE .............................................................. 11
      •      SIGHTSEEING .................................................................................................................. 11
      •      MUSEUMS AND PARKS ..................................................................................................... 11
      •      THEATERS (OFFERING PERFORMANCES IN ENGLISH) ................................................................ 12
      •      RELAXATION ................................................................................................................... 12
GERMANY – AN OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................. 13
      •      PRACTICAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 13
      •      OPENING HOURS............................................................................................................. 13
ICDD STAFF ................................................................................................................................. 14
LANGUAGE COURSES ...................................................................................................................... 15
      •      SPRACHENZENTRUM (UNIVERSITY OF KASSEL LANGUAGE CENTER) ............................................ 15
      •      OTHER GERMAN COURSE OFFERS ....................................................................................... 15
LIBRARIES..................................................................................................................................... 17
      •      STADTBIBLIOTHEK (CITY LIBRARY) ....................................................................................... 17
      •      UNI KASSEL LIBRARY ........................................................................................................ 17
RESTAURANTS – A SELECTION .......................................................................................................... 22

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SPORTS ........................................................................................................................................ 25
TRAVEL (TO AND AROUND KASSEL) / COMMUNICATION ........................................................................ 26
      •      GETTING TO KASSEL BY PLANE ............................................................................................ 26
      •      GETTING A CELLPHONE OR SIM CARD AT THE FRANKFURT AIRPORT ............................................. 26
      •      GERMAN RAILWAY (DEUTSCHE BAHN) ................................................................................ 27
      •      PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN KASSEL ................................................................................... 27
      •      RENTING A BICYCLE .......................................................................................................... 28
UNIVERSITY OF KASSEL ................................................................................................................... 29
      •      THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE .............................................................................................. 29
      O      THE WELCOME CENTRE .................................................................................................... 29
      O      CAMPUS TOURS .............................................................................................................. 29
      •      STUDENTENWERK KASSEL.................................................................................................. 29

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Welcome!
Welcome!
We are glad to have you here and are looking forward to working with you! To facilitate your
introduction to your new appointment at the ICDD, we compiled some information that we
hope will be of use to you.
At the beginning of your stay, the ICDD staff will arrange a short orientation meeting to
discuss important information (including this Welcome Booklet) and address any questions
or concerns.
Please feel free to give us feedback regarding this booklet or any other aspect of your stay.

ABOUT THE ICDD
With the formulation of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, the international
community emphasized the importance of problem-oriented, interdisciplinary approaches to
combating hunger and poverty. By virtue of its experience, competence and structure, the
University of Kassel is an institution well-positioned to address such issues as employment
opportunities and "decent" work in various areas and habitats (urban, rural) as well as the
sustainable structuring of the relationships among them; these issues must be addressed
with a special focus on knowledge generation to advise policy makers and decision makers,
especially at the interface of ecology and society (natural and social sciences). As the
agriculture sector is still the largest employer in many less-developed economies worldwide,
there is a need to cooperate to improve agricultural commodity chains with the aim of
creating decent work opportunities.
Several years ago, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) initiated a competition
with theme of “university excellence in development cooperation”. Over forty institutions
of higher education took part in the competition, including the University of Kassel, which
submitted a concept for a decent work competence centre. The University of Kassel was
one of five competition winners, and the International Center for Development and Decent
Work (ICDD) was founded in July 2009 as a university central academic institution. Each
winner was awarded five million Euro in funds from the German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Because research is at the heart of ICDD activities, cooperation and collaboration between
ICDD researchers is welcome and encouraged! Work is ongoing in three research clusters:
•   Sustainable Value Creation for Decent Work
    http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/research/sustainable-value-creation-for-
    dw.html
•   Instruments for Promoting Decent Work
    http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/research/instruments-for-promoting-
    dw.html

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•   Strategies of Empowerment for Decent Work
    http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/research/strategies-of-empowerment-
    for-dw.html

Research is also ongoing in other areas. For more information:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/research.html

A lot of effort was put into establishing the International Center for Development and
Decent Work (ICDD) as a competence centre that crosses the boundaries between faculties.
The University of Kassel viewed this as an opportunity to concentrate its capacity and
competence on the generation, mobilization and application of academic knowledge in a
way that enables transfer to those engaged in development cooperation. The centre is part
of a worldwide network of international partners.

The ICDD has seven partner institutions:

    •   Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil)
    •   Tata Institute of Social Sciences (India)
    •   Egerton University (Kenya)
    •   Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (Mexico)
    •   University of Agriculture Failsalabad (Pakistan)
    •   University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
    •   University of Cape Coast (Ghana)

The ICDD also cooperates with two civil society partners: International Labour Organization
(ILO – Geneva), and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD – Germany).

For more information and links to ICDD partner institutions, please visit the ICDD website:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/home.html

For specific information about the activities of ICDD researchers and PhD candidates:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/icdd/aboutus0/people/icdd-scientists.html

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ACADEMICS
   • TEACHING REQUIREMENTS
      Teaching at the University of Kassel commonly includes the use of an internet
      platform called “Moodle”. On this platform, you can upload topical information for
      your students such as the seminar plan, reading material for the next session and
      general information on your course. The person responsible for technical aspects at
      the ICDD will be happy to support you in working with Moodle.
      University of Kassel Moodle (available in English):
      https://moodle.uni-kassel.de/moodle/

      ICDD technical support:
      webadmin@icdd.uni-kassel.de

      Berlin School of Economics and Law Moodle (often used for LPG and GPE seminars,
      also available in English):
      https://moodle.hwr-berlin.de/
      Technical Support:
      Harald Kröck
      harald.kroeck@global-labour-university.org

   • THE GERMAN GRADING SYSTEM

      Workload and Credits
      The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a student-centered
      system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a
      programme (objectives preferably specified in terms of learning outcomes and
      competences to be acquired). Please note that the credits merely describe the
      average workload to be expected and not the quality of the work performed.

      Students have to work 30 hours in order to obtain 1 credit. Thus, a course worth 4
      credits equals 120 hours of work. With 30 hours (2 hours weekly teaching) of
      classroom participation, this leaves 90 hours for reading and writing essays. In
      general, course-specific examinations can vary from course to course and instructors
      should announce the requirements at the beginning of their courses. Essays/
      research papers should be sent to course instructors via email.

      Below is an example for a course in the Master programme Global Political Economy.
      It was a 6-credit class which required students to spend 180 total hours on work
      related to the course.

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6 ECTS = workload (approximately)
       30 hours participation in the seminar and the conference
       60 hours reading for the seminar sessions (13 readings) (+/-4 hours for each session)
       15 hours preparation for presentation
       05 hours writing minutes from the conference
       70 hours final paper or video
       -----------------------------------------------------------
       180 hours total workload

       Please also consult the following example of credit transfer for a 4-credit course:

          1 credit = 30 hours of student work; 4 credits = 120 hours of student work

    Course Requirements                              Working Hours                    Credits

    participation in class                           30 hours                         1 credit
    attendance of all seminar sessions               (15 weeks x 2 hours seminar
                                                     session)
    (“contact time”)

    Handouts, summaries, etc.                        5 hours
                                                                                      1.5 credits

    Reading the texts for the seminar                40 hours

    Writing the research paper                       45 hours                         1.5 credits

       Grading
       Grades range from 1.0 to 4.3, with 1.0 being the best grade (A). A grade of 5.0
       indicates failure of the course. The grades can be levelled by the assignment of 1.3
       (A-), 1.7 (B+), 2.0 (B), 2.3 (B-), 2.7 (C+), and so on.

       Equivalents (English to German grading system)

    English Grade                English Grade (%)              German Grade    German Grade
                                                                (traditional)   (current use)

    Distinction                  78 – 80                        1+              1.0

    Distinction                  74 – 77                        1               1.0

    Distinction                  71 – 73                        1–              1.3

    Pass / Merit                 68 – 70                        2+              1.7

    Pass / Merit                 64 – 67                        2               2.0

    Pass / Merit                 61 – 63                        2–              2.3

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Pass                           58 – 60                3+                   2.7

    Pass                           54 – 57                3                    3.0

    Pass                           51 – 63                3–                   3.3

    Pass                           48 – 50                4+                   3.7

    Pass                           44 – 47                4                    4.0

    Fail                                                  5                    5

   • ENGLISH-TAUGHT MASTER PROGRAMS AT KASSEL UNIVERSITY
           Social Sciences
              o Global Political Economy:
                  http://www.uni-kassel.de/go/gpe
              o Labour Policies and Globalisation:
                  http://www.global-labour-university.org/4.html
           Agricultural Sciences
              o Sustainable International Agriculture:
                  http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb11agrar/en/study-programs/master-sustainable-
                  international-agriculture.html
              o International Food Business and Consumer Studies:
                  http://www.uni-
                  kassel.de/uni/studium/studienangebot/studiengangsseiten/weiterfuehrende-
                  studiengaenge/m-ifbc.html

   • LECTURE PLAN (VORLESUNGSVERZEICHNIS)
           Seminar schedule, seminar rooms and lecturer information for all departments:
           https://portal.uni-kassel.de/

   • ACADEMIC PROTOCOL AND CLASSROOM CULTURE
           Normally classes start 15 minutes after the hour, which in German is referred to as
           the academic quarter-hour (in German, the “akademische Viertel”). So a class
           announced to start at 10am would effectively start at 10:15am. Sometimes, this is
           explicitly labeled as "c.t." (cum tempore, Latin: with time). If you want your class to
           begin at 10 am sharp, you can ask the staff to add "s.t." (sine tempore, from Latin:
           without time) next to the class announcement. It is also advisable to explain to your
           students that the course will begin on the hour without observing the academic
           quarter-hour.

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• COPY CARD FOR GUESTS
       For details, please see the library section of this booklet.
       Web link to copy card information (or ask the ICDD staff to assist you):
       http://www.ub.uni-kassel.de/index.php?id=1314&L=2

COMPUTER AND IT SERVICES
For any computer or internet issues, please feel free to contact IT support at the ICDD:
webadmin@icdd.uni-kassel.de
The University of Kassel IT Service Center may also be able to help with basic computer
problems or installing software.
IT Service Center
Mönchebergstr. 11
Room 0230
http://www.uni-kassel.de/its/

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND MEDICAL CARE
   • EMERGENCY NUMBERS
      110 Police
      112 Medical Emergency
   • DOCTORS
      At Praxis Harleshausen (see details below), the doctors and staff speak English and
      offer treatment options with conventional and alternative medicine.
      Please see the website below for office and consultation hours. In some cases, the
      doctors may need to call you back if they are unavailable when you call. In case of
      urgency or emergency, a doctor’s assistant will be available to answer the phone and
      direct you to the right course of action.
      Praxis Harleshausen
      Dr. med. Sabine Richter- Mekiffer
      Dr. med. Lothar Mekiffer
      Bernd Neuenhagen

      Ahnatalstraße 22
      34128 Kassel
      Tel. 0561/63203
      http://www.praxis-harleshausen.de/

      Nearest bus stations:
      - Ahnatalstraße (bus 10, 19)
      - Felix-Blumenfeld-Straße (bus 24)

   • SPECIALISTS AND ENGLISH-SPEAKING PRACTITIONERS
      The website below provides a list (from the American Consulate in Frankfurt) of
      specialists and English-speaking doctors in Hessen. The list is organized by category
      (for example, dentistry) and then by city (Kassel).
      http://germany.usembassy.gov/english-speaking-services/hessen---doctors-and-
      hospitals.pdf

   • HEALTH INSURANCE
      When inviting you to Kassel or to Witzenhausen, we will have asked you to provide
      health insurance for your stay. In case we have booked health insurance for you
      through Reisebüro Schmauch, there is an own-risk deductible of 100 €, meaning you
      have to pay up to 100 € in the event of a claim.

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EVENTS, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING
Kassel is a vibrant city with a rich history, an abundance of parks and green space, and a
variety of cultural events and activities through the year. Below is only a selection of what
the university and the city have to offer:

   • EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
       Events calendar sponsored by the International Office:
       https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/internationales/international-office/calendar-of-
       events.html
       For international guests at the University of Kassel and citizens of Kassel interested in
       international culture and events, the International House (University Guest House)
       offers the following programs:
       https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/welcome-point-uni-kassel/programme-
       international-house.html
       Contact:
       Mrs. Anke Ickler
       aickler@uni-kassel.de
       Phone: +49 (0) 561-804 2213

   • SIGHTSEEING
           o General information in English:
              http://www.germany.travel/en/towns-cities-culture/towns-cities/kassel.html
              http://www.kassel.de/englisch/
           o Tours on the Sightseeing Bus (offered in 12 languages):
              http://kassel-stadtrundfahrt.de/index.html

   • MUSEUMS AND PARKS
           o General Information:
              http://www.museum-kassel.de/en/index_navi.php?parent=8603 (in English)
           o Herkules and Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:
              http://kassel.de/kultur/sehenswuerdigkeiten/Bergpark/01699/index.html
              http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1413 (in English)
              http://www.kassel-marketing.de/de/kassel-auf-einen-blick/bergpark-
              wilhelmshoehe

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o The Organgerie – located in the beautiful Auepark:
              http://www.kassel.de/kultur/sehenswuerdigkeiten/Karlsaue/
              http://www.museum-kassel.de/index_navi.php?parent=1060

   • THEATERS (OFFERING PERFORMANCES IN ENGLISH)
          o The Red Brick Company (student actors performing plays in English)
              http://redbrickcompany.weebly.com/
          o Kassel City Theater (guest performances in English on an irregular basis)
              http://www.staatstheater-kassel.de/

Upcoming Performances:
“Martin Luther King/Malcolm X – American Dreams and Nightmares” (28.11.2014)
“A Christmas Carol” (19.12.2014)
“The Merchant of Venice” (6.3.2015)

   • RELAXATION
          o Kurhessen Therme – a warm salt-water spa
              wellness packages, aqua fitness courses, restaurant
              http://www.kurhessen-therme.de/

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GERMANY – AN OVERVIEW
   • PRACTICAL INFORMATION
     for your stay in Germany from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and DAAD:
      http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/pls/web/docs/F15600/practical_hints.pdf
      https://www.daad.de/westbank_gaza/faq-preparing-your-research-stay-in-
      germany.pdf

   • OPENING HOURS
      It is important to note that supermarkets and shopping centers are CLOSED on
      Sundays. The main shopping area (Königsstrasse) and downtown shopping centers
      are open from about 9:30am-8pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Cafés
      and bakeries may have limited Sunday hours, usually in the morning.
      Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and have varying hours during the week,
      usually 9am-5pm with shorter hours on Fridays and longer hours on Tuesdays and
      Thursdays. Cash machines (ATMs) are generally available 24 hours.

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ICDD STAFF
KASSEL                         Contact Information           Responsibilities
Social Sciences

Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherrer   scherrer@icdd.uni-kassel.de   Director, ICDD
                                                             Support for questions on
                                                             teaching activities, seminar
                                                             schedules

Birgit Felmeden                +49 (0) 561 804 7391          Executive Manager, ICDD
                               felmeden@icdd.uni-kassel.de

Simone Buckel                  +49 (0) 561 804 3113          GLU Coordinator, ICDD
                               glu.germany@uni-kassel.de
                                                             Support for GLU visiting
                                                             scientists, seminar
                                                             scheduling

Martina Hörnicke               +49 (0) 561 804 7397          ICDD Administrator
                               m.hoernicke@icdd.uni-         Support for visiting
                               kassel.de
                                                             scientists (social sciences)

Rima Schmauch                  +49 (0) 561 804 7398          ICDD Administrator
                               rima.schmauch@icdd.uni-       Support for visiting
                               kassel.de                     scientists from A New
                                                             Passage to India
                                                             travel, Uni account,
                                                             seminar room reservations
                               +49 (0) 561 804 7396
Christian Schreiner                                          IT Support, ICDD Kassel
                               webadmin@icdd.uni-kassel.de

WITZENHAUSEN                   Contact Information           Responsibilities
Agricultural Sciences
                               +49 561 804-1228
Prof. Dr. Andreas Bürkert
                               buerkert@uni-kassel.de
Dr. Martina Melapie            Tel: +49 (0) 5542 98 13 72    Scientific Coordinator
                               fax: +49 (0) 5542 98 13 09    Support for visiting
                               melapie@uni-kassel.de         scientists (agricultural
                                                             sciences)

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L ANGUAGE COURSES
            • SPRACHENZENTRUM (UNIVERSITY OF KASSEL LANGUAGE CENTER)
                  The Sprachenzentrum offers language courses, intercultural training and other
                  activities. Please check the website for more information (in German). Courses
                  usually start at the beginning of the semester (end of October):
                  http://www.uni-kassel.de/einrichtungen/sprz/sprachenzentrum.html

                  Contact Information:
                  Kurt-Wolters-Str.5, Room 2021
                  Ms. Christine Knaust
                  0561-804 3689
                  sz@uni-kassel.de

            • OTHER GERMAN COURSE OFFERS
                  The information below from 2013 is intended as a guideline only. Please contact the
                  course providers for current courses and prices.
Institute                       Type of course          Duration /Hours/day Number of units/days Course dates            Price

Institut für Sprachen
Die Freiheit 19
34117 Kassel                    Basic A1/A2                 08.00 - 12.45   200 units/hours     1) 19.08. - 14.10.2013 490 €/course
phone +49 561 286 0020
www.ifs-kassel.de                                                                               2) 21.10. - 13.12.2013
europa-kolleg Kassel e.V.
Wilhelms Höher Alle 19
34117 Kassel                    Summer-Intensive             whole day      31 hours/week       26.08. - 21.09.2013      250 €/week
+49 561 77 67 88
www.europa-kolleg.de

Kasseler Sprach- und
Wirtschaftsschulen
Kurfürstenstraße 1                                                                              15.08.2013 -
34117 Kassel                    Integration course A1       08.00 - 12.15   100 hrs/week        up to 6 months           2,54 €/hour
+49 561 712 6630
www.kasselersprachenschule.de

DSI
Untere Königstraße 58                                                                                                    470 €
34117 Kassel                    Integration course A1       08.30 - 12.45   200 hrs             02.09. - 25.10.2013
Phone +49 561 729 87 109                                                                                                 580 € incl. Online
www.spracheninstitut.de                                                                                                  studying

VBSF
Königstor 4 - 6
34117                           Integration course A1       08.15 - 12.45   100 hrs/month       End of October           294 €/month
+49 561 9131521
www.vbsf.de

Volkshochschule                 Deutsch Intensive/
Holländische Straße 74          Integration course A1       08.15 - 12.30   20 days             26.08. - 20.09.2013      195 €/course
34127 Kassel
Phone: +49 5621 1003 1681       Deutsch Evening             18.00 - 20.15   33 days             09.09.13 - 03.02.14     195 €/course
www.vhs-region-kassel.de        course                                                          (evening 18.00 - 20.15)

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
A Basic User                    B Independent User                   C Proficient User
  A1 Breakthrough or beginner     B1 Threshold or intermediate         C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced
  A2 Waystage or elementary       B2 Vantage or upper intermediate     C2 Mastery or proficiency

      Version 20.01.2015
LIBRARIES
   • STADTBIBLIOTHEK (CITY LIBRARY)
      The City Library has some interesting works to offer, including DVDs and audio books.
      Please consult the website for more information:
      http://www.kassel.de/miniwebs/stadtbib/index.html

   • UNI KASSEL LIBRARY
          o General Information
             Uni Kassel Library is made up of 10 different departments
             (Bereichsbibliotheken). Five of them are in the main building at Holländischer
             Platz, Diagonale 10. The departments of Social Sciences and Geography are in
             Bereichsbibliothek 4 (BB4) in the main library, while the department for
             Agricultural sciences is in the Bereichsbibliothek 9 (BB9), located in
             Witzenhausen (Nordbahnhofstr. 1a).
             The main library in Kassel is open every working day from 8am until 11 pm,
             and from 10am until 9pm during the weekend.
          o Working hours and locations of all Bereichsbibliotheken:
             http://www.ub.uni-kassel.de/167.html
          o Guided tours and training with tutorials (in German)
             http://www.ub.uni-kassel.de/index.php?id=22&L=2
          o Tours in English
             are offered at certain times throughout the year. Please contact the University
             of Kassel International Office for details:
             Mrs. Anke Ickler
             Mönchebergstraße 19
             34109 Kassel
             Room 1110
             +49 561 804-2213
             aickler@uni-kassel.de
             https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/internationales/international-
             office/startseite.html
          o Orientation in the Library
             Once you enter the library, you can find a machine to return books at any
             time during opening hours. There is also a machine to purchase credit for
             your copy card (see below for more information) so you can make copies and
             print anywhere on campus. Next to this machine are computers where you

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can easily access the library’s database and a front desk where you can clarify
             any questions regarding the library.
             On the ground floor is the area where you can read newspapers from all
             around the world (daily, weekly, monthly). You can find newspapers in the
             room behind the reading area. This is also the space where students meet to
             work on group projects and discuss common interests. Lively discussion is
             permitted in this part of the library, but in other parts of the library, you will
             be asked to work in silence.
          o Reader Card (MultiCard = Multifunktionskarte)
             The first step in using the library is applying for the Reader Card in the central
             library or online. The process of applying for a Reader Card is described below,
             but if it becomes too complicated or overwhelming, please feel free to ask
             someone at the ICDD for assistance or to accompany you to the library.
             The online procedure is quite simple: you go to the web site of the library, set
             the language to English and then under Service you will find an option Reader
             Card (https://www2.bibliothek.uni-kassel.de/ausweis/). On the left side is the
             navigation box that makes the procedure much easier.
             You will also find the possibility to add your photo to the card. After you apply
             for your card you will have to wait 3-5 working days and then you will be able
             to pick it up from the information desk at the entrance of the library.
             This card is very important since you will use it to take books out of the library
             and use printing or copying machines or library computers, as well.
             If you want to use printing or copying machines, you should first load the card
             at the cash-to-cash machine next to the entrance of the library. The
             procedure is simple: you put the card in the machine, insert the money (this
             machine uses only paper money) and then press the button for charging the
             money. In case you do not have the card with you, some of the copying and
             printing machines also take coins. Still you will find it much easier doing this
             with the card. If you have 80 cents or less on your card, the machines will ask
             you to recharge it. Printing and copying is 4 cents per page, and scanning is 1
             cent per page.
             The card itself has two multiple digits numbers on it. One is on the back
             under the bar-code. That is your card number and your user name when you
             are logging into the computers. The other number is on the front side, right
             above your picture, and that is the number the computer asks for when you
             want to print something. The third number you will have to know is your
             password. (It is usually your birthday, but you can change it online. So, if you
             were born on 21st April 1985, for example, then your password will be
             210485).
          o Printing/Copy Card for Guests
             There is also a possibility to buy a copy card at the machines (in the library)
             that can be used like a prepaid card for the copier and printers at the

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university. The card costs 5 Euro: 4 for the card and 1 Euro is the minimum
             amount that needs to be on the card for usage. You can also load some
             money on this card so that it can be used on the copiers with the same card
             function. If you like, the library can take the card back in the end and pay the
             4 Euro and the remaining amount back to you (so that they can use it for the
             next guest).
             Link: http://www.ub.uni-kassel.de/index.php?id=1314&L=2
             (or ask a fellow student or an ICDD assistant to help you).
          o Multi Media Center (Multimediathek)
             On the first floor of the library you will find a room with many computers.
             That is the multi media center room. The computers have many different
             specialised programs that might be helpful. You can also reserve a computer
             for yourself, or just take a free one when you need it. Other computers,
             outside of the Multimediathek room do not have hard drives, and therefore
             no special programs. You can only search the internet or books from the
             library, but nothing can be saved or printed out from outside the
             Multimediathek room.
          o Borrowing books
             The whole library works on the open shelf principle. You can take any book
             from the shelf and borrow it by using one of the check-out machines. Only
             those books that have red tape on their sides are reference material and
             cannot be taken out of the library. Apart from reference books, all other
             books can be taken out of the library. The maximum amount of books you
             may hold at the same time is 100.
             To find a book that you need you can use a catalogue search program called
             KARLA. You will find the link to it on the front page. There you can search by
             the name of the book, author or keyword. Besides books KARLA can also find
             articles available online in pdf form.
             http://www.portal.hebis.de/servlet/Top/customers/hebis/suchmaske/hebisse
             arch?language=en
             You can access catalogues from the library or from home. For access from an
             apartment or hotel, you will have to download the Cisco VPN-Client software
             (http://www.ub.uni-kassel.de/559.html?&L=1).
             If you do not know how to do this, you can go with your laptop to the IT
             Center on campus and they will do it for you. You can also feel free to contact
             IT support at the ICDD:
             webadmin@icdd.uni-kassel.de
             Books at the Uni Kassel library may be available in hard copy or online. Online
             books you can download and read at home or in the library. Once you find a
             book that you want you have to look for the signature. The signature is the
             information that tells you exactly where you can find the book in the library.

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The signature may look something like this:
             25 Pol KP 4014
             Pol     department of Political sciences (Politikwissenschaften)
             KP      code of the shelf
             4014 exact place on the shelf

             Once again if you find it too complicated for the first time just ask someone in
             the library or one of our assistants.
             The check-out machines are easy to use and for them you will need your card.
             Once you put your card in and insert your password, the machine will ask you
             to put the books under the scanner. In the end you will get a receipt that will
             tell you when you took the book from the library and when you should return
             it. The maximum period that you can keep the book is 4 weeks, but this period
             can be extended 5 more times, so that in the end you can hold the book for 5
             months. That is only in the case that no one else wants the book; otherwise
             you will be asked to return it once your 4 week period expires.
             To extend books you will have to log in on this site http://opac.bibliothek.uni-
             kassel.de/loan/DB=1/LNG=EN/USERINFO_LOGIN (use your library card
             number and your password). Under Loans you will find all the books that you
             currently hold. Mark the ones you want to prolong and then click Renew. The
             system will tell you which books you can keep, and which ones have been
             requested and you will have to return.
             After 3 weeks you will get an e-mail reminder from the library to return the
             books. Remember, this is only an additional service that the library provides
             and it may not always work, so do not forget your returning date, just in case.
             If you forget to return books on time you will have to pay a 3 Euro penalty per
             book.
          o Ordering a book
             If the book you want is already taken, then there is the option to order that
             book, and the library will notify you once the book is returned. This means
             you will have priority to take it and the book will be reserved for you to pick
             up from the Abholregal (special shelf for reserved books) in the library
             department in which the book belongs.
             Also if you live in Kassel and you would like to take a book from BB9 in
             Witzenhausen, you can order the book online (once you find it in the KARLA
             catalogue) by specifying to which library and which library department you
             would like it delivered. Once the book arrives you will be notified by e-mail.
             The book will also be on the Abholregal in the library department you
             specified.

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The last option is to order a book that you need but the library does not have.
             Then simply go the front page of the library, under option A-Z, look for W,
             there you will find Wunschbuch (wanted book). Give your name, the name of
             the book you need and the reason you want it. The book will most likely be
             bought by the library and once it arrives it will be waiting for you on the
             Abholregal. Please note that this process can sometimes take a long time and
             may not be practical depending on the length of your stay.
          o Returning books
             The machine for returning the books is on the right side of the information
             desk, close to the entrance of the library. To return the books simply put them
             in the machine and once you are finished, you will get a receipt that the books
             have been returned to the library.
          o Databases
             In addition to the books that are in the library you can also use one of the
             many databases that the library provides. To find them go to the front page of
             the library, and then under Digital library you will find Databases. Once you
             choose the field you are interested in, you will find appropriate databases.
             They contain articles and books that normally you would have to pay to use.
             This way you may find special information for free. There are many European
             as well as American databases, such as Lexis-Nexis and EBSCO.

             For further questions, please contact:
             Dr. Thomas Bündgen
             0561-804-3436
             buendgen@bibliothek.uni-kassel.de

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RESTAURANTS – A SELECTION
At the search field https://maps.google.com/ type this for restaurants near the ICDD:
restaurant loc: Kleine Rosenstr. 1, 34117 Kassel, Deutschland
Type this as a search key for restaurants near the university:
restaurant loc: Mönchebergstraße 19, 34109 Kassel, Deutschland
There are also several university restaurants (Mensas) that are great low-priced options
available for anyone.
Below please find a selection of restaurants in the neighborhood of the ICDD and the main
university campus in Kassel:

Name                  Address                       Description

Zentralmensa          Uni campus on Arnold-Bode Cafeteria, offering a wide variety
                      Straße                    including vegetarian for low prices (self-
                      http://www.studentenwerk- service).
                      kassel.de/?id=188

Moritz (Mensa)        Uni campus on Arnold-     Changing menu every week, offers meat
                      Bode-Straße               as well as vegetarian dishes for good
                      http://www.studentenwerk- prices (table service).
                      kassel.de/moritz.html

Tor Café (Mensa)      Uni campus,               Small-scale version of the Central Mensa,
                      Mönchebergstr. 11         offers a changing hot meal each day as
                      http://www.studentenwerk- well as salads, sandwiches and snacks
                      kassel.de/146.html        (self-service).

K10 (Mensa)           Uni campus, Henschelstr. 2Offers changing dishes and daily specials
                      http://www.studentenwerk- for vegetarians and non-vegetarians
                      kassel.de/?id=144         (self-service).

Abessina              Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 23       African restaurant offering single meals
                      34117 Kassel                  or plates for 5 people to share for good
                      Tel.: 0561 50399263           prices.

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Anadolu Kassel       Fünffensterstr. 7         Large, varied menu of Turkish as well as
                     34117 Kassel              international, vegetarian and non-
                     Tel.: 0561 / 703 67 80    vegetarian.

Café Hurricane       Gottschalkstraße          Close to the University of Kassel, hot
                     34127 Kassel              meals and/or drinks for reasonable
                     Tel.: 0561 / 898072       prices.

Café Nordpol         Gottschalkstraße 12       Very close to the university, comfortable
                     34127 Kassel              place for a meal as well as late night
                     Tel.: 0561 / 85522        drinking.

Enchilada            Opernstr. 9               Located in the city center, offers Mexican
                     34117 Kassel              food as well as cocktails for fair prices.
                     Tel.: 0561 / 7033791
                     www.enchilada.de/kassel

Il Convento          An der Garnisonkirche 2   Upscale Italian restaurant with a lovely
                     34117 Kassel              atmosphere in downtown Kassel.
                                               Reservations recommended.
                     Tel: 0561 860 9446

Leonardo Da Vinci    Lassallestr. 1            Italian restaurant close to the city center.
                     34119 Kassel              Classified as upscale gastronomy.
                     Tel.: 0561/766 76 20

Lohmann              Königstor 8               One of the oldest beer gardens in Kassel,
                     34117Kassel               popular in summer for outdoor dining
                     Tel.: 0561/7016875        and drinking. Indoor service in colder
                                               months.

Orangerie            Auedamm 20 b              Regional cuisine in a nice atmosphere
                     34121 Kassel              with a beautiful view of the park. Upscale
                     Tel.: 0561 / 28610318     prices.

Podium               Kölnische Straße 34       Nice restaurant offering a mixed menu of
                     34117 Kassel              German and Italian food for moderate
                     Tel.: 0561 104693         prices.

Tat-Urfa             Untere Königsstr. 89      Offering a wide variety of Turkish dishes
                     34117 Kassel              for moderate prices.
                     Tel.: 0561 8164800

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BARS

Cuba Lounge          Werner-Hilpert-Str. 9          5 minutes on foot from ICDD. Offers all
                     34117 Kassel                   kinds of beverages in a relaxed
                     Tel.: 0561/7393225             atmosphere.

Kokotao              Wilhelmsstraße 2a              Indonesian-style cocktail bar and lounge
                     34117 Kassel                   with a varied menu. Nice atmosphere
                     Tel.: 0561 / 9371580           with soft music to relax and talk.

Maya Coba Cocktail   Wilhelmsstraße 2a              Spacious cocktail bar also offering food,
& Restaurant         34117 Kassel                   located in the city center next to the
                     Tel.: 0561 / 70 16 18 80       cinema. Salsa dancing on Thursday
                                                    nights.

The Shamrock Irish   Bürgermeister Brunner Str.     Offers a wide variety of Irish beer,
Pub                  19                             whiskey, and events e.g. Pub Quiz on
                     34117 Kassel                   Mondays and karaoke on Thursday
                     Tel.: 0561 / 2028630           evenings.

Xallo Cook           Goethestraße 31                Bar, bistro and café with a variety of
                     34119 Kassel                   drinks and dishes any time of day.
                     Tel.:0561 / 9702227

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SPORTS
   • The University of Kassel offers a wide range of sports activities at reasonable rates.
     Participants can sign up online at the beginning of every semester for the sports they
     are interested in.
      Please see sport courses and the schedule under the link below:
      http://www.uni-kassel.de/hrz/db4/extern/Hochschulsport/en/index.php

   • For yoga enthusiasts, there is a nice studio with two locations near the ICDD offering
     different types of courses:

      Satya Yoga
      http://www.satyayoga.de/

      Satya-Yoga Lukasczyk
      Motzstr. 5
      34117 Kassel
      Telefon 0561 9372663
      Telefax 0561 9372665
      ks@satyayoga.de

      Satya-Yoga Grünert & Lukasczyk
      Treppenstr. 2
      34117 Kassel
      Telefon 0561 70367092
      Telefax 0561 9372665
      ks2@satyayoga.de

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TRAVEL (TO AND AROUND KASSEL) / COMMUNICATION
   • GETTING TO KASSEL BY PLANE
       The three closest airports to Kassel are Frankfurt, Hanover and Paderborn. However,
       most overseas flights land in Frankfurt am Main. If you arrive at the Frankfurt airport,
       it is best to take the ICE (Intercity Express train) from the airport directly to Kassel-
       Wilhelmshöhe train station.
       Travel and tickets will usually be arranged by the ICDD, and one of our staff members
       will be more than happy to meet you at the train station on arrival. However, if you
       need further assistance or would like more information, please contact:
       Rima Schmauch, ICDD Administrator (Travel)
       +49 (0) 561 804 7398
       rima.schmauch@icdd.uni-kassel.de
       For detailed instructions on how to get to Kassel, you can also consult the
       Studentenwerk homepage:
       http://www.studentenwerk-kassel.de/Getting-to-Kassel.30.0.html?&L=1#c313

   • GETTING A CELLPHONE OR SIM CARD AT THE FRANKFURT AIRPORT
     When you land at the Frankfurt airport for the first time and need a cell phone or sim
     card, there a number of electronics/phone shops, including:

   -   Fotec electronics (Terminal 1 area A)
   -   O2 Shop (Terminal 1 area B level 1)
   -   Base/E-plus shop (Terminal 1 area C level 0)

       Opening hours
       O2 Shop
       Mon-Fri:           9:00am-7:00pm
       Sat-Sun:           11:00am-6:00pm
       Fotec Electronic
       Mon-Sun:           6:00am-9:30pm
       Base/E-plus
       Mon-Fri:           9:00am-7:00pm

     Very Important!!!!
     In order to buy a chip or a cell phone with a chip, you need your passport for
     identification. Make sure that the seller:
   • Activates the sim card for you (if not, it will be more difficult later)
   • Sells you a prepaid card only (NOT a long-term contract)

Version 20.01.2015
In Kassel, simple cell phones with a chip start at 15€ at electronic shops like Saturn (top
   floor of City Point Kassel) or Rossmann stores. At the airport, a simple cell phone might
   cost a bit more (around 30€).

   If you have a cell phone without simlock, you can also buy just a chip and use it in your
   cellphone. Prepaid sim cards should cost around 9,99€ and have around 10€ credit
   included. For example, the “Saturn Smartphone Tarif Plus Startpaket” will cost 9,99€ and
   includes 450 minutes/sms text messages inside Germany with 300 MB of mobile internet
   per month. After one month, you will have to recharge the cell phone. Travelling in and
   out of Germany is not a problem, but after 6 months of inactivity, your chip and number
   may be deactivated.

   If you already have a smart phone and only need a chip:

   http://www.saturn.de/mcs/product/SATURN-Saturn-Smartphone-Tarif-Plus-
   Startpaket*,48352,427508,1527402.html?langId=-3

   If you also need a cellphone:

   http://www.saturn.de/mcs/product/SAMSUNG-GT-E-1200-I-
   schwarz,48352,365080,1396264.html?langId=-3&et_cid=75&et_lid=283&et_sub=1-
   SAMSUNG%20GT-E%201200%20I%20schwarz

   • GERMAN RAILWAY (DEUTSCHE BAHN)
      Deutsche Bahn is the German national railway company that connects to other cities
      in Germany. On their website, you can find timetables, ticket information and other
      details:
      http://www.bahn.de/i/view/USA/en/index.shtml
      Kassel is connected to the national rail network at two stations, Kassel Central and
      Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. The central station, Hauptbahnhof, is a regional station; the
      high speed trains InterCityExpress (ICE) and InterCity stop at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.

   • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN KASSEL
      KVG (Kasseler Verkehr-Gesellschaft) is a public transportation company in Kassel
      which includes a tram and bus system.
      The Kassel public transport network has seven tram lines (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), all of
      which go through the city center and then in different directions. They usually arrive
      every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. The city also
      operates a RegioTram network which runs on both tram and main line railway tracks
      with four lines (RT3, RT4, RT5, RT9).
      The Kassel-city ticket is for travel within the city of Kassel and the KasselPlus ticket
      also includes the districts Ahnatal, Baunatal, Calden, Espenau, Fuldabrück, Fuldatal,
      Habichtswald, Kaufungen, Lohfelden, Nieste, Niestetal, Schauenburg, Staufenberg,
      and Vellmar.

Version 20.01.2015
The University Main Campus tram/bus station is called Holländischer
      Platz/Universität. The closest tram/bus stations to the ICDD are Lutherplatz,
      Scheidemannplatz, and Königsplatz/Mauerstr.
      Please find the schedule, ticket information and other details on their website:
      http://www.kvg.de/

      If you need travel assistance at any time during your stay, please do not hesitate to
      contact the ICDD staff.

   • RENTING A BICYCLE
      The city of Kassel sponsors a bicycle rental program called “Konrad” with 500
      available bicycles at 50 stations all over the city. You can register for the rental
      service by mobile phone at (0049) 0561-350 293 630 or via the Internet at:
      www.konrad-kassel.de
      See page 26 in this booklet for instructions on getting a cellphone at the Frankfurt
      airport.
      More detailed information about Konrad rental in English:
      http://www.konrad-kassel.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Flyer-englisch-
      Internet.pdf

Version 20.01.2015
UNIVERSITY OF KASSEL
The University of Kassel, founded in 1971, is the newest university in the state of Hessen
offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study programs open to German
and international students alike. Degrees include the traditional German Diploma as well as
Bachelor, Master, and PhD. For more information:
http://cms.uni-kassel.de/unicms/ English version.

   • THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
       The International Office is the main contact point for international students and
       academics. They offer support on all study- and teaching-related questions such as
       application, registration and accommodation.
       Contact Information:
       Mrs. Anke Ickler
       Möncheberstr. 19, Room 1110
       34109 Kassel
       +49 561 804-2213
       aickler@uni-kassel.de
       https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/internationales/international-office/welcome-
       centre.html
       https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/internationales/international-office/startseite.html

          o THE WELCOME CENTRE
              is an initiative from the University of Kassel International Office that offers full
              service and support as a resource for guest researchers:
              https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/internationales/international-
              office/welcome-centre.html
              Alternative link:
              www.uni-kassel.de/go/welcome-centre
              Register to receive the Welcome Centre Newsletter:
              http://www.uni-kassel.de/go/newsletter_anmeldung
          o CAMPUS TOURS
              The University of Kassel International Office offers campus tours in Chinese,
              English, and German every first Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm followed
              by lunch. To sign up, contact Mrs. Ickler.

   • STUDENTENWERK KASSEL
       Student affairs is handled by a separate public institution called Studentenwerk
       Kassel. Studentenwerk assists with non-academic parts of student life incl.
       accommodation services, financial aid, legal and social advice, and counselling.

Version 20.01.2015
Contact Information:
      Wolfhager Straße 10
      34117 Kassel
      Tel: +49(0)561 804 2550
      info@studentenwerk.uni-kassel.de
      http://www.studentenwerk-kassel.de/Start.115.0.html?&L=1

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