Mittweida: Small but very international

"Mittweida is what you make of it.” This is the motto of Mittweida, a town of 16,000, located in the heart of Saxony. It may not offer what you'd call "big-time entertainment", but at a closer look, you will find that there’s definitely a lot of truth to its motto..

by Maria Horschig

Mittweida at a glance

 

Granted – Mittweida doesn't have a disco. Nonetheless, you won't get bored there. Mittweida is a small town, but that also means everything is in walking distance. There are several bus lines, but only older people generally use them.  
The Schwanenteich Park near the university campus is quite beautiful in both summer and winter. Whether you like taking long walks, lying in the sun, barbecuing or playing volleyball, there's always something going on in the park, and there's always plenty of space to do it.  
The area around the marketplace downtown is quite charming. There, you'll discover quaint alleyways, a burbling brook and a picturesque town church. With its historic facades, the marketplace offers tourists an ideal photo opportunity and provides foot-weary visitors plenty of benches to sit down and relax.    
If you find yourself craving something sweet, we recommend stopping by the Blochberger bakery at the end of Rochlitzer Straße (house number 80). You know you're there when you see the unique blue tiles in the shop window. You'll find countless bakeries and pastry shops up and down the street, but this is the only one which still has the original furnishings from long ago.
The city's water tower is located somewhat outside of town. If you happen to be around when it's open to the public, be sure to climb to the top and enjoy the amazing view. Since it was renovated, this giant red-brick tower is also nice to gaze at from afar, and if you're afraid of heights, you can also get a good view of Mittweida from the base.   

 

Universities Overview

 

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

It may be hard to believe that the founder of Audi came from this little town in the heart of Saxony, but it's true. August Horch began his career at the Technikum Mittweida – the predecessor institution of the University of Applied Sciences. Another famous alumnus was Walther Bruch, the inventor of the PAL system, which allows images to be broadcast in brilliant colour to TV sets around the world. The list of notable inventors goes on (such as Friedrich Opel – the founder of the car company of the same name). Today the reputation of the university is as excellent as ever –particularly with respect to its technical and media-related degree programmes. Its relatively small-sized campus and countless partnerships with universities abroad are two of Mittweida's major advantages. With only 4,000 enrolled students, it's normal for a math professor from your first semester to still remember your name when you take another class several years later in a master's degree programme. 
The University of Applied Sciences in Mittweida is extremely popular among foreign students, as well. Many foreign applicants apply on the advice of students who are already enrolled there. Many exchange students return to Mittweida following their exchange programme, or plan to return, or have extended their stay.

Recreation in Mittweida

 

The meadows along the Zschopau River are a popular recreation area on warm spring and summer days. Only twenty walking minutes away from Mittweida, you can find a nice spot on the grass to lie down and enjoy the peace and quiet, or you can rent a paddle-boat and navigate the river yourself. If you don't want to exert yourself, you can also board a river ferry which will take you to the Kriebstein Reservoir. That's where you'll find a variety of cultural and fitness activities. In the summer, the Mittelsächsisches Theater ensemble performs on a floating stage out on the lake. It doesn't matter whether it’s "Treasure Island" or "Odysseus", watching a play on the lake is something you shouldn't miss. The actors physically give it their all – and occasionally even lose their balance and fall off the stage into the water with a huge splash! Nearby is a climbing range where you can swing from rope to rope like Tarzan. The more skilful you are on the ropes, the higher into the trees you can climb.   
Castle Kriebstein, ten minutes away from the reservoir, is one of the most beautiful castles in central Saxony and is unarguably worth a visit – even only for its breath-taking view of the river valley. And don't miss the guided tour of the tower – it's certainly worth it. From there, you can return to Mittweida either by bus or ferry.
If your stomach is grumbling after a hard day, we recommend stopping by the “Bosporus” döner restaurant. It’s near the Blochberger bakery at Rochlitzer Straße 74. The staff is extremely friendly and the dining atmosphere is very pleasant. And if you’re lucky, the owner, Hamit, will serve you a bright green apple tea on the house.
Before you head home, you can order one for the road at the “Wintergarten” at the corner of Heinrich-Heine-Straße and Bahnhofstraße. You’ll notice that the bar has something of an American touch, because the owner spent some time in the United States herself. The prices for drinks are student-friendly, which is why you’re bound to run into a lot of young people there. If you’d rather be entertained, go to the cinema. “Student Day” is on Tuesdays, and the “Special Film Day” is every Wednesday. The projectionist winds the film reels onto the projector by hand like in the old days!

Interview with Muath from Jordan

 

Muath Bani Amer from Jordan began studying at the University of Applied Sciences in the summer semester 2010. Back home, the 23-year-old is majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the German Jordanian University in Amman.   

Muath, you’ve extended your stay in Mittweida for another semester. Why? For the simple reason that Mittweida is very beautiful.

Why did you choose to complete you semester abroad in Mittweida?
I could have also chosen Lübeck, Giessen, Dresden or Berlin. But students, who were studying here at the time, told me so much about Mittweida that I absolutely wanted to come here.  

And have you ever regretted your decision?
Not at all. Mittweida is a great town. Everyone is like family. In a big city, you’re just a number, but here people think each person is important. It also plays a major role in the advising services at the International Office. If I could, I’d stay here forever! It’s become my second home.

What places do you especially like in Mittweida?
The Schwanenteich Park! Whenever I’m sad or nervous, I go to the park and take a walk or simply sit there.  It’s so peaceful. I also like going to Hamit’s döner restaurant.   

What do you like doing in your free time?
In the summer time, we have grill parties practically every day with the international students. We’re like one big family. Mittweida is really a fantastic chance for foreign students.

Useful Links

 

International Office
Official webpage of Mittweida
Castle Kriebstein
Event calendar for the region of central Saxony
About the Kriebstein Reservoir