Kiel: The life aquatic

Landlubbers beware, the nautical town of Kiel in northern Germany will test your sea legs. Where else can you study computer sciences and take sailing lessons all in one day but in the city of 232,000 on the southeast end of the Jutland Peninsula? Join a bustling student population of nearly 30,000 in the progressive capital of Schleswig-Holstein and enjoy advanced research facilities and the scenic beauty of a traditional port town.

Kiel introduced

Kiel is forever tied to the sea. In the old days, when news traveled fastest by ship, the northern German port town on the Jutland Peninsula was a vibrant hub for the exchange of information and new ideas. The citizens have retained this progressive attitude well into the present day, as reflected by the multitude of cutting edge firms in promising fields from alternative energies to micro technology, pharmaceuticals and nautical transportation.
Trade by sea has flourished in the capital of Schleswig-Holstein for centuries. It first reached its height during the period of Kiel's membership in the Hanseatic League, a mighty trade alliance spanning the North and Baltic Seas all the way into Russia between the 13th and 17th centuries. Kiel was among the first towns to join the League in 1284 and enjoyed a period of immense prosperity before being expelled in 1518 for harboring pirates.
Through the years, many a super power attempted to get a grip on Kiel and its environs, as the ice-free harbors on the North Sea side promised year-round trade. The Russians, Danes and Swedes all had their go with varying success. But that's all water under the bridge today and no hard feelings remain: Kiel prides itself with cultural proximity to Scandinavia and the Baltic region and ferries traverse to Oslo, Gothenburg and Lithuania on a daily basis.
The German navy has been based in Kiel since the 1860s, and the town's largest expansion happened after Emperor Wilhelm I named it Imperial War Harbor. The population surged from 18,770 citizens in 1864 to 200,000 in 1910. Next to the maritime sector, the government and educational facilities are the biggest employers in the capital city. Add to that a student population of nearly 30,000 and you can be sure that the waters are far from still up here by the Kiel Canal - the world's busiest artificial waterway - connecting the North and Baltic Seas. So bring your bathing suit and come to Kiel, the perfect place to make a splash of it.

Overview of the universities

Christian-Albrechts-University
One of the oldest institutions of higher education in northern Germany, the University of Kiel was founded on September 29, 1665, by Christian Albrecht, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. Constantly staying with the times, the university boasts a solid track record of luminaries including physicists Max Planck and Hans Geiger, the chemist Eduard Buchner and neurologist Hans Gerhard Creutzfeldt, to name but a few. Today, a total of 22,048 students are enrolled at the university.
The innovative tradition continues: In 2007, the Medical Faculty was selected as a finalist for the European medical educational Medida-Prix award for their simulated patient E-learning tool clinical skills online. The Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences is also a hothouse of new ideas, especially when it comes to throwing food marketing and genetics into the mix. Let's not forget physics, where Kiel's influence reaches all the way into space, with researchers supporting European and American space missions like the ULYSSES project. And given Kiel's nautical surroundings, it is to no surprise that the Integrated School of Ocean Sciences (ISOS) attracts scientists and students from around the world, especially with its highly competitive PhD program in Marine Sciences. Speaking of international - the university also maintains academic partnerships around the globe, and about 2,000 international students hailing from 100 different countries are in Kiel right now together with 400 to 500 guest researchers. Want to know more? The Kiel International Center has the answers.

University of Applied Sciences Kiel
Catering to jacks-of-all-trades, the Kiel University of Applied Sciences offers degrees in almost 30 different faculties. A total of 5,328 students are currently enrolled at the highly competitive institution. Standouts include the newly launched Regenerative Energies course with a focus on alternative energy sources that is part of the Bachelors degree course in Technology Management and Marketing. Always in the fast lane, the 35-strong Kiel Race Yard Team, consisting of engineering and design students, recently placed third in the European 'Formula Student' race with a car of their own design.

Kiel Institute for the World Economy
Always keeping an eye on national and world markets, this is the place to learn what makes economies around the globe really tick. The Kiel Institute's Advanced Studies Program in International Economic Policy Research was established in 1984. The ten-month program offers in-depth economic know-how for postgraduates in cooperation with the Murmann School of Global Management and Economics. Plus: The library of the Institute is the largest economics library in the world with more than 2 million books.

Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design
They say big things come in small packages. Founded in 2005, the Muthesius Academy is Germany's northernmost and youngest school of higher education devoted to the systematic study of art and design. A total of 400 students are currently enlisted at the highly progressive school that has just added a cluster of Masters degree courses to its line-up, including a Master of Fine Arts, Master of Spatial Scenography/Spatial Intervention, as well as Masters of Editorial Design and Industrial Design with a focus on Medical Design and Interface Design. International students are always welcome, so start getting your portfolio in line.

What Kiel is like

Katrin Käis loves to be near the water and found a perfect home in Kiel. The exchange student from Tartu, Estonia arrived after three years at Konstanz University and wrapped up her Masters Thesis in German Language and Literature Studies in Kiel.

What is Kiel like for a student?

I would say it's a real student town, just like Tartu back home. Plus, it's the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, so a lot of people from the surrounding area are drawn here to go to school or spend their weekends, which means the town is happening year-round.

How about the cost of living?

A room at the dorms will run you between 180 and 220 euro. A private apartment costs more, of course, but you can get a room in a flat share for about 200 to 300 euro. I personally live in one of the dorms, and the International Center arranged for my accommodation in advance before I came, so all was taken care of with no need to worry.

Would you recommend Kiel to foreign students?

The university offers support through a number of organizations, like BASIS Kiel. The International Center is always hosting orientation seminars or dinners for foreign students. I'd say the level of support is really unique. You meet your professors at the beginning of your stay and again towards the end to evaluate your experience. I also participated in a voluntary student organization called Step-In Kiel and we're heading to Hallig Hooge Island over the weekend.

Is it culturally different up here?

Definitely. Arriving by ferry via Lithuania was already a special experience. You can feel the close ties to Scandinavia, and there are always events like the 'Swedish Week' in town. Plus, Denmark is really close and the North Sea is only an hour's drive away. Just try to be open to explore the town and experience it for yourself.

Did Kiel meet your expectations?

I didn't really have any. After three years in Konstanz, I knew it would be completely different up here. The winters are rather mild and spring is a real experience with the blooming colza fields inviting you to take a bike tour over the flat countryside. You can also ride by the canal connecting the North and Baltic Seas, the most frequented naval canal in the world.

What is an absolute must for every new arrival?

The annual Kieler Woche fair rolls around in late June for a whole week of free festivities, shows and lots of international food and drink, not to mention beautiful ships from all over. So taking part is a must. A lot of people prepare a schedule of which events to attend in advance, so they won't miss anything. If you love the water, it hardly gets any better!

Your favourite spot in the city?

I would say the Diederichsenpark in terms of nature. It offers a great lawn surrounded by many tall trees with a nice view of the fjord bay below. Lots of people come here in the summer and when you're sitting on the grass and one of the gigantic ships passes by it's a really overwhelming feeling.

Did you know?

The scientist who single-handedly revolutionized the field of physics - especially thermodynamics - was born right here in Kiel on April 23, 1858. A talented mathematician in his school days, Max Planck came to Munich in 1874 to study physics. And believe it or not, the eminent physics professor Philipp von Jolly advised Planck against it, saying that "in this field, almost everything is already discovered". Well, Kiel's most famous son would prove him - and the entire academic community - wrong, by laying the groundwork for Quantum Theory in his writings. Today, the Max Planck Society is among the leading research institutions in the world.

Things to check out

While Berlin has its curry sausage for a favourite snack, Kiel's signature dish comes from the sea: 'Kieler Sprotten' are hot-smoked fat sprats, small fish from the herring family. The designation 'Original Kieler Sprotten' refers to local catches, smoked over beech wood in special ovens. An acquired taste, but they definitely grow on you.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn sailing while in Kiel. Don't worry, the university's sailing department will help you get your sea legs - and on the cheap, too. Sailing trips start at 3 euros and you can work your way up all the way to an official sailing license. Find more info at www.segeln.uni-kiel.de.

Once the fierce rulers of the entire Scandinavian sea, Vikings and their culture fascinate us till today. The faithfully reconstructed Viking settlement in Haithabu - the largest Nordic city during the Viking Age, destroyed at the end of the first millennium - offers a glimpse back in time.

Fans of the movie 'Das Boot' will have a chance to climb aboard an actual U-995 submarine at the German Naval War Memorial (Marine-Ehrenmal) in Laboe outside of Kiel. The first impression: These are really close quarters! The adjacent memorial for the victims of naval warfare during the World Wars hosts a permanent exhibition inside the landmark 85-meter-tall tower. Address: Marine-Ehrenmal, Strandstraße 92, 24235 Laboe

The flat surfaces of Kiel's environs offer the perfect grounds for rollerblading in the fresh sea breeze. Over the summer, the town even shuts down 20 kilometers of its main road to host the Blade Night Shows attended by up to 300 bladers at a time.

What is happening?

El Paso Cocktail Bar
A popular watering hole among Kiel's student population, El Paso offers delicious cocktails and beer by the pitcher. The food menu includes Tex-Mex favorites such as burritos and quesadillas, while Sunday is brunch day.

Subzero Cafe Lounge & Bar
The perfect place to wax philosophical over cappuccinos or a cocktail. Located in the popular Bergstrasse district, Subzero offers lounge music during weeknights, while resident DJs play the stylized interior on weekends. Address: Bergstrasse 19 24103 Kiel

Oblomow Classic Restaurant & Bar
Their highly popular Blue Hour - serving a variety of drinks for only 1 euro every day between 11 pm and midnight - is a true nightlife staple among Kiel students.

Tucholsky Club
Generations of students have partied, danced and socialized in the dark subterranean haunts of Tucholsky or 'Tuch' as the locals call it. Formerly notorious for its smoky air, things have cleared up since the nationwide ban on indoor smoking. The dance floor is still hot, though - especially on weekends. Address: Bergstr. 17, 24103 Kiel

Hunger & Durst
Get your midnight snack on at Hunger und Durst, the popular snack location right next to the town's main nightlife strip, the Bergstrasse.
Address: Wilhelminenstrasse 11, 24103 Kiel.

Traum GmbH
If you can't make up your mind whether you want to dance, see a concert, go out for dinner or catch an original language movie - Traum GmbH has it all. Monday is Pizza Day with pies for 3 euros.

Useful links

Kielometer is your one-stop resource for restaurants and nightlife locations in Kiel (German only): www.kielometer.de

Step In Kiel: the student-run organization offers resources, activities and advice to foreign students : http://www.bstoer.de/stepinkiel/ENG/index.htm

The Kiel student organization teams up international students with local 'Study Buddies' counselors during their first weeks at university. Access this service via the following link and head for the 'International' section: http://www.studentenwerk-s-h.de/

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