Frankfurt (Oder): The Gate to Eastern Europe

Which town features two cultures, inexpensive accommodation and an ideal location? At less than an hour to Berlin and only a bridge-crossing away from Poland, Frankfurt (Oder) is the place to be.

Frankfurt (Oder) at a glance

Panorama Frankfurt and Slubice, Photo: Stadt Frankfurt (Oder)

Located in the center of Europe, with only some 60,000 inhabitants, the East German town of Frankfurt (Oder) is the perfect place to focus on your studies. It's the most Eastern university town in Germany. Walk across the city bridge and you can be in the Polish town Slubice in 10 minutes. And not only can you travel into Eastern Europe from here, it is also close to major German cities, including Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig. Frankfurt (Oder), is also a center of science and research activity. The opening of the internationally renowned, EU-funded IHP (Innovations for High Performance Microelectronics) has attracted companies from microelectronics and microsystems technology, information and communications technology and environmental and energy technology. Furthermore, Frankfurt (Oder) boasts a Business and Innovation Centre that supports young and innovative companies and is associated with a World Trade Center that boosts international commerce, and a technology park for the establishment of company buildings. Messe Frankfurt (Oder) also hosts regular trade fairs.

Universities - Overview

European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)

Main building of Viadrina university, Photo: Ralf Lotys

Although originally established in 1506, Viadrina is actually a young university. The original was closed in 1811 and merged with the University of Breslau. Even though it is one of the smallest of Germany's universities, today's Viadrina - founded only in 1991 - already has an impressive international reputation. Some 5,000 students, of whom more than 30 percent are international students from more than 70 countries, attend classes here.
A truly international university, its courses and university degrees in the faculties of Law, Social and Cultural Sciences, and Business Administration and Economics are internationally recognized. A specialty of Viadrina is multilingual course studies, with degrees available in topics ranging from Bachelor of International Business Administration (in German and English) to a Masters degree in European Studies in German, English, French, Polish and Turkish. In addition, Viadrina also has an extensive network of partner universities, making it one of the most international universities worldwide.
You can even choose to live across the border in Slubice, where rooms are slightly cheaper.

Recreation in Frankfurt (Oder)

Across the bridge lies Poland, Photo: Steuer/DAAD

Frankfurt (Oder) has a beautiful surrounding area rich in greenery, forests and water. Why not visit the Klosterkirche (monastery church) in Neuzelle or the Kloster Chorin (monastery) near Eberswalde, which hosts an annual open air Musiksommer (Music Summer)? And closer by, you will find the 'schöne Helene', a picturesque lake that is popular with divers, nestled in the midst of pine forests and surrounded by holiday houses and campsites. The Wildpark (wildlife park) in Frankfurt-Rosengarten's town forest is a popular destination for animal lovers, where animals such as red deer, European moufflons, aurochs, potbellied pigs, prairie dogs and llamas roam free in spacious enclosures that are similar to their natural habitats. The 'Kleist town', which Frankfurt (Oder) has been called informally since January 1, 1999 due to one of its most famous natives, poet Heinrich von Kleist, also features a wide range of theater, art and musical activities, and around 270 sculptures and murals are scattered throughout the town. One such venue is the Kleist Forum Frankfurt (Oder). Founded in 2001, the Forum's impressive architecture houses a wide range of programs from classical operas and operettas to theater, jazz concerts, international festivals, readings and discussion forums.

Frankfurt (Oder) city centre, Photo: Steuer/DAAD

Every year in October, it hosts the 'Kleist Festtage', and honors the poet and his works with theater, readings, shows, music and pantomimes. It also hosts the November song festival 'TransVocale'.
Another festival in honor of one of Frankfurt (Oder)'s former residents, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, is the 'Frankfurter Festtage der Musik'. The theatre festival Unithea and the Medieval Hansestadtfest 'Bunter Hering' also make for varied entertainment.
One of Chris' favorite hangouts, the Oderturm, is also worth a visit for various reasons. Arguably the highest building in Brandenburg, the 89-meter high tower also houses the highest restaurant in town. And that's not all - since 2001, the annual Oderturmlauf has been held here. This is a race to see who is the fastest to climb the tower's 511 steps. It starts at Brunnenplatz. On your mark, get set, go!

Interview with Chris from Great Britain

Young German-Brit Chris Camp moved to Frankfurt (Oder) to study Law at Viadrina University.

Chris, Photo: private

What initially brought you to Frankfurt (Oder)?
The embarrassing answer to your question is that I had a crush on a Polish girl before I left for Frankfurt (Oder) so I had a fascination with all Polish things. The Viadrina being the closest German university therefore seemed the logical choice.

How did you handle this financially?
I funded my course with the state grant Bafög and saved money by living in Polish halls of residence across the river in Slubice.

What did you like best about the university?
The surrounding area is very beautiful and the university offered very good student support. The professors were always open for questions and the library was very modern and easy to use. There was never a shortage of student parties. Berlin was close by. To me that was the main attraction.
The slightly provincial character of the town might be attractive to students who do not like big sprawling cities and deliberately choose small town universities.

What's your favorite spot?
I enjoyed the atmosphere at the Polish halls of residence. The parties there in the basement were a real scream. I just loved their taste in music, too. It was basically eastern European pop music, possibly a precursor to Ruslana and all those people who are well known today, but it was a complete novelty to me then. It's not to everyone's liking, but I just couldn't get enough. The Polish students were really friendly and welcoming, too.
I also recommend The Oderturm, which is basically a high-rise building with a small shopping mall on the first two floors. There were cafés and restaurants there that I often went to when I had had enough of the university's refectory food. I just couldn't get into the habit of cooking myself.