Saarbrücken: Borderline case

Situated right on the border to France, the South German town of Saarbrücken is an interface of cultures and lifestyles. And thanks to an internationally connected student population of 19,000 people, Saarbrücken mixes small town charms with metropolitan flair like no other university city in the entire country.

Saarbrücken at a glance

 

Most cities never get a chance to take a vote on which country they want to belong to. The citizens of Saarbrücken, on the other hand, have taken the vote twice! Both in 1935 and 1955, when the Saarland region came under French administration in the aftermath of the two World Wars, the striking majority of Saarbrückeners decided to re-join Germany.
This relatively small city of ca. 180,000 inhabitants has cultivated a metropolitan air that gives Berlin and Munich a run for their money. Saarbrücken is not only the capital of the Saarland, but the very heart of a bustling commercial hub. The German headquarters of French automotive company Peugot are based here, and Saarbrücken is also known as a progressive research hotbed, especially in the computer sciences.
Long before the EU took down its trade barriers, the citizens of Saarbrücken practiced cultural and economic exchange with their French neighbors. This open attitude is reflected in the many commercial joint ventures in the region, as well as the academic ties of the local universities to institutions in Strasbourg and Metz, among others.
With strong roots in the surrounding countryside, the people of Saarbrücken have been able to branch out around the world. And don't be fooled by the smell of fresh baguettes and pastries filling the streets in the early morning hours - you might be close to France, but you're still in Germany.

Overview of the universities

 

Saarland University

Founded in 1948, Saarland University is the largest institution of higher learning in the region, with 14,867 students enrolled in a total of eight faculties. In terms of competitive edge, Computer Science is one of the strongholds of Saarland University's research profile. State-of-the-art facilities include the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, the Max Planck Institute for Computer Sciences and the International Conference and Research Center for Computer Sciences at Dagstuhl Castle.
Strong ties to France can be seen in the interdisciplinary Cross-border Franco-German Studies program, together with a number of integrated, bilateral degree courses in cooperation with foreign partner universities in the fields of business administration, physics, chemistry and materials science.

Saarland University of Applied Sciences (HTW)
High-tech and progressive, the University of Applied Sciences emphasizes progressive research with an eye for the international market place. About 4,000 students from more than 50 different countries are currently enrolled in 19 degree programs. Not surprisingly, given Saarbrücken's international connections, nearly all programs feature integrated language courses in at least one foreign language.
Standouts in research include the Environmental Informatics Group (EIG) specializing environmental software applications, nowadays known under the terms Environmental Software Systems (ESS), at work on projects around the world. The school also works closely with the Institute for Future Energy Systems (ZES) on developing sustainable energies. 

Recreation in Saarbrücken

 

Since 1980, the annual Max Ophuels Prize Film Festival, named for the Saarbrücken-born director, provides a showcase for young cinematic talent from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For an entire week each January, you can catch participating feature films, shorts and documentaries at local cinemas.
Have some Schwenkbraten! There's just no passing up the richly marinated pork neck roast, grilled over churning charcoal on a swinging tripod grill. Get yourself a slice at one of the many street festivals this summer, or better yet, get invited by the locals to participate in a 'Schwenking'-session. It's the ultimate sign that you're welcome.
The Saarbrücken region used to be a hotbed of heavy industry. Today, the rusting remains of abandoned Volklinger Huette iron works, about 20 kilometers outside of Saarbrücken, are a reminder of the 20th century industrial landscape across Europe. The impressive site is protected under the UNESCO World Heritage.
Each morning at 4 am, club goers and early risers are drawn by the smell of fresh pastries and breads to Café Jerome, run by a bona-fide French baker of the same name, on Mainzer Strasse downtown. The café's specialties include buttery croissants and 'Warme Seelen' (warm souls), which literally sell like hot cakes. Lines outside the door are a frequent sight even in the wee hours of the morning.

Interview with Vanessa Boekemeier from Bad Oeyenhausen

 

Vanessa Boekemeier left her hometown of Bad Oeynhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, to pursue a degree in German-French Studies at Saarbrücken.

How do you like your new home in Saarbrücken?
I'm totally excited to be here. It was my first choice to be in the south to study, mainly because of the proximity to France, which is just 15 kilometers away. You can even take a tram there - and it's free for students! The region is ideal if you want to focus on French Studies. The department is closely tied in with the university in Metz, France, and the program will soon go tri-national with a cooperation with Luxembourg.

What's it like for students?
There's a considerable student population here, so it's a pretty young town. Unlike my home town, which is a spa that attracts, well, a more elderly group of people. The Nauwieser Quarter in town is famous for its student residents and offers lots of outdoor cafés and popular pubs and bars. The French influence is manifest all over town. Most citizens speak French, and many French people come here to visit and shop.

How about getting around in daily life?
The university campus is in a bit of a remote location, but you can easily get there by bus. It's surrounded by woods and really green, so you can lay out on the lawns or take a walk in your off-hours. People are really open and friendly, and there are always student jobs like waiting tables. And a typical room share apartment is around 250 euros.

Would you recommend it to foreign students?
They're in good company here, as we have frequent exchanges through organizations such as ERASMUS or the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The Spanish and French contingent is really strong; they host two theater stage companies who perform in their native tongue. The many international summer fests on campus are the best place to meet people from all over.

Did Saarbrücken meet your expectations?
Yes, I'm really content to be here. The town may be a bit smaller than, say, Hamburg or Munich or Berlin, but I'd rather live somewhere more manageable that is less anonymous than the big cities. And you can get around town easily here within a matter of minutes. Even walking home at night it's generally well lit and safe everywhere.

What is an absolute must for every new arrival?
You have to take part in cooking Schwenkbraten, a local specialty consisting of marinated pork neck roast, grilled over charcoal on a tripod hanging grill. The whole thing is called 'schwenken', because the grill 'swings' over the flames. It's a native custom in the Saarland region and as soon as the first days of summer come around, people break out their grills. I'm actually in the middle of filming a documentary about the whole tradition.

What's your favorite spot?
I enjoy being on the bank of the Saar River. There's a large beer garden and when the weather is nice you can sit out right by the river. They've even created an artificial beach out of some sand, including a beach volley ball field. You can enjoy live music and sip cocktails and just soak in the atmosphere. If you're more adventurous, you can hike out to the Saarschleife loop in the river.

Useful links

 

The city's website in English
Saarland Student Union