Trier: Studying in Germany's oldest city

Trier has finally been able to break the threshold of 100,000 inhabitants required to be officially recognized as a large city, a 'Großstadt'. The struggle for significance makes sense if you consider the city's glorious past: Trier was once the capital of western Europe, the largest city north of the Alps and rivaled even Rome and Alexandria in prosperity. But Germany's oldest city has more to offer than an impressive past. It's picturesque, has the charm of a fairy tale and is presently occupied by about 20,000 students.

Trier introduced

Trier, Photo: Wikimedia Commons (cc) Stefan Kühn Inhabited perhaps since as long ago as 2000 BC - and certainly since 16 BC - this small, picturesque city welcomes almost two million tourists annually. They're flooding in because Trier is a treasure trove of Roman and German, pagan and Christian history. There are low, rolling hills with vineyards in the southeast, sandstone rocks to the north, the river Mosel in between, and of course a city with splendid architecture from two millenia. Trier has a different rhythm, a rhythm of tranquility.
Although visitors are attracted by the history of Trier, Germany's oldest city isn't living in the past. The architecture of yesteryear is filled with contemporary life and culture. The amphitheater stages rock festivals; monasteries are used as government offices or hospitals; and if you're looking for a cafe or pastry shop, chances are good that the building it's in dates back to medieval times.
Trier is a venerable place on the fringes of Rhineland-Palatinate, but it's in no way off the beaten track. It's an open-minded city with a European perspective. Located in the middle of the continent, it's closer to four European capitals than it is to Berlin: Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. At only six miles away from the city center, the latter is practically within walking distance.

Overview of the universities

University of Trier
One can get the wrong impression upon hearing that the university was originally founded in the year 1437. The reality is that early chapters of the University of Trier were overshadowed by financial and administrative problems, and it was neither a surprise nor a loss when the institution closed its doors in 1798. The educational boom of the 1960s put Trier back on the map, first as part of the twin university Trier/Kaiserslautern in 1970, and then as an independent institution five years later. Since then, Trier University has greatly expanded its spectrum of study and gained its reputation as a European institution.
An international orientation is one of the basic principles of the university today, and it shows in many fields. Trier offers Euro-diplomas as well as many European subjects in the fields of law, commerce and social studies. Cross-border cooperation in research and teaching has been a staple at the university, as well as courses in foreign languages. The psychology department, which works closely with the local hospitals, is not only a showpiece but also one of the largest departments in Germany.
As in many smaller universities, the personal contact is more intense in every direction: from teaching staff to students and among students themselves. The university is set up on a single campus and the individual departments are grouped together in the form of a star around the central library. Although the university building is close to the city, the campus is very green and spacious with integrated objects of art.

Trier University of Applied Sciences
The University of Applied Sciences offers programs in computer science, architecture, management, design and many other technical subjects. It values work experience and takes a market-oriented approach, maintaining close contacts to regional businesses and public institutions. Some 4,400 students study at the Trier campus and at the environmental campus in Idar-Oberstein, 30 kilometers away.

What Trier is like

Mariya Vasileva is a Bulgarian native and studies Spanish and Slavic studies as well as media sciences.

Why did you come to Germany to study?

I first came to Germany as an au pair. After that year in Marburg, I decided to study in Trier.

What is Trier like for a student?

Coming from Sofia, I was at first shocked by the small size of my new city, but it didn't take long until I realized that Trier is a very special and sweet city. The size has its advantages because you don't need a car and you can get to know people in no time. Of course, the nightlife here is nothing compared to Cologne or Düsseldorf, but it's good for people who want to concentrate on their studies.

Would you recommend Trier to exchange students?

Yes, because Trier is quite an affordable city, for example when you look at the rent for student housing, which costs only 120-160 Euros per month. A lot of people live in those apartments because you save money and don't even need your own furniture. But I have always preferred flat-sharing communities.

What's your favorite spot?

My favorite place is the Viehmarkt, a central square with lots of pubs and cafes. Almost everybody who wants to get ready for nightlife starts off at the Viehmarkt. It's a fantastic place, especially in summertime when everything is covered with tables and chairs. I would also count the campus among my favorite places. It's not far from the center and everything is green. A lot of students read on the campus meadows or simply hang out. I didn't know that from other cities.

Did you know?

Amphitheater in Trier Trier boasts a real amphitheater. Holding up to 20,000 spectators, in Roman times it was the scene of bloody gladiator combats; now it's used as a concert venue. Visitors can still explore the cellar underneath the arena, where prisoners and animals were kept for the fights. The amphitheater and many other sights in Trier are on the UNESCO list of World Culture Heritage of Mankind.
A shrine at Trier's Dom St. Peter, the oldest church in Germany, is dedicated to a valuable holy relic: a robe said to have been worn by Jesus during his crucifixion. According to the legend, Saint Helena brought it to the city in the 4th century. For prayerful believers and curious tourists, the robe is one of the main attractions at Trier.

Things to check out

Trier Palastgarten, Photo: Flickr (cc) let² In Trier during summertime, there's no way around jazz. The Café Restaurant Brunnenhof hosts a well-known open-air jazz series, which is performed in the ancient courtyard every Thursday in July and August. And even without jazz, the restaurant is worth a visit.
Don't miss the Kultur und Kommunikationszentrum Tuchfabrik, better known as the 'Tufa'. Located in a former cloth mill, the Tufa is a cultural and communication center that offers workshops, cabaret and comedy shows, live music and more.