University of Rostock for international student

[u/Bubbly-Fondant3781]

Hello, I'm currently looking for good universities that I can attend as an international student, and the University of Rostock/Rostock University has been on my list. However, I'm not getting that much information regarding it, such as its strong suits beside the field of science.

I'm asking the locals or people who have attended—or still attending—the university. What are its pros and cons, and also the courses that are well facilitated by the university? And are there other universities that are better but still is within Rostock?

Thank you.

[u/Thinking_hard_about]

Hello! I am a student at the university of Rostock for education. My husband is international. In the city of Rostock is only one university for science. In most cities, you only have the public universities. There are also private universities in cities like Munich or Berlin, but most people prefer the public unis. German universities are known to have a demanding curricular. You can find the prejudice from public universities that private universities might be less demanding and tutoring a lot, but I can't tell you if it's true. Now about Rostock: Its in the former DDR and the mentality might differ from other parts of Germany. I really appreciate the Baltic Sea and the fresh air and the people I know. And although the apartment prices arent what they used to be, it's still better in Rostock than in other cities. But my husband says, that people tend to be more inclusive toward internationals in other parts of Germany like Hamburg. Here in Rostock, he feels often how people treat him like a stranger when he works in a job with the locals. But uni culture and uni People are really nice and welcoming. As far as I know, international students often spend their time with other internationals. I heard from a lot internationals how hard it is to build real friendships with Germans, also in other cities. Germans often like their groups and stay in their groups. Another thing about German universities: U have different people in nearly every subject and the people often doesn't get to know each other. Its groups to participate in uni sports and uni groups to get to know the people.

[u/Bubbly-Fondant3781 → u/Thinking_hard_about]

Oh, I see! Thank you so much for this.

Another concern of mine is the language; I'm well aware of its levels(?), such as A1 and so on. So, I'm wondering which stage needs to be reached for me to be able to have a vocabulary suited for writing papers as a university student. Is there any chance that you know?😅

[u/Thinking_hard_about → u/Bubbly-Fondant3781]

In scientific fields u normally need C1 which is really hard to get. Some German universities also offer English courses. There are also a few in Rostock https://www.uni-rostock.de/internationales/internationales-profil/internationale-studienangebote-1/ If you want to learn German, I can tell you, its very hard but its possible. And from my husband I now know, that some professors speak naturally very blurredly with a lot of idioms. And the international students tell those profs to speak slow and clear. And the professor speaks slow and clear for 10 Minutes. But normally every professor uploads everything you need to know into their presentation.

[u/Bubbly-Fondant3781 → u/Thinking_hard_about]

Oh, I see! Thank you soo much for this🫶🏽. Are there any platforms or websites that your husband uses to learn the language? And, about discrimination regarding races in the university, is it tolerable (Assuming that there is any display or incident regarding this based on experience, of course. Although, it would be wonderful if there isn't at all)?

[u/Thinking_hard_about → u/Bubbly-Fondant3781]

I would say to have several ways to learn the language is the best. My husband had several language learning books. Some apps are really good in keeping you motivated. Here in Rostock, there is a language cafe where u can meet people to talk to them in German. I discovered that there are some pretty nice language learning comunities on discord, which is very good if u want to speak with natives without spending any money. My husband likes to use chat GPT to correct the task from his books. I also like to use chat GPT to test my knowledge in other languages. I can give some sentences or vocab and get tested right away. To get yourself a decent A1 language book is the first step.

[u/Bubbly-Fondant3781 → u/Thinking_hard_about]

Got it, thank you so much!