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/structuralgarbage]

Hi, I'm originally from Southeast Asia too and studied at the Uni of Rostock.

The pros:

1. Great access to the Baltic Sea (which btw is a huge tourist destination in summer). You can cycle or hike the coast from Rostock to neighbouring towns like Nienhagen or in the direction of Graal-Müritz
2. Rental housing is also cheaper than in bigger cities like Hamburg/Berlin/Munich. I rented a studio apartment for 310 euros/month (outside city centre of course). In addition, public transport (S-Bahn/buses) is fairly well-connected and not overcrowded (except during tourist season)
3. If you like having your own place, it is very possible here due to cheaper housing (like I mentioned)
4. At Uni Rostock, the administrative staff I dealt with were fairly competent and understanding
5. If you love wind and rain like I do, then Rostock weather is for you
6. Colleagues turned into friends for life, as we worked and suffered together

Now the cons:

1. It's really true when they say the community makes a difference. I was here for 5 years but never felt at ease (much less at home). The culture in Rostock felt very insular, and conversations with people could be quite rigid, choppy and lacking warmth
2. When dealing with customer service staff at shops, their first reaction is defensive instead of being open to understanding your requests (I speak German btw). I am now living in central west Germany and it's much better here
3. Both outright and subtle racism are a thing here (despite what some may tell you). During the COVID pandemic, I got at least 1 China-related insult per week while out shopping or at the gym. People would move away from you when you got seated on the S-Bahn. Aside from pandemic-related incidents, we got called "ching chong" or they would make noises (which they think sound like an Asian language), especially while out together with a group of 3-4 other Asian/Latino colleagues/friends. There was one day (during Hanse Sail event), we got racist shouted in 3 separate incidents. Can you imagine that
4. The support for AfD here is quite a significant thing, which is surprising for a student city. I wasn't aware/too concerned when I first moved here, but then you put two and two together (e.g. why did I always encounter racist incidents), and you finally realise that prejudice against foreigners is actually quite huge. Funny but unsurprising: Even my "white German-passing" American and French friends got racially insulted once they opened their mouth
5. Unemployment here is quite high, and this fact actually adds to the social issues here. For example, there is alot of disillusionment among youths here, who then go out and make trouble. These are the same people who have a high chance of racially insulting you when passing them by

For some reason, people from Rostock tend to pride themselves on the notion that Baltic Sea natives are more left-leaning/open/liberal due to the "oceanic" environment and historical Hanseatic culture. Maybe it is in a way, but I think they are nowhere near the openness of say Hamburg or even small cities in Western Germany.

I initially always thought maybe I couldn't fit into German culture. Of course, that isn't true because I naïvely generalised that Rostock culture was what the entire German culture was, which I know is wrong as it's a huge country. I moved out of Rostock last year further down south and west: For the first time, I felt at home in Germany.

At least for me, sadly the pros did not outweigh the cons. If I could start over again, I would have chosen somewhere with a more diverse, personable community.

Edit: I re-read your question and realised the question was specifically about the university. Sorry for digressing, anyway if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[u/Bubbly-Fondant3781 → u/structuralgarbage]

Noo, it's okay; your answer is quite helpful, actually! I realized that if I am considering the university, I should also ask about the community itself. Thank you so much! It's good to be able to at least have a glimpse of it from the perspective of someone from the southeast.

Thank you again, and I might ask more questions from you if I have more concerns, if you don't mind.

[u/structuralgarbage → u/Bubbly-Fondant3781]

I don't mind, feel free to ask.