For Begin in Berlin Families

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How do Begin in Berlin students travel to Berlin?

Begin in Berlin students are responsible for their own travel to and from Bard College Berlin.

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Do we need to take any special action if our family receives financial aid?

Students receiving financial aid should be in contact with the Bard College Office of Financial Aid as they prepare for their time in Berlin. Financial Aid can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 845-758-7526.

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What do we need to know about finances in Berlin?

Exchange rates fluctuate, but $1.00 is equivalent to about €0.84. Please see the currency converter in the resources section.

Debit cards and credit cards are accepted in most places but are not as widespread as in the United States. We recommend that students always carry some cash, particularly for low-cost items, eateries (many of which do not accept cards), and public toilets (which carry a fee).

Students should inform their bank and credit card companies that they will be spending time overseas and confirm that their cards will work in Germany. They should also consult their bank to find out if it has a partnership with a German bank (which may help them avoid ATM fees), and make sure they understand any fees and regulations before using cards overseas.

A budget of $250 per month is a reliable estimate for personal expenses. On this budget students should be able to purchase personal care items, attend events, activities, and eat out occasionally. Dining out is often more affordable than in most U.S. cities.

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Will my student have health insurance and access to counseling while studying in Berlin?

All students will be enrolled in GeoBlue, an international health insurance plan, for the duration of the program at Bard College Berlin. This will cover students regardless of where they travel during the program. GeoBlue has a network of doctors and service providers close to campus. The cost of this insurance is covered by the campus health services fee for Berlin. However, all enrolled students must have health insurance for the full academic year, which is from August 1 until July 31. Because of this, students must either purchase the Bard College Student Health Plan or show proof of equivalent health insurance. 

Please consult with your student’s personal care physician to verify that their prescribed medication is legal and available in Berlin. Not all medications that are common in the United States are legal in Germany. German law prohibits the mailing or shipment of drugs, including prescription medicines, to private persons in Germany from the United States or other foreign countries. Your student’s personal care physician may prescribe medication for the duration of the program. Your student should bring a copy of their prescriptions with them, as they may need to present it as they pass through customs. Be sure to keep any prescription medications in their original packaging. 

There is a counselor who has office hours on campus once a week at Bard College Berlin, as well as a network of counselors available off campus through GeoBlue. 

If you have questions, email [email protected].
 

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Should my student bring their medications to Berlin?

Please consult with your student’s personal care physician to verify that their prescribed medication is legal and available in Berlin. Not all medications that are common in the United States are legal in Germany. German law prohibits the mailing or shipment of drugs, including prescription medicines, to private persons in Germany from the United States or other foreign countries. Your student’s personal care physician may prescribe medication for the duration of the program. Students should bring a copy of their prescriptions with them, as they may need to present it as they pass through customs. Be sure to keep any prescription medications in their original packaging.

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What should we do about cell phone use in Berlin?

Contact your cell phone provider to find out if your phone will work in Germany. If you know that it will work, also find out how much you will have to pay to use it. We suggest that students buy a German cell phone or “Handy” that runs off of prepaid cards. One good thing about cell phone use in Germany is that you are not charged for incoming calls. Many students buy European sim cards to use in their cell phone but the phone needs to be UNLOCKED. You can have your carrier unlock the phone, in person, at a retail branch of the carrier. 

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How do we call Germany from the United States?

011: U.S. exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from the United States or Canada

49: Country code for Germany

Example: 011-49- 30 43733 0 (to call Bard College Berlin’s main number)

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What is computing like on campus? Should my student bring a laptop?

Bard students have full access to Bard College Berlin’s campus computer network, which includes free wireless Internet access, free printing, and computer terminals on campus. However, computer terminals are limited, so we do recommend that students bring a laptop and a plug adapter.

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Will U.S. electronics work in Germany?

Germany operates on the European voltage system (220v), not the 110v system used in America. Most electrical appliances intended for travel have a voltage converter already built in. To determine if an appliance will work in Germany, find the device’s voltage levels on its power adapter or near the power cord. If the device indicates a range between 110v and 220v, it should work in Germany with the use of a two-prong European plug adapter. 

Adapters can be purchased at electronic or travel stores in the United States, and they are also readily available in Germany. If you purchase an adapter in the United States, make sure that it will fit any three-pronged plugs you are bringing with you and that it will fit into a German electrical outlet, which has two round holes for a receptacle. Laptop computers, digital cameras, and iPods should work with the use of a plug adapter, but items such as hair dryers and curling irons are generally easier to purchase in Germany than to bring with you.

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What security precautions should we take?

Please read the sections on “Safety and Security” and “Local Laws” from the U.S. State Department’s country-specific information pages for Germany.

Students and families should consult the site from time to time to remain up to date.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution Updates.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8am to 8pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Please consult the Student Handbook for more information on safety and security.

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How do I send my student a care package?

Mail can be sent to Bard College Berlin’s main mailing address. Bard College Berlin staff will hold letters and packages and notify students of their arrival. Please send mail to:

Student Name
c/o Bard College Berlin
Platanenstrasse 24
13156 Berlin
Germany

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Can I visit my student while they study in Berlin?

Yes! Bard College Berlin’s residential campus is located in Niederschönhausen in the historic borough of Pankow, in the northeast of Berlin. Please consult the academic calendar before planning your travel. Resources for booking local accommodations include:

• Expedia.com
• Hotels.com
• Hotwire.com

Click here for more information about getting to Bard College Berlin.