Depending on your study place and your financial situation, it may not be easy to find accommodation. So start looking as soon as possible-preferably before you arrive in Germany. The international office of a university can provide advice and useful information for finding a place to live.
Student dormitory building
Each university town has several student dormitories. Dormitory rooms are usually the cheapest rooms you can find. However, in some universities, there is a great demand for rooms in student dormitories. If you apply early enough, you are likely to get a room. You should apply immediately after receiving the letter of admission from a German university. These applications are handled by the student service organization Studentenwerk, which is responsible for managing student dormitories and allocating rooms.
Accommodation finder is a very useful tool, you can find all kinds of information about student apartments in your university town. With just a few clicks, you can even submit an application for accommodation to Studentenwerk.
In some universities, the international office is responsible for allocating rooms in student dormitories. If this is the case, go to the international office and ask how to find the best room in the dormitory.
private house
Like other parts of the world, private accommodation is very different. In Germany, you will find everything from vacant rooms to fully equipped apartments in the market. You can rent a room or an apartment.
In a sublet apartment (WG, or Wohngemeinschaft), several people live in one apartment. Everyone has his own bedroom. He * * uses the kitchen and bathroom, maybe the living room, and sometimes he * * * uses the telephone and Internet access fees. Students like subletting apartments very much.
Generally speaking, you can only sign a rental contract in person. In other words, you may not be able to rent a private room until you arrive in Germany and meet the landlord.
But you can look for a house online first, and maybe you can make an appointment to see the house when you arrive.
The first night in Germany
Worried that you have no place to live in Germany? You should find out where you will stay during the first few nights in Germany. The international office of the school can tell you more choices.
In some universities, student unions and religious universities organize temporary accommodation for international students on their first night in Germany. Of course, you can always stay in hotels, guest houses or youth hostels. If you want to book a room in a youth hostel, you must be a member of the National Association of the International Youth Hostel Federation. If you haven't, you can apply to become a member of any youth hostel in Germany (for a small fee).