ordinarily there

I took the plunge, and upgraded a 7 + year old flip phone to a smart phone.  I swore I wouldn't.  Pros: - I can hear (the audio on the flip was a bit fuzzy) - All the keys (or the screen in this case works) - Skype - Android 4.0 - Size - almost just as small as the flip phone Cons: - So far, none

The Mensa (cafeteria) at German universities are subsidized by the state.  While quality and variety differs from school to school, the one in Goettingen rocks.  Okay, it's still mass-produced food.  But here, they provide full meal options for: grilled food, a meat meal, a lighter meal option, vegetarian, and vegan.  Each 'menu' comes with an entree and two small sides (starch and veggies).  In addition, there's a salad bar, yogurt bar, and fresh fruit.  There's also an endless option of beverages - including beer. Here's an example of what you can get under the 'lighter meal' option for €2.50 ($3.10).  Trout with spinach, potatoes, salad, and a small serving of chocolate pudding.

Stephan Klasen (Prof at the University of Goettingen) interviewed Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel laureate and Prof at Columbia University) on his new book, The Price of Inequality , at the Deutsches Theater in Goettingen.  One of the many stops on his back-to-back European tour (a friend saw him in Heidelberg on Fri, and I heard he was in Frankfurt aM on Sat).  I was originally reluctant to attend the event because: 1. It seemed illogical to pay €12 / $16 to hear someone repeat a speech that I saw online at DemocracyNow .  And as predicted, the man did in fact stay close to the script. 2. It seemed unfair and not consistent with the spirit of his book to demand that the public subsidize his PR and Marketing cost to sell more of his books.  Hard covers were available for just € 24 / $32. In the end, I caved to peer pressure, and gave up 2 hours of my life and $16 for a mediocre presentation, but a fairly interesting conversation on the EU economic crisis (thanks to Klas...

When I lived Germany about ten years ago, Mohnmarzipan (poppyseed marzipan) was one of my favorite yogurt flavors.  Searching for it in recent visits over the years has been futile.  But alas!  Happy to report that I found a jar at Te Gut.  Yogurt in Germany comes in jars.  Compared with American yoplait, it's more dense, and less sweet.  I love the texture of the poppyseeds in yogurt.  Yum. The percentage you see next to the yogurt - 3.8% always represents the amount of fat in the product. I also found Sauerkrauftsaft .  Yep.  It translates to sauerkraut juice.  Not sure if it would be sour, refreshing, or vomit-inducing.  Will lay low until I get some proper recommendations/reviews from the locals. Okay, a quick google search and I found that this drink is high in: Milchsäure (lactic acid - but why would you drink lactic acid?) Vitamin A,B,C,K Mineralstoffen (minerals)

This blog article is specific to new PhD, Post Docs, and Researchers at the University of Goettingen.  Having semi-successfully navigated this process, I hope that I can share some of my lessons learned: 1. DS.   Find the department's secretary (DS) - they will not proactively point you anywhere, but you might get an answer if you ask the RIGHT question. 2. Admission by Dean.   If you are a PhD student, submit an actual application of PhD admission to the Dean's Office.  Contact your dean's secretary (for the Econ Dept, contact Editha Niemann).  Even if you have already been admitted by your professor, you will also need this document - and it can often take 6-12 weeks.  This is because the Dean has to review your application with the admissions committee.  Without an official admission letter, you cannot register as an official student (and you forgo many of the benefits that come with being a student).  For details on the documents you need ...

1. Wohnanmeldung All residents need to register with local authorities ( Einwohnermeldeamt ) when they first arrive.  When you register, you receive a Meldebescheinigung .  This document is important, because you'll need it to open an account at a bank, purchase a mobile phone, register as a student or employee, or to get your residence permit.  For information on Goettingen's office, see this link (although it's only in German). Make sure you bring the following documents: 1. Official signed rental contract 2. Passport Local Residents' Registration Office Göttingen New Town Hall Hiroshimaplatz 1-4 Phone.: 0551 400-4044 Hours: Mon, Tue: 8.00 - 15.00 Wed, Fri: 8.00 - 12.00 Thu: 8.00 - 18.30 2. Aufenthhaltserlaubnis So, if you are from any country outside of Germany (and EU member states), you must apply for a residence permit ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis) within three months of arrival.  If you are here to study or work at the university, here a...