Information for Parents

Welcome to the IWU - Kassel International Winter University's Parents Page

We are pleased to host your son or daughter here in Kassel, Germany. While the University of Kassel and its surroundings are safe and vibrant, we are fully aware that as a parent your child’s comfort and well-being is your greatest concern. Therefore, we designed this page to provide you with important information concerning your child’s stay with us. This page may not have answered all your questions, and so we strongly encourage you to contact us if you have any other question or concern. Our experienced and attentive staff is here to assist you.

On this page, you will find useful information and tips on several topics: general information concerning Germany and Kassel; how to send money; how to stay informed; and many more. Please click on the links below for further information.

• How Parents Can Stay Informed
  
• Money to Germany
  
• Mail to Germany
• Documents
• Health and Safety
• Legal Services
• Emergency Contact





How Parents Can Stay Informed

IWU Kassel encourages parents to stay informed about current events in Germany, Kassel, and the surrounding region. Germany has a variety of information online, ranging from official government statements and statistics to unofficial web-guides and online newspapers. Some examples are listed below:



• About Germany
• About Hessen (Region)
• About Kassel (City)
• Der Spiegel (English)
• German Embassy
• DAAD
  
  
• You may also take a look at the Student Guide we prepared for the participants.




Sending Money to Germany

If your child runs out of money or encounters any emergency while abroad, there are several options for getting money from home.




ATM Cards

The most convenient way to get money in Germany is using ATM cards. You may therefore arrange for a cash deposit to be made directly to your child's bank account in your country for your child to withdraw the money by using an ATM card. To make sure that the ATM card works in Germany, you should verify with the bank prior to your child's departure. Bear in mind, however, that most banks have daily withdrawal limits (e.g. €400 Euro). Therefore, for large sum money transfer, other options are suggested.


Wiring Money

Cash or traveler's checks can be wired to your child through companies such as Western Union or American Express (located in major cities). Western Union allows money to be transferred online. The Western Union agent closest to the University of Kassel is:


Resenbank Ag
Untere Konigsstrasse. 78-82
Kassel, 34117

Credit Cards

Credit cards are good for emergencies or major travel expenses. Prior to departure, find out what privileges cardholders have when travelling abroad. Note: Credit card acceptance is considerably lower in Germany than in other Western countries (e.g. the U.S. and Canada). Sometimes credit cards can only be used when meeting a minimum amount of payment.


Postal Money Orders

You can buy a money order from a U.S. or corresponding national post office and send it to the your child. Postal money orders have the advantage of being inexpensive, but the disadvantage of being slow: they take as long as an airmail letter and cashing them can sometimes be problematic.



Personal Checks

Please note that cashing personal checks is nearly impossible in Germany. The exception is when someone has established a bank account here. Nevertheless, some credit cards offer check-cashing privileges. At American Express offices in Germany, for example, it is possible for Amex cardholder to cash a check for up to $1,000. Please visit the Amex website for further information.





Mail to Germany

Mail bound for Germany takes approximately 4-7 days to arrive from the US or Canada. Mail from Australia takes approximately 7-10 days. For duration of mail sent from other countries, please check with your local post office. Customs: Please be aware that many items are subject to either import tariffs, customs duties or both. Most articles intended for personal use can be imported duty free. Labeling must be clear and precise. For further information, please click here.




Documents

In addition to a passport and travel visa (where required), students should take the original and a copy of insurance cards and other health-related documents. IWU Kassel recommends that students make at least two photocopies of the above-mentioned documents, leave a copy of each at home in the unlikely event that the passport is misplaced or stolen, and keep the other copy separate from the original documents. In addition, students may choose to grant power of attorney to someone they know well and can trust. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a person of your child's choosing the power to make financial and other decisions on his or her behalf. IWU Kassel does not require this document, but it is recommended because it will be difficult or impossible to make and perform important choices when your child leaves the country for the study abroad program.




Health and Safety

IWU Kassel is fully aware that the health and safety of your child are of the most important concerns that you may have. Although Germany - and Kassel in particular - is a very safe place with first-class medical facilities, it is advisable that parents are aware of the many aspects of health and safety in connection to studying abroad. The following information about "culture shock" may be helpful in preparing your child for the study abroad experience.


• Culture Shock

  Studying abroad is challenging in a very personal way. Students will find themselves examining their own assumptions and ways of life frequently as they immerse themselves in something new and different. Inherent in studying abroad is change. In fact, adapting to change is one of the skills students will gain from their experience abroad. However, change can sometimes be uncomfortable and overwhelming. These feelings are normal and are shared by most people who have traveled and lived abroad. We call these feelings culture shock.
  

  Culture shock is not something that you catch and then quickly get over with. It is a cycle of readjustment that may take quite a while. The cycle is marked by four basic phases and most people experience at least two low periods during their stay abroad. The length and severity of these low periods vary greatly for different individuals and it is important for both students abroad and their parents at home to be aware of these phases. The four basic phases of culture shock are:
  

  
  

  Phase One: Euphoria

  This is the initial phase or tourist phase. They are excited about living in a new place, and at first glance it strikes them that the people and their way of life are not that different from what they are used to. Cultural differences are viewed as "charming."

  
  

  Phase Two: Irritation and Hostility

  After the initial excitement is over, they may start noticing more and more dissimilarities between life in the foreign country and life at home. The initial curiosity and enthusiasm turns into irritation, frustration, anger, and depression. Minor nuisances and inconveniences lead to catastrophic upsets. Symptoms experienced during this phase include:

  • Homesickness
  • Boredom
  • Withdrawal (e.g., spending excessive amounts of time reading, only seeing other fellow citizens, avoiding contact with local people)
  • Need for excessive amounts of sleep
  • Compulsive eating or drinking
  • Irritability
  • Exaggerated cleanliness
  • stereotyping of or hostility toward local people
  • Loss of ability to work effectively
  • Unexplainable fits of weeping
  • Physical ailments (psychosomatic illness)

  This second phase of culture shock is the most difficult period. Many people only experience a few of these symptoms, but it is helpful to be aware of these symptoms so that you can understand what is happening, and can take steps to counteract them.
  

  
  

  Phase Three: Gradual Adjustment

  Over time the students will gradually change their perspective and will adapt to the new culture. Once they begin to orient themselves and are able to interpret some of the subtle cultural clues and cues, the culture will seem more familiar and more comfortable. They feel less isolated and their self-confidence returns.

  
  

  Phase Four: Adaptation or Biculturalism

  Full recovery has occurred when they are able to function in two cultures with confidence. At that time they will find that they enjoy some of the very customs, ways of doing and saying things, and personal attitudes that bothered them so much in phase two. They may not realize how well they have adjusted to the new culture until they return to their home countries, at which point they may well experience reverse culture shock.

  
  

  How to Cope with Culture Shock

  Since culture shock is a cycle of readjustment, people who make the effort to learn as much as possible about their temporary home country before they leave, and who arrive abroad with an open mind, often find it much easier to adjust. To make the transition easier, remember not to wait for other people to make the first move, but start reaching out right away: buy a map of the city and get to know the neighborhood; find out where the closest bank, post office, telephone, and grocery store are located. The next step might be to familiarize oneself with some of the basic names and phrases which appear on signs, menus, etc. Some other ways of coping with culture shock are: :

  • Listen carefully to people and remember that they most likely are not making the same assumptions as you are. If you are not sure of what they mean, ask.
  • Speak the host language as often as possible.
  • If you have certain hobbies or are involved in sports at home, try to do the same abroad. This is the best way to make friends.
  • Set time aside each day to do something special. Then do it. Keep active.
  • Find a place where you feel comfortable and spend time there.
  • Talk to (new) friends or your program directors if you feel that you have problems coping; try to look at your problems one at a time, and set out to solve them, one at a time. Do not let the combination of problems overwhelm you.
  • If you feel depressed, ask yourself, "What did I expect?" "Were my expectations reasonable given the national culture and local situation?" "If so, what can I do to make them come true?" "If not, how can I make the best use of my time?"
  • If you develop physical problems, such as headache, stomach ache, or sleep disturbance, realize that these may be signs of stress, rather than physical problems. Discuss your symptoms with your program coordinator, and try to deal with the stress.
  
  

• Medical Advice

  It is crucial that parents and students speak with their personal physician about plans of studying and traveling abroad. The physician can probably give the best advice on how to handle medication/prescriptions in another country, how to avoid common travel illnesses, how to maintain ones’ sexual health, which shots (if necessary) to get before departing the country and any other information specific to ones' medical history and needs.

  
  

• Counseling

  IWU Kassel is happy to inform you that student counseling services are available to students free of charge at the University. Social service advisors are available for a large range of issues. Enquiries can be made via telephone and appointments are made on an expedited basis. Sessions last approximately 50 minutes. For further information, please click here .




Legal Services

Please visit the webpage of Embassy and Consulates Page at Germany-info for the most relevant and up-to-date information.





Emergency contact number

The following emergency contact number is available 24 hours during the program period: December 29,2010 - January 19, 2011.

++49 178 1692773 (from outside Germany)





Further enquiries may be directed to the following:


Contact Person: Ms. Inga Meyer

E-mail: isu@uni-kassel.de

Phone: ++49 561 804 1869

Fax: ++49 561 804 3815