PhD Handbook

33 tobacco can be bought from age 16. However, smoking is banned on public transport, in public and federal buildings, in hospitals, and in airports. In many public places, there are designated smoking areas. Smoking is allowed in some bars and clubs but this differs from city to city. 5.20 SPORTS Many universities offer sports and activities as part of their “Unisport”. They don’t cost much and are a great way to meet new people. But most of them are held in German. 5.21 CULTURE ON OFFER Most cities, including smaller towns, have their own profes- sional opera house, ballet, museum, philharmonic orchestra and theater company where they offer local productions. But also hobby-theaters are popular in Germany and can provide you with creative and entertaining shows. They often have a student-discount or reduced tickets at the “Abendkasse” (nor- mally opens one hour before the show starts). Bigger cities even provide you with discount memberships (e.g., Classic- Card in Berlin, www.classiccard.de). 5.22 IMPORTANT NEWSPAPERS Print media is highly regarded within Germany with high readership and is a good way to improve your German and to learn about current events and the local culture. Many newspapers have online material that is easy and free to ac- cess. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung has considerable coverage of arts and culture as well as a small number of English language articles. Die Zeit (“The Times”) is printed weekly with a num- ber of critique and investigative journalism articles. Another famous, tabloid-style publication is the daily Bild. 5.23 SANITATION (TOILET CUSTOMS, PAYING FOR PUBLIC TOILETS) Heading into town or travelling around Germany? Don’t be caught out! Make sure you keep some change, as public toi- lets in the streets or in train stations cost up to 1€. 5.24 PREPARATIONS TO BE DONE WHEN LEAVING Aside from packing your bags, you will be busy with lots of things. The list below is a guide (but not an exhaustive list!) of things you should think of before you leave Germany: • Cancel your rental contract early enough by written notice. There usually is a notice period mentioned in the contract, commonly 3 months. Sometimes the landlord agrees to a shorter period if you present them with a suitable new tenant. In case of doubt, please ask them in time. • If you paid a security deposit (“Kaution”), make sure that you get it back. If you do not leave the apartment in good condition, costs for repairs or renovation may be deducted from your security deposit. • Cancel utilities (water, electricity, heating, gas) and organize a final meter reading. • Good furniture can often be sold via bulletin boards (e.g., www.kleinanzeigen.ebay.de ). To get rid of old/da- maged furniture you can organize for bulk trash (see “Sperrmüll”).

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