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A break between lectures at the University of Applied Sciences
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And where exactly is Gießen?
Gießen is not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you're thinking of studying in Germany. That's true whether you're talking about international students or German students. "Gießen isn't a household word," admits the head of the "Akademische Auslandsamt," the office for foreign students. Many German students are sent here by a central administration, and many foreign students come because they have friends or relatives here who have recommended it to them.
Gießen and "divine providence"
One advantage here is the more than 90 fields of study offered by the city's two institutions. There's really nothing you can't study in Gießen. The buildings of the University of Applied Sciences are concentrated in one compact area of the city, while Justus Liebig University's institutes are more widely scattered. But since Gießen is a relatively small place, you can easily get to lectures on time on foot on by bike. Chemist Justus Liebig, for whom the university was named, gave his endorsement over 150 years ago. "Divine providence is what led me to this small university. At a larger university in a larger city, my powers would have been dissipated and it would have been much more difficult – perhaps even impossible – to reach my goals."
Veterinary and interdisciplinary
Some of the most popular fields of study at the university, especially among foreign students, are agricultural sciences, food sciences and veterinary medicine. It's fair to say that an international community has formed in these areas. And if you are the type of curious mind who enjoys research outside of one narrow subject area, then Gießen is right for you. The new Interdisciplinary Research Center for Environmental Protection (IFZ) is a model institution both inside and out. Inside a 250 meter-long avant garde building, more than 12 institutes are working, researching and experimenting in the fields of biology, agricultural sciences and food sciences. Here, scientists are putting their knowledge to work to develop solutions to environmental problems.
The mathematics magnet
As everyone knows, magnetism is an area of physics. Still, at Justus Liebig University, magnetism can be found in the math department. One of the professors draws thousands to his lectures. Professor Beutelspacher has gone a long way toward making those oh-so-dry figures and formulae popular. Following the trend of several successful "hands-on Mathematics" exhibitions, a new interactive Mathematics museum will be opening in Gießen.
The Bachelor and the Master
The academic policies of the Gießen-Friedberg University of Applied Sciences would be out of place in a museum. In the last few years, about 20 new degree programs have been added to keep up with the demands of modern industry. Examples are the study of logistics as well as a fairly revolutionary subject, facility management. Facility management is concerned with the integrated management and administration of buildings such as trade fair facilities or office towers. The opportunity to earn a Bachelor's or a Master's degree has also become a part of the University of Applied Sciences. Students of business administration can earn the degree, whereas in the case of clinical engineering, a completely international degree program has been organized.
"BliZ" for the visually-impaired
The University of Applied Sciences is particularly proud of its "Blindenstudienzentrum" (BliZ). This facility allows 30 to 40 blind and visually-impaired students to study with an ideal support system. Currently, business administration and computer science are offered.
One philosophy, two locations
The University of Applied Sciences has two locations: Gießen and Friedberg. Friedberg is about 30 kilometers south of Gießen, halfway between Gießen and Frankfurt. It's a small town of 22,000 that's less than a half-hour from Gießen and from Frankfurt. The one thing Gießen and Friedberg have in common is the University of Applied Sciences’ philosophy: to accompany each student individually "through mentor programs, study aids and leisure activities."
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| Further Information
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Overview of courses offered at institutes of higher education in the Federal State of Hessen (German only)
www.hmwk.hessen.de/...
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