University language

University Language

Important terms that you will encounter at the university and in your everyday life as a student and their English equivalents:

German	English
Abitur, das Abitur (Allgemeine) Hochschulreife, die	(general) higher education entrance qualification
Ausländerbehörde, die	immigration authority
Dekan, der Dekanin, die	dean
Dekanat, das	dean’s office
Einschreibung/ Immatrikulation, die	enrollment, matriculation, registration
Einwohnermeldeamt, das	(resident’s) registration office
Feiertag, der	public holiday
Hausarbeit, die (Universität)	term paper
Immatrikulationsbescheinigung, die	certificate of enrollment
Klausur, die	test / written exam
Kommilitone, der Kommilitonin, die	fellow student
Modulhandbuch, das	module, guide
Portfolioprüfung, die	portfolio auditing / review
Praktikum, das	internship
Präsentation, die	presentation
Prüfungsordnung, die	exam regulations
Rechenzentrum, das	IT-Services
Rückmeldung, die	re-registration / renewal of matriculation
Semesterbeitrag, der	semester fee
Semesterticket, das	student ticket
Stipendium, das	grant / scholarship
Studienbescheinigung, die	study certificate / certificate of study
Tutorium, das	tutorial

Writing e-mails to professors

Start your email with the following: „Sehr geehrter Herr Professor [last name] “ or, if it is a female professor, with „Sehr geehrte Frau Professorin [last name]“. „Sehr geehrte/r“ is very formal, but that way you are always on the safe side. If the profes-sor replies with "Hallo", you may also start your reply email with "Hallo". End the email with " Mit freundlichen Grüßen [first name] [last name]" or " Mit besten Grüßen [first name] [last name]". If possible, use your official TH Lübeck email address for communication with university members. In Germany, it is customary to address people at their workplace by their surname. If you address members of the university directly or per email by their first name, this can easily be considered offensive. When you visit university members in their office: First, knock on the door and wait until you are invited in. People usually say "Ja", "Bitte" or "Herein". Once you are inside, stop at the front of the room and state your request. Do not feel offended if TH employees or other people refuse your requests or wish-es. Unlike in other cultures, people in Germany are very direct. If a request or inquiry is answered with a "no", the person does not want to test whether you are really in-terested and see if you come again to express your wish. The fulfillment of your re-quest is simply not possible. The employees of TH Lübeck are always willing and ready to comply with your requests and wishes.

Technische Hochschule