Life on Base
Who do I talk to if I have a question about anything on base?
You can talk to your teachers at school or your Ball State professor. You also will be assigned a liaison. This liaison will answer any questions you have about the military or the base. You will know who your liaison is closer to your arrival in Germany.
Weather
What is the weather like in Germany?
The weather is very comparable to Indiana. Your professional wardrobe for Germany should look like your professional wardrobe for Indiana during the fall, winter, and spring. It is a good idea to start out with clothes for warmer weather and then have someone ship your winter clothes and coat to you later on in the semester. It does rain in Germany often and can come at any time, even when you think it is going to be a sunny day. It is never a bad idea to carry an umbrella with you at all times.
ID’s
Should I get an International Student ID?
Besides it being mandatory from the International Student Office on campus, it is actually a really good thing to have on you while traveling. Many times you are offered a discount when going through places such as castles or the Vatican because you are a student. There are discounted prices for having it depending on where you go. It should pay itself off very easily. You also receive monthly e-mails after activating the card letting you know what specials are being offered. These specials can be for a variety of things, so read the e-mails to see if the card can save you any money while you are planning for travel.
What do I need to know about my military ID?
HAVE IT WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES! The card is your lifeline while you are in Germany because you can not get on or off the base without it. You will also be issued a privilege card. This is separate from your military ID, but you will need it to use anything on base such as the PX or Commissary.
Housing (Apartment, Phones, Plug-ins, Internet, Bedding, etc.)
What are the apartments like?
Student teacher apartments are located at the Neubruecke barracks. You may have an apartment to yourself or you may share one depending on how many Ball State students are in Germany for the semester. In these apartments there is a bedroom, bathroom, entrance area, and kitchen/living room. They have more then enough space and are fully furnished. Look at pictures of the apartments found on the link below.
Photos
Will I need to bring bedding and dishes to Germany with me?
No. Teachers from the schools have collected enough bedding, towels, and dishes for everyone in your group to have plenty. When you arrive in Germany, all of the items will be in one room. You will divide everything up so that each person has sheets, blankets, towels, dishes, a microwave, a hairdryer, bath rugs, etc. Unless you really just want your own things, you do not need to ship over any normal “apartment” items.
How do I plug things in?
Wall outlets at the base, barracks, and schools are European. You will need to purchase an adaptor at the PX. Only use these adaptors for duel voltage items. If you have anything using 110 volts, you will need to purchase a converter. Converters might be something that you purchase as a group since it may not be used as often.
How can I use the Internet?
You will have internet access at your school. When you are not at the school, internet services can be found at the library or Iron Works. Iron Works is where students from the University of Maryland meet and there is a computer lab available. Both of these places are within walking distance from the PX and Commissary area where the shuttle bus stop is located. At the library, your time is normally limited to a half an hour. At Iron Works, time limits were never an issue. You do however need to take a test the first time you use the computer at Iron Works. The test covers computer usage and is nothing to get nervous about. Both of these places do not allow the use of flash-drives.
*Sometimes students can pick up wireless signals from other soldiers in the barracks. DO NOT count on this to be a dependable source for the internet.
*At schools: You CANNOT use yahoo or hotmail e-mail accounts. You can use your BSU e-mail account. Xanga and Facebook will only be available at Ironworks.
How do I call home or use the phone?
Cell Phones: You need to talk to you cell phone provider before taking your cell phone to Germany. Some cell phone providers have good international plans. This decision will be up to you. There are cell phones you can buy in Germany or are sometimes left behind by previous students. For calling out on these cell phones, you must have a T-mobile card. These cards can be purchased on base. If you do not have minutes on your cell phone, you can still receive calls on it from a teacher or another student. You can also make calls out using other types of phone cards. The AT&T phones cards are a popular choice. However, for every minute you talk, it charges you for around four minutes.
Landlines: There is a single landline phone on each floor in the barracks. You do not have a phone in your room. You can not call out on this phone, but you can receive calls to it. The number will be given to you upon your arrival. This is not a good choice if you want a private conversation, but it is another option.
Shopping, Places to Eat, Things to Do
What is the Commissary? What do I need to know about it?
The Commissary is like the grocery store. There is one within walking distance of the PX on base or one within walking distance from the Neubruecke barracks. The one on base is where you will want to do most of your shopping. The Neubruecke Commissary is much smaller, has very limited hours, and does not have a lot of choices. The Commissary in general is pretty limited as far as options, even the one on base. Expect to have only one or two brands available for each food item.
*SHOPPING TIP: Since you will be carrying all that you buy from the Commissary, it is a better idea to go frequently and have fewer bags.
What is the PX?
The PX is like the Wal-mart on base. However, do not expect a selection like Wal-mart. The PX is located right next to the shuttle bus stop. This is where you would go to buy your non-grocery items. Again, it is very limited. There are only a few brands of items and not as many options as you are used to in the States.
What is the Shoppette?
The Shoppette is the gas station on base. It is also within walking distance from the PX. You would go here for anything that you would normally go to get at a gas station; gum, snacks, Baumholder trinkets, or well, gas.
Is there anywhere I can work out?
Yes! There is a gym at the Hall of Champions. It is behind the Wagon Wheel Theater which is within walking distance from the PX.
What places are there to eat?
The following places are available in Baumholder, on base or close to base:
McDonalds-This is an off base, German McDonalds. It is down the hill from Wetzel Elementary and Baumholder’s main entrance. They accept Euros or dollars. While there, remember that options and ordering are done slightly different. Klein means small and maxi means big. You use these words when you order a menu. Menus are meals. For example, if I wanted a chicken sandwich, I would order a chicken sandwich maxi menu and get a big chicken sandwich meal. I promise it will be a new McDonald’s experience and not very hard to catch on.
*You have to order condiments separately from your menu and pay for them individually! So, if you are one of those people who love ketchup packets, remember that you are paying for each one in Germany. However, they are much bigger than the packets you are used to in the States.
Burger King-You don’t have to pay for your condiments at Burger King, so enjoy ketchup on every single fry you eat here! This is located next to the Shoppette on base.
Popeyes, Taco Bell, and Anthony’s Pizza: They are all located in the same building right next to the Wagon Wheel Movie Theater. This is located across the street from the PX.
Pasty Shop-In the entrance of the PX is a pastry shop where they sell yummy sweets and bread.
Strikers-Strikers is the bowling alley restaurant. You can get burgers, pizza, and other good and greasy food here. It is located by the football field and Hall of Champions.
The following places are not available in Baumholder, but they are highly recommended places to eat!
If you are in the mood for Chinese, there are two very good places in downtown Birkenfeld.
Idar-Oberstein is a great place for snacks, brats, or ice cream. You can easily take the train there from the barracks and walk downtown for a variety of choices.
Döner Kebab- This is a very popular Turkish restaurant in Germany that you can find pretty much anywhere. There is one within walking distance from the Neubruecke barracks. Basically, you get a pita and then fill it with lamb, cheese, lettuce, etc. They are very good and you should try it at least once while you are there!
Kusel Castle-This is a great place to eat if you want a nice dinner. They have good steak and wonderful desserts! You would need a ride, but I do not think too many teachers would complain about eating here with you!
Stadkrug-This restaurant is famous for ribs and for good reason. It is located in downtown Baumholder.
Berghof Hotel-Berghof is a wonderful place to go if you need pizza! They have a pizza special on Tuesday nights, which is great if you want yummy food for a good price. It is also located in downtown Baumholder.
Athens Restaurant-This might be the best Greek food you will ever find in Germany! Many of the teachers have dinner here and when they ask you to join them, you should. It requires a short drive, so you wouldn’t be able to get there yourself.
The following places are available by the Neubruecke barracks:
Buffet-Next to the Neubruecke barracks is a German college. This buffet is one of their dining areas that is only open when they are on campus.
Kudu-Kudu is a German bar located next to the Neubruecke Commissary and German College Buffet. It is a great place to meet German students your age and to absorb local culture.
Is there anything fun to do on base?
If you are on base for the weekend or would like to do something through the week there are a couple of options.
Strikers: Strikers is a bowling alley located next to the football field and Hall of Champions.
Wagon Wheel Theater: This is a movie theater located across the street from the PX. The movies that play here are not new releases, but it is a good experience. Be prepared to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance before the movie begins!
http://www.aafes.com/ems/default.asp
Where can I go watch movies when I am not on base?
Movie-Town (In Neubruecke and Idar Oberstein): Idar Oberstein is a short train ride away (maybe 15 minutes) and Neubruecke is where your barracks are located.
Movietown-Cinemas
Broadway Kino (Landstuhl): this is a German movie theater, but they play movies in English. It is about a half an hour from base.
broadwaykino
Miscellaneous
How do I get to the base if I do not have a vehicle?
There is a shuttle bus you can ride for free that will take you from the barracks to main spots on base. The shuttle only comes by the barracks a few times a day, but it will get you to school on time in the morning and back home at night. The bus schedule can be found hanging at any of the shuttle bus stops. At Neubruecke, this bus stop can be found right next to the main gate. It is important to remember to plan your time wisely around this shuttle schedule. The shuttle does not run on weekends and it leaves from base for the last time in the early evening. This gives you only a few hours after school for your errands to the Post Office, Commissary, PX, Ironworks, or any others you might have.
What do I need to know about the Post Office?
You can receive or ship boxes to the post office just as you would in the States. Your mail boxes will be available to you 24/7, but packages can only be shipped and picked up during limited hours. These hours are available at the Post Office. The address for your mailbox should be given to you before you fly to Germany in case you would want to ship anything there in advance. If you need something fairly quickly, send it through priority mail. Also, you must fill out a customs form to ship boxes. Be sure to keep track of what the contents of your box are and how much the items are worth. You will need this information at the post office.
*DO NOT use UPS or FedEx while in Germany. The post only uses standard mail services. This is important to remember if someone from home is shipping you something or if you buy anything online.
How do I get money on base?
Many students choose to use their debit and credit cards when possible. If currency is needed, ATM machines are available by the PX, at the bank on base, and at the Neubruecke barracks. If you use a credit union, they do not charge usage fees. If you do not have a credit union, you might create an account at a credit union before your Germany semester or take out large sums of money at one time to limit your number of transactions. If you need dollars changed into Euros, this can be done at the PX. You can also simply withdrawal Euros directly from the ATM machines. Some students in the past have been charged for withdrawing Euros, so it might be wise to talk to you bank about what you will be charged for while using your cards in Europe.
*Online banking is a very nice tool to consider using while in Germany.
*American currency is used on base, but out in the community you need to use Euros. It is very common to have both currencies with you!
*You will never use pennies while on base. It is too expensive to ship them from the States, so use your rounding skills!
Can I take pictures on base?
No pictures can be taken on the base in Baumholder or any other base in Germany. If you are caught taking pictures on base, your camera could be taken. This is to ensure the safety of the base.
What do I need to know about safety on base?
The biggest thing about safety on base is to not be alone. If you are walking somewhere, even in the day, have someone else with you.
When you are in the barracks, remember that you are not living alone. There are many other soldiers living with you. Again, be sure you are always with someone. Also be sure to keep your apartment door locked while you are gone and while you are in it.
What do I do about filling prescriptions?
Many students have their prescriptions sent to them. Another option is that most insurance plans will supply prescriptions for up to 90 days. This will get you through most of the semester and then after the 90 days, you can have your medication sent to you. Any over the counter medication can be found at the PX.