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Impressionen der HMT

rostock and its environs

Living in Rostock

Rostock is more than an historic hanseatic town. Being the largest city on the Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and the cultural and economic centre, Rostock will have something to offer for everyone - it truly is a city full of surprises. Rostock is home to nearly 200.000 people, several thousands of them students, including many international students. This makes Rostock a  vibrant, youthful city with a strong student base - big enough to make you feel part of a cosmopolitan and thriving community, but small enough not to be overwhelming. It's a friendly city you can get to know quickly which can still hold surprises after many years.

Leisure Activities
Everyone can find something to do in Rostock. Rostock's cinemas range from the art-house programme at the Lichtspieltheater "Wundervoll" to the more mainstream offerings of the Cinestar. The "Volks-Theatre" offers drama, dance, music and opera. Its North German Philharmonic Orchestra - the largest orchestra in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania - is the citys pride and joy. The large concert hall near the main station attracts top names in comedy, shows, and live music - from classical to rock. Smaller venues also host a wealth of up-and-coming talent, like the MAU club, the motor ship "Stubnitz", "frieda 23", or many of the other clubs. Apart from concerts of different musical genres, regional festivals form the cultural events in Rostock, among them the Hafentage (festival in the harbour) or the Hanse Sail (festival with many different sailing ships), an event which attracts thousands of visitors from all over Germany.
Rostock is famed for its pubs, bars, restaurants, and has a thriving café culture. More than ten student clubs offer a wide range of possibilities, e. g. live music, literature, cinema, meetings, dancing and get-togethers. All of these clubs manage themselves and are looking forward to having new members.
The wide choice of social and recreational activities is complemented by the offerings of sports at the university, like Aikido, Judo, Rock'n Roll, rowing, swimming, tennis or volleyball. The nearby coastline provides ample opportunity for a wide range of watersports.

Around Rostock 
Whilst it offers all the variety and facilities of a large city, Rostock is surrounded by lush green countryside, busy seaside resorts and beautiful coastline. Warnemünde, the Baltic seaside resort with its long beaches, can be reached via the suburban train in only 20 minutes. It takes approx. 45 minutes from Rostock to reach the West Pomeranian Boddenlandschaft Nature Park with the Ahrenshoop artists' village. A little further to the east lies Rügen, the Baltic Sea Island. Excellent traffic routes lead to Hamburg, Berlin and the neighbouring Denmark.

Student Accommodation 
The student administration office (Studentenwerk) Rostock is in charge of six student halls in Rostock, which can house 1,700 residents (self-catering accommodation only). The city centre can be reached easily by bike from most of the student halls. Accommodation in refurbished halls is available for 140 Euro. All of these student accommodations have Internet access.
Students may also want to look for private sector accommodation. In Germany it is quite normal for students and applicants to look independently for accommodation, however, the local Zimmerbörse or the regional letting companies might be able to assist.
One part of the old town especially popular with students is the Kröpeliner Tor district with its small galleries, cafés and rows of shops.

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