Registering for things...

Signing up for classes is a great deal different here at Heidelberg, a land where the computer is still an outlandish thing slowly eating away at ancient traditions. Sadly this means that you can only search for classes online (the system is rudimentary and annoying like spire to give you an idea). Once you search for a class you have to write it down and try to make a schedule using primitive devices known as pen and paper in the hopes of making something workable out of the mess. On the up side Heidelberg has a huge selection of courses so finding enough should not pose much of a problem even if the system is clunky and outdated. Signing up for classes themselves is actually quite a bit more easy than one would expect at first. Really all you need to do send an email to the professor explaining your situation and asking the requirements for taking the course (for lectures you can just show up on the first day as there is no official registration). In my experience the professors have been very accommodating in allowing you to attend and fairly quick in their responses about availability. So really it is a fairly easy system, but be aware to start sending out emails early to get things figured out and to hope that there is still room available in the course. Basically all you need to know is look up some courses yourself and then send emails yourself, everything is just added on stuff that is confusing and not terribly helpful.

Another thing of note is towards the end of the semester you need to figure out if you need to register to get a Schein, as I had to in one of my classes. Just something to stay on top of (more paperwork!).

Aside from regular courses at the University there are also the language courses taught at the Max Weber Haus. Singing up for these is a bit different (and costs some students money). Basically you need to get a copy of and hand in a completely different form to register for those classes, which is also dependent on your performance the September course there. There are also a number of other culture courses offered at the Max Weber Haus, such as German Films or Wirtschdeutsch (Business German-warning very difficult, but rewarding).

Perhaps this does not quite fit in here, but while I am on the topic of singing up for things I figure I will just throw in excursions here. The reason being is that I have not actually gone on any yet, so there I just do not really have that much to say about them. Basically all you have to do is go to the outlander office and pay them for the trip (another thing with outrageous pre noon hours). Heidelberg offer a great variety of trips all over Germany for hugely discounted rates. Most are weekend/day trips but there are a couple for longer periods, such as three days in Berlin. If you are looking for a quick easy trip that does not cost much, than these are for you, but of course there are the obvious restrictions of a pre planned trip. Should I go on one, I suppose I will give  a better update on what they are actually like, but for now that is all I know. Until next time comrades, keep strong and carry on.