Practical Information

Insurance

Health insurance (IMPORTANT for FOREIGN students):
All foreign visitors of GSI, who have no valid health insurance for Germany, are automatically insured by a group insurance that covers acute health and accident cases. European Union students have a valid health insurance (they should bring along the corresponding chip card or documents).
Personal Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung):
We recommend every participant to have such an insurance, in particular if you plan to use a bike (see bike rental below). During the past years we had a few accidents, and already minor demages of cars may cost a few thousand Euro.
1. German participants: If you don't have such an insurance please arrange it. Please bring the insurance information (company, Nr., phone, etc.) along.
2. Non-German participants: GSI can arrange this insurance within the Group-Insurance contract.

For flights: Your port of entry is Frankfurt airport
Accomodation: All summer students stay in Hotel Arheilger Hof, see travel instructions below
Arrival/Departure: As travelling circumstances may require you have the following choices for your arrival or departure dates:
Arrival dates: Saturday and Sunday prior to the first program date (Mon. Aug. 2). (Please try to keep your arrival time before 7 pm in the evening, since the hotel has only service until 10 pm).
Registration of the Summer Students: Mon Aug. 2, 10:30 - 12:00 am.
Departure dates: Friday, Saturday or Sunday during the last week (Thu. Sept. 23 is the last program day).
How to reach GSI or the hotel?
GSI is located 6 km north of the city of Darmstadt (or 20 km south of the city of Frankfurt/Main) close to the suburb Wixhausen (at the north-south connection - road B-3 or train line - between Frankfurt and Darmstadt). You can find a map here From Frankfurt airport to the hotel or GSI by public transport (cheap and fast way): Details
Directions by train: Details
Directions by car: Details

GSI operates two shuttle-bus lines: One connecting to the Wixhausen S-train station and one connecting to the tram lines 7 and 8 in Arheilgen which lead to the center of Darmstadt. The second line can be used for the transport between the hotel and GSI (including a 700 m walk). An area map can be found here, timetables here.

Bring easily portable baggage (e.g. a backpack)
If you play guitar or another portable instrument, please bring it along!!!
Student-id-card:
Bring your (International) Student-id-card, if available: For many events, like cinema, theater, concerts, swimming, museums, etc. you get reductions on tickets.

Travel costs:
1. train/ car: GSI covers the travel costs for a round-trip train fare 2nd class from the place where you live or study to Darmstadt (also if you come by car). Please use reductions, if possible.
2. flight: For distances, where the train ride takes more than 12 hours (or the train fare is more expensive than a flight), we reimburse cheap round-trip air-fares to Frankfurt/M and back (as stated in the invitation GSI will cover flight costs up to 400 Euro). Students coming by flight should make their arrangements for a cheap round-trip air-fare already very early!! If you are not able to pay the air ticket in advance, please inform us as soon as possible. Note: the local transportation from the airport to GSI or to the hotel will not be reimbursed by us!
Lodging is free of charge.
For local expenses (meals) an allowance of 80 Euro per week will be granted.

Lodging: All students are living together in the Hotel Arheilger Hof which is situated at about 4 km distance to GSI in two- and three-bed rooms. The accommodation is free of charge. Each room has a small kitchen; the hotel has WLAN.
Meals: Breakfast is served at the hotel. On workdays (Monday through Friday) meals are served at the GSI cafeteria at moderate prices. Opening hours: 8:00h - 11:00h; 11:30h - 13:30h (lunch) and 14:30h - 20:00h.
Shopping: Note that in Germany shops are closed on Sundays. Local shops are open till 18:30h (some till 22:00h) on workdays and till 13:00h (or 19:00h) on Saturday. Some shops may be closed Wed. afternoon. Nearest shopping centers are in Arheilgen or in Wixhausen.

Experimental areas close to the accelerator beam-lines are subjected to radiation security measures. Students working in the corresponding areas have to pass a short medical check at the beginning of the Student Program.

Sports possibilities are very limited: A table tennis and a volley-ball group exists. Otherwise the area invites for jogging and biking. In- and out-door swimming pools, tennis and bowling centers are not too far away. The participation in the sports activities are on the person's own risk and responsibilty.

We have a small pool of used bikes to be rented to the participants of the student program. The renting is free of charge, solely a deposite will be taken. (German students are supposed to bring their own bikes). The use of the bikes are on the person's own risk and responsibilty.

    your name
    Student-Program
    GSI
    Planckstrasse 1
    D - 64291 Darmstadt
    Germany