Something that I realized after I reached Mannheim (2/2)

The following is “Something that I realized after I reached Mannheim (2/2) are more German fun facts, transportation and cash. If you have been to Germany, you shouldn’t be surprised by what you will be reading in this article. My friend who went abroad the semester before me at Mannheim told me to keep those in mind when I reach Mannheim. Hopefully those who have never been to Germany, will find these tips useful. If I think about more tips later, I will certainly add a part 3 on this.

1. Cash!

I probably mention it multiple times that many places in Europe prefers cash over credit cards, therefore cash is essential to one’s daily life. Once you set up a bank account, you will receive an ATM card that’s linked to your account as debit. Unlike America with Bank of America ATM everywhere on campus, there’s only couple places you can withdraw money in the city of Mannheim. All the ATM also happened to be very far away from the school and student residential area. Therefore you should take out some additional money when you are at the ATM just for emergency purposes. However for the most part, supermarkets and train stations accept the debit card for payment, so you won’t need to worry too much about finding an ATM.

P.s. They only take cash when you purchase your semester transportation tickets at the office, so just keep that in mind and make sure you go to the ATM to take out some money before going to the office (it could be a really long wait, speaking from experience).

2. Hauptbahnhof

The first place that you will reach once you reach Mannheim for the first time. “Hauptbahnhof” also known as “hbf” is the German word for main railway station or central train station of the city (even though it might not be centrally located within the city). Assuming that most exchange student will be landing at the Frankfurt International Airport will be taking a train to Mannheim, there will actually be a couple of stops that will have the name “Mannheim” before the train reach Mannheim Hauptbahnhof. Make sure you don’t off the train too early or too late, and get off at the main station where there’s main transportation to get you to the university for check-in.   

The term “Hauptbahnhof” is used in different city in Germany, therefore make sure that it is going to the Mannheim Hauptbahnhof for your destination. Once you exit the train station, there will be taxi, bus, and tram. I recommend taking the tram to the university even though it is within walking distance for your first day).

Similar to train station in America, there’s also coffee shops and convenience stores located inside the supermarkets. They seems to have a longer opening hours, so they are good for too early or late trains and emergency in general.

P.s. I think now for when it reaches at the Hauptbahnhof stop, there’s an English announcement for the tourist, pay attention on the train so you won’t miss your stop.

3. Schloss

When I first saw that I will be taking classes at the schloss, I thought it was the name of an academic building (similar to Mahr, Herter or ISB). The term “Schloss” actually means palace in German. The Mannheimer Schloss is definitely the main attraction and representation of the city. When the block system was used for the city’s urban development, it also used the Palace as the center (You basically will not have any excuse for not able to find where the school is!) Many large lecture halls will be located inside the palace along with many students event and concerts. The Winter Academy will be taking place at the schloss and you will have to chance to explore the schloss.

Many German considered Mannheim to be one of the most “ugly” city in Germany because it lack to impression of a typical German city and instead are more industrial. Many places including the schloss was partially destroyed during the wars and the rebuilding of the city gave a new look to the city. However (Fun Fact!) when they rebuilt the schloss, there’s a new addition to the schloss which made it the schloss with the most window in Germany (or maybe the world...I need to do more research on it, I will get back on that later!).


Throughout the semester you will have multiple of copies of the schloss, when you go to class (Yes, we study like a loyalty!), this was taken on the first day of Winter Academy because when I arrived Mannheim the first day, it was raining.