New Students - Find Housing

If you can speak German and/or have the option to come to Berlin well before the program begins, then it is possible to find housing on your own through the internet. The following websites may be useful to get you started.

Housing Link I
Housing Link II
Housing Link III
Housing Link IV

However, if you do not speak German and/or are not able to come to Berlin in advance just to find housing, then we suggest the following two options:

1)	Book a room yourself at House of Nations. This agency has many different apartment locations, but we recommend the apartment house on Brunnenstrasse since it is centrally located with respect to the locations where your classes will be held. Here you can book a single, 12 m2, furnished room for 275 € per month.
2)	Work with the program coordinator to obtain housing through an agency called Arwobau. This agency offers single and shared (for up to 3 people) apartments. The prices (as of July, 2010) for a single, furnished room range from 295 € to 336 € per month. The price for a shared, furnished apartment is 240 € per month. If you would like to pursue this option then click here for further directions.

 
Obtaining housing through Arwobau

In order to book a room in one of the dormitories operated by Arwobau you need to do the following:

1)	Select a dormitory location and type of room.
2)	Fill in the easy online application form.
3)	Send Arwobau a copy of your passport and acceptance letter
4)	Inform the Molecular Medicine Program Coordinator
5)	Pay the initial housing deposit

Moving In:

Students can move in on any day of the month they choose. The amount of the first month's rent will be reduced according to how late in the month you plan to move in (the later you move in, the less you pay). This amount must be paid in advance, along with a non-refundable cleaning fee, before you arrive (click on step 5 above for more details). The cleaning fee is 70, 80 or 100 € depending on whether you select a 1, 2 or 3 room apartment. Once you know your arrival date, the program coordinator will make arrangements with the housing manager at your new dormitory for you to receive keys so you can move in as soon as you arrive.

Moving Out:

You may move out of the dormitory at any time you wish. However, you must notify Arwobau by the end of a month, and then you must pay the full next month rent regardless of when in that month you move out. Thus, if you decide you would only like to live in the dormitory until you find another residence, you can move in on September 17th, for example, and, presuming you find another place to live within a few weeks, you can give notice on September 30th. Then you can move out any time in October but you would have to pay the full month rent for October regardless of when in that month you move out.

Many students do not like the idea of living in a student dormitory and plan to stay there only until they find a real apartment. This is certainly possible to do, as in the example given above. However, in our experience, it turns out that the dormitories end up being quite convenient and a great place to both study (quiet enough) and make friends (lots of other international students from all sorts of other programs in Berlin). Thus, we would encourage you to stay for at least a month before you make any plans to move out and see how you really like living in the dorms. In fact, most of our international students, despite what they think of the dormitories in the beginning, end up living there for the duration of the program.

Paying Your Monthly Rent:

Arwobau makes it easy to pay your monthly rent. You can pay in person with a credit card, debit card, or cash, or from a bank (German or foreign) through electronic transfer. Arwobau does not automatically withdraw money from your account. You are responsible for paying yourself each month. Rent must be paid by the end of each month for the next month's rent. Late payments will result in a late payment charge.