Regensburg

Regensburg, a city of 140,000 inhabitants, is located in Bavaria, close to the Czech border. Its Medieval and Renaissance Altstadt, one of the best preserved in Germany, is a splendid confusion of narrow streets and picturesque squares, dominated by the 13th-century Cathedral of St. Peter. From the Praetorian Gate, built by the legions of Marcus Aurelius, to the Stone Bridge, dating from the 1130s, the history of Regensburg remains a visible part of everyday life. Beneath its charming historical veneer, Regensburg is a thriving modern city, with its own repertory theater and excellent first-run and revival cinemas. The city offers lively classical musical activity, with concert series, operas, music festivals, and the world-famous Regensburger Domspatzen. Discos, pubs, and restaurants with diverse ethnic cuisines abound. Hundreds of kilometers of hiking and biking trails surround the city, especially along the Danube. The city is close to Nuremberg and Passau, and a few hours by rail from Munich, Prague, and Vienna.

The University

The University of Regensburg has its own campus at the southern edge of the city, about 20 minutes on foot or a short bus or bike ride from the center of town. It serves about 20,000 students, has a library of more than two million volumes, and grants degrees in 23 disciplines. The university maintains a large number of student residence halls, some of them located in the old part of town, others quite close to the university. Program students may use an up-to-date language lab, as well as an extensive computer facility. Physical education and sports facilities are also available.