Paderborn: Slam dunks and microchips
Whoever said Catholic cities can’t be progressive? While Paderborn is still the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop in (otherwise mostly Protestant) North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of 144,000 souls also enjoys a reputation as a hotbed for computer sciences and IT. Add to that a bustling student population of more than 14,000 and a heated passion for sports — and the result is a city far too busy taking large strides into the future to remain caught up in the past.
Paderborne city center, photo, uni paderborn
Paderborn introduced
The history of Paderborn revolves around two prominent figures: The city’s patron, 4th century Catholic Saint Liborius, whose relics have been interred at the town Cathedral since 836 — and the city’s most famous son, computer pioneer Heinz Nixdorf, whose machines revolutionized the German IT industry, while bringing employment and prosperity to the region.
Both of their influences can be felt to this day. While the Rest of North Rhine-Westphalia has to be at work during Catholic church holidays, Paderborn University and local businesses take the day off thanks to St. Liborius. At the same time, Paderborn’s role as a key player in the computer industry is more in line with a Protestant work ethic than Catholic piety.
It all goes back to 1952, when Heinz Nixdorf founded his company here, which is now known as Wincor Nixdorf and still based in Paderborn. The company is joined by a wide range of software and IT solution providers including Flextronics, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Orga Systems and the Secure Computing Corporation. Heinz Nixdorf’s work as a philanthropist is still visible all over town, with the world’s largest computer museum and a state-of-the-art sports center on campus, among other things.
A vibrant town, Paderborn is also a focal point for American sports with a championship-winning baseball team, the Paderborn Untouchables, a successful American football team, the Paderborn Dolphins, as well as the Digibu Baskets, who’ve been “holding it down” in the basketball Bundesliga since 2006.
So coming here, bring your sports gear and join 14,000 fellow students in this scenic town on the River Pader, as Paderborn steps up to the plate facing the future, backed by a tradition of excellence.
Overview of the universities
Paderborn University
http://www.uni-paderborn.de/en/
Paderborn is home to one of the oldest universities in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In 1614, Jesuit priests founded the university in what is now — fittingly — the building assigned to the Theological Faculty. Today, more than 14,000 students are enrolled in over 105 subjects.
The university has its eyes set firmly on the future: In 2006, Paderborn’s Computer Sciences program was ranked among the top three programs nationwide in the academic excellence ranking of German universities by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) and DIE ZEIT newspaper. The English/American Studies department is top-of-the-line in North Rhine-Westphalia, while the History Department’s Institute for Medieval Studies enjoys a reputation for its professor position in UNESCO World Heritage.
In terms of international connections, Paderborn enjoys frequent exchanges with over 100 universities across the globe. In 2003, the university launched a Chinese-German Technical Faculty together with local authorities in Qingdao, China.
Close ties also exist locally, with a number of joint ventures between the university and high tech enterprises in Paderborn. The rate for start-up companies launched by university alumni is among the highest in the country — alumni start-ups account for an estimated two-thirds of all companies in the Paderborn industrial park.
Catholic Technical College North Rhine-Westphalia in Paderborn (KFH NW Paderborn)
www.kfhnw.de/paderborn/index.php (German language site)
The Catholic Technical College North Rhine-Westphalia, also called the University of Applied Sciences, (KFH) has about 3,500 students enrolled at locations in Aachen, Cologne and Muenster. About 820 students are signed up at the Paderborn branch, which mainly revolves around the social sciences and theology. Options include Bachelor degrees in Social Work, Child-oriented Education and Upbringing, as well as Religious Educational Sciences. The College also offers a Masters degree course in Social Management.
The KFH’s department for Social Work achieved solid midfield scores in the CHE university ranking. Standouts include a strong integration into work life, especially in the Masters degree course for Social Management, with strong ties to local employers.
What Paderborn is like
Karolina Dudek from the town of Haren on the river Ems didn’t plan to study in Paderborn. Initially, the 25-year-old had been attracted by the fact that there was no Grade Point Average requirement in her intended major subjects. “I came here wanting to transfer to a school in Cologne after half a year, but ended up being so fascinated by Paderborn that I stayed,” she said. Dudek is currently pursuing teaching certification in German and Sports.
So what is Paderborn like for a student?
I’d say it’s a very pretty student town, especially compared to other towns I’ve visited. When it comes to the nightlife, you can definitely feel the presence of more than 14,000 students in a total population of 140,000, especially while going out on the weekends.
Would you recommend Paderborn to sports students?
Yes, the town is often referred to as a hotbed for sports. The infrastructure is really advanced and there are many sports clubs, initiatives and facilities. The faculty also offers a number of prominent professors known for their empirical research in fields such as sports medicine. One of the main attractions is the faculty’s Ahorn Sports Park donated by Nixdorf, replete with an indoor track, climbing wall and an incredible amount of workout machines.
How’s the situation for foreign students?
I’d say really good, since there are already lots of them here. I’m from Poland originally, and I’ve met a lot of Polish exchange students and they all thought it was great here. The university reaches out by staging events and making foreign students feel at home. And lots of students go abroad on exchange programs as well.
Did Paderborn meet your expectations?
Definitely, especially when it comes to sports. Then again, you don’t really know what to expect when you first start university — but I haven’t been disappointed (laughs).
What is an absolute must for every new arrival?
The weekly university parties, mostly on Thursday nights, are a must when you want to get connected to your fellow students. Then there’s the university summer fest, and also the town’s annual Libori-festival, when the entire city celebrates for a whole week with numerous shows and stages.
My Favorite Spot:
Karolina says she loves to spend time on the Paderwiese lawns right by the river: “All the students lay out there; there are about 15 public grills in the summer and always someone playing music. The atmosphere is great. You can come here by yourself and just enjoy the scenery with a book, or go in a group. If it gets too hot, you can cool off in the Pader river, but it’s REALLY cold because of the nearby springs.”
Did you know?
Paderborn is not only the cradle of Germany’s fast-moving computer industry, but on the slower end of the spectrum, also the birthplace of Morphine. In 1805, a young pharmacist’s apprentice by the name of Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner succeeded in isolating morphine as an alkaloid from the opium poppy. He then proceeded to name the new agent after the Greek god of sleep, Morphium. Although high-brow pharmacists in metropolitan Berlin and Munich initially frowned upon the “amateur pharmacist from the hinterlands,” Sertürner can be credited with isolating the first-ever alkaloid from any plant, while single-handedly opening the door for experimental pharmacology and the systematic study of what were until then considered “poisonous plants.” The Sertürner pharamacy at Schlosstrasse 3 is named in honor of the pioneer.
Things to Check Out
Play 66: The locals’ favorite card game is called “66” in honor of the old inn at Eckkamp No. 66, where a memorial plaque today commemorates the game’s inception. Once you master this game, you will not only look like a local, you will have become one. Get some online practice for free here.
Tractors…. That’s right, tractors!
Forget John Deere — the German tractor industry can more than pull its own weight. The German Tractor and Model-Scale Automobile Museum attests to that fact with a collection of over 100 tractors by iconic German manufacturers such as Lanz, Hanomag, Deutz, MAN, Eicher and Schlueter.
www.deutsches-traktorenmuseum.de
See some outdoor theater
Paderbornians cherish their rich tradition of theater. Every summer, the famous stage assembly of the Kammerspiele theater takes it to the open air, with an annual Summer Theater Festival at the former Dalheim monastery south of town.
What’s Happening?
Feuerstein Restaurant: A popular dining location among students, Feuerstein offers American-style pizza and a range of comfort foods and local specialties at affordable prices. Feuerstein also shows all Bundesliga soccer matches on Saturday.
Havana Bar: Cuban flair and cocktails galore are the center of the Havana experience. Next to Cuban specialties, the menu also surprises with Mexican and Latin American flavors, best washed down with the bar’s finest concoctions. Students flock here for the daily Happy Hour from 5 pm – 7:30 pm
www.havana.de/ (German language site)
grüner frosch: Sorry, despite the name, there are no frog’s legs on the menu of the Green Frog Pub — but you will find a host of local specialties like flat breads and fresh salad. Feel free to hit the bowling alley to work off a rich meal, or just sit back and enjoy the ambience, which STERN Magazine gave a service award during a nationwide review of beer restaurants in 2002.
www.gruener-frosch.de (German language site)
Gownsmen’s Pub offers the distinct atmosphere of a British pub, right on campus. With constantly updated menus and regular concerts and events, this is one of the hot spots of activity. And did we mention the outdoor beer garden during the summer?
Useful Links
STUDYLife in Paderborn
Your one-stop resource for young academics in Paderborn. STUDYLife helps find apartments and jobs, connections to other students and lets you share experiences on academic courses and exchange trips in the Forum section. STUDYLife also hosts their own events like Quiz nights and sports competitions, while keeping you posted on upcoming nightlife favorites. And of course, you can see photos of yourself shaking it up online the next day.
www.studylife.de (German language site)
Town of Paderborn Official Website
Official information and an online virtual tourist guide in English:
http://www.paderaborn.de/microsite/welcome/index.php
http://viewer.dialogperfect.de/903/CityGuide.html
Studentenwerk Paderborn
The official Paderborn Student Union website keeps you abreast on housing, food, and other campus activities.
www.stwpb.de (German language site)
Additional sites that help new arrivals find apartments to rent and share (both German language only):
www.wg-gesucht.de
www.studenten-wg.de
Photo 1+2: Uni Paderborn press
Photo 3: Karolina Dudek
Photo 4: Flickr (cc) user: palestrina55
