hen foreign exchange students come to Marburg they inevitably struggle with language. During their first weeks they are introduced into the everyday life in Marburg through language courses. After that they have to find their own way around town.
So what happens afterwards: foreign exchange students are either scholarship holder from a poor family background, migrants holding a students visa or refugees. Therefore, only few of them have a financial, verbal or psychological support system in Marburg.
Where does the problem start: the Studierendenwerk advocates selft-administered dorms. Housekeepers and custodians rarely speak English. As a result, German-speaking residents who also speak English or another language are burdened with reducing language barriers. Most of the signs are only written in German (except for the Studentendorf).
Marburg represents itself as open-minded and international. But we don't see multi-language schedules or English signs in offices.
What does this mean for those affected? They are not able to experience many offers due to language barriers. They are not able to act or inform themselves independently. Hence, they are not able to request financial or legal help. Needless to say, multilingualism should be achieved at a university. For a bilingual arranged university!