Climate
Konstanz has a relatively mild climate. Temperatures in summer range between 18 - 30 °C (60 - 90 °F), while winter temperatures average 0 - 7 °C (32 - 40 °F). Although Konstanz is one of the sunniest regions in Germany, rain showers are not uncommon, so be sure to pack an umbrella and a raincoat! Konstanz is also well-known for its thick autumn fog. If you're missing the sun: a day trip to the mountain at higher altitudes is highly recommended to escape the dense fog layers. You can check the current weather forecast here.
Food and Accomodation
During the semester, exchange students typically live in student dormitories, which include a private room as well as shared kitchens and bathrooms. Accommodation for exchange students is organized by the International Office.
For groceries, there are various international supermarkets where you can find ethic foods and other essentials. On campus, the cafeteria offers breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices. Additionally, local restaurants in town offer affordable lunch menus during the week.
Sport and Other Leisure Activities
Konstanz is a great place for any kind of outdoor activity. The lake offers a wide range of opportunities for water sports, such as sailing, standup paddling, scuba diving, or kitesurfing. With the Alps on the doorstep and the Blackforest around the corner the region offers great opportunities for hiking, climbing, mountainbiking, skiing and snowboarding.
Other popular sports in Germany are Volleyball, cycling, climbing and of course the number one sport in Germany: football (soccer). HTWG Students can attend any sports classes offered by both HTWG Konstanz and the University of Konstanz.
Transportation
The most popular choice of means of transportation of students in Konstanz is probably cycling. Konstanz has a extensive network of bikepathes as well as cheap rental bikes. Besides this the city offers an extensive bus system. A student ticket for the bus can be purchased for 72 € per semester and is valid for busses within Konstanz as well as the ferry to Meersburg.
Travelling
Thanks to its location, Konstanz in an excellent base for exploring Europe. Switzerland is right next door, and Austria, France, and Italy can all be reached within a few hours. Konstanz is well-connected to the swiss railway system, and once you've made it to Stuttgart or Karlsruhe with local trains, you can easily access Germany's extensive and high-speed rail network. Check out Interrail for travelling across Europe by train. Long-distance busses are also becoming increasingly popular. So check out Flixbus for your next destination. Additionally, there are affordable flights avaliable from local airports in Friedrichshafen, Zurich and Stuttgart. For a more adventurous option, hitching a ride using one of the ride-sharing programs in Germany.
Nightlife, Music and Festivals
With two universities, Konstanz has a lively nightlife scene. In addition to regular bars and nightclubs there are faculty parties of the university departments. And don't miss the legendary parties of the student dorms! For those who prefer an alternative party-scene there are a few socio-cultural centers in Konstanz and Kreuzlingen where you can enjoy some concerts and culture.
Throughout the year, there are various events, hosted by the city of Konstanz. The Seenachtsfest takes place in August and features a large fireworks display on boats. The 24-hour flea market which spans the German-Swiss border, as well as the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in December are not to be missed
Looking for more information?
For more information on both academic and non-academic topics, check out "Studying without borders", a well-known website for students in Konstanz and Kreuzlingen in Switzerland.