Studying in Aachen

Probably the most important building and landmark of the city is the cathedral. Together with the cathedral’s treasury, it was the first German and the second cultural monument in the world to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Another special feature of Aachen is that King Charlemagne made it his main residence in the 8th century. As a result, the city was long regarded as the centre of Europe, also partly because of its geographic location.

Aachen has a high ratio of pubs per inhabitant. In particular, the old town and Pontstraße in the city centre are popular meeting places for students. The cafés, bars and smaller clubs offer you and your friends a place to relax or celebrate. You'll also notice that there are always plenty of student parties going on in Aachen.

If you overhear an unintelligible conversation in the city or in a pub, it's probably Öcher Platt. The Aachen dialect is closely related to dialects from the neighbouring Dutch provinces. Words to remember are Adieda (goodbye), au Banan (an expression of astonishment) or Klenkes (little finger; stretching out your little finger is a non-verbal way of greeting people in Aachen).

Aachen is a part of the Rhineland, where carnival is serious business and causes a standstill in the city. The motto of the Öcher (inhabitants of Aachen) at carnival is simple (and difficult to translate): "Spaß an der Freud" (fun in joy). People sing, sway, dance and laugh. The carnival season, also known as the "fifth season", usually begins on 11 November at 11.11 am. The so-called street carnival then runs throughout February. The streets of Aachen's city centre and other Rhineland cities are dominated by costumed people (Jecken). During this period, the active carnival participants greet each other with the traditional cry "Oche alaaf" ("Aachen above all").