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Welcome Service

When you move to another country, everything is new: the language, the environment and above all the culture. The Welcome Service* is the primary contact for you, your family and your employer. We will support you in gaining a foothold at the Potsdam Science Park and in the region as quickly as possible.

Among other things, we can advise you on finding accommodation and childcare, support you in building up your social network and help you learn the German language. All to help you learn to love Potsdam like we do!

*The Welcome Service is free of charge for our contract partners´employees.

 

Language School

In the international environment of the Potsdam Science Park, we offer highly qualified German and English courses at our language school. In small groups and in a warm atmosphere, you will learn based on your previous knowledge as part of a program tailored to your individual learning goals. There is also a practical benefit— you have an opportunity to network with other scientists on campus, make new friends and immerse yourself in the German lifestyle in class.
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Language Courses

We offer courses in “German as a second language” for beginners to advanced learners. We will help you to communicate better, navigate everyday situations and to get to know the German culture. Topics such as professional communication, presentations or correspondence in German can also be part of your course. Your...
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© Martin Jehnichen

How do you actually say "stay healthy" in German?

As the largest of its kind, the Potsdam Science Park in Potsdam-Golm has become an indispensable part of the map of scientific research and development in the state of Brandenburg. But here, work is not only done in the field of gravitational physics or plant physiology, but language lessons are...
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Counseling

Starting life in a new country is paved with visits to public offices, the search for accommodation and learning to navigate one’s way around everyday life. We will support you in creating a stable environment for yourself, your partner and your children as soon as possible.
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Max Planck Guesthouse

The management of the Max Planck Guesthouse is also part of the Welcome Service. The guesthouse is operated by the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (AEI). As a MPI employee or guest you can find accommodation for the first part of your stay at the Potsdam Science Park until...
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Accommodation

Finding shortterm and longterm accommodation in Potsdam and Berlin can be a real challenge. Commuting times, prices in the different residential districts and the most opportune times of year to search are all important factors to consider when searching for long-term accommodation. We will help illuminate your path towards finding...
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Childcare

In principle, every child has a legal right to place in childcare in Germany. At the moment finding a suitable place in a practical location with a learning concept that meets the needs of your family is very convenient. We also know how important it is for your child to...
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istock | © songsak chalardpongpun

Career Planning

Up to 750 young scientists from all over the world come to work at the Potsdam Science Park every year. Did you decide to build a long-term future in your new home while working here? Or you accompanied your partner to Potsdam and are in search of your own career...
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Healthcare

Falling ill in a foreign country can be frightening. We can support you in finding suitable therapists and doctors— both for physical and psychological problems. To this end, we rely on a network of English-speaking or multilingual partners. If needed, we can also accompany you to appointments to translate the...
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Wartebereich mit einer Uhr und Bank.
istock | © onurdongel

Government Agencies

Starting life in a new country includes numerous visits to public offices. We will support you in finding your way through the jungle of forms and refer you to competent contacts to complete your registration process. *The Welcome Service is free of charge for our contract partners´employees.  
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Insurances

In addition to health insurance, we recommend household and liability insurance policies to protect you and your belongings during your stay in Germany. Sometimes these insurance policies are also required as part of a rental agreement. We support you in concluding a contract and in the event of a claim.
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Verschiedene Werkzeuge liegen auf einem Tisch.
© Martin Jehnichen

Tool Loan Desk

You have found housing and would like to assemble your new furniture? At the Welcome Service office you can rent tools for a few days with a deposit of 100 €. Order your tools via email. *The Welcome Service is free of charge for our contract partners´employees.
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Welcome Service Events

Open to all employees of our contractual partners (e.g. MPI).

German Regulars’ Table (Language School Participants only)

The Welcome Service Language School is excited to offer a monthly German Regulars’ Table (Stammtisch) where you can practice your conversational German. Come join us an interesting discussion about daily life or current events. All levels welcome!Please contact Carolin for detailed information and the location of the meeting: school@potsdam-sciencepark.deGeneral data…

Register

Off-the-beaten-track Tour | MPI employees only, Registration until October 4, 2024

Fountain at Luisenplatz

Welcome to Potsdam! Now that you have finally made it here you might like to know where you actually are and where everything is. We are offering you a very different kind of off-the-beaten-track guided tour of your new home city. This is not the usual tour to Potsdam but this…

Register

German Regulars’ Table (Language School Participants only)

The Welcome Service Language School is excited to offer a monthly German Regulars’ Table (Stammtisch) where you can practice your conversational German. Come join us an interesting discussion about daily life or current events. All levels welcome!Please contact Carolin for detailed information and the location of the meeting: school@potsdam-sciencepark.deGeneral data…

Register

Deutschlandmuseum in Berlin | MPI employees only, Registration until October 1, 2024

Deutschlandmuseum, Leipziger Platz 7, 10117 Berlin (Main Entrance)

Join us on a visit and a one hour guided tour (in English) through this unique museum. You will go on a time travel through 2000 years of German history. Find out more about the country you are now living in and how it developed into the country it is. We…

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Information on German Taxes (Registration until November 4, 2024)

Online via Zoom

A specialist for International Taxes will be giving an overview of the German Tax Regulations for international scientists and explaining the various prerequisites for issues such as changes to your pension, family status changes or paying taxes in both your home country and Germany.The workshop will only take place with…

Register

German Regulars’ Table (Language School Participants only)

The Welcome Service Language School is excited to offer a monthly German Regulars’ Table (Stammtisch) where you can practice your conversational German. Come join us an interesting discussion about daily life or current events. All levels welcome!Please contact Carolin for detailed information and the location of the meeting: school@potsdam-sciencepark.deGeneral data…

Register

German Regulars’ Table (Language School Participants only)

The Welcome Service Language School is excited to offer a monthly German Regulars’ Table (Stammtisch) where you can practice your conversational German. Come join us an interesting discussion about daily life or current events. All levels welcome!Please contact Carolin for detailed information and the location of the meeting: school@potsdam-sciencepark.deGeneral data…

Register
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Contact & Opening Hours

General information

Please note that the Welcome Service and the language school work partly from home and partly from the GO:IN office. All language courses run as online or face-to-face courses. We are available to answer questions by phone and email. We are happy to offer personal and online consultations by appointment.

If you would like to pay your guesthouse bill in cash or by EC/credit card, please use the opening hours of the guesthouse administration.

______________________________________

Guest house administration
Our office is located in the GO:IN Innovation Center (3rd floor, room 309).
Monday – Friday: 8.30 am – 12.30 pm*
*Cash, EC/Debit or credit card.

The office in the guest house is located to the right of the entrance area.
Monday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm*
Wednesday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm*
*Only cash payments possible

Welcome Service
Our office is located in the GO:IN Innovation Center (3rd floor, room 307).
Please make an appointment for a consultation.

Family Life

Families are confronted with some challenges when moving to a new country. We want to make your start in Potsdam as smooth as possible.
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Mummy and Me and Children’s Classes

Does your older child have a talent for sports or music? Are you hoping to introduce your baby to early music education and meet other new mums? There are many options for Mummy and Me and children’s classes for available in the Potsdam area.  
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Outdoor Playgrounds in Potsdam

The city of Potsdam has been awarded with the “child-friendly community” seal from Unicef and is one of cities with the largest population of children in Germany. Accordingly, Potsdam provides a lot of activities and open spaces for families and children.
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Fitness for Mums in Potsdam and Berlin

Whether you’ve just given birth to your first child or are looking to improve your level of fitness as a mum, there are many options for classes for busy mums, both with your children and without.
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istock | ©baona

Indoor Playgrounds in Potsdam and Berlin

The winters in Potsdam and Berlin can be cold and long. Keeping the children busy during the winter season can be a real challenge. Luckily there are a large number of indoor playgrounds in Potsdam and Berlin to make this task easier.  
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Find Your Way

Your are new to the Potsdam Science Park as a guest or new employee? Please start here with finding your way through all the facilities we are offering.
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© Martin Jehnichen

Canteens & Grocery Shopping

At the Potsdam Science Park, you have several options to enjoy eating out with colleagues. There are some canteens and other food options to choose from. All canteens and the restaurant have beautiful outdoor spaces for use during good weather. Furthermore there are some supermarkets in Golm, which support you...
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istock | ©PavelIvanov

Living & Overnight Stays

The area around the Potsdam Science Park is very popular. It is green, quite and offers some amazing recreational spaces. The close by Great Zernsee and the woods around help to slow down from work. You can enjoy hiking, bike riding, swimming or kayaking at the Wublitz. Furthermore the old...
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Social Life

Most social interactions start at the workplace. We would like to encourage you to take your connections to the next level at recreational outings.
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istock | ©Soren Svendsen

What to do in Potsdam & Brandenburg

Brandenburg is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Besides the world-famous castles & gardens, nature abounds with over 3,000 lakes to discover – by bike, on foot, with inline skates, on a raft, SUP or in a kayak. Whether you are looking to enjoy a day...
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International and Organic Food Shopping in Potsdam

If you move to foreign country, you leave behind family members, friends and the culture of your home country. Specific foods can be a huge part of our identity. Food connects us to our home country and can even define how we bond with family members. A smell of your...
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istock | ©FamVeld

Pick-your-own Fruit Farms around Potsdam

Summertime is fruit time. Fruit Farms are full of wonderful fruit trees and bushes full of fruit only waiting to be picked. Here you can pick your own fruit and pay for what you have picked on your way out. At home you can then make your fruit into cakes,...
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