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Welcome Service

Have you recently moved to Germany and are new to the Potsdam Science Park? The Welcome Service will help you and your family to settle in. We advise you on finding accommodation and childcare, and support you in building a social network and learning the German language. So you can get settled in Potsdam as quickly as possible!

 

Language School

In the international environment of Potsdam Science Park, we offer highly qualified German and English courses at our language school. In small groups and a friendly atmosphere, you will learn based on your previous knowledge and tailored to your individual learning goals. The practical side effect: you will network with other scientists on campus, make new friends and immerse yourself in the German way of life.
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© sevens+maltry

Language Courses

Would you like to learn German to communicate better in everyday life or at the office? Or English for your next presentation? We offer our contract partners' and Potsdam Science Park employees and scientists a wide range of language courses for beginners and advanced learners – whether German as a...
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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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© sevens+maltry

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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istock | © Yuri_Arcurs_productions

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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istock | © FatCamera

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 | © Khanchit Khirisutchalual

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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Insurences

In addition to health insurance, we recommend that you take out household contents and liability insurance to protect yourself and your personal belongings during your stay in Germany. Sometimes these types of insurance are also required as part of a tenancy agreement. We will assist you in taking out a...
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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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© iStock

Relocation

Well supported when leaving Germany – Is your research stay coming to an end and a new chapter in your life beginning? To make your departure easy and ensure that everything runs smoothly, we will support you with all the organisational steps – from deregistration and insurance to clearing out...
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©iStock

Miscellaneous

Welcome to Germany. You probably have a lot of questions about our procedures and our culture. We at the Welcome Service are your point of contact before, during and after your time in Germany. Whether you need help finding accommodation, childcare, general organisational matters or anything else, we are here...
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Welcome Service Events - New program coming soon!

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

Karaoke Night

GO:IN, Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476 Potsdam / Seminar Room on the groundfloor

Experience an evening full of music, atmosphere and good vibes. At our Karaoke Night, you are the star! Choose your song, step into the spotlight and entertain the audience with your performance.Whether solo, in a duet or as a group performance – the focus here is on having fun. Enjoy…

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Eat with a local! (Spring & Summer) – Open invitation for Scientists

At your host´s house

We are starting our next round of this event and would like to invite you as an international scientist to take part in it.As an international it might not always be easy to get to know the locals here in Golm or in Potsdam’s surroundings. Nor do the locals often…

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Easter Egg Event

Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476 Potsdam

The Welcome Service would like to invite you to our annual Easter Egg Event. You will learn how to dye, paint, and color Easter eggs just in time for the Easter holidays. We will show you how to make natural dyes using cabbage, tumeric and onions. Furthermore learn about German…

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Green BBQ

Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476 Potsdam

Join us for some chillin’ and grillin’ at our Green BBQ. The grill will be on with vegetarian hamburgers and hot dogs whichever your choice.Please bring a side dish to share. There may be no meat but definitely the heat. Enjoy something hot off the grill as we gather for…

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Pumpkin Carving

Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476 Potsdam

Whether you have celebrated Halloween before or are a newbie, come and join us and learn all about pumpkin carving!The pumpkin carving tradition is synonymous with Halloween. Halloween celebrations and pumpkin carving has become popular in Ireland, England, and other parts of Europe, including Germany. Show your festive side by…

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Create Your Own Adventskranz (Christmas Wreath)

Am Mühlenberg 11, 14476 Potsdam

Christmas is coming so we are having our annual “Adventskranz basteln”. We will tell you all about this German custom and support you in creating your own Christmas wreath. Children are most welcome to come too.We will provide the wreath and everything you need for you to make a proper…

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Family Life

Settling into a new environment can be a challenge for any family. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable transition for all newcomers to Potsdam.
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Parent-Child Courses in Potsdam

Does your child have a talent for sports or music? Would you like to introduce your baby to early music education and get to know other parents? There are numerous parent-child courses on offer in the Potsdam region - whether baby swimming, climbing together or making music. You can find...
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istock | ©Chayantorn

Playgrounds in Potsdam

Did you know? Potsdam has been awarded the Unicef "Child-Friendly Community" seal and is one of the cities with the most children in Germany. It's no surprise then, that Potsdam has a great selection of playgrounds. Find out about some of the best places to play in the city!
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Fitness for Mums in Potsdam and Berlin

Have you just given birth to your first child? Or would you like to improve your fitness as a mum to feel better? Take advantage of the numerous courses on offer for mothers - from postnatal gymnastics and ilates to circuit training. We've put together a few options to help...
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istock | ©baona

Indoor Playgrounds in Potsdam and Berlin

Potsdam and Berlin have a lot to offer for kids, even in autumn and winter. How about climbing, jumping, sliding or go-karting? Indoor playgrounds are great to burn off some energy when it's raining or snowing outside. We've picked some fun places for an afternoon with the kids.  
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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

Eating and Shopping

It's lunchtime! Several canteens and cafés in the Potsdam Science Park offer delicious meals and snacks. When the weather is nice, outdoor areas invite you to sit in the open air. And if you want to do some quick shopping for dinner or breakfast, there are several bakeries and supermarkets...
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istock | ©PavelIvanov

Living & overnight-stays

Living in the Potsdam Science Park? Of course it's possible! Studentenwerk Potsdam offers furnished one-bedroom and shared flats for students. BaseCamp, a private company, provides fully furnished rooms including a roof terrace, cinema room and fitness room. The Twenty offers furnished flats of various sizes directly on the Technology Campus.
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Social Activities in the Region

Are you looking for an idea for an excursion with your colleagues? Or would you like to get to know the country and its people better? Here are our recommendations for Potsdam and the surrounding area.
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istock | ©Soren Svendsen

Explore Potsdam and Brandenburg

Experience Potsdam and Brandenburg! Cycle around Lake Schwielowsee, visit the world-famous palaces and gardens in Potsdam or jump into one of the more than 3,000 lakes of Brandenburg. Whether on foot, by bike, on inline skates or by raft, SUP and kayak - there is so much to discover. We...
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© byakkaya | iStock

International Shopping

Food connects us - also with our homeland. People who set up a new life in Potsdam often long for familiar flavours. We would like to help you find the right ingredients to revive the cuisine of your home country in Germany. Here you will find important addresses for your...
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istock | ©FamVeld

Picking Your Own Fruit

The Potsdam Science Park is located in a traditional fruit-growing region. Throughout the summer, when the trees and bushes are full of cherries, plums or pears, the fruit farms in the region offer "self-picking". A harvest day with friends and family in the countryside is a great - and rewarding...
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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.

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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.

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