Absolutely not! Our entire Bible school program and all activities are run in English. Also, our area of Europe is very international, so German is not even needed to shop, travel, or visit local businesses. The only language you will really need during your time in Bible school with us is English.

You can connect to the internet at Bodenseehof using our wireless access point. Additionally, there is a cafe nearby where you can connect for free with the purchase of coffee or a meal.

While at Bodenseehof, you are near some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. If you plan to take advantage of this during your stay here, it would make sense to bring your skis or snowboard. There are plenty of opportunities to hit the mountains on Saturdays, on travel weekend, and over Christmas break.

Right next door to Bodenseehof is a conference center where you would be able to stay for a reasonable fee (about €25/night). We recommend that you book a room in advance if you plan to stay there.

It is called the "Erholungsheim - Tagungshaus Schwesternheim Fischbach"
Email: Info@ErTaHFischbach.de
Phone: 0049 7541 956-0
www.ErTaHFischbach.de

There are several hotels and bed & breakfasts around Friedrichshafen, as well as a youth hostel. We recommend the hostel, but here you should definitely book your room in advance!

Jugendherberge “Graf-Zeppelin-JH” (hostel)
Internet: www.djh.de Phone 0049 7541 72404

If this is full or you are looking for a hotel, the Tourist Information office in Friedrichshafen should be able to help you.

Tourist Information, Friedrichshafen
Phone: 0049 (0)7541 30010
Internet: www.friedrichshafen.de
Email: Tourist-Infofriedrichshafen@t-online.de

Of course, you are more than welcome to drop off excess luggage here before school begins. If you would like to drop off luggage before school starts, please send us an email beforehand so that we can make sure that someone is here in the office when you come.

Nope! Use of laundry machines and detergent is provided for you at no charge.

The power here in Germany is 220v and 50Hz. This is different from North America, so you will have to check for yourself if your equipment is designed to operate on this power system.

Most laptop power supplies and camera battery chargers will work automatically, you will just need an adaptor.

Most other appliances (hair dryers, shavers, etc) do not - which means you need a power converter in these cases.

What is included in your tuition and fees:

Lodging and all Meals
Email/Internet access
Laundry and Detergent
All Books
Yearbook
Four Student Trips*
Use of Bodenseehof sports equipment (bikes, boats, sauna)

What is not included in your tuition and fees:

The residency visa for students not from the European union ( 60 €)
Health and accident insurance during Bible school
Postage and telephone calls
Bus fares to town
Travel Expenses

*Already included in your fees are a trip to the Alps for a hike, a trip to Neuschwanstein (the castle Walt Disney used to model his own), a trip to Stuttgart to visit the Christmas market, and a trip to Münich. Many other trips and activities will be also be made available throughout the year (not included in the fee).

We are about a 20 minute walk from a large grocery store which sells most everything you could possibly need.

If that does not have what you need, it is just a 10 minute bus ride to the city center which has all kinds of other options.

North Americans can buy a Eurail pass (www.eurail.com or www.raileurope.com) before coming. If you are 26 or under, you can also purchase an InterRail pass here in Europe after you have stayed in Germany for 6 months. The InterRail pass is significantly cheaper than the Eurail Pass; you can find more information at www.bahn.de.

It is also possible to travel very inexpensively by airplane throughout Europe , often cheaper than by train, but we can tell you more details when you get here. (www.europebyair.com or www.ryanair.com )

It is may be worthwhile to get an International Youth Hostel Card and an International Student ID Card before coming, although you will also receive a less-recognized student ID from Bodenseehof.

Just visit the website for the German Railway: www.bahn.de. When you are there, click "English" at the top of the screen. Bodenseehof is located in Friedrichshafen-Fischbach.

This is a very individual consideration. While you are at Bodenseehof, you really would not need any additional money, except for any food you eat or trips you take part in above and beyond what is included in your tuition.

Generally, you will need money for any travelling you do outside of school or on the travel weekends (it is also possible to stay at Bodenseehof for free during these weekends). Of course, any skiing or other such activities require an appropriate amount of money. So...in many ways, it is up to you!

There are always staff members available in our building, and our RA’s sleep in the dorm building and are available 24 hours a day.

This means that in an emergency we are available around the clock.

There is a hospital about 10 minutes away (by car) and a family doctor who is fluent in English in our neighbourhood. We have a good relationship with other specialists in the area as well.

We are happy to help you!

Yes, in Germany everyone must have medical insurance by law. In order to get a student visa proof of medical insurance is required. Therefore, you must be insured when you arrive.

For those outside of the EU:

In Germany you normally don’t have to pay the bill immediately; you are given a 2-4 week grace period before paying it. When the time comes to pay, you need to pay it in cash and than hand the receipt in to your insurance company and they will pay you back.

The easiest way to get money is to use your bank/debit card and withdraw the money from a nearby ATM (less than 10 minutes walk from Bodenseehof).

During the week, students have class in the morning and several of the evenings. Afternoons and evenings after lecture are free for study, sports, outreach, trips, socializing, etc. Students also meet during the week for family groups and various other activities.

During the week, students normally have 3 classes from 9.00 - 12.00. On Monday through Thursday evenings there are normally 2 lectures from 19.15 - 21.00.

For those who are not on outreaches: Friday afternoons and evenings are normally free, though we offer a social event every friday night for those who are interested.

Saturdays are free, and you can use them to enjoy a restful brunch at Bodenseehof or take advantage of the hundreds of options for daytrips. Germany has an effective public transportation system, so you can easily visit nice middle age cities, the Alps, Switerland, Austria, France, or go skiing.

On Sundays we have an english church service at the school, and then either a sharing service or small groups in the evening.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer student loans.

If you are living in the European Union, a simple bank transfer is best. For those living outside of the European Union...

For small amounts, you can use a credit card. This is the easiest way, but there are often fees of around 3%.

For larger amounts like paying tuition, you can use an international bank transfer or certified cashiers check in Euros. If you are unsure of how to do this, your bank can normally help you.

Each student receives a Bible certificate and transcript upon completion of the course. College credit is given by schools in North America and Europe, depending on the school attended and course of study. Bodenseehof has a Credit Transfer Agreement with Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota and Columbia International University, Columbia which offers college credit based on the courses attended and grades earned at Bodenseehof.

At Columbia International University, their mission and academic standards are closely aligned with our Torchbearer Bible Schools. You can receive transfer credits by:
- Creating a portfolio
- Writing an essay
- Sending a transcript

Is your son or daughter coming to Bodenseehof this fall? More and more parents are taking advantage of the opportunity and planning a trip to Europe to visit their children who are attending Bodenseehof. Please know that there are guest rooms available for visitors during bible school. Also, parents and friends are more than welcome to sit in on the lectures and attend any outreach functions that may be going on at Bodenseehof during their stay. For some it’s the perfect chance to take the trip to Europe they’ve always wanted and now are able to combine it with a once in a life-time experience with the family at Bodenseehof. For more information simply contact us at office@bodenseehof.de Visit our website for dates and topics of the various lecture series given during the school year.