More About Bremen
Jacobs University is located in the northern districts of the city-state of Bremen. Founded approximately 1,200 years ago, Bremen is home to over 500,000 inhabitants and represents the smallest state (Bundesland) in Germany. Bremen is known for trade and commerce, having established itself as a hanseatic city during the middle ages. Close to the North Sea, the city is known for its shipping industry, together with the port of Bremerhaven 70km away.
There are three main institutions for higher learning in Bremen, including the Hochschule Bremen, the University of Bremen and Jacobs University. Altogether over 25,000 students study in the region, which of course has an effect on off-campus life for Jacobs University students. There are many restaurants, pubs, clubs, museums, theaters and other venues for students to explore. Besides Jacobs University campus life, there are many concerts, shows and parties taking place weekly. Volunteers at our Student Service Center will be happy to translate events magazines and give you tips on where to go. The convenient "Semester Ticket" allows students to use public transportation throughout the region, including to the cities of Hanover and Hamburg.
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Bremer Samba Karneval hits the city
Many have heard of the famous Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnivals of Rio, Venice or Cologne. But have you heard about Bremen’s Karneval? If you ever came to our city, this event would be one of a number of cultural activities that takes place throughout the year worth discovering. Carnival is a tradition initially widespread in Germany’s southern and western Christian Catholic regions – it represents a last chance to party before the fasting period preceding Easter.
The carnival fever and enthusiasm of other parts of Germany have certainly made it to Bremen as well. Since 1986, the otherwise reserved people of Bremen let loose and turn into a happy lot of party-goers. This year, I thought I simply could not miss this exceptional event and went to see the parade with some friends. 
It was definitely quite a sight – with costumed participants dancing on floats, throwing candy to the crowds, wearing little more than skirts or shorts - and that in the middle of the cold northern German January climate.
Amazing how they didn’t seem to notice the cold! Most people, however, preferred to remain warmly clothed in their scarves, hats, gloves and winter jackets, watching the vibrant parade while listening to the sounds of drumming, cheering and singing. This year’s motto involved delicacies from all around the world: and so, people could be found in costumes ranging from A - for anchovies to Z - for Zucchini were dancing and throwing candy through the city centre at something like 4°Celsius and loud Samba-music. The good winter cheer continued, perhaps shocking a few unprepared tourists, until various after-show parties started, offering opportunities to dance along into the night with the costumed crowd.
