The University of Munich, formally titled Ludwig-Maximilians-University, has the largest number of students of any university in West Germany. Because West German students need not pay tuition, the Bavarian state government has long been troubled by the burden of supporting the school's 60,000-some student population.

To relieve the crunch, the University of Munich launched a campaign a few years ago to limit students from "wasting public money." Based on respect for academic freedom, the German federal government permits students to remain in school as long as they wish, and some "perpetual scholars" manage to put off the date of graduation for decades, despite the onset of gray hairs and receding hairlines.

Munich University, originating a new trend, stipulated that students must complete eight semesters of formal study within a maximum of thirteen semesters--otherwise the school, in defiance of tradition, would send them packing. To leave open a safety valve the authorities decided to allow those who failed to earn a degree within the prescribed time to continue their studies, provided they paid their tuition themselves.

At the same time, the university's faculty and administrative personnel began insisting that "we're all booked up," meaning "if you're thinking of coming here to study, you'd better forget it." Despite their efforts to prevent the student population from growing, new students continue to flock to the school year after year both from within the country and around the world.

The University of Munich is not West Germany's top-ranked academic institution; in fact, Germany has never had a ranking system for colleges and universities. All are publicly owned and all maintain high standards--although the government does try to develop them in different ways and each has its special strengths.

German universities generally come one to a city: whether large or small each city has just one. That's why cities imbued in history and culture like Munich and Berlin are most students' top choices.

Chinese graduates of Munich University often boast that besides studying they "had a lot of fun there too!" Munich possesses all the attractions of an international metropolis. Besides taking advantage of the university's excellent academic offerings, students can enjoy art exhibits, world-class concerts, and a host of other cultural and recreational activities.

Let's look at the academic side first.

Munich University is the oldest university in Germany next to Heidelberg. It was founded in 1472 in the town of Ingolstadt, about 100 kilometers from Munich, and wasn't transferred to Munich until 1826. Thereafter the university grew rapidly, adding colleges of law, education, sociology, and the like, until now it has twenty colleges in all.

Because the colleges were all founded at different times and because of the explosive growth of the city, the university has never had a campus of its own. Colleges are scattered throughout the city and may be separated by as much as 25 kilometers from one another. As a result, the entire city falls within the scope of students' activities.

Chiang Han-sheng, director of the urology department at the Taipei Medical College, says that compared with universities in the U.S. and Japan those in Germany cater less to students and stress the fundamentals. If you want to be a doctor, you must first spend half a year washing patients, cutting their hair, and help them rehabilitate. That's because school authorities believe that only in this way will doctors come to understand the feelings and needs of their patients.

An outstanding faculty, excellent facilities, and German educational thoroughness draw students to the university from around the world. At present nearly fifty students from the R.O.C. are enrolled at Munich University, most of them studying law and German literature.

Munich University is renowned for its law faculty, and because the R.O.C.'s legal system is based on the continental system used in Germany, law students at National Taiwan University have traditionally hoped to go to Munich University to further their studies. Quite a few have realized their dream, including such noted legal scholars as Su Yung-ch'in and Wang Che-chien, both of whom studied there.

Besides hitting the books, students at Munich University also know how to make full use of the resources and activities the city offers. In talking about recreational opportunities, Lin Hsin-ho, who holds a doctorate in law from the university, first mentions the city's large theaters, which attract world-famous stars in music, ballet, and opera. "You can see and hear not only the best of the free world, but the most famous artists of the Soviet Union as well."

In addition to gathering the cream of world culture, the city has not forgotten its native German heritage. Munich is the beer capital of the world, and its annual autumn Bierfest dates back 160 years. Beer houses are popular nighttime gathering spots for students year-round as well.

Munich students also have an athletic center that is second to none: the facilities left from the 1972 summer Olympics. The complex is a paradise for athletes, and the stadium has been the site of two European Cup soccer championships.

In order to cover the activities that are constantly going on, the city of Munich distributes a handbook every month that is nearly 200 pages thick. No wonder students find Munich University a good place to have fun as well as study.

The university spares no expense when it comes to furthering the pursuit of knowledge but, without a campus, finds itself at quite a disadvantage when it comes to providing students with housing.

The university's dormitories can hold only eight percent of the student population, so most students are forced to seek other accommodations--and rents are high. "For most students from abroad, it's worth it to spend a little more to be able to study here," says Ch'en Ch'un-sheng, who is studying law at the school.

The city of Munich leaves fond memories with the foreign students who study there. "If I could choose again, Munich University is still the place I'd like to go to most," Lin Hsin-ho says with a smile.

No matter how hard the University of Munich tries to turn them away, it looks as though the number of applicants who wish to study there will continue to increase.

[Picture Caption]

The university has no clear campus or logo. The three words over the door are the school's name in Latin.

A sale of used books on a winter day attracts a small crowd.

The university's administrative center is near this memorial arch.

Despite a population of 1.2 million, Munich seems uncrowded, due to excellent urban planning.

An abundance of parks provides students with a place to chat and stroll.

Germans pay a great deal of attention to cleanliness in the environment. A rare example of trash makes an interesting sight.

Pictured is the university's College of Arts.

(Left) German universities use the tutorial system, in which students frequently seek advice from teachers.

(Right) Rooms are available in church-affiliated dormitories as well as those owned by the university.

The countryside around Munich is typical of central Europe.

Food in the student cafeterias is cheap and tasty and popular even with foreigners.

A sale of used books on a winter day attracts a small crowd.

The university's administrative center is near this memorial arch.

Despite a population of 1.2 million, Munich seems uncrowded, due to excellent urban planning.

An abundance of parks provides students with a place to chat and stroll.

Germans pay a great deal of attention to cleanliness in the environment. A rare example of trash makes an interesting sight.

Pictured is the university's College of Arts.

（Left） German universities use the tutorial system, in which students frequently seek advice from teachers.

（Right） Rooms are available in church-affiliated dormitories as well as those owned by the university.

The countryside around Munich is typical of central Europe.

Food in the student cafeterias is cheap and tasty and popular even with foreigners.