Schools TU Eindhoven or Universität Leipzig?

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The discussion centers around a US international student deciding between studying physics at Leipzig University or Eindhoven University of Technology. Leipzig is appealing due to its historical significance, cultural heritage, and the IPSP Program, but it offers fewer career opportunities and a higher cost of living. In contrast, Eindhoven features a modern campus, a higher-ranked physics program, and better internship prospects, although it lacks historical depth. The student expresses a strong interest in theoretical physics but is concerned that applied physics may limit exposure to philosophical aspects. The aspiration to pursue a doctoral degree in physics and work in research or design at a particle accelerator or fusion reactor is also highlighted. Minor concerns include cultural aspects like food options and gym accessibility. A peer suggests Leipzig for a more focused physics education, emphasizing the distinction between physics and applied physics.
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I am a US international student who will be studying physics as a freshman in the Fall or Winter (depending on which uni I choose) I will be doing the IPSP Program at Leipzig if I choose Leipzig, and if I choose Eindhoven I will be studying Applied Physics in English.

Leipzig has so much history to it and the university is over 600 years old which is appealing to me, as well as all of the notable alumni. I also have German heritage and have been fascinated by German culture and language. Leipzig sounds like a place where I would get that with all the festivals, but at the same time Eindhoven has such a beautiful campus, and seems to guarantee more career experience opportunities (with internship possibilities) at nearby technical businesses.

Eindhoven is very different in that it is a new university, has a higher ranked Physics program, and the Netherlands seems much more relaxed. This is very appealing to me, and I think the university is more organized/has more opportunities for international students than Leipzig. I also have Dutch relatives I can contact should there be an emergency. I also like the modern style of Eindhoven's library much more than Leipzig's and the library is an important factor to me. I also like the centralization of the campus, and how buildings are currently under construction and have nice architecture, but the city also has relatively little history to it.

The cost of attending Leipzig/semester will be about $9000 (there is no tuition) and Eindhoven would be about $19000 ($10,000 tuition).

Also, I really enjoy the philosophy of Physics, but as far as I understand applied physics cuts out a lot of the philosophy and theory in physics and replaces it with engineering. This may be useful to me however as I might dual major later on in my career with Physics and Systems Engineering, and I have heard applied physics is good for systems, but I also really don't want to miss out on the theoretical side of physics.

Note I aspire to attain a doctoral degree in physics, and want to work at a Particle accelerator and/or work for a Fusion reactor firm (doing research or design). Also I am not currently in contact with my family in Germany, but could find them should I need to. I also will probably not be able to visit before I commit to a college.

Minor Concerns Include -I want to wear a lab coat for fun (I think this would be acceptable in Eindhoven, but what would happen in Leipzig?) -I like Asian food and especially boba, but do not expect to find much in Europe -Ideally I want to go to a gym that does not close (apparently Leipzig has one)

Any advice is much appreciated!
 
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Thor4Four said:
I am a US international student who will be studying physics as a freshman in the Fall or Winter (depending on which uni I choose) I will be doing the IPSP Program at Leipzig if I choose Leipzig, and if I choose Eindhoven I will be studying Applied Physics in English.

Leipzig has so much history to it and the university is over 600 years old which is appealing to me, as well as all of the notable alumni. I also have German heritage and have been fascinated by German culture and language. Leipzig sounds like a place where I would get that with all the festivals, but at the same time Eindhoven has such a beautiful campus, and seems to guarantee more career experience opportunities (with internship possibilities) at nearby technical businesses.

Eindhoven is very different in that it is a new university, has a higher ranked Physics program, and the Netherlands seems much more relaxed. This is very appealing to me, and I think the university is more organized/has more opportunities for international students than Leipzig. I also have Dutch relatives I can contact should there be an emergency. I also like the modern style of Eindhoven's library much more than Leipzig's and the library is an important factor to me. I also like the centralization of the campus, and how buildings are currently under construction and have nice architecture, but the city also has relatively little history to it.

The cost of attending Leipzig/semester will be about $9000 (there is no tuition) and Eindhoven would be about $19000 ($10,000 tuition).

Also, I really enjoy the philosophy of Physics, but as far as I understand applied physics cuts out a lot of the philosophy and theory in physics and replaces it with engineering. This may be useful to me however as I might dual major later on in my career with Physics and Systems Engineering, and I have heard applied physics is good for systems, but I also really don't want to miss out on the theoretical side of physics.

Note I aspire to attain a doctoral degree in physics, and want to work at a Particle accelerator and/or work for a Fusion reactor firm (doing research or design). Also I am not currently in contact with my family in Germany, but could find them should I need to. I also will probably not be able to visit before I commit to a college.

Minor Concerns Include -I want to wear a lab coat for fun (I think this would be acceptable in Eindhoven, but what would happen in Leipzig?) -I like Asian food and especially boba, but do not expect to find much in Europe -Ideally I want to go to a gym that does not close (apparently Leipzig has one)

Any advice is much appreciated!
Hey
I say Leipzig if you really want to study physics, it's better if you want to focus purley on physics and master the subject
Though it's my own personal opinion,I feel that applied physics is more of engineering
By the way I got accepted to leipzig for this year's winter semester . hope you did as well
 
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