The best translation of Studentenverbindungen would be ‘student fraternity’, although they’re very different from their American equivalents. They are small communities of students (around 15) who live and socialise together. Some members live in the fraternity house, usually a large (and beautiful) old house in the centre of town. Older members, or Alte Herren, occasionally return to meet up with old friends and also support the Verbindung financially. No one owns a Verbindung: current members organise all the social activities and live in the house while older members oversee its finances.