Erasmus Experience in Berlin, Germany by Theo

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Why did you choose to go to Berlin, Germany?

I grew up in Athens, so I wanted to "escape" in some way and experience something new as a student. I already knew some German and I wanted to live in a big affordable city so Berlin was an obvious choice. Its reputation regarding entertainment and leisure, to put it mildly, also helped.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I receive approximately 950 euros per month until the end of my studies. I personally spend almost the entirety of it because I take part in many activities and try to travel a lot, so the money is almost always a problem.

What is the student lifestyle like in Berlin?

To be honest, it is not like I imagined it. I came with high expectations in this aspect, but I got quickly disillusioned. Maybe it's my huge faculty with 400 students per semester (I study politics), but it's not the easiest thing to get to know people here. One should find alternative ways on his own to get connected.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Berlin to other students?

I would definitely recommend it, if what you're looking for is a big city to study. Berlin is affordable, lively and there's always something going on. On the negative side, it's a nightmare to find accommodation and almost impossibly to find a room to stay near the center, so most probably you'll be living in a suburb and spending a huge amount of your time in the bus and train. Berlin is really big and sometimes, add the weather, it is discouraging when you want to go out at night to a different neighborhood.

What is the food like?

Food is, simply put, awful. If you're used to a good and balanced diet and then you learn you have to live on fries and döner, it's a bit unsettling. So it's almost imperative that one cooks at home, if one doesn't have the budget (like most students) to eat at fancy restaurants every day. Another option is to eat at uni, which is good and affordable, but apart from it, eating healthy and balanced will be a pain.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Berlin?

Yes it cost me a lot of time, energy and money to find an accommodation. Berlin is terrible in this aspect, but they are working to solve this lack of housing.

How much does it cost to live in Berlin?

Everyone should be ready to spend a minimum of 400 euros a month on housing plus around 300 on food (10 euros a day is a reasonable amount). In addition, one should take in account the university fees and the price for language and sport courses, which are really cheap and really worth it. Of course, don't forget the drinks and other things during nightly activities.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

No. German is tough as hell. It's imperative to get language courses beforehand and also know a good bit of German before coming here. If one wants to give it a try, one should be really motivated and not come half-hearted to the struggle.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Berlin from your city?

Practically Berlin is my city, but if you mean Athens (or any place really) then there's no alternative to Ryanair.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Berlin?

Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are really "in" and Neukölln is on the rise too. Generally speaking, East Berlin will be the place to go at night. That said, my personal favorite is Prenzlauer Berg. If you care about places to go out, then having a shortage should the least of your concerns.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Berlin?

There's 12 Apostles at Mitte, La Montanera in Lankwitz, Giotto in Friedrichstraße and of course, Blockhouse. But if you're going to one of those, or any good restaurant in general, be prepared to pay big time.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In the first two days being here one should grab a bicycle for 12 euros a day and visit Schöneberg, (especially around Nollendorfplatz and Wittenbergplatz) Kurfürstendamm, Zoologischer Garten, Tiergarten (where, God willing and weather permitting, it's great to sit for hours and relax, eat something, hear some music, do some sport etc), Potsdamer Platz, Friedrichsstraße (where it's absolutely beautiful in winter with the Wintermärkte), Hackescher Markt and Alexanderplatz. East Berlin should be left for the night. East Side Gallery is a personal favorite and I always take friends and family there when they visit Berlin, especially at night, if they ask me. Concerning cultural sites in the strict sense, I would say the Jewish Memorial, the Brandenburger Tor, the Siegessäule and museums such as the DDR-Museum, the German Historical Museum and the Stasi-Museum are a must. And if you have time and a strong stomach, I would say that an excursion to Sachsenhaus in Oranienburg is worth its while, especially if you are interested in World War II and want to see some things first-hand.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Berlin in the future?

I'd like to say to potential students, don't come with incredibly high expectations, especially regarding social life. You'll most probably stick with people you already know or from your country that you meet there or other foreigners. Germans are almost impossible to befriend. The only German friends I have I met them outside Germany and they are really great people, but when in Germany Germans tend mostly to associate with other Germans or at least people who speak German impeccably. Apart from that, Berlin and its "Unis" presents the amazing opportunity to you to finally learn that language that you always wanted (Spanish in my case) and try that sport you always wanted (Taekwondo, in my case) at a ridiculous price per semester. Check out all languages and sports courses in all "Unis" in Berlin and book a place as soon as possible (many of them get completely booked around 30 seconds after beginning of booking, so be fast! ). All in all, come prepared and open-minded to possibilities that arise and you'll have a great time!