Excellent academic and personal stimulus

Why did you choose to go to Berlin, Germany?

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For personal reasons - my girlfriend is from Berlin.

How long did your scholarship last? How much were you paid?

I only received 1, 500 euros. I received 300 euros per month for five months, but I actually stayed in Berlin for a whole academic year.

What's the student life like in Berlin?

Berlin has a great student atmosphere, though more academically competitive than in Spain.

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

Yes, I'd definitely recommend it.

What's the food like in Germany?

They have great food here and eat more fruit and vegetables than we do in Spain, though this produce normally comes from there. They don't eat as much meat and you can find all kinds of restaurants in the city.

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How did you find your accommodation?

Through family.

What are the accommodation prices like? How expensive is living in Berlin in general?

Accommodation prices could be compared to those in Granada if we're comparing with Spanish cities. Generally, the cost of living is around half of that in Madrid or Barcelona.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language course at the university?

German is complicated, but almost everyone here speaks English and a fair number of people speak Spanish, too. It's surprising just how many. I studied at a private German academy during the first semester, and during the second at an English one.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Berlin from your home city?

By plane, flying directly from Madrid to Berlin.

What are the best places for partying in Berlin?

I wouldn't know.

What about eating out in Berlin? What are your favourite places?

My favourite places are the Asian restaurants or bistros. All of them serve cheap and tasty food, in Potsdam as well as in Berlin.

What does Berlin have to offer in terms of culture?

Potsdam, the ex-Communist area of the city, Friedrichstrasse...

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Do you have any advice for future students coming to Berlin?

My advice is to bear in mind that there isn't any special provision for Erasmus students. The teachers are usually very nice and helpful, but they're like that with all students. The work load is also quite demanding, with essays and projects required to be handed in throughout the year, and though this worked out well for me, I saw quite a lot of people drop out or get suspended. I recommend Erasmus students to actually work while they're here, and to think about the fact that in Germany, universities are usually just seen as a place of study.