Jess' Erasmus experience in Berlin, Germany

Why did you decide to go to Berlin, Germany?

Because I wanted to have a new experience, and I had never been to the east of Germany.

How long is your scholarship? How much did you receive with your grant?

I actually don't really know, because I didn't receive any money, but from SFE - a company funded by the government - I got about £2000 per semester.

Source

How is the student life in Berlin?

So at the moment we're doing absolutely nothing at university, and I've actually found that they're a bit disorganised. So we have to do everything ourselves, which can be frustrating sometimes.

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

The city is really interesting, but in order to get a cheaper price for sightseeing, you have to know where and when to go, because you have to pay admission for museums, galleries etc here. I find the registration process really complicated and I think that some students might have found it really daunting, but I haven't started my studies properly yet so it's too soon to tell for me.

How is the national cuisine?

As a vegetarian I find real German food, like Wurst and Sauerkraut, really disgusting, but there are a lot of Turkish restaurants and cafés that serve really delicious vegetarian options.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Berlin?

Yes, it was not easy to find a place, especially at an affordable price.

How much does it cost to live in Berlin?

Life in Berlin is obviously not as expensive as it is in London, but you should be sensible with your money.

Is the language easy to understand? Does the university offer any language courses?

I believe that the university offered various language courses, but German isn't so hard for me to understand, because I studied it in school as well as in university. But I make some grammar mistakes when I'm writing and speaking.

What's the cheapest way to travel from Berlin to your city?

I come from London, so there are a lot of cheap flights to London from Berlin.

In your opinion, where is the best place to party in Berlin?

Unfortunately I don't really know! It depends on what you want; techno, hip hop, house and so on.

And to eat? Can you recommend any good restaurants?

I haven't really eaten in restaurants because it's too expensive for me.

Are there interesting cultural sights to see?

Particularly if you're interested in historical buildings and Soviet history.

Do you want to share any advice with future students of Berlin?

Maybe be sure that you have enough money.