Erasmus Experience in Bonn, Germany by Erika

Why did you choose to go to Bonn, Germany?

Because is a high rated University, with good standards of research and best of all, it has the master program I was looking for.

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

Is for one year and I can renew it for the next year. I received 1 090 euros per month plus a deposit for the annual tuition and some part for the health insurance.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bonn?

As my master is one of the international programs all my classmates are always looking for things to do on weekends and planning about getting to know the city which helps a lot when you just arrived to the city. I have met very nice people around and the city is very tranquil, for sure not so much dynamic or partying place.

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

I will! What I like about Bonn is that is a quiet and peaceful city, if you are looking for a small city where almost the only thing to do is studying, visiting some museums or having good concerts, so a cultural city, this is the place!

What is the food like?

Mmmm Bratwurst and potatoes, that's it! But I have to admit that those are good!

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Bonn?

More or less, but I could find a good place in a week, now i'm moving to the student's dorms next year.

How much does it cost to live in Bonn?

Now I'm paying 300€ per month including everything: heating, light and water...

Next year I'll pay 200€ in the student's dorms, these are the cheapest you can find in Bonn and they have different prices depending on what you want to share with the other students.

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

Not at all! I'm dealing with it right now because all the student would speak English but in the streets or stores not everybody does, so you HAVE to learn German to survive haha... Yes, there are some courses available in the University, I'm actually taking the beginners level.

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

For being a student in Bonn you get the student card which you can use for ALL kind of transportation into the North Rhine-Westphalia state, which is quite cool! since is a big state. The only limitation are the trains IC and ICE, for those you have to pay.

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

I haven't figure it out yet... but there are some irish pubs which are good and other pubs and restaurants around. These days going into the Christmas Market for some Glühwein is all you need.

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

I don't have my favorite one. There are many crepes and bratwursts food trucks in downtown.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Museums, Beethoven's house, Theater Bonn....

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Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Bonn?

Bonn is a small city but yet you have everything you need and always you have the option to go to Cologne that is just 30 min far.

Good student city and you can't get lost here!