My Erasmus Exchange in Bremen, Germany - by Isabel

Why did you choose to go to Bremen, Germany?

To relearn a language I'd forgotten.

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

In theory, I'll receive 1, 750 euros, but neither I nor anyone I know have received anything yet. It's ridiculous that some of it will be paid at the end of your Erasmus exchange. In theory, if your stay is six months long, they should give you enough to cover half of your costs, but like I've said, I haven't received any help at all and my stay is almost over.

What's the student life like in Bremen?

It's incredible - there are loads of young people, loads of parties and events on every day... but if you're Spanish and you really want to learn something during your time there, I wouldn't choose it as your first destination, since it's full of Spaniards!

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

As I've already mentioned, if your aim as a student is to learn the native language, no - if your aim is just to enjoy the nightlife and leisure activities, I'd definitely recommend it.

What's German food like?

It's based around the stereotypes we have of the Germans... sausages and Kartoffelsalat. They are also very influenced by the Turkish population, so the city is full of cheap kebab stands. The kebabs are tasty, though they're smaller than the ones you would get in Spain. I recommend you go to one called Arabic in Viertel.

Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Bremen?

Nope, since a girl from the same university got in contact with me to offer me her room for when she'd finished.

How expensive is living in Bremen?

It depends a lot on the supermarket you choose. I always went to one called Penny which was really cheap, quite a lot cheaper than Mercadona for example. Alcohol is priced similar to how it is in Spain, tobacco is more expensive, and rent, too. Bremen is however one of the cheapest German cities, and with 800 euros a month, you'll have enough to pay your rent, pay for your food and for leisure activities.

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

Good, though I barely got to speak any German as my flatmates all spoke to each other in English and the classes at the university were taught in English. I went to a course that the university offered for 160 euros for three weeks. I didn't really find it was enough, and the dynamic in class was pretty slow, though this all depends on the professor.

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

By train, but it takes around 20 hours and I wouldn't recommend it for this reason. Another way is to choose cities such as Barcelona, Alicantem Madrid or Girona which offer really cheap direct flights to Bremen or to Hamburg or Hannover which are very nearby. Therefore, I'd recommend looking at flights to the other two cities I mention as well as at those direct to Bremen. You can get a train to Bremen from these two cities for 23 euros.

What are the best places for partying in Bremen?

It depends on the day, and if the university is organising its own events, but the best nights out I've had have been in LaViva. It's open every Friday and entrance is free for students. You can also go partying in Hamburg, in a former bunker - you have to pay 15 euros to get in, but it's really worth it. There are thousands of possibilities in terms of what kind of music or people you want to find. There are almost as many clubs as there are kebab stalls. Don't forget about Eurobar, which is next to the street where most of the clubs are. They offer shots and small mixers for a euro and cachimbas for seven euros.

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

As I've said before, if you like kebabs, you can't go to Bremen without trying the ones from Arabic in Viertel. There's also Vapiano's for pasta lovers and the Burger House for the yankees.

What does Bremen have to offer in terms of culture?

You can explore the entire city within five days. It's a lovely place and has a lot of charm, especially when the sun is shining down on the streets. The weather however often obscures Bremen's attractiveness. You can travel to other nearby cities for free such as Hannover and Hamburg (a really cool city) with a student card, and also to the nearby towns. You can also go to Holland for eleven euros and visit Groningen, a city with 200, 000 inhabitants just two and a half hours away. In the summertime, there are loads of things to do thanks to the large amounts of parks in the city, and in the wintertime, there are loads of Christmas markets and fairs. If you have to choose which semester to go for, go for the summer one.

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

Come with an open mind. Don't worry, the university organises loads of activities during the first few week for all the Erasmus students to get to know each other (when I say activities, I mean mostly dinner dates and parties, they even give out free shots... ). They really make a big effort to make sure you feel comfortable and at home. I would also recommend you get a room in a residence rather than look for your own flat, since then you have constant contact with students, and can also drink in the flat before you go out... you'll never get bored or feel alone. I was in a pretty central residence and 10 minutes away from the Hochschule. If anyone's interested in knowing more, they can just send me a message. :)