My Erasmus Experience in Bremen, Germany - by Alexandra

Why did you choose to go to Bremen, Germany?

I wanted to do my Erasmus exchange in Germany since, although I live in Spain, I was actually born in Stuttgart and I wanted to improve my German language skills. The academic level in Germany is also one of the best in the world.

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

My scholarship lasted for ten months, though I only got paid for five months of it. I think I received 350 euros per month. The reason I'm not sure is because in Andalusia the Ministry of Education and the Andalusian Council collaborate on the scholarship separate to the European Union, so I think I received some more afterwards, too.

What's the student life like in Bremen?

It's brilliant. Bremen is full of students, you'll never be bored there. The Erasmus Initiative organise lots of events, both before the semester begins and afterwards so you start to get to know the city and feel comfortable in your new environment.

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

Definitely. It's a city that's neither too big nor too small, and it has everything you could want without it taking hours to get somewhere, unlike in Berlin or other similarly sized cities.

What's the food like in Bremen?

I personally really like German food. It's very varied and there's something for every taste, plus restaurants in general are quite good and you don't have to pay a fortune to eat out there.

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

I found my room online. It did take me a few months, because in general, in Germany it's the students who already live in the flats who decide who's going to be the next roommate, so it's not as simple as you just deciding where you want to live. I was pretty lucky since the flat I lived in was a new WG (shared flat) so I didn't have to do any interviews or anything like that.

Is accommodation in Bremen expensive?

Well, it depends on the area you're going to be living in. For example, the flats owned by Studentenwerk are quite cheap (250 euros a month). It also depends on how far away from the city centre you live - this varies the price considerably. I paid 305 euros a month for my room. My flat had been recently refurbished and done up though, so the price was understandable, even though I was 20 minutes away from the city centre. There's also the option of renting a room in one of the campus halls of residences, Galileo Residenz or The Fizz. In Galileo, a room costs about 360 euros per month, and in The Fizz about 400 euros minimum.

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

The language is hard to grasp if you've never learned German before. I didn't go to a language course, since I've spoken perfect German since I was a child, but even so, the university does offer intensive courses before the semester starts to incoming foreign students, and there are also courses that run during term-time.

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

From Córdoba, the best way of getting there is to fly from Málaga to Hamburg, and then take the train from Hamburg to Bremen. That's the most direct route.

There are also quite cheap flights from Madrid to Bremen airport with Ryanair.

What are the best places for partying in Bremen?

LaViva is a really good club, just next to the central station and with good music, an inside smokers' area, cheap drinks and student offers almost every weekend. Another club people often go to is Modernes in the Neustadt (new town), which has electro music and which is quite big, too. In Viertel district there are lots of well-priced pubs with good atmosphere, and the EuroPub next to LaViva is a good place to meet and drink a few cheap beers before going clubbing.

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

It's easy to find a good place to eat in Bremen. There are loads of restaurants in and around the city centre, with reasonable prices and good food. The only question is what you fancy eating! :)

What does Bremen have to offer in terms of culture?

Bremen is a very cultural city with lots to see. Don't forget to visit Bremen Mitte (the city centre) with the city hall and the cathedral, Böttcherstraße, and the Schnoor district, where there's a fantastic shop for all those of you who love Christmas. The riverbank is also a really lovely place for a walk and for enjoying the views.

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

Make the most of the time you're in Bremen, because it'll pass so quickly!