Erasmus Experience in Dortmund, Germany by Andre

Why did you choose to go to Dortmund, Germany?

I already had previous experience with the city and knew there some people.

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

That depends on your home country and university. I received around 300 Euro per month, which barely covered my rent. You definitely need to find second financial resource - either your parents help or you find a job.

What is the student lifestyle like in Dortmund?

Awesome! There is every night another student bar open on campus, all Erasmus students are meeting there almost every night during the week. There is often party on weekends. In summer we used to make barbecues in the gardens of our student residences, there are grills all around for anybody to use. Professors are very tolerant and kind, ready to help you with anything.

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

Yes.

What is the food like?

Hard to tell... The most typical thing I ever tried was Currywurst mit Pommes. The food in Mensa is quite good, not like your mommy's food but at least big selection on everything. Cafeterias on Campus offer huge variety of cakes and pastries.

Currywurst with chips

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Dortmund?

No, I got automatically a room in student residence from the university. However it was a bit too far from campus so I wanted to move after 6 months, and then it was really difficult to convince the student secretary to give me another room on campus. In the end I succeeded, with help of my German friend.

How much does it cost to live in Dortmund?

Room in a student residence cost 250-300 Euro. Normally you need 200-300 per month if you don't want to spend too much. So in total 500-600 Euro per month.

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

There are language courses in the university for free! In the 11 months I've spent there I made two German courses, one Business English, French and Spanish. Also in the beginning we were offered an intensive German course - 5 lessons per week for 4 weeks in total. It was very helpful, yet not enough to improve your German significantly. However, I totally recommend to attend this course, because you will meet and get to know there all the people you'll spend the next months with.

In general German language is very difficult but everybody is very friendly and wants to help, so don't give up!

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

I traveled with Ryanair from Bratislava to Düsseldorf-Weeze, then 2 hours with train. But I don't think these flights are still operating. Otherwise there are trains from Vienna or Mitfahrgelegenheit.de.

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

In City-Center I recommend dance clubs Keller and Nightrooms, for a beer the irish pub Limericks in Kampstraße or Hirsch-Q in Brückstraße, for jazz music and cocktails Domicil in Hansastraße - here every Monday freestyle jam sessions - very recommendable!

But you can also stay on Campus - every Monday opens a student bar called Eastend in residence Ostenbergstraße, on Tuesdays in Emil-Figge-Straße, on Wednesdays Spunk im Studentendorf (the most popular one), on Thursdays Sackbahnhof in Ostengerbstraße 109. There is always cheep and good beer and sometimes even dancing or live concerts.

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are many interesting sites connected with industrial architecture and landscape. Really cool is Dortmunder U, Zollverein Essen, Bergbaumuseum Bochum, Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord... All the area of Ruhrgebiet is ideal for bicycle trips - take a train and e. g. join the "Route der Industriekultur". Specially beautiful is Halde Hoheward with sky observatory on the top. Also don't forget to visit other cities such as Düsseldorf and Köln!

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Dortmund in the future?

Buy a bicycle! There is every Saturday a Flohmarkt on campus where you can get second-hand bike for 20-60 Euro. Or search advertisements in Mensa or Internet.

Travel a lot! You will have "Semesterticket" for whole Nordrhein-Westfalen. You can go to Netherlands as well - with your ticket until borders, then you have buy additional ticket but it will still be quite cheap. After 7pm you can even take another person on your ticket with you, perfect when you'll have visitors.