Erasmus experience in Düsseldorf, Germany by Arianna

Why did you choose to go to Düsseldorf, Germany?

I choose Germany mainly for my desire to learn German.

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

My scholarship was for 10 months and I received 2300€ from my University.

What is the student lifestyle like in Düsseldorf?

The student environment is very different from the one I was used to in Milan; German student participate much more during lessons and the professors have as a first aim to understand the student's ideas, what they think about the topic already discussed and why; Debates are often opened and are dragged on even for many lessons and this is in my opinion very stimulating. In Italy, we're more used to a type of lesson, in which the professor explains and students listen, mostly with a passive attitude.

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

I would recommend it, with the premise that Germany is not as "perfect" as you think.

What is the food like?

I don't personally rate it as "good food", but it comes down to personal taste, of course. Here you eat a lot of meat, potatoes and every type of wurst with every type of sauce possible.

I must say, however, that there are well-stocked bakeries where you can find a lot of different kinds of bread and many delicious cakes.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Düsseldorf?

It was very difficult for me since there weren't any more spots in the dorms. I spent from June to September searching for a room online unsuccessfully, in September I had to come and find it directly here in person.

How much does it cost to live in Düsseldorf?

Rents outside the dorms are very expensive, but life, in general, is quite cheap, cheaper than the one in Milan, to be clear.

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

The language is very difficult, but I'm getting better. Yes, I'm taking part in a course at University and I'm taking online lessons in OSL (also very useful).

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

From Milan, flights are usually very cheap, especially to Cologne. From there, the journey is only 40 minutes by train to Düsseldorf.

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

Altstadt - the old city, there are lots of places for every taste.

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Is it good to eat out in Düsseldorf? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

My favourite places, not being a fan of German cuisine, are mostly Asian restaurants, especially Thai, Korean and Japanese (there are tons of)

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Two beautiful museums, the K20 and the K21 and a wonderful Japanese garden with a temple.

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

For life in the city in general, I don't feel like giving advice, since everyone looks for different experiences and expectations are personal.

For what concerns university life, I highly recommend you to seriously organise your study plan and if you have any doubts, be sure to contact your Erasmus coordinator to avoid further problems.