Erasmus experience in Hamburg, Germany

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Why did you choose to go to Hamburg, Germany?

Inter-university connection and cooperation between professors of my home-Uni and HAW Hamburg.

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

400 euros. Stayed for 3 months.

What is the student lifestyle like in Hamburg?

The city is much "compact", it is plenty of student dorms (book in advance), the people's attitude is much more open and free thanks to the port and the Hanseatic background.

The University of Hamburg is so centrally located that (providing there's good weather) you're gonna love to ride the bike. The HAW Hamburg is also very central.

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

I was in HAW Hamburg, which is the second biggest universities in Hamburg.

Hamburg is actually one of the most underestimated and not as popular as exchange students destination, as it should be. It will surprise you!

What is the food like?

International, quite cosmopolitan, there's a numerous ability of choices. If you want to dig in a little more you will get some really nice spots, really money worthy, too.

When it comes to buying food from retailers (for cooking) I did not have any problems at all. There were many supermarket that have everything, from meat to fish, to vegetarian and vegan food. Also the supermarkets start to offer food from other countries, so you might feel like home as you can buy what you're used to.

How did you find your accommodation?

There is the possibility to live in Gustav-Radbruch or Berliner-Tor student residencies (the transportation runs 24h and the residencies are 5 minutes from the central station).

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

Hm... not easy!

Of course, you can have the greatest of time with the international group. After all most of the people attend international courses.

I think that every University in the city offers language courses. But, my opinion is that speaking German can help you to get along in everyday life. Young people speak English very well, but in shops or with old people it might be a bit difficult.

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

I would suggest flights from Athens or Crete to Hamburg. The airlines offer cheap flights and it's no problem finding some.

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

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• St. Pauli is for sure something to find out.
• Sternschanze area is really a nice alternative. Urban and low-cost, plenty of options, really reminds of Berlin.
• St.Georg district really offers a different ambient; don't get snob or afraid with the numerous gay places! There are some bars and small stores that really share a unique culture and elegance.

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

For typical everyday or street food just check around the city. Every spot, excluding the most touristic ones are fair. Germans in general know how to offer money-worthy food. Mostly Sternschanze will do it.

HafenCity

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The entire city is something to love.

Just get on a bike and explore the center. Day by day the Hafen City project reveals new spots and expands the city limits and connections to the sea.

Plenty of museums, check out for the "Long nights of the museum", there you can visit a lot of them for free.

Have-to-do:

• The Municipality Hall tour, if you like history just a bit.
• Maritime Museum, if you're more of a sea person than a mountain person.
• Balinstadt Museum (immigration) really nice set up and multimedia applications.

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

It will be better than you have imagined. Go for it!