Erasmus Experience in Hamburg, Germany, by Alicja

Why did you choose to go to Hamburg, Germany?

I chose Germany because I wanted to make sure that the uni I'm gonna study at will provide me with the good quality of studies and "German discipline". I wanted to keep a good balance between uni aspect and equally important Erasmus life. Furthermore, I'd like to work on my language skills.

Why Hamburg? Mostly because of the cooperation between mine uni and Uni Hamburg. But obviously, I was excited about the idea of studying in this big, beautiful, important German city with a lot of educational and cultural opportunities.

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

I will stay in Hamburg for a whole academic year and I receive 1800 euros scholarship each semester.

What is the student lifestyle like in Hamburg?

Obviously, it may differ depending on a person, schedule, the number of courses and the time that he/she would like to spend on studying, partying or enjoying the city.

But in general there is no day when you can't find a party to go, people to cook and eat a dinner with, a cultural event to participate in. What's particularly convenient is that every student who is just starting the studies in Hamburg gets a Freikarte which is a complimentary free ticket to really a great offer of Hamburg's cultural events like operas, theatre plays, philharmonic concerts. It also provides a free entrance to most of the important Hamburg's museum and much more. It's valid for 3 months.

In some dorms like Gustav Radbruch and Paul Sudeck Haus, there are parties organised every week where most of the coming people are international.

The city itself is also very worth-exploring. I can't even tell how many fantastic places to hang out there are.

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

Definitely and absolutely yes. But you have to be prepared for Northern atmosphere both when it comes to the weather (it's terrible) and the local people.

What is the food like?

Germans seem to worship wurst and kartoffeln (seriously, you can have everything with potatoes). Germans have also really embraced the organic food trend. In restaurants, you can get food from all over the world and from all of the regions of Germany. In every corner bakeries sell Franzbrötchen. They also seem to enjoy mixing drinks, for example, the very good Apfelschorle: apple juice and sparkling water. I also have to mention key German snacks like Currywurst and Fischbrötchen which are extremely popular especially here in Hamburg.

How much does it cost to live in Hamburg?

Living in a students residence I pay 277 euro per month. Before I moved in I was required to pay also a 300 euro deposit - one for the whole rental period.

In general, though renting anything but the room in a students residence is painfully expensive and also not particularly easy to find.

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

German language is not easy but Uni Hamburg provides a very big variety of German language courses on nearly every level there is. For Erasmus people they are free.

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

I'd say is a train. Last time I managed to buy the ticket for only 29 euro.

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

Definitely Sternschanze for a beer or a drink and St. Pauli with Reeperbahn street for a more... an intensive night out. It provides this sort of kitsch, gaudy and loud atmosphere which not everybody can stand but frankly, partying was never and nowhere as easy to get out of control as there.

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

For anyone interested in the sport I would strongly recommend buying a Sportscard in Hochschulsport Hamburg. It costs 50 euro for 6 months and enables to take part in many sports classes whenever one wants.