Experience Erasmus in Hamburg, Germany by Virginia.

How’s the student environment in Hamburg?

There’s a lot of students and young people in Hamburg, but there’s a problem with the University schedule, here the university stars on October (around the 15th more or less), the exams are on the last days of January and February and if you pass them you have holidays on March. Then the sommersemester is from April till July and in July you have the exams, but if you fail them you have the recoveries at the end of September and on the beginning of October. They give you the subjects about 20 days before the beginning of the semester so it is impossible to make a Learning agreement and meet the deadlines established to deliver paperwork and others at the home universities.

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

Hamburg is a big City with millions of opportunities, from leisure time, meeting people, working, etc..

How’s the food on the country?

On the first three months you could gain a lot of weight like there is no tomorrow.. Here every two steps you can buy food, practically the whole day til 6 o’clock. From from sandwiches, buns, chinese noodles, pizza..

Was it hard to find accommodation on Hamburg

I had luck and the university assign me a residence, but right now I’m looking for a place and is practically impossible. If you are looking for a place my recommendation is looking up on this page: (wg-gesucht, studenten-wg), but always write on German, because everyone that tried swindle me answered me in English. And do not tell them that you aren’t on Hamburg.. usually they will sent you a description saying that everything is alright on the place, but as soon as you ask for photos they will tell you that they aren’t on the country for working reasons and that you are not going to be able to see the floor... so, be aware!

How much does it costs to live in Hamburg?

As I live on the residence I pay 283€ a month, but I need 600€ to live. But if you are living on a place you will probably pay 400€ So the life on a floor would cost around 800€.

What about the language? Did you Take any lessons on the university?

If you don’t know German choose another country.. The university is only on German and you don’t have any privilege with being Erasmus. I failed all the my exams and not precisely because I didn’t study and I spend my life partying.. the university has Fachsprachezentrum and it offers you free courses, but there’s a lot of people so you don’t learn anything. But if you truly want to learn English, go to UNS academie.

What’s the cheapest way to get from Hamburg to your city?

The cheapest way is flying, but as always direct flights are kind of expensive. But you can flight to Bremen with Ryanair and then taking a bus from Bremen to Hamburg, you can take the Meinfernbus, which costs around 5 euros.

Which places do you recommend to party in Hamburg?

Definitely the Reeperbahn.

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And to eat in Hamburg? Can you name your favorite places?

Firstly, Bauhaus, right behind the Rathaus, you can eat a lot of German food (codillo, flammkunchen.. ) and drink handmade beer for 15€ all. Secondly, Einstein, there are a lot around Hamburg, it’s a place where you can find any type of food (pizza, burgers.. ) and cocktails 2x1, all for 10€. Another place is Vapiano, an Italian restaurant chain. Lastly in Sternschanze, there’s fishery (near okupa house) where you can eat a dorado with salad, potatoes and a drink for only 16€.

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What to do as a cultural visit?

You should do a free tour.

Any advice for future students in Hamburg?

Do not get around with Spanish people, it’s a vicious circle, which is hard to get out.