Erasmus Experience in Heidelberg, Germany by Melinda

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Why did you choose to go to Heidelberg, Germany?

I am from Budapest which is a world city with almost 2 million people, so I was dreaming about a smaller town in the countryside. I also wanted to live in an old town. The University of Heidelberg is one of the best universities in Germany and the oldest one there. The landscape of the city is beautiful and you can find almost everything you want: plain, hills, forest, river. The downtown is in the valley so you are very close to the hills.

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

My scolarship was at first for one semester, but then I could extend it for a second one. Unfortunately I got financial support for only the first 5 month so during the last 6 month I was responsible for my own money. I recieved 340 Euros pro months but it can change by universities.

What is the student lifestyle like in Heidelberg?

Very international. There are a lot of foreigners from all over the world and the germans are very friendly. It is also academic. You can find several lectures in the evenings. Heidelberg is a university town: almost 30000 students are studying at the Ruprecht-Karls University and there are several faculties there as well. You can find something to do for every day, like language coffees, choirs, movie evenings or sport groups.

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

Absolutely yes, no question about it. The months I have spent in this town were the bests in my life. I've got to know a lot of friendly and clever people and I also have very good friends from Heidelberg I have contact even now with. My language skills were terrible but now I am fluent and confident in both German and English and thanks to them I have also got my first job in Hungary.

What is the food like?

The germans really like "Wurst", "Sauerkraut" and "Spargel" (sausages, cabbage and asparagus) so they are kind of like the stars of the German gastronomy. If it's about drinking, they prefer beer, "Radler" or "Apfershorle". But in other cases the German kitchen is not really different from the common European one.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Heidelberg?

Not at all, it is not difficult to find a room in Heidelberg, although you need some luck to get a room in residential homes.

There is a webpage where you can find accommodation, job and many other informations. You also have to apply for the rooms here. There are several religious Wohnheims as well, but you have to apply for a room in them separately. They are usually for 20-30 people and friendlier with lots of common programs. You can also find the advertisements of it at "Triplex Mensa" café.

I have spent my first semester in an Ocumenical Wohnheim and it was amazing. I have plenty of friends from it. For the second semester, I found my accomodation at the internet site.

How much does it cost to live in Heidelberg?

I am very scrimpy so for me it was around 300 Euros but I know people who spent 600 Euros pro month or even more. It pretty much depends on wether you find a cheap accommodation or not and how often do you go out because restaurants and pubs can be really expensive.

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

I always liked the German language, so for me it wasn't too difficult. I think it is easy to catch up because you live in a German town with German people all around you. But if I can give an advise: don't hang out too much with students from your own country because in that case your language skill can hardly get better.

The University offers German language courses at "Max Weber" house every semester. You need to write a test before applying to any courses and then you have to pay for the course and apply. It's very important to take these both 2 steps because if you are late you might miss the course. The Germans are very strict.

There is also a Language school of the University where you can learn other foreign languages as well, but you need to write a test before it, too (Sprachschule, Plöck). There are a lot of Sprachcafes in the evenings (see below).

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

I always travelled by the "ÖBB Railjet" which sets off in Budapest and goes through Austria to Germany. Although the journey with it is quite long (10 hours) but its very comfortable. If you book the ticket early enough, it can only cost 40 Euros from Budapest to Mannheim which is the city next to Heidelberg (30 minutes from Heidelberg, you can use the tram to get to your destination). You can also travel by bus from Budapest directly to Heidelberg. It is even cheeper but also takes longer: 16 hours, so it can be very tiring.

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

Most of the pubs and clubs are on the "Unterricht Straße", but you can basically go anywhere in the downtown especially on the "Hauptstraße". You can also go to the thematic university parties organized by the faculties during the year. You can go to concerts at "Karlstorbahnhof" or at "Marstallcafé". Basically, the point where Heidelberg is full with awesome, intelligent, friendly young students so wherever you go you can find company and it's garanteed that you will have a great time.

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

I would recommend the "Mensas". There are three of them: "Triplex Mensa, Campus Mensa and Marstall Mensa". From these three you should visit Marstall Mensa by all means. It's near to Neckar in an old building and a coffeehouse belongs to is as well. Triplex Mensa was the mensa of the year in 2012 when I lived in Heidelberg (Mensa des Jahres). Anyway the same is true for mensas that was mentioned about the party places: you can find the best restausants on the Hauptstraße.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The castle, several museums, the Botanic Garden. There is a movie festival during one week of the Advent in the garden next to the castle and fireworks 3 times a year.

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

There are several: "Sprachcafes" where the point is to meet new people and talk with them in any foreign languages you can speak. There is one international, a french, an italian and one is organized by couchsurfing. There are several programs for Erasmus students, like the Erasmus meeting in Brassmonkey on every thuesday evening.

The University offers loads of sport opportunities (including fitness, ball games, dance classes and martial arts as well) and many of them are free for students so you only have to pay for extra things like thai chi, horse riding or kayaking. Finally, you should make some trips in the neighbourhood because the hills and the forest are beautiful.