Experience in Heidelberg, Germany, by Giulia

What was life in Heidelberg like? Would you recommend it?

Life in Heidelberg is simply wonderful! I would recommend it no matter what, for an Erasmus placement or a permanent place to study.

What's the student atmosphere like in Heidelberg?

Heidelberg doesn't just have a student atmosphere, it is the student city. There are students from all over the world so it's not hard to make all kinds of friends.

How much does it cost to live in Heidelberg?

From the financial point of view, Heidelberg is a bit expensive.

Rent (except student houses outside of the centre which cost about 200 euro), with other students can be between 300 and 350 euro per month.

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Was it difficult to find accommodation in Heidelberg? Can you offer any advice?

You should definitely deal with it before you arrive. If university starts in October, start looking in July. And above all be ready to pay rent from September if necessary.

Definitely look on sites like http://www.wg-gesucht.de/, Immowelt, Immobilienscout and then go to Studentenwerk, an information point for students which you can find at the Universitätsplatz (the university square).

What's the local food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There's everything in Heidelberg! From traditional German food, to Italian, to Chinese, to Indian...

Plus it's possible to eat cheaply in the many canteens throughout the campus. In the old city (Aldstadt) there are two: the Marstallmensa and the Triplexmensa. The first is the best quality and best looking (it's located in the old stables of the castle). The food is served as a buffet and you pay by weight (80 cent per 100g). The other is a little less expensive but there isn't a lot of choice and there's always a fixed menu. You can find both at the Universitätsplatz.

In your opinion, what are the must-see places in Heidelberg?

Definitely the castle, the hall of the old university and the Studentenkarzer - the prison where crazy students who disturbed the peace by releasing pigs on the streets or didn't show respect to a policeman where locked away for punishment. It's still exactly as it was 100 years ago! There is also graffiti on the walls of the prison, done by the 'prisoners' themselves at the time. If you look closely you'll also find some Italian graffiti which quotes Dante: 'Lasciate ogni speranza o voi che entrate' (abandon all hope all ye who enter here).

And eating out in Heidelberg? Can you tell us about your favourite places?

One place that I'd recommend to everyone is Mandy's! It's an American-style fast food restaurant. It's near the station in a restructured train carriage! The hamburgers are the best I've ever eaten and the smoothies are really good.

Coyote is also really good (a South American restaurant).

There's also a little Hard Rock Café and two Starbucks in Heidelberg.

Where would you recommend for good night-life in Heidelberg?

The Unterestrasse for sure! By day it seems like a normal street, but by night it's full of life. Every bar has something different to offer.

Then near Marktplatz is Mels, a little underground bar/club, which looks like it's been excavated from the rock. I can't forget to mention Shooters, where you can choose from loads of different shots.

In terms of clubs, there's Halle 02 which I would recommend, Schwimmbadclub and Karlstorbahnhof.

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What advice would you give future visitors of Heidelberg?

If you come during the winter semester, enjoy the cute winter market and the little ice rink that they put up for as part of it. During the summer definitely go to the Neckerwiese (the green area surrounding the river Necker) and take a trip on the rowing boats and motor boats that you can hire.

If you're there on the 1st May something you can't miss is climbing the Thingstätte, a little mountain in front of Heidelberg when, if the weather is nice, all the students go to a little Roman amphitheatre there to take part in the night of the witches around a huge bonfire with a bottle of beer and crazy people! Be careful on the way down!