Erasmus Experience in Karlsruhe, Germany by Alejandro

Why did you choose to go to Karlsruhe, Germany?

Because of KIT, a prestigious Institute of Technology. Because I wanted to learn German and the city is not among the coldest in Germany.

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

My Erasmus scholarship (2011/12) was for 9 months and the money was pretty good. With 500 euros/month you can easily get through.

What is the student lifestyle like in Karlsruhe?

It is very active, friendly and open. Perhaps at the beginning the language makes things harder, but little by little you get used to it and have a great time. Besides, most students speak English fluently and there are associations such as "AK Erasmus" where you can always find people to hang out with.

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

Definitely. KIT might be hard for some studies, especially because of the language. Make sure your lessons are in German or not before you go there.

What is the food like?

Well... I came from the South of Spain and maybe I'm not very impartial in this matter... the food is not the best ever, but at least there is a "mensa" where you can get cheap and edible food, though you get tired of it after a few months... The food in the supermarket is okay, especially the fruit and vegetables that come from Spain.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Karlsruhe?

Yes. This is a fact. I was very lucky and found a room through "Studentenwerk". But it was a tricky issue... it does not work very well, there are lots of students and (hypothetically) little space.

How much does it cost to live in Karlsruhe?

The accomodation was not the best ever but to my mind it was normal price (250 euros/month). With 250 euros more, you can survive. If you want to pay for extras such as trips, you should have some savings.

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

The language is difficult. But there are language courses in the University which are pretty good and not very expensive (as far as I remember, 50 euros for the initial course of 3 weeks and about 150 euros for an intensive course of 4 months). The teachers are fine, especially Frau Kuniß.

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

From the South of Spain, the fastest and cheapest way to go to Karlsruhe is to fly from Alicante to Baden-Baden Airpark (with Ryanair).

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

Well... it depends on what you look for. If you want to get wasted for a few euros and chat up with Erasmus, go to Hadiko (K4) or any other student residence. If you are interested in dancing in a big club, Agostea is quite famous there. In my case, I especially enjoyed the "Stammtisch" organised by the Erasmus association, which consisted in going to a different bars/clubs of the city every Tuesday and getting in touch and chat with lots of different people. For example, I distinctly remember the salsa nights in "Besitos", right in the middle of Marktplatz. In front of it you can find "Marktlücke", though it may be not the cheapest option.

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

The Badisches Brauhaus is a place where you can get typical German food for a normal price. Stövchen is very cosy and has a beautiful Biergarten where you can drink and eat in a nice atmosphere. Italian restaurants such as Vapiano or Aposto are good, but maybe they are not the cheapest option...

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

ZKM is a museum of modern art and technology which is worth visiting (once is enough). The Schloss and its surroundings are the icon of the city. Höpfner brewery and the zoo are also entertaining.

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Karlsruhe?

Enjoy! And meet as many people as possible: the Erasmus experience is made by the people you get to know, rather than by the places you visit.

Photo gallery