Erasmus Experience in Konstanz, Germany by Jeanne

Why did you choose to go to Konstanz, Germany?

I chose to go to Konstanz, at first, because it was the proposed city which was the closest to France...! I did not want to go to a city where my friends were going, and no one had chosen that city. In addition, looking at pictures on the Internet, I could see beautiful pictures of the lake, mountains, etc. and it really motivated me to choose this destination! I really do not regret this choice at all.

How long is your stay? What is the amount of aid you receive?

My stay started on 01. 10. 2015 and will end on 31. 07. 2016, therefore it lasts 10 months, a complete academic year.

This year, Erasmus scholarships are not high. I do not know the exact amounts of what I have received, but I know that this year our university has not been able to pay us what we usually pay to Erasmus students.

How is the student atmosphere in Konstanz?

Konstanz is a small town of 80, 000 inhabitants, but it is a university town, so really there are a lot of students.

There are lots of Erasmus evenings organized and the University offers a lot of activities in theatre, sports, and culture... The university is huge but everything is indicated very well and you quickly feel at home and at ease!

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

Of course I recommend the city of Konstanz and its university!

The Germans here are very "freundlich" and help us a lot. The contact with the teachers is very easy, and they make us as comfortable as possible so that we feel good. You have to work hard, it's true, but the conditions are really there for you to succeed and flourish.

The university library is huge and was refurbished last year so we can really work well there. Teachers are very present by e-mail too and can be easily met. There is also a Mensa (a university restaurant) which offers many many many different menus each day, and it changes the French university restaurants I find (well mine in any case! ).

As for the city of Konstanz, it is relatively small and super nice! There are old buildings of grandiose architecture in the old town. The train station is right next to the lake and the famous Imperia statue, a symbol of the city of Konstanz. Many places or monuments are to be seen! At the transport level, there is no tram but the bus takes us everywhere really (or at least I have not yet encountered any particular difficulties until now). From the refectories of the university restaurant and sometimes from the classrooms, you can have the view of Lake Bodensee and the surrounding Alps. It's really a great destination and I'm looking forward to seeing Konstanz in the spring and summer!

How is food in this country?

Well, when you come from France, it's a bit difficult to find the food of another country super good...! I admit that the first two / three weeks were really tough. Coming from Auvergne, I clearly missed the bread, the REAL delicatessen and the TRUE cheese. In the end, it is now two months since I arrived here, and I advise, to get used to the German food calmly, to start by eating a lot of potatoes and in the end it goes by itself, and I eat (almost) like them all the time (well, I admit that my family brought me cheese lately). It's fine, but the food is not the same as us.

Have you had difficulty finding accommodation in Konstanz?

I had no difficulty finding accommodation here, I think that as an Erasmus student everything is pretty well organized, but I'm not sure that I can make my case a generality because I know that there are quite a few students who have difficulties. But according to me and from the knowledge I have of Erasmus students, none of us has had any difficulties and we are all (or almost) staying in student housing.

What is the cost of living in Konstanz?

I think the cost of living is pretty high here, probably because of the border with Switzerland. For example, I live with a roommate in student housing and it costs me 295 € per month. We spoke one evening with one of my German roommates, who told me that the same accommodation in Munich (so the most expensive city in Germany) was much cheaper. I think the cost of living here is quite high, yes, but I have no comparison points with other German cities.

How is learning the language? Have you been to language courses organised by the university?

I thought when I arrived in Konstanz that I would have to learn on the job, without a language course, in order to progress. But the university does a little test before the start of the course to determine our level of German. Then we have a small oral interview, where two professors estimate (according to the test and this small interview) our level of German and they offer us language courses adapted to our level. There are also courses for grammar, culture, discussions, or courses to work on your accent, etc...

Yes, I have language courses, which I could choose. I have a grammar course, a civilisation course and a course to learn to make presentations and to work orally.

What is the most economical way to get to Konstanz from your city?

Personally, I went to Konstanz by car, so I have my car on site and I can go where I want to visit on weekends.

I also did the round trip by train, the total cost me $ 400 so I really do not recommend it.

There is a concept in France that is already well established in Germany, it is Flixbus, bus lines at really interesting prices which can make it possible to take you from your home in Konstanz. After that, you should not be in a hurry because there are quite a few changes and waits, but the concept is really safe and friendly, so I think I would recommend Flixbus more than the train! https://www.flixbus.fr/.

As for the plane, I never took it and have no idea of the prices.

What places would you recommend to party in Konstanz?

The Germans often talk about Berry's, the nightclub where there are the most student evenings, however, I can not recommend it personally as I have never been there!

There are plenty of nice bars in the city centre, especially Irish bars!

Berry's

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What about eating in Konstanz? What are your favourite places?

Mmmh... I will say the bar-restaurant Ignaz, just in front of the station. This place is really cool, and you eat well. I ate at an Italian restaurant, "La Piazza", not far from the train station (next to the post office). It is really good if you order pasta, but the pizzas really do not resemble Italian pizzas, unfortunately.

And what cultural visits do you recommend?

First, visit downtown as a whole. After that, there are ephemeral events which I could attend and which I highly recommend; The Kunstnacht (the night of art) for example. It's a night when many artists workshops are open, I had a great time. You must also do the Christmas Market, it is sublime, I loved to discover it!

After that, it's only been two months since I've been here, but on the list of things to do I would put:

• The island of Mainau, which is on the lake and is a very flowery island
• The Rhine Falls (in Switzerland, it's not far)
• Hikes in Lindau (you can have a view of the lake and the Alps)
• Choirs of all kinds when they're on
• The plays (it allows you to progress in the language, we planned to go see Faust with Erasmus friends, and when we already know the story it makes understanding and vocabulary learning a lot easier! )
• All cultural outings offered by the university, because they offer lots of them anyway!
• A soccer match (only in a bar, the Germans are ultra football)
• And the thermal baths, because the region is known for its thermal baths!

Lindau

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Advice for future students in Konstanz?

I think you really have to make friendships with a lot of people to make good progress and enjoy your year. To speak German as much as possible, of course, is the goal. Daring to go to others, having nights out with everyone, it allows you to make friendships. Trying to be as rigorous as possible in your work, because as it is not our native language we are quickly overwhelmed and overbooked!

And then I think the accommodation system that is offered is really a great idea! When you land alone in a country you do not know, sharing a house allows you to have reference points and to talk every day, or to create strong relationships. And there are many Erasmus students who share flats. I met a Belgian girl thanks to flat sharing for example, and it is very reassuring, we progress together in German.

And finally, it is necessary to avoid stressing to the maximum, everything is done so that it goes well and an Erasmus year is something incredible, so we must keep smiling! :)