Guadalupe´s Erasmus Experience in Marburg, Germany

Why did you choose Marburg, Germany?

Despite not knowing the language, my area co-ordinator encouraged me to pick Marburg, because she had also been a student there. I looked into its university, history, the Spanish modules available there (I study Spanish language and literature), the city, the living costs etc. It all seemed ideal for my stay there.

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

The University of Extremadura has a ten month agreement with the Univeristy of Marburg. I received financial help from the European Commission (105 euros a month), the MEC (just over 100 euros, I don't remember exactly how much they paid me last time) and from the regional Government of Extremadura (30 euros a month). The year I spent in Marburg (2011-2012) was the last year that the regional government of Extremadura did not give out grants. In recent and upcoming years, including this one, they are providing more financial help. They gave me this money to help me afford the cost of living in Marburg (though I did have to use some of my savings to begin with, until they paid me).

What is the student lifestyle like in Marburg?

The atmosphere is incredible. There are around 21, 000 students, and of these, 10% are international students. For me, one of the most important things I brought back from Germany was this mix of different cultures and nationalities. So, student life here was considerably different to what I was used to back in Cáceres. They organised lots of parties and trips for students, as well as activities to help us get to know the people we lived with. The student restaurant was a hub for meeting other people and having a laugh, and was also home to our beloved S&W in Studentdorf which was demolished just as we arrived. The university has sport facilities, restaurants, shops... and all at an affordable price for students.

Would you recommend the city and the university of Marburg to other students?

Yes, without a doubt.

What is the food like?

Very tasty (even though it sounds cliché). One of the most typical foods (or at least what we liked most) was the delicious "auflauf" (a kind of casserole), which we ate whenever we got the chance, and also the sausages (which are nothing like the sausages in Spain) that you could eat whilst walking through the streets. Various little stalls in the street also sold rolls, sandwiches and sweet treats.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Marburg?

Not at all. When filling out the application form, all I had to know was that Marburg was my destination city. Then they ask you if you would like a place in student halls (in another form, you can pick which one you would like; I would recommend Studentdorf or Fuchspass. They are right next to eachother and have a good atmophere and are well connected to the city centre).

What is the cost of living like in Marburg?

As I said before when I mentioned the money I received from varying bodies, I think life in Marburg costs around 300 euros a month. This includes food, rent, transportation (paying just 200 euros at the beginning of the semester gives you the possibility to travel throughout the region using public transport), internet (internet is not always available in student halls so you may have to organise your own), etc. (keep in mind that transportation is a start-up “expense”, but once you paid the initial cost, you don't have to pay again).

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

I had no knowledge of German at all, only English and French. However, in the same Application Form which I referred to previously, you are given the option of enrolling in a German course when you arrive. Later on, they send you information to help you choose your language level. I started an A1 intensive course (most people chose to do it this way; this course ends a few weeks before term starts), but then I continued taking lessons during term.

What's the cheapest way to get to Marburg from your city?

I'm from a town in Badajoz and I tended to take a train from Mérida (or bus, dependeding on the timetables) to Madrid and from there, I flew to Frankfurt. Until you have your Semesterticket (transport card), you will have to pay for the Frankfurt-Marburg journey. Once, I managed to fly from Badajoz airport to Madrid because Iberia had offers for ERASMUS students (cheaper prices + two 23kg bags). However, they didn't always accept your flight preferences.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Marburg?

We used to have the S&W where we used to have parties on Thursdays, weekends as well as other days of the week. But in the Altstadt there are many bars you can go to.

What about food? Can you recommend your favourite places to eat?

There are also a lot of restaurants in the Altstadt where you can eat some tasty casseroles. I don't really remember their names, but I know "Max" was one of them. It won't be hard to find a good place to eat.

What cultural sites are there to vist?

The whole of Marburg is worth seeing. This will be your city, and it feels like it's straight out of a fairy tale. There's the castle, the Elizabethen Kirche church, the whole of the Altstadt (this part of Marburg is high, there's even a lift to take you up there)... with the Semesterticket you can travel throughout the region and enjoy beautiful cities like Frankfurt, Kassel, Göttingen, Hanau, Giessen... you can travel out of the region in group trips which take you to visit Nürnberg (and its Christmas market), Munich (well, all of Bavaria), Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg...

Any advice you'd like to give to future students in Marburg?

Make the most of your time there. Make it your own.