Erasmus Experience in Munich, Germany by Renata

Why did you choose to go to Munich, Germany?

I considered many other places such as the United Kingdom but in the end, not only was I accepted to intern exactly in the area I was looking for but also in a big city with a lot of life! It has everything from beautiful parks and lakes to great night life and other entertainment choices. Also, it has a central position in Europe allowing me to travel around easily.

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

My stay duration is ten months, from September to July. I didn't receive a scholarship at first but the International Relations Department (DRI) got more funds and I was given a financial aid that corresponded to three months.

What is the student lifestyle like in Munich?

I'm not really living the student lifestyle because I'm not studying but working. But from what I can see and from the ERASMUS students I've met it seems great! There are a lot of events that you can be made aware of by Facebook.

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

I couldn't say about the university but I would definitely recommend the city if only for the great beer!

What is the food like?

The food is not so different from Portugal. They eat a lot of sweet cakes, potatoes, sausages and meatballs but I think there is everything for each taste. Also there are vegan stores with a lot of offer from what I hear.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Munich?

It was the hardest thing. It's impossible to find accommodation in this city. I'm staying in a guest house of the institute where I'm working so I don't have that problem anymore but if you are even thinking about coming here I suggest you start looking for a room right away. And it's expensive too.

How much does it cost to live in Munich?

The worst part is definitely the rent which is about 500 euros. Everything else is more or less the same as the rest of Europe. Also, beer is sometimes cheaper than water which I find interesting.

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

God no. They just add a lot of words together so sometimes you can see one in the middle that you recognize and try to guess what the whole word means but it's really hard to understand. There are courses for internationals though.

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

I'm from Portugal so the best way is by plane.

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

It really depends on your mood. I really like some bars in Leopoldstrasse and since is a big area with a lot of nice places you can just switch bars after a while. There are lots of clubs near the centre in Karlsplatz and around and you can always walk from one to the other.

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

I don't really go to restaurants but I've been to a great one in Sendlinger Tor right in the corner of Hackenstraße although I don't remember the name.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

A good route is starting in Munchener Freiheit and going into the English Garden. From there you reach Königsplatz and you can see the surfers in the river which is nice. Then you can walk to the Residenz Garden and outside reach Odeonplatz. Wanking around that area you can go to the most famous part of the city- Marienplatz - where you can take a free tour and learn evrything about the history of the city. In the end you can tip the tour guide the amount you think it's fair. And while you are there, you can go to the Augustiner Beer Garden near the Central Station. It's worth it!

Another site is Olimpyapark where you can find the BMW museum. It's free and there are always different activities you can do inside (last time I was there, I did a wood workshop and carved a really cool totem! ).

Finally, there are other places you can visit outside of Munich by catching the train such as the Neuschwanstein Castle. You can also visit Salzburg which is only around two hours away!

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

Yes. Come in September and enjoy the Oktoberfest! It's really fun and you meet a lot of people! I can't really remember anything else but if there are any questions please ask away!

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