Erasmus Experience in Passau, Germany by Sabrina

Why did you choose Passau, Germany?

I chose Passau because I wanted to distance myself from what I already knew about Germany. I've always been interested in Bavaria so I didn't hesitate for one second when I saw the towns on offer.

How long is your trip? How much funding do you receive?

My stay was only for one semester, so from October to March.

During my 6-month stay, I received a scholarship worth 3 months of transport.

Source

What is the student environment like in Passau?

Passau is a student town, so naturally, the environment is quite good!

Would you recommend the town and the University of Passau to other students?

Yes, I would recommend this town as it's very pleasant, and quite pretty! The university is also very good, and the classrooms and lecture theatres are comfortable (which is rare)!

A LITTLE PIECE OF INFO: All travel can be done by bus or bike, so those who plan on bringing their cars should note that there are no free parking spaces and very few spaces to park around campus. There are many police officers checking parking tickets, so it could quickly become pricey...

What is the country's food like?

Leberkäse and pretzels in the morning, leberkäse and beer for lunch, and not forgetting leberkäse and beer for dinner! Okay, so that's a bit of a stereotype, but it's still a bit true!

Jokes aside, I'm a vegetarian and soon-to-be vegan - Germany is a haven for these foods. There's vegan food everywhere and it's really affordable!

Did you have any difficulty finding accommodation in Passau?

It's a long story. I'll not go into the details but after losing a letter I could not find student accommodation. So I had to search for something myself, and it's VERY hard to find accommodation for one semester. I ended up finding a shared flat in November, but before that, I stayed in hotels and hostels.

So in the end, it's not difficult but it does take time!

Source

What is it like learning the language? Did you attend the university's language courses?

Yes, there are language courses before the official start of the semester, and lessons for foreign students during the semester.

What is the cheapest way of getting to Passau from your hometown?

Not by car...