Erasmus Experience in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany by Nata

Why did you choose to go to Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany?

Actually, I went there by exchange program of my university. I'm studying international management so to my specialisation suited only the DHBW IN VS and University in France. But as I studied german earlier I would like to go to Germany to improve my german too.

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

Last winter semester I got scholarship from DHBW of 400 €. In Villingen-Schwenningen life is not so expensive. one month I can spend nearly nothing, except food and medicines. Other month I spend too much because of trips and so on, so it depends. But for 3 month with such scholarship it is okay. But at the beginning you always spend more than should do. Before coming to germany I should do visa, and for it I must have bank account where will be 600 €per month at least, without scholarship. So that amount is enough.

What is the student lifestyle like in Villingen-Schwenningen?

Oh, it's very interesting! As I am international student, here a lot of events for all students and us. In both of universities there is international club, where you meet with students that came from all over the world, where the coordinator of this club discuss with all what parties we can go together, or what kind of sports and where we can play and so on. It s always about meeting together and visiting lots of places, bars, parks, sport halls, and even trips. And of course it s usual student parties in night clubs, tickets that are selling in university exactly.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Villingen-Schwenningen to other students?

Yes, of course! Sure for them who coming from big cities it would be more difficult and boring at the beginning as Villingen-Schwenningen is really small city. Actually there are 2 separate cities, villingen and schwenningen. I live now to study in schwenningen.

It's not city of fashion, and lots of shops. But still you can buy quality things there. There is a lot of nice Italian restaurants which are unbelievable, believe me! One cinema of course, but why it's not enough? It's small but cosy city, you adapt to this really fast. Small but really international, multicultural city which makes you feel that you are really in Europe.

University I like the system of this. Teachers are mostly usually eager to help students. Here you are always talk to teacher, studying is in interactive and game way.

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What is the food like?

The food, of course, you can eat and eat there sausages full day. All kind of meat it's easily to get to eat. Salami and so on. I like the most traditional meat dumplings or pelmeni, it's really tasty! It's not spicy food, but spicy sauce they love to put when you eat schnitzel or smth like that.

But the food quality is really on high level. All food with BIO mark it's definitely you can eat without any doubts!

The drinks (beer) you can buy beer everywhere, even in university! I could not find tea, but beer offered always. Oh, also try drink -colafanta.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Villingen-Schwenningen?

Actually my university find to me the accommodation and it's of course wasn't for free to me. I pay for really big room here, 305 euro. Included everything. It was last semester, but now I live in another apartment and pay 360 Euro but most of things are missing. So, here you can find a room for 300 big and ideal and for 400 nearly empty. So Germans can put any nearly cost for living for students.

How much does it cost to live in Villingen-Schwenningen?

Hm, I actually answered to this on the question earlier.

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

Hm, if you go like me on exchange program 8th easy, because I took English course program. Teaching is in English so that we don't know german at all or little bit so we take german for the beginners, it's in program. No problem.

But here is another Hochschule, like high school where you can learn not only german but also Italian, Spanish, English, Türkei and french. I don't know about the cost, but it's mostly not for free but not expensive.

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What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Villingen-Schwenningen from your city?

From my city you can take Baden-Wurttemberg card with which you can travel around the this region(stuttgart is a capital of the region) for 39€ 2 ways and this card gives you an advantage as you should not pay in many museums and theatres in stuttgart or somewhere else in that region.it a avaliable by bus or by train.

One more, is the weekend card. You can go alone or with 5 people for he same price for 44 euros! Around all germany and Swiss(Zürich not more). So of course it's better and cheaper to go with 5 people together! From 1 to 5 is the same price, 2 ways, by train by train the cheaper one.

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Villingen-Schwenningen?

O, more places. Clubs of course, here is about 5, 6 night clubs. They are big really. One is russian club, mean lots of russians are there)expressclub is really nice. It's such place also in rottweil it's about 3-5 min by train, also nice parties, lots time are Spanish or modern other music. You can also go to sport bar, one is works until night, there delicious chicken wings.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Villingen-Schwenningen?

Sure! In the center of city, here many restaurants! One of, where you can eat more traditional german food is VAU restaurant and OTTO. Don't miss to try Schwarzwald cake!

Italians: with funny waiter is La provence! You can eat all Italian food there, and make a note he made really big portions, for 2, 3 people! Also wine is buenísimo.

Another Italian care is Gianotti, thee mostly deserts, ice creams, crepes, pancakes and more others.

Here is not secret... lots of kebabs.

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Cultural sites? Mostly you better to find in facebook some pages of villingen schwenningen. Or its exists, if you are Spanish, there is a page SpanishEs in Villingen-Schwenningen. It's better to replace sites with live talking with sharing culturals.

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

It's really great experience! It's will be interesting for everyone, who likes sports, salsa, Musik. Take it easy, just be involve in this life and studyings!