114 reviews
4.38 / 5 based on 114 reviews
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Niekveen
Languages
Language of instruction: German
Was learning German a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my German
How much did you improve your German?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I didn't go to Berlin to learn German, I just liked the city. My knowledge of German was pretty good to begin with. My writing and reading skills improved considerably but my spoken German not. This because of the basic German some of the International Students spook. My English has improved alot in Berlin. I spent alot of time with native English speaking students and I consider my English to be fluent now.
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Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings<br>
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
The travel costs are higher in Germany than in Holland for Dutch students, because in Holland you get a student travel card for free.
In comparison to Holland the entry prices of clubs are quite high and I just went more often to bars and clubs than I normally do.
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Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone, Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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Overall
I wish I had known...
I think I am quite satisfied about how things went. I didn't have much expectations about the year and I don't think that I would have done anything differently.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The FHW-Berlin has a very nice, open atmosphere. It is a small university and the contact between the international students is very good. The contact with locals is more difficult, also because of the fact that most of local students work and study at the same time. The professors are helpful. The educational system is quite theoretical, but the exams are not too difficult. I think it is certainly worthwhile to go to Berlin and study at the FHW
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
I don't think it is usefull to sum up some tips or advices. That depends on the country the guest student is coming from. As an EU-student I didn't have much trouble at all. It is also very easy to find a room yourself in Berlin. The best thing to do, is have a look on the website of the FHW: www.fhw-berlin.de or contact the international coordinator at your home university
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Academic
Course recommendations
The guest students can choose the courses they want to follow in the first month of the semester. So take your time. There are also courses in English. Non-English students can improve their English aswell. There are courses with an written exam, an oral or an essay as examination, make sure you realize what kind of course you attend.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Niekveen
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
In Berlin the clubs are not located in one area, but spread out over the center.
A great area for people who like bars, is Oranienenburgerstrasse and Hakescher Markt. Bars and small clubs will be found here. Another area you could go is Kreuzberg. The last couple of years alot of trendy bars and clubs have opened here.
Some of the major techno clubs include, Tresor (Go there before it will close-near Liepziger Platz), Sage Club, Casino and the Matrix.
There are a lot of festivals in Berlin. The gay parade was more extravagant than the Love Parade. (love parade is especially brilliant in the evening)
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Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I liked the space and the rent was reasonable. Next time I would prefer to live more in the center of the city. Especially since the rent prices are quite low in Berlin anyway. I lived together with two others and there was a very good atmosphere.
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Personal comments
The university was located in an old building near the city center. I was not very impressed by the number of PC's they had and the library was quite small aswell. There was a restaurant and a bar, but other facilities like a bookshop and a copy center were not available. The atmosphere was very good.
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