Freie Universität Berlin (FU BERLIN)

You got to know people and it was cheap. I only wish I could have lived a little closer to the city centre, although I was pretty close to university.

The courses are so many, so you have to do a list in before and check out your interests, then after the first or second week (but not later!) decide what you are going to do that term. My interaction with other international students was so bad because history is a subject mostly German students study. I saw only five (from a few thousand overall students) international students at the Institute of History. If you want to get in touch with students at all, do not go at too many lectures. You get to know students if you go to seminars and have to cooperate with them.

I had a lot of work only to make appointments with lecturers for a test at the end of the term. That happens when you take a lot of lectures. If you take seminars you have to write 10-15 pages long papers, which is a very good training in writing papers. There are not many exams at the end of the term. All in all that gives you the opportunity to get a lot of practice in academic writing, which is very positive but also very time-consuming.

I had very good contact to students in Berlin before going, so I could ask them every question. Also the Erasmus office at the Institute of History was very helpful and e-mailed me to offer services if I had questions.

I have non.

Since Germany is cheaper than Norway I had no difficulties in paying the rent and the food. Therefore I could do more travelling than I am used to at home.