Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Berlin is a huge city. It was very helpful to get a room arranged by my host university before I arrived there. Of course, some points (as the cleaness, location) were different from the standards in Switzerland but in general I was very pleased with my (big!) room.

I chose not to move into student accomodation in Berlin through the knowledge that I would be surrounded by exchange students. Whilst the benefits of making international friends are vast I new that my German would improve faster living with germans in a flatshare, and that i would meet fellow erasmus students through my university classes anyway.

I didn't hear great things about the accomodation provided by the university before I went - that it was located far out in a pretty unpleasent area and that it was generally thought to be unhygenic! A fellow exchange student opted for the uni accomodation and didn't even move in when she saw it - she ended up finding something herself, another did the same and stuck it out for a week before finding something else independantly. I imagine the situation has improved since though....

I lived in west Berlin (Wilmersdorf), the Uni's in the heart of east Berlin (Mitte). If I could choose again id find an appartment (expect 300 euros a month) in arty Prenzlauer Berg (just north east of Mitte). Its on the tram line (operates 24hr mon - sun), easily accsesible and near all the clubs, cafes, bars et all... its also a beautifull, in which you can actually witness Berlin's growth into a European capital.

The housing was fine. I have no complaints. The location was great. However, I know of other students inthe program who did not have as good of an experience as I did.

The housing at the Humboldt was really good organised. The Erasmus office answered to all my requests and necessities with efficiency and in a kind way.