243 reviews
4.24 / 5 based on 243 reviews
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Saskia S
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The night life in Berlin is absolutely incredible, from the notorious berlin electro scene (I recommend Burghein) to the more relax jazz nights (quazimodo), from the theaters and classical concerts that happen daily, to the bohemian cafes of Kreuzberg. There is something for everyone...I have never seen a city like it.
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Saskia S
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Through living in a flatshare I have the oppotunity to fully immerse myself in German culture. The german students I live with give me an insight into life in Germany not only as an outsider. I am able to compare my own culture with thiers and have built close enough friendships to ask thier opinions on any aspect of German life and current affairs.
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Personal comments
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.
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Saskia S
Overall
I wish I had known...
I was well informed about what to expect upon my arrival in Berlin.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The Humboldt University is a renouned and beautiful university with a high academic standard. It is also situated in an incredible city. I highly recommend it!
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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
If you have the opportunity to go to a city like Berlin take it. There is so much to do and if you take every opportunity both socially and academically you will have an incredible time. One piece of advise I would give is on arrival at your host city take up as many hobbies, join societies, speak to as many poeple and get as involved as you can, as it will help you settle in and set the pace for the rest of the year.
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Saskia S
Academic
Course recommendations
Try not to get carried away with taking obscure courses as the teaching methods are different and you tend to learn more if you have a basic idea about the subject previous to your arrival.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Initially it was very unclear what Humboldt University required of their Erasmus students. A better breifing for both the exchange students and the recieving lecturers would help.
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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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Saskia S
Languages
Language of instruction: German
Was learning German a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your German?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Studying abroad and moving in intellectual circles greatly improved my German. I have gained a greater understanding of the subtleties of the language as well as expanded my vocabulary. However, most importantly the experience gave me a confidence in my own ability to communicate in German, in all situations and under pressure.
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Saskia S
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Family
Personal savings
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
General living expenses where less than at home. However, in the environment one tended to do more, whether that meant travelling or going out, it normally came to the same amount.
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Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Travel, Overall:
was the same price as at home.
Food, Housing, Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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