Details

• Germany
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I would recommend starting the preparations well in advance, especially when it comes to finding accommodation and selecting courses. At TU Berlin, it is important to research the available courses early, as the final course offer and timetable may differ from previous semesters. I would also recommend checking which courses can be recognised by your home university and preparing the Learning Agreement accordingly. Having alternative courses in mind is useful, as changes to the original study plan may be necessary. Finding accommodation early is another important step. I stayed in a student residence in Charlottenburg, which provided a good base for my time in Berlin. I would also recommend researching public transport connections and the location of the university in relation to your accommodation before arriving. Regarding travel, I chose to drive by car. Although I initially wanted to travel in a more environmentally friendly way, I had too much luggage to make other travel options practical. My advice would therefore be to consider not only the cost and environmental impact of the journey but also the amount of luggage you need to bring. For my journey to Berlin, I travelled by car with friends who were continuing their trip to the Netherlands afterwards. As I joined their journey, I did not have to pay for the transportation. For the return journey, I travelled by car with my father from Berlin to Budapest, so I did not incur any separate travel expenses for this trip either. Therefore, I did not have any direct travel costs related to my exchange. Overall, I would advise future exchange students to organise the main administrative matters early while remaining flexible, as some details can only be clarified shortly before the semester starts.

2. Accommodation

TU Berlin offered exchange students the opportunity to choose their preferred student residence from four different options with rooms reserved for exchange students. I was able to get a room in my preferred residence without any difficulties. I stayed at the Hubertusallee student residence in Grunewald, a pleasant and quiet area of Berlin. The room was decent and the accommodation was more affordable than my student residence in Vienna. Overall, I was satisfied with the accommodation, and I found that staying in a student residence was a convenient option for an exchange semester. My main advice to future exchange students would be to familiarise themselves with the available student residences and their locations before making their choice. It is worth comparing the neighbourhoods, public transport connections and distance to the university, as Berlin is a large city and commuting times can vary considerably. I would also recommend applying for student accommodation through the university's designated process, as this can make finding a place to stay much easier than searching for private accommodation independently.

3. Academic life at host university

My academic experience at TU Berlin was rather disappointing compared to my studies at WU Vienna. The campus facilities appeared outdated and, in some places, poorly maintained. I also found the teaching style and the overall structure of the courses less suitable for my learning preferences than what I was used to at WU. Overall, the academic experience reinforced my intention to continue my master's studies at WU Vienna. I also found that student life at TU Berlin itself was relatively limited, at least from my perspective. However, this was compensated for by the wide range of activities organised for exchange students, particularly through the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). These events offered plenty of opportunities to meet other international students, socialise and explore Berlin together. For future exchange students, I would recommend researching courses carefully before registering, paying attention to their structure and assessment methods rather than relying on course titles alone. At the same time, I would strongly encourage participating in ESN activities, as they can be an excellent way to build a social network and make the most of the exchange experience, even if the university's own student life does not meet your expectations.

5. Every day life in the host country

Berlin is a very exciting city for students, with a huge variety of social activities, cultural events, nightlife and international experiences. There is always something happening, and the numerous events organised by ESN made it easy to meet people and discover different parts of the city. There are also plenty of opportunities for sports and leisure activities. Public transport provides connections across the city, although travelling longer distances can take quite some time due to Berlin's size. Despite these positive aspects, living in Berlin also made me realise that I would not want to stay there in the long term. I found the city's everyday urban environment challenging, particularly in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, homelessness, visible drug use and the general condition of public spaces. These aspects influenced my overall impression of the city and made me appreciate Vienna much more than before. Before my exchange, I had sometimes taken certain aspects of life in Vienna for granted, such as the cleanliness of public spaces, the general level of organisation and the overall urban environment. Spending several months in Berlin gave me a new perspective on these qualities and reinforced my desire to stay in Vienna in the long term. My advice to future exchange students would be to make the most of Berlin's diverse social and cultural opportunities while keeping in mind that enjoying a city as a student and wanting to live there permanently are two very different things. Even if Berlin was not the right place for me in the long term, the experience helped me better understand my own preferences and what I value in a city.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Berlin was a valuable and unforgettable experience, and I absolutely do not regret going. Meeting people from all over the world, participating in ESN activities and exploring a new city made it a special chapter of my life. Although Berlin did not turn out to be a place where I would want to live in the long term, the experience helped me grow personally, broaden my perspective and appreciate Vienna even more. Looking back, I am glad I took this opportunity, as the exchange taught me a lot about both the world around me and myself.