Details

• Germany
• MASCM-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Read the exchange reports from previous years. Confirm whether a visa, or any other formal requirement is needed for your exchange. Make a checklist/timeline of all the deadlines and documents you need to provide (at WU, host university, host country, grants, etc.).

2. Accommodation

Although housing in Hamburg is generally more expensive than in Vienna, looking for accommodation is very similar. There are several platforms and/or social media groups where you can look for temporary accommodation such as wg-gesucht, but you can also look for private dorms around the city, depending on your budget. Unfortunately, since KLU is a private university, students are not allowed to apply for public accommodation, which is considerably more affordable. They used to have a few options in the past, but not anymore. However, their international office will give you some tips to find accommodation if you need it. I had initially found several options under my budget, but most of them were outgoing exchange students subletting their rooms, so they would not let you register at their place. Therefore, I decided for slightly more expensive studio apartment that I found through wg-gesucht. It was located in Winterhude, which is a very popular area in Hamburg with lots of restaurants and cafés. Unfortunately, it was not so close to the uni (about 40 min. with public transportation), but the area was quite nice. In general, Hamburg is a very safe city.

3. Academic life at host university

The academic life is quite nice, but since the semester is shorter than at WU, you will find yourself very often at Uni. The campus is very small compared to WU, but the location is great - right in the middle of HafenCity, with a nice view to the Elbphilarmonie, Also, the Uni has a gym on-campus that you can use. Since KLU has fewer students than WU, there is a more "familiar" atmosphere and a closer relationship between students and professors. Also, all profs. and staff have an open door policy, so they are always very approachable. The teaching style differs from professor to another, as well as course structure, grading, etc.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is great and mostly on time. You can get the Deutschlandticket for about 60€, which allows you to use the whole public transportation network in Germany, besides fast speed trains such as ICE, EC, etc. Nightlife in Hamburg is a lot of fun, there are many bars and clubs to choose from. Reeperbahn is the most famous spot, but most locals prefer Schanzenviertel. There are lots of restaurants and cafés too, particularly around Winterhude and Eppendorf. There are many museums to visit too. Since Hamburg is in the north, expect a lot of rain and not a lot of sunlight.

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience in Hamburg was a great way to further internationalise my studies, get to know great people from all over the world and broaden my academic horizons. KLU made it very easy to connect with fellow exchange, as well as full-time students, and even professors. They had a great welcome week planned that was a nice way to break the ice among the group. This made it easier to work in groups later in the semester, and also more fun to stay around at Uni.