Details

• Germany
• MAECO-22
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Start early with course planning and housing. As soon as the course catalogue is online, you should check possible courses and prepare several options. The catalogue may be published quite late and the pre-recognition process can take some time. Some courses may also not be approved, so it is useful to have alternatives. It can also help to already think in the semester before which courses you might want to take in Berlin instead of at WU. Travelling by train from Vienna to Berlin is a very good option. However, be aware that train delays or cancellations can happen quite frequently in Germany. In my experience, booking the ticket directly with Deutsche Bahn rather than ÖBB can be more convenient in case of partial cancellations. Also be aware that there are usually two introduction weeks: one general FU Berlin introduction week and one specifically for WiWi students. (The information about these events may not arrive all at once.)

2. Accommodation

I stayed in a sublet private apartment. In general, I would recommend thinking about whether you prefer living close to the university or in a more central/lively area. Personally, I would recommend the latter, as the area you live in strongly shapes your overall experience and as you quickly get used to longer travel times. At the same time, finding accommodation in Berlin is partly a matter of luck, and you may not be able to choose your location. The housing market can be quite stressful, so it is important to stay calm and keep checking regularly. In Berlin many apartments are also posted only shortly before the move-in date. In case you cannot find accommodation, FU can also provide support. Accommodation in Berlin can be quite expensive, but everyday costs such as groceries are often noticeably lower than in Vienna. Also be prepared that some apartments may be a bit “rough around the edges”, for example due to ongoing construction or issues such as mice. The different neighbourhoods can feel almost like different cities, so it is worth researching which area fits your lifestyle best. However, I would not rely too much on general online opinions. For example, the area where I lived is described rather negatively online. I personally experienced it as very nice and felt comfortable there. Also be careful with scams, especially when searching online. Overall, Berlin has many interesting areas and several “city centres”, so there are many good options.

3. Academic life at host university

The FU campus is really big and beautiful, especially in autumn and spring. Overall, I had a very positive experience: the people were friendly and the course contents were interesting. However, the teaching style and workload depend a lot on the specific course and professor. It also takes a bit of time to get used to the FU module and course system, as it works slightly differently from WU. I can especially recommend courses taught by Carsten Schröder and Manuel Santos Silva. One thing to keep in mind is that modules which are compulsory for regular FU master’s students are sometimes less recommended by FU students themselves. The campus facilities are also very good. The Mensa is very affordable, and I especially recommend the one near the WiWi department. The larger Mensa is also good, but I would be a bit more careful with what I order there. My favourite libraries were the WiWi library and the Campus Library. Apart from FU, Berlin also has other great libraries, such as the ZLB.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is generally very good, but delays or cancellations can happen quite frequently, for example during snow. As an FU student, you receive the Deutschlandticket through the university, and it is included in the semester fees. However, be aware that it only becomes valid from October onwards, so you may need to buy separate tickets before that. Personally, Berlin felt very safe to me. There are more social and leisure activities than you could ever attend. I would especially recommend making use of the many concerts and markets. FU itself also offers many interesting events. I can also recommend the FU sports programme, although it can depend quite a lot on the instructor.

6. Testimonial

Berlin is a great place for an exchange if you enjoy cities. There are many events, which is especially nice during the winter months, as well as great opportunities for day trips. I also really enjoyed the food scene, especially because there are so many good vegetarian and vegan options. Overall, I would absolutely recommend Berlin.