Ask me about germany.

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tourism & Travel > Ask me about germany.

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

What's ESL? English as second language? If you want to go into teaching, you could study that and become a regular teacher. They are not low-paid at all (though heavily taxed is a given) and being miserable or a dead-end job has more to do with your atttitude, I guess?

# ? Mar 2, 2010 19:13

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# ? May 2, 2024 15:21

Fasheem: Feb 19, 2007

elbkaida posted:

What's ESL? English as second language? If you want to go into teaching, you could study that and become a regular teacher. They are not low-paid at all (though heavily taxed is a given) and being miserable or a dead-end job has more to do with your atttitude, I guess?

While I'll admit that going to Germany to study engineering is an undeveloped whim, I know for a fact that I'd prefer a job that doesn't involve a lot of teaching. I'm doing it now because it's the fastest way to pay off debt/save money so I can fund a career change. Right now I'm dreaming that I'll have enough cash to quit after only one more year in the classroom.

I found one website that says 700 euros/month is reasonable for living expenses as a student in Germany, is that accurate?

# ? Mar 2, 2010 23:54

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Yah, with 700 Euro per month you'll be OK in most places for a student lifestyle (shared flat/dorm, not too much expensive food, etc). For expensive places like Munich you might need a bit more to live comfortably.

And I'm not really clear anymore about what you actually want to do. You just want to study? Great, come on over and try it! Or you want to find a decent job? That's harder without any contacts.

# ? Mar 3, 2010 00:37

Fasheem: Feb 19, 2007

elbkaida posted:

And I'm not really clear anymore about what you actually want to do. You just want to study? Great, come on over and try it! Or you want to find a decent job? That's harder without any contacts.

Get a degree in Germany, then use the degree to get a job in Germany after. I just don't know about the possibility of making contacts while studying, or using a German degree to get a job in other countries.

# ? Mar 3, 2010 07:34

Bellabel: Jan 5, 2010; Dead finks don't talk too well; they've got a shaky sense of diction

I'm leaving the US for the first time this summer to study in Germany for a year :aaaaa:

I'm scared but fantastically excited.

I'm not using an exchange program, so I'm not quite sure yet which school I'll be going to. Right now I'm leaning toward Humboldt-Universit�t in Berlin. It'll be the first time I've left the country, let alone living somewhat independently (if you don't count the dorms) so naturally I'm terrified! Do you have any living tips for a 20-year old girl? I'd welcome any and all advice on

-WG and other living options
-what I should wear as to not look like a buffoon
-things I should take, and what I should buy there
-cash money, and how to obtain it
-friends, and how to obtain them
-cheap food (especially eggs, dairy and vegetables)
-stuff I should absolutely experience while I'm there

(so that's more questions than I thought I had) ...thanks everyone!

# ? Mar 4, 2010 02:20

Soy Division: Aug 12, 2004

Bellabel posted:

I'm leaving the US for the first time this summer to study in Germany for a year I'm scared but fantastically excited.

I'm not using an exchange program, so I'm not quite sure yet which school I'll be going to. Right now I'm leaning toward Humboldt-Universit�t in Berlin. It'll be the first time I've left the country, let alone living somewhat independently (if you don't count the dorms) so naturally I'm terrified! Do you have any living tips for a 20-year old girl? I'd welcome any and all advice on

Great choice. Berlin is incredible.

quote:

-WG and other living options

Clean up after yourself and act like an adult, keep in mind that you will likely be living with people who are a few years older than you are.

quote:

-what I should wear as to not look like a buffoon

Pretty much wear the same things you would in the US. There are some differences, but nothing major. For example, cargo pants are a much more acceptable fashion option in Germany.

quote:

-things I should take, and what I should buy there

Buy new clothes before you leave. It's not worth buying clothes in Germany unless it's something impossible to get in the US. Prices are usually higher to begin with and there's a 19% VAT on top of that.

I always get writing instruments and stationery when I am in Germany. They're of a higher standard than in the US.

quote:

-cash money, and how to obtain it

ATM's work, just be sure to notify your card company so they don't deny your transactions. Don't plan on relying on a credit card for daily expenses, Germany is still very much a cash only country.

quote:

-friends, and how to obtain them

It's hard to make friends in Germany. The best idea is to join a club. Germans LOVE clubs and there are clubs for everything. The good news is that friendships in Germany, once formed, are usually very loyal and long-lasting.

quote:

-cheap food (especially eggs, dairy and vegetables)

Supermarkets are actually pretty cheap in Germany, unless you are doing your food shopping on the 6th floor of KaDeWe you will be fine. (Although you should go to the 6th floor of KaDeWe at least once.)

quote:

-stuff I should absolutely experience while I'm there

Well, the major sights in Berlin are pretty obvious. Go to as much cultural stuff as you can. Operas, Berlin Philharmonic, etc. It's not that expensive. Eat lots of d�ners and Turkish food in general.

Try to go to Berghain, it's an unforgettable experience. Berlin nightlife is amazing and actually pretty easy on the wallet.

You'll probably see the East Side Gallery as a matter of course but let me recommend it again, it's great. Same thing with Park Sanssouci and Potsdam in general. Do lots of bike riding.

Definitely make some trips to Eastern Europe, it's right there and it would be a shame to miss out.. Also a trip to Munich and the Bavarian Alps would be great.

# ? Mar 4, 2010 05:02

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Gail Wynand posted:

Pretty much wear the same things you would in the US. There are some differences, but nothing major. For example, cargo pants are a much more acceptable fashion option in Germany.

ATM's work, just be sure to notify your card company so they don't deny your transactions. Don't plan on relying on a credit card for daily expenses, Germany is still very much a cash only country.

It's hard to make friends in Germany. The best idea is to join a club. Germans LOVE clubs and there are clubs for everything. The good news is that friendships in Germany, once formed, are usually very loyal and long-lasting.

A few notes:
-Please don't show up to lectures in pyjamas or sweat pants, cheers.
-Most stores accept German debit cards (maybe not credit cards, or only with fee), so if you want to play with plastic a lot, get one of those.
-If you're in University, finding people to hang out with shouldn't be a problem. Just don't expect people to start talking to you without a reason, that's not the way we do things.

I hope you're here in June already, so you can experience the world cup feeling. Otherwise do as Gail Wynand said and go to lots of other places, eg Hamburg, Dresden, M�nchen, Prague.

# ? Mar 4, 2010 20:41

Muddy Terrain: Dec 23, 2004; by Y Kant Ozma Post

elbkaida posted:

Yah, with 700 Euro per month you'll be OK in most places for a student lifestyle (shared flat/dorm, not too much expensive food, etc). For expensive places like Munich you might need a bit more to live comfortably.

And I'm not really clear anymore about what you actually want to do. You just want to study? Great, come on over and try it! Or you want to find a decent job? That's harder without any contacts.

There is no way you could make it off 700 euros a month living in Munich.
Good luck finding a decent apartment or a shared flat in a decent location for 300 euros a month.
I got extremely lucky and found a WG for 330 a month. It was an amazing location, but it took me 3 months to find it and the people I was living with weren't that cool, though.

Regardless, expect to be paying 350-400 (student prices) or 500+ for anything to write home for an apartment, 60 euros a month for a month long public transportation pass, and then you gotta pay for food. Food isn't cheap in Munich either. Also, if you live in Munich, you're gonna be drinking beer and beer is a fairly high priced commodity.

If you want to do anything in Munich other than eat, sleep, study, and drink water, then I'd suggest budgeting it at at least 1,500 euros a month.

Muddy Terrain fucked around with this message at 17:27 on Mar 6, 2010

# ? Mar 6, 2010 17:20

Previously on GBS: Jul 13, 2007

There are tens of thousands of students in Munich who don't have anywhere close to 1500 Euros and get by just fine. Try 800.

# ? Mar 6, 2010 23:08

Bellabel: Jan 5, 2010; Dead finks don't talk too well; they've got a shaky sense of diction

Gail Wynand posted:

words

Thank you! I figure I have a pretty good handle on myself but it still makes me nervous.

Also, what's the deal on appliances (hair dryer, etc)? Can I just use a converter?

And yes elbkaida, I will be there in June. But I honestly know next to nothing about soccer (football, football...)

I'm really excited. :v:

# ? Mar 7, 2010 03:15

Soy Division: Aug 12, 2004

Bellabel posted:

Also, what's the deal on appliances (hair dryer, etc)? Can I just use a converter?

Most don't even need converters, just a plug adapter. Check the voltage rating on the plug.

# ? Mar 7, 2010 21:47

Muddy Terrain: Dec 23, 2004; by Y Kant Ozma Post

Previously on GBS posted:

There are tens of thousands of students in Munich who don't have anywhere close to 1500 Euros and get by just fine. Try 800.

and they also get mommy and daddy to pay their rent
Also a lot of the students there are from Munich, so they still live with their parents.

# ? Mar 8, 2010 17:53

Anmitzcuaca: Nov 23, 2005

Is anyone in this thread a student in Berlin? Can you give me an idea on the cost of rent, food, entertainment and stuff like books etc? Hoping to do an exchange in Berlin next year.

# ? Mar 10, 2010 10:56

Fasheem: Feb 19, 2007

OneArmedScissor posted:

If you want to do anything in Munich other than eat, sleep, study, and drink water, then I'd suggest budgeting it at at least 1,500 euros a month.

You have successfully scared me away from Munich, not that I was ever really considering it in the first place.

How about the cheapest places to study in Germany? Is there a quality difference between schools that charge �500 per semester plus student fees and the ones that only charge student fees?

# ? Mar 14, 2010 08:55

Gatac: Apr 22, 2008; Fifty Cent's next biopic.

Fasheem posted:

You have successfully scared me away from Munich, not that I was ever really considering it in the first place.

How about the cheapest places to study in Germany? Is there a quality difference between schools that charge �500 per semester plus student fees and the ones that only charge student fees?

I'm taking this as the opportunity to pimp my hometown Magdeburg. Student life in Germany doesn't get much cheaper than here, since a) we still have a good overstock of housing that keeps prices low, b) you only pay student fees and c) those fees include a ticket for the tram and bus, which can take you all over town. Magdeburg also punches above its weight class in shopping and entertainment, has a *lot* of green spaces and is close to several of the big northern cities. I've spent time both in the big university "Otto von Guericke" and the smaller University of Applied Sciences. They're both nice in their own way: the former has a big campus and a wide selection of classes, the latter is a little more specialised and cozy, plus it's out in the green, which is *really* nice in summer. Both have brought a lot of foreign students here, so I think it's transitioning out of the "insider tip" territory quite nicely.

# ? Mar 14, 2010 09:59

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Fasheem posted:

You have successfully scared me away from Munich, not that I was ever really considering it in the first place.

How about the cheapest places to study in Germany? Is there a quality difference between schools that charge €500 per semester plus student fees and the ones that only charge student fees?

If you want cheap, you can go to East Germany, you should be able to find a dorm room in most cities for ~200 Euro (except for Berlin, they are pretty booked out, I hear). Or a room in a WG for similar or even lower price. Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Potsdam, Ilmenau, Chemnitz, Magdeburg have good to OK universities IMO. The €500 charge doesn't say much, it's just dependent on the federal state.

# ? Mar 14, 2010 17:58

Previously on GBS: Jul 13, 2007

OneArmedScissor posted:

and they also get mommy and daddy to pay their rent
Also a lot of the students there are from Munich, so they still live with their parents.

Sure, but those who still live at home don't have 800 Euros a month.

# ? Mar 14, 2010 19:34

Danger - Octopus!: Apr 20, 2008; Nap Ghost

Are Scooter actually huge in Germany or is it just hype to try and make them appeal internationally?

# ? Mar 14, 2010 21:54

Gatac: Apr 22, 2008; Fifty Cent's next biopic.

Not as big as they were in the 90s, but who is?

# ? Mar 15, 2010 09:42

Soy Division: Aug 12, 2004

Anmitzcuaca posted:

Is anyone in this thread a student in Berlin? Can you give me an idea on the cost of rent, food, entertainment and stuff like books etc? Hoping to do an exchange in Berlin next year.

I don't live in Berlin but I have spent time there in the past and I would budget pretty much the same (in dollars) as I would for a US college town - maybe a bit more for rent depending on where you're from and what sort of living arrangement you want.

This assumes that you will be cooking for yourself at least 50% of your meals, shopping at normal supermarkets, not buying many clothes (seriously buy yourself new clothes before you leave), drinking beer when you go out (beer is dirt cheap but mixers and cocktails cost much more), etc. Overall costs are pretty low, especially if you live in the areas where students tend to congregate.

# ? Mar 15, 2010 15:41

Anmitzcuaca: Nov 23, 2005

And how much would you budget for a US College town? I'm in Australia so I have no idea what the cost of living in the US is like.

# ? Mar 16, 2010 00:10

Total Confusion: Oct 9, 2004

Anmitzcuaca posted:

And how much would you budget for a US College town? I'm in Australia so I have no idea what the cost of living in the US is like.

$1,124 a month gets me by ok. It'd go a lot farther if I only cooked at home.

Rent: $400/mo
Utilities: ~$150 (internet, cable, gas and electricity after it's split two ways)
Food: At the grocery store I spend about $40 a week
Entertainment: $414 (which is what is left, $100 a week for booze, eating out, shopping, etc.)

This is for a college town in the South (total, students and residents is ~25,000 people)

Total Confusion fucked around with this message at 05:34 on Mar 16, 2010

# ? Mar 16, 2010 05:26

Ziir: Nov 20, 2004; by Ozmaugh

I just got accepted into RWTH Aachen for a masters program so I'm pretty excited for that. No word on funding, but assuming that I'm not funded, what kind of job could I get as an American to pay some bills?

Can anyone tell me what grad school (masters) is like there? Here, masters and phd students take like 2 classes a semester and do research, but this program has 4 or 5 classes listed per semester on their program guide.

What's Aachen like? Tell me everything! The weather, the city, history, the people, the politics, etc. The more you can tell me about Aachen or the state, the better.

I met a guy the other day traveling in NYC from K�ln. He studies in K�ln too and said something about tuition includes a bahn pass to ride all around that state for free. Is this true? Not that I think he'd lie about it or anything but it sounds awesome. What other things will my tuition include?

I don't speak German very well. I've been learning it for a year and I'm having no trouble at all. The grammar makes sense, the conjugations make sense, this is my 4th language, etc. But it's quite apparent that trying to actually talk to this guy was extremely different from reading grammar rules. Immersing myself in German will be good if I move there, but until I
get better at it, will it he hard making friends if I don't speak German that well?

# ? Mar 28, 2010 06:42

elwood: Mar 28, 2001; by Smythe

Ziir posted:

I met a guy the other day traveling in NYC from K�ln. He studies in K�ln too and said something about tuition includes a bahn pass to ride all around that state for free. Is this true? Not that I think he'd lie about it or anything but it sounds awesome. What other things will my tuition include?

Here is a breakdown of your tuition per semester (2008):

code:

als Studierenschaftsbeitrag ...  	 	 	
... f�r den AStA
	5,09 Euro 
... f�r den Hochschulsport
	1,10 Euro 
... f�r die Kindertagesst�tte an der RWTH Aachen e.V.
	0,90 Euro 
... f�r die Kinderbetreuungseinrichtung Augustinerbach
	0,50 Euro 
... f�r den Studentischen Hilfsfond
	1,00 Euro 
... f�r das Hochschulradio
	0,50 Euro 
... f�r das Frauenprojekt
	0,07 Euro 
... das Schwulenprojekt der Aachener Hochschulen
	0,19 Euro 
... f�r die Fachschaften
	1,00 Euro
... als Mobilit�tsbeitrag ... 			
... f�r das Semesterticket (AVV)
	89,50 Euro 
... f�r den Mobilit�tsh�rtefond
	0,05 Euro
... f�r das NRW-Ticket
	37,10 Euro
Sozialbeitrag des Studentenwerks 	
        56,00 Euro 	
Studienbeitr�ge 	
        500,00 Euro 	
insgesamt 	
        693,00 Euro

The NRW Ticket is for public transport in NRW except IC and ICE trains,the AVV ticket is for public transport in Aachen + trains to Cologne and D�sseldorf.

# ? Mar 28, 2010 14:28

unixbeard: Dec 29, 2004

Anmitzcuaca posted:

Is anyone in this thread a student in Berlin? Can you give me an idea on the cost of rent, food, entertainment and stuff like books etc? Hoping to do an exchange in Berlin next year.

Berlin is pretty cheap. Way cheaper than sydney. I got a fully furnished big room in a nice place for 300 EUR a month, which included all bills and stuff. Food was about 40-60 EUR/week but I ate reasonably well, mostly cooked at home. You can get a kebab for 2.50 - 3. A 500ml becks is about 2.40 from a shop, and a small becks is between 2.50-3 in a club. You can live a comfortable student existence for 1000 EUR/month. You can get by on 650 - 700/month.

One of my cousins and her boyfriend were both students and spent about 1200/month and they rented their own place.

If you're going try and find a place to stay a few months in advance, they advertise way earlier than in Sydney.

Berlin is a great place and full of students/people on low incomes. Don't expect to be able to find work. But go and have a blast.

unixbeard fucked around with this message at 16:23 on Mar 28, 2010

# ? Mar 28, 2010 16:11

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Ziir posted:

I just got accepted into RWTH Aachen for a masters program so I'm pretty excited for that. No word on funding, but assuming that I'm not funded, what kind of job could I get as an American to pay some bills?

Can anyone tell me what grad school (masters) is like there? Here, masters and phd students take like 2 classes a semester and do research, but this program has 4 or 5 classes listed per semester on their program guide.

What's Aachen like? Tell me everything! The weather, the city, history, the people, the politics, etc. The more you can tell me about Aachen or the state, the better.

will it he hard making friends if I don't speak German that well?

For work, I would look at student jobs in your department first, they are usually not very hard and a good way to make some contacts.
Master students mostly do classes, labs, etc for the first couple of semesters and usually some big research project a.k.a. master thesis at the end, but that depends a lot on what you study.

As for the city: It is a not very big and not very exciting city with poo poo weather (always cloudy and lots of rain). The whole Rhein-Ruhr area is mostly known for the heavy industry and coalmining. Historically, Aachen was significant in the times of Holy Roman Empire and before, but wiki is probably better at explaining this.

The RWTH is a top University though, great that you got in there.

And you don't need to be concerned about not speaking much German, lots of people speak English and you will probably build up on your base knowledge very fast, too.

# ? Mar 28, 2010 19:46

cool jamal: Mar 27, 2010; by Tiny Fistpump

Quick warning to any travelers: Germans are NOT down with the clown

# ? Mar 28, 2010 23:09

Ziir: Nov 20, 2004; by Ozmaugh

elbkaida posted:

For work, I would look at student jobs in your department first, they are usually not very hard and a good way to make some contacts.
Master students mostly do classes, labs, etc for the first couple of semesters and usually some big research project a.k.a. master thesis at the end, but that depends a lot on what you study.

As for the city: It is a not very big and not very exciting city with poo poo weather (always cloudy and lots of rain). The whole Rhein-Ruhr area is mostly known for the heavy industry and coalmining. Historically, Aachen was significant in the times of Holy Roman Empire and before, but wiki is probably better at explaining this. The RWTH is a top University though, great that you got in there.

And you don't need to be concerned about not speaking much German, lots of people speak English and you will probably build up on your base knowledge very fast, too.

Is it such a boring city that I'm going to hate the next 2 years of my life if I live there?

. My professor here who graduated from Aachen and recommended the school to me told me the city was awesome. I didn't ask why though.

It seems I'll have free travel to K�ln and D�sseldorf with my tuition, so how far are those places and are they fun to visit? I'd check myself but I'm sitting on a park bench relaxing from walking around for a bit. Also, it's right next to France and close to the Netherlands is it not? Are there any cool cities nearby in those countries? I'm just wondering cause I do like traveling a lot. It won't make or break my decision to accept/decline but it would help cause I do want to live somewhere I'll enjoy for the next 2+ years. The city I live in now, I loving hate mostly cause of the weather (110+ F/40+ C in summer).

# ? Mar 29, 2010 00:01

vanDeet: Oct 23, 2008; by Fistgrrl

Ziir posted:

Is it such a boring city that I'm going to hate the next 2 years of my life if I live there? . My professor here who graduated from Aachen and recommended the school to me told me the city was awesome. I didn't ask why though.

I've never visited Aachen, but come on, just looking at the map, it's right in the middle of "Europe that matters". Netherlands, Belgium, northern France are just a short train ride away, just like K�ln. Even if the city would suck (it probably doesn't), it would still be a great place to live in. Assuming that you can afford travelling a bit on a regular basis.

# ? Mar 29, 2010 07:32

Liface: Jun 17, 2001; by T. Finn

Ziir posted:

Is it such a boring city that I'm going to hate the next 2 years of my life if I live there? .

Nope. In Germany, no big city is a boring city. Anywhere you can party, you'll have a great time.

# ? Mar 29, 2010 17:48

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Haha, I didn't mean to say it is super boring or something, just not a place with tons of options for every subculture like the big cities. There's students, so there's bound to be parties. And yeah, getting to other towns is easy, so you can get around, too.

# ? Mar 29, 2010 19:40

79: Dec 25, 2005; Melancholy.

What is the coolest thing I can possibly do in Berlin? I am staying for four days next week. I like to drink and I like blues and rock 'n roll and art. I want to buy some recording equipment and a musical instrument. There is something which draws me to Kreuzberg. I am half Turkish if that makes any difference (doner is OUT). My main aim in going is to get away from stuff over here, so I'm not dying to go to the Brandenburg Gate or whatever; I want to see something which will make me feel good. This will be my first time and I hope there will be something that will make me want to come back again. The only touristic thing I have planned is that I want to see the Stasi museum. Tell me something that will blow my mind.

# ? Mar 29, 2010 21:17

Ziir: Nov 20, 2004; by Ozmaugh

elbkaida posted:

Haha, I didn't mean to say it is super boring or something, just not a place with tons of options for every subculture like the big cities. There's students, so there's bound to be parties. And yeah, getting to other towns is easy, so you can get around, too.

Good to hear. If anyone could tell me more about Aachen/thar area or about the school or just studying in Germany in general it would be greatly appreciated.

# ? Mar 30, 2010 06:47

Cosmic Web: Jan 11, 2005; "Stand and deliver, that my hamster might have a better look at you!"; Fun Shoe

Ziir posted:

Is it such a boring city that I'm going to hate the next 2 years of my life if I live there? . My professor here who graduated from Aachen and recommended the school to me told me the city was awesome. I didn't ask why though.

It seems I'll have free travel to K�ln and D�sseldorf with my tuition, so how far are those places and are they fun to visit? I'd check myself but I'm sitting on a park bench relaxing from walking around for a bit. Also, it's right next to France and close to the Netherlands is it not? Are there any cool cities nearby in those countries? I'm just wondering cause I do like traveling a lot. It won't make or break my decision to accept/decline but it would help cause I do want to live somewhere I'll enjoy for the next 2+ years. The city I live in now, I loving hate mostly cause of the weather (110+ F/40+ C in summer).

I study in K�ln so I know a bit about the region.
I have a couple of friends who are enrolled at the RWTH, and while they all like the city, one of its biggest plus is the proximity to the Netherlands (in case you're into :420:

) and Belgium.
Once you get bored of the local historical sites, hiking tours through the Eifel, nightclubs, smoking etc., go and visit K�ln (theres a train leaving every 30 minutes and it takes you less than an hour to get there; lots of students travel from one city to the other just to party) which is four times the size of Aachen and has TONS of stuff to see and do.
The whole Rhineland is a pretty cool place to live. And it's the home of the German carnival.
You can PM me if you have any other specific questions.

# ? Apr 1, 2010 22:18

unixbeard: Dec 29, 2004

79 posted:

What is the coolest thing I can possibly do in Berlin? I am staying for four days next week. I like to drink and I like blues and rock 'n roll and art. I want to buy some recording equipment and a musical instrument. There is something which draws me to Kreuzberg. I am half Turkish if that makes any difference (doner is OUT). My main aim in going is to get away from stuff over here, so I'm not dying to go to the Brandenburg Gate or whatever; I want to see something which will make me feel good. This will be my first time and I hope there will be something that will make me want to come back again. The only touristic thing I have planned is that I want to see the Stasi museum. Tell me something that will blow my mind.

theres a big music equipment place at Kulturbrauerei, get the u bahn to eberwalder str in prenzlauerberg. Go and check out c/o berlin photography gallery oranienburger str then walk up the street to check out tacheles, cross the road and get some food from dada felafel. You can also go for a stroll along auguststr in mitte for some galleries. there's an alternative walking tour that leaves from alexanderplatz at 11am (i think, google it) which is a good way to get an overview of the different regions of berlin. aplatz is a tourist ghetto so definitely get to prenzlauerberg, friedrichshain and kreuzberg. The coolest thing you can do is just be yourself because noone gives a gently caress and thats what berlin is all about.

# ? Apr 2, 2010 00:50

Ziir: Nov 20, 2004; by Ozmaugh

Schisser posted:

I study in K�ln so I know a bit about the region.
I have a couple of friends who are enrolled at the RWTH, and while they all like the city, one of its biggest plus is the proximity to the Netherlands (in case you're into ) and Belgium.
Once you get bored of the local historical sites, hiking tours through the Eifel, nightclubs, smoking etc., go and visit K�ln (theres a train leaving every 30 minutes and it takes you less than an hour to get there; lots of students travel from one city to the other just to party) which is four times the size of Aachen and has TONS of stuff to see and do.
The whole Rhineland is a pretty cool place to live. And it's the home of the German carnival.
You can PM me if you have any other specific questions.

I don't have PM enabled anymore so do you have an email? I'm just extremely excited to go there for school. When does the winter semester start by the way? I still haven't gotten the admission packet in the mail yet so I don't really know anything other than what the their website has.

Could you also tell me about living in that area? Their website says a budget of about 700 euros/month is a good budget. What kind of living space could I get with this budget, and what kind of food/entertainment can I afford?

# ? Apr 2, 2010 06:57

Cosmic Web: Jan 11, 2005; "Stand and deliver, that my hamster might have a better look at you!"; Fun Shoe

Ziir posted:

I don't have PM enabled anymore so do you have an email? I'm just extremely excited to go there for school. When does the winter semester start by the way? I still haven't gotten the admission packet in the mail yet so I don't really know anything other than what the their website has.

Could you also tell me about living in that area? Their website says a budget of about 700 euros/month is a good budget. What kind of living space could I get with this budget, and what kind of food/entertainment can I afford?

Classes start October 11.

Aachen is cheaper than Cologne when it comes to renting an appartment. I have a friend who pays � 160 a month for his dorm room (includes water, electricity, internet), which is the lowest you can go.
Check http://www.studentenwerk-aachen.de/en/wohnen/home.asp
There's a long waiting period for those official dorms though, so you might want to apply now or search for a private one later.

For food you should visit the local Mensa, where students can get a whole meal for 2 - 4 euros.
If you buy groceries at Aldi and other "discounters", you can manage to live on � 100 - 150 a month.
Clubs charge 5 - 15 euros, but most have happy hours and / or offer free beer for certain periods to attract students.

Cosmic Web fucked around with this message at 00:29 on Nov 23, 2010

# ? Apr 2, 2010 16:00

Cosmic Web: Jan 11, 2005; "Stand and deliver, that my hamster might have a better look at you!"; Fun Shoe

Quote != Edit

# ? Apr 2, 2010 16:02

Tricolor: Nov 10, 2009

As far as East Germany goes, what sort of things one can engage in around May-June? I'm talking about something apart from the typical tourist attractions. (If it makes any difference, I'm interested in Leipzig)

# ? Apr 2, 2010 18:55

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# ? May 2, 2024 15:21

elbkaida: Jan 13, 2008; Look!

Tricolor posted:

As far as East Germany goes, what sort of things one can engage in around May-June? I'm talking about something apart from the typical tourist attractions. (If it makes any difference, I'm interested in Leipzig)

Well you can start things of with some nice 1st of May riots then celebrate Himmelfahrt on 13th (a day where all the men go out to get drunk), join the dark folks at the Wave-Gothic-Treffen in Leipzig on Pentecost and experience the world cup feeling throughout june!

I don't really know what you're looking for, but summer is usually the time for all kinds of street festivals, music festivals etc. If you're going to Leipzig, I would also suggest visiting Dresden sometimes. There's stuff like Dixieland Jazz festival, Bunte Republik Neustadt (cool street festival) or just chilling out and having a BBQ on the Elbe banks with this kind of view:

# ? Apr 3, 2010 00:25

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tourism & Travel > Ask me about germany.

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