Berlin: The Multicultural Capital on the Spree

Berlin – The Multicultural Capital on the Spree

Berlin is more than just the capital of Germany. Thanks to its unique, multicultural flair and internationally renowned universities, this “city of possibilities” in north-eastern Germany is a perfect place to study.

by Janine Noack

Berlin at a glance

Brandenburg Gate, Photo: Jonas Funk

Cultural diversity meets a vibrant nightlife. Twenty years after the fall of the Wall, Berlin has become one of the hottest cultural cities in Germany and attracts thousands of foreign students to its numerous universities every year. With its conglomeration of styles and cultural influences, Berlin’s unique character offers young artists and musicians from around the world a perfect venue for their work. The current mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit describes the city as “poor, but sexy” and the young people who live there as the “new New York”. The rental prices and cost of living are among the lowest in Germany. Even students on tight budgets can afford to live there.
Berlin is currently one of the most popular destinations for tourists and an important transportation junction in Europe. As the seat of the German Bundestag and home to numerous world-famous museums and research facilities, the city offers an extraordinary mix of culture, politics, history and science. People from almost every nation around the world live and work in the city’s twelve districts –which means if you’re looking for internationality, Berlin is the place to find it.
Although Berlin is the largest city in Germany, you’ll find your way around relatively quickly. Berlin’s 3.4 million inhabitants enjoy a well-conceived and well-developed infrastructure and transportation system.

Universities – Overview

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Humboldt memorial in front of the HU Berlin, Photo: Heike Zappe/Presse

With 28,300 students, 400 professors and 4,000 employees, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (short: HU) is the second largest university in Berlin. It is also the oldest university in the city. Founded in 1810, the university is situated in the heart of Berlin in the district “Mitte” on the famous street “Unter den Linden”. The university is comprised of eleven faculties which strongly emphasise the humanities and medicine. The Charité, maintained as a separate faculty together with the Freie Universität Berlin, is one of the largest and most outstanding university-run medical facilities in Europe.

Freie Universität
The FU Berlin was established in 1948 shortly after World War II. With 31,000 students, it’s not only the largest university of Berlin, but also one of the largest in Germany. In 2007 the FU Berlin was officially distinguished as a “university of excellence”. It has gained international renown for its Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science, the Charité and the Department of Earth Sciences.

Technische Universität Berlin
Almost 30,000 students are enrolled at the TU Berlin, making it one of the largest polytechnic universities in Germany. Located on the “Straße des 17. Juni” (“The 17^th of June Street”), the university offers top-quality degree programmes in eight faculties, primarily in the natural sciences.

Berlin University of the Arts
As the smallest university in Berlin, the University of the Arts provides instruction to 3,600 students in the subjects of music, architecture, painting and design.

Academy of Music “Hans Eisler”
One of the leading colleges of music in Europe with 600 students.

University of Applied Sciences Berlin (HTW)
The HTW is the largest university of applied sciences in Berlin with 60 degree programmes in the areas of technology, information science, economics, culture and design. The university is home to 10,000 students and 600 employees.

Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
The HWR Berlin offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees to 9,000 students in the areas of law, micro- and macroeconomics and engineering.

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences, Berlin (ASH)
The ASH has a long tradition in social work and health management. Here you can gain your Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy or your Master’s in Clinical Social Work. The university puts a special emphasis on a pro-family environment, cultural activities and international exchange.

Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin – University of Applied Sciences - (BHT)
„Study the Future“ is the motto of the BHT university. The university is located in the centre of the capital and offers the widest range of engineering programmes in Berlin. The more than 10,000 students can choose between 72 bachelor's and master's degree programmes in engineering, natural sciences and economics.

European School of Management and Technology (ESMT)
The private university was founded by 25 German companies and organisations as a international business school with a distinct European focus. Students from all over the world participate in its one-year MBA programme.

Hertie School of Governance
The Hertie School of Governance is situated right in the middle of Berlin’s government district. People from 40 nations study and research here in the areas of Public Policy und Public Management. Interdisciplinary, internationality and a high practical orientation are the characteristics of the university.

SRH University Berlin
The private SRH University of Applied Sciences offers international management and business courses and cooperates closely with its partner universities across Europe. The students come from all over the world and even one third of the faculty comes from abroad.

Recreation in Berlin

Summer at the Spree, Photo: Noack/DAAD

Most of Berlin’s nightlife can be found on Oranienstraße in Kreuzberg and on the Simon-Dach-Straße and Boxhagender Platz in Friedrichshain. In the summer, people converge on the many bars and clubs situated along the Spree. Bar 25 is a popular location situated among the numerous beach bars between the East Side Gallery, the Museum Island and the Reichstag. And those who don’t want to pay the 10-euro cover fee can simply walk across the street to KikiPlofeld.
Cultural enthusiasts will have a ball in Berlin. Operas, concerts, theatre performances – Berlin’s evening entertainment has something for everyone. The city’s cultural programme also includes several famous museums, such as the “Pergamon Museum”, the “Jewish Museum”, the “Museum of Transport and Technology” and the “German Historical Museum”. Going to the cinema is not only a rainy-day activity; in addition to the major multiplexes on Kurfürstendamm, there are many independent art-house cinemas in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain which show all kinds of films.
As a student, you can look forward to concession rates at most cultural venues. Many museums are open free of charge after 6 pm on Thursdays. Subscription tickets are a practical and affordable way for cultural enthusiasts to go to the opera, theatre and museums on a regular basis. Your student ID also doubles as a “Semesterticket” in Berlin which means you don’t have to buy a monthly public transport ticket. Your semester ticket is valid for all city, regional, tram and underground trains in and around Berlin for six months at a time.

'Mauerpark' flea market, Photo: Noack/DAAD

At a free weekend you should stroll through one of Berlin’s many flea markets. The flea market at Mauerpark, for example, offers an enormous variety of decorative articles (and kitsch) as far as the eye can see.
With its many parks and greens, Berlin is a “green city”. Students can wind down after a stressful day at university by barbecuing at Tempelhofer Feld, for example, or jogging in the Alauenpark. In the summer, people enjoy cooling off in one of the many popular swimming ponds and lakes in the outer districts of Berlin.

Interview with Dori from Hungary and Anne-Claire from France

Dori Sillo from the Hungarian cultural city of Pecs and Anne-Clair Huzar from Paris studied at universities in Berlin for one year. In the following, they talk with study-in.de about their experiences in Germany.

Dori, Photo: private

Why did you choose to study in Berlin?
Dori: During my studies, I frequently read books by writers who came from Berlin. I definitely wanted to go to Berlin after reading Wladimir Kaminer’s “Russendisko” and “Ich bin kein Berliner”. I wanted to see the city, the atmosphere and the people that I read about with my own eyes. It was an amazing experience!

Did you have any problems while you were in Berlin?
Anne – Claire: The difference between the German and French university schedules and the lack of coordination between the two universities were two major problems which I imagine lots of students encounter. And in Berlin, there’s also the problem of finding a flat.

Dori: Since the university was so big, the academic advising for foreign students was rather average and impersonal. But the courses were super and that made up for it to a large degree.

How did you solve the problem of finding a flat?
Dori: We received information from the university about how to apply for a room in a student hall of residence and where you could find offers for flat shares. But I felt a little left in the lurch, and if you’re not actually in Berlin, you can hardly find anything. I suggest staying for a week with a friend or a fellow couch surfer, and then intensively looking for a room. I guarantee you’ll find a place to stay within a week.

Why is Berlin the perfect city to study in?
Dori: Because it’s Berlin! It’s an exciting and multifaceted city. Another great thing about the universities – if you’re an Erasmus student, you don’t only get to take the normal courses, you also get a voucher to take a complete language course for free. It’s really super because the universities offer so many different language courses!

Ann- Claire: Berlin has everything you want. It doesn’t matter if you prefer classic music or punk. Everyone likes Berlin and the universities are super!

What word best describes Berlin?
Dori: Multicultural.
Anne-Claire: To me, Berlin means feeling good.