Berlin is one of the most beloved cities among students
As Deutsche Welle notes, Berlin is one of the leading scientific centers in Europe. According to the latest data, the total number of students at its universities is 175,600. And this number is growing every year. The German capital is home to over 30 higher education institutions, including four major universities – the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, and Berlin University of the Arts.
You can get a higher education in Berlin in almost any field. Graduates of political science, international business, and business administration are in particular demand on the labor market. Over 60% of available vacancies in the German capital are offered to such specialists, because Berlin is the largest employer in the management sector in Germany. And it is understandable: the federal government, parliament, and various ministries are concentrated here.
Those who choose to study information technology and programming will not regret it. Berlin is the German capital of young technology companies. About half of all German startups are based here. Berlin is considered one of the most creative cities in the world. Here, cafes, restaurants, clubs, and galleries open almost every day.
The popularity of the German capital among foreign students is growing every year. But there is a downside to this coin: housing in Berlin is becoming more expensive. Until recently, renting a room in a student shared apartment, in German Wohngemeinschaft, which translates as 'joint apartment rental', could be done for about 250-300 euros per month, but today renting such housing costs an average of 400 euros. True, in Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Munich, students have to tighten their belts much more. In the Bavarian capital, for example, the average rent for a room in a shared apartment is 530 euros per month.
What about student dormitories? Yes, they exist in Berlin, but they are usually located far from the epicenter of student life. Well, what student would want to live in the Lichtenberg district – almost an hour from the center, or on the shore of the picturesque but suburban Lake Schlachtensee! And yet, the eponymous student village is located here.
Young people are drawn to party districts. Especially notable are the alternative Kreuzberg, bohemian Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain with its post-industrial gloss, covered in graffiti and resembling an open-air art gallery, and bustling, culturally rich Schöneberg. Districts like Neukölln, Wedding, and Moabit are also in demand among students.
By the way, the type of building greatly affects the cost of housing. In Berlin, it is cheapest to live in houses built between 1950 and the 1970s in working-class neighborhoods. In these, a student can even afford to rent a separate apartment. The highest housing prices are in buildings constructed in the 1900-1940s and after 1995.
A big city means big opportunities for leisure. By the way, entrance fees to its museums are several times lower than in other European capitals. And for school and university students, the ticket price is even half the price. A special discount for students is also available in theaters – such as Komische Oper, Deutsche Oper, Freie Volksbühne, and Berliner Ensemble. You can also go to the movies without much damage to your wallet: in all cinemas, one day a week, tickets are half the usual price.
Berlin clubs are known worldwide. Many of them feature cult DJs. A huge number of night bars and discos, for example, are concentrated around the famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard in the western part of the city. Beer lovers should check out the beer restaurants in Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, and Friedrichshain.
To navigate the vast sea of Berlin events and activities, a newcomer can consult with fellow students from Berlin or use information resources – Zweite Hand, Zitty, Tip, Tagesspiegel and Berliner Zeitung. There are posters of the trendiest events – just choose!