Gemma (Sem 1 + Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Freiburg

Freiburg is an absolutely beautiful city, super central for travel to Switzerland and France, and well connected for European travel. The Schwarzwald was my favourite. A 20 minute tram ride and you can take hikes fully submerged in nature and see cute surrounding villages. On the subject of trams, Freiburg centre is almost completely car-free, and their tram and bus network is excellent! Not once during my stay have I been inconvenienced by my lack of car. It is also a very international city, and almost everywhere you go people can speak English if your German fails you.

I stayed in the largest student accommodation in Freiburg, Studentensiedlung am Seepark (or Stusie). They have a wide range of options; cheap 8-person flats or single flats, in a range of old and new buildings. I paid €290/month for an 8-person flat in an old building. The facilities are good, and the rooms are massive, although not so glamorous. Stusie is a lovely little student village with table tennis tables, a volleyball court, a football field, and even a student bar! All located right next to a lake — lovely for swimming in the summer.

I think my biggest issue with my exchange in Freiburg was with the courses. Freiburg University has a range of English courses available. However, exchange students are only able to sign up for courses once the other students have selected theirs, and therefore many of the courses are full before you get the chance to sign up. The website can be difficult to navigate and confusing with the different faculties and accessing course outlines. The courses also often do not match up with UoA courses.

The courses I did take were interesting, and the professors knowledgeable. A difference from UoA is that exams and assignments often take place at the end of the course. You have one (or sometimes two) large paper(s) to write, or one exam, and that decides your entire grade. Often they have presentations (a lot of presentations!), but although they are mandatory, they are ungraded.

Cost of living was far cheaper than in Auckland, especially rent and groceries. I also joined a gym for €20/month. I believe restaurants and takeaways were approximately the same but it is difficult to tell with the post-covid changes in both countries.

I joined an English-speaking church called Calvary Chapel. I think the community I found there really helped adjusting to the new city and feeling less homesick.

There are a few foods that quickly became a go-to in Germany. Pretzels are a cheap snack when out and about, and Döner kebab is the best easy take-out meal around. Germany also does ice cream really well. Around the city you will find a large number of Eis-Cafes that sell ice cream for as little as €1 a scoop. And it is hands down the best ice cream I have ever tasted.

There are so many great things to do around Freiburg, including great hikes and even day trips to France and Switzerland! Europa Park is less than an hour away by public transport, and the picturesque French towns of Strasbourg and Colmar less than 1hr 30. One of my trip highlights was floating down the river Rhine through the city of Basel, Switzerland, using a “Wickelfisch” waterproof swim bag for belongings. Kaiserstuhl is nearby and provides lovely walks and absolutely stunning views during grape season in the summer.

For students thinking about choosing Freiburg as an exchange destination; I would wholeheartedly recommend it! The bureaucracy can be a nightmare, but it is worth it. I would recommend doing the Intensivsprachkurs they offer a month before the semester starts — great for brushing up on German, making friends, and getting to know the city and its surroundings. I would also recommend doing the summer semester (the winter is very grey and cold). I would also recommend Studentensiedlung am Seepark (Stusie) as your residence. Lastly, download the AllTrails app for excellent hike ideas and navigation.

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Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

The intensive German language course offered at the beginning of the semester was really worth it. It was great to make friends, brush up on the German language, and they offered (mostly free) excursions on the weekends and after the course to explore more in and around Freiburg.

In my courses, the class sizes were small and seminar-style, enabling more interaction and learning.

The courses available were in a wide-range of topics, some rather niche. I did a course on Democratic Elites and another on Organisational Psychology. Some of my friends did a course on Capitalism in the Beer market, or The World as Sound.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

• The largest theme park in Europe; Europa Park, is located less than an hour away from Freiburg.
• I did not get around to doing it, but I’ve heard great things about the Lindt Chocolate Factory in Zurich.
• Floating down the river Rhine in Basel was one of my trip highlights.
• Definitely go hiking in the Schwarzwald! Some of the best nearby hikes are Kybfelsen, Roßkopfweg, Schönburg, Schlossburg, and Kaiserstuhl Totenkopf.
• Schauinsland has a cable car from which you can enjoy nice views over Freiburg — just make sure to choose a clear day!

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

• Do the intensive language course!
• Go in the Summer semester. There are more festivals, it gets dark at like 11pm, you can trial the many ice cream places around, swim in all the lakes, and sit outside at cafes and restaurants. There is much less happening in the winter, it gets dark by 4:30pm, and the sun rarely makes an appearance.
• Bear with the bureaucracy — everything is mailed (not emailed), and the process is slow.

How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?

To meet the financial requirements of residency in Germany, one option is to open a blocked bank account. This required €934 per month of your stay available in an account (I used Expatrio — would recommend). While finding the funds initially was difficult, it proved very helpful and stress free during my stay. I found the amount perfect for monthly living expenses with a bit extra available for safekeeping or travel splurges!

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

My German, although far from fluency, has improved immensely. I also find my confidence in general has grown. I have travelled solo to foreign countries, made many friends from all over the world, and learnt lots about German cultures and other cultures.

Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?

I had an amazing experience solo travelling a week in Croatia. I scored some super cheap (€13 one-way) Ryan Air plane tickets and stayed in hostels in Zadar, Split, and Zagreb. I would definitely recommend Croatia for solo travel (and travelling in general!), especially Split!

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