Freie Universität Berlin (FU BERLIN)

Don't accept any place in a students' residence but look rather out for a room mate -it's quite popular and you'll find good offers at www.zitty.de --the bi-weekly city-magazine where you'll find as well anything else...

When you choose to be an internationally-oriented person, you must endure all aspects of a foreign culture, whether or not they agree with your own cultural sensibilities. SIT gives you the chance to go to another place, experience an unfamiliar culture in a homestay while avoiding the heterogeneity of Western university life, and become far more independent. The excursions to Poland, Austria, Croatia, and Serbia & Montenegro gave me a firsthand perspective on both societies that have grown immensely since large scale conflicts, and those that are still in the aftermath. While my homestay might not have been subjectively the most enjoyable part, it allowed me to expand my consciousness about class in German society and how this manifests on the familial level.

I loved my study abroad. It allowed plenty of time for academics, travel, social activity and independant exploration. Helpful hint - be sure to drink plenty of water after your flight overseas. I was dehydrated after I landed in Berlin and was sick for my first 2 days!

Don't stay at university halls. There are always lots of cheap and amazing flats. It's worth the effort trying to find them.

Most of it comes down to common sense. If you're going to study abroad then the likelihood is you're still quite young; so just go and enjoy it. Any problems that occur are usually quite easy to sort out and there will be someone to help you.

Berlin is a bit hard by finding a job and support financial expenses, before moving there it would be better to look for a part time job or to know something more about students organizations which help students to find jobs to support themselves.