Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg

Yes - bureaucracy is a real pain, and all offices seem to close at midday.

Superb in all ways. Beautiful city in a convenient location. Great opportunity to meet people from all over the world. A chance to learn about yourself and improve yourself not to be missed.

NO

Bamberg is a lovely pretty little village-but it is no Munich. Nightlife is limited but that did mean that we made firm friendship groups and you basically new everyone when you went out. Good location to travel from-skiing in Austria, Prague, Munich. Was excellent for a semester but after that you may want a bit more!

I think being totally clueless when I arrived added to the experience.

Most people when they decide to go to Germany want to go to Heidelberg or Tuebingen. Bamberg is a much better choice. There are fewer Americans - so you have to meet people from other places. Also, the office of foreign students is very active and takes the foreign students on great trips (skiing, Lake Constance, etc.). The German instruction is fantastic, and the city is truly one of the most beautiful in Germany. I recommend Bamberg with absolutely no reservations!

Cost of living in a small Bavarian city is far less than that of Washington, DC. Students from less urban areas in the USA found Bamberg to be comparably priced.

Unless you want to concentrate specifically on a field, out of choice or because you have to, try something different. It's the best chance you'll have, but make sure that the courses you do decide to take improve your knowledge of your host country's language. That is the most important thing.

Nothing springs to mind, other than the recommendation to do the exams - this will ensure that you do do something productive and don't regret having wasted your time when you go home.