Hi, I’m Aaditya Jhinjharia from Haryana, India. It has been one year since I moved to Berlin, Germany, to pursue my Bachelor’s in BSC International Management at ISM University. This blog shares my real experience of student life in Berlin and the things I wish I had known before moving here.
Student Life in Berlin
It has been one year since I moved to the city, and I have enjoyed my time here. I didn’t experience much homesickness, but student life in Berlin still came with many unexpected challenges. The first thing I wish I had known was how important it is to learn German before coming here. Even if you have learned the language, don’t be too excited because you’ll still face challenges like finding housing, getting part-time jobs, living with good flatmates, and managing daily responsibilities.
However, once you start tackling these small problems, you will realize that student life in Berlin is not that hard. You slowly learn how things work and become more comfortable with your new surroundings.
Studying in Berlin
It is nice to learn together with students from diverse nationalities. One of the most important lessons I have learned here is the reading culture. I have been in a library and seen people of all ages learning from their books, while at the same time small children ranging between 5 and 6 years old asking for comic books.
This was indeed a shock for me, coming from a country where it is difficult to see children studying on their own. Another lesson I have learned is that I will achieve everything I learn here through practical methods. People love books here.
International Students in Berlin
Before moving here, I did not realize how diverse the student community would be. I have friends from Spain, Arabia, India, and America, and each one has their own style of enjoying the city. My Spanish friend loves going to clubs, which is why he enjoys clubbing so much. My Arab and Indian friends are pretty much the same; neither partying too much nor partying too little. That balance makes my friend circle special and adds a unique experience to student life in Berlin.
Living in Berlin as a Student
One thing I wish I had known earlier is how much independence I would need. Nobody tells you when to cook, clean, study, or manage your money. You have to learn everything by yourself. In the beginning, it feels difficult, but after a few months, you become stronger, more confident, and more responsible. For me, independence has been one of the most important lessons of student life in Berlin.
Cost of Living in Berlin for Students
Money management is one of the biggest parts of my experience here. If someone asks me about my cost of living in Berlin, I have a whole day to explain! I receive €990 from my blocked account. I am also part of the Student Ambassador programme at University Living, where I earn around €400–500. The following table shows my monthly expenses:
| Expense | Amount |
| Rent | €680 |
| Health Insurance | €150 |
| SIM | €20 |
| Grocery | €100–120 |
| Extra | €100 |
| Total Expense | €1000–1100 |
The best part is that I have a semester ticket from my university, so I don’t need to buy a travelling ticket. Here is a summary of my monthly income and savings:
| Financial Summary | Amount |
| Total Income | €1400–1500 |
| Average Saving for Emergency | Around €300 |
Before moving here, students should understand their expected expenses and create a monthly budget because managing money plays a major role in student life in Berlin.
Student Accommodation in Berlin
Finding housing is another major problem in European countries. Rent takes up the biggest part of your money, and finding good and affordable accommodation can be a huge challenge. There are multiple platforms available for booking student accommodation in Germany, but the biggest question is: which one should you trust?
I believe trusting your agent is very important. Sometimes, an agent can lead you in the wrong direction because they know the loopholes in the accommodation market. However, the right agent can put you in a situation where you can grow.
What I Did Before Coming to Germany?
Before coming here, I did three things:
- I found a good agent because I wanted someone I could depend on. I even told them that I wanted to move to different countries during my Erasmus semester, so I wanted a long-term relationship.
- I gave myself proper time instead of rushing.
- I asked them, “What do you suggest?” It was my first time booking student accommodation in Berlin, but for them, it was their everyday work.
I booked Nazarethkirchstraße51 within just 3 days. They didn’t just show me a room; they arranged a video call, gave me a neighbourhood tour and a room tour, and explained why that location was the most suitable for me. Sometimes, booking accommodation is very simple. However, if you get trapped by the wrong agent, it can become the most miserable part of a student’s journey in any international country.
Final Thoughts
What I wish I would have known before coming to this place is that speaking the language, getting appropriate accommodation, taking care of my finances, and being independent are equally important. Small difficulties will come at first, but when you learn to cope with them, everything else will fall into place. Being in this city has been a difficult, diverse, exciting, and fruitful experience for me. The main thing is to be well prepared, ask the right questions, and spend enough time on adaptation.
