Germany is at the heart of modern Europe in many ways - both geographically, economically, and as one of the leading political lights in the EU. It is also a country living in the here and now - a multicultural melting-pot, an international centre for art, music and fashion, and with a capital that has over the last decade emerged as one of the trendiest cities in the world.
Add to this a historic culture that produced the likes of Goethe, Beethoven and Bach, alongside the relics of the tragedies that beset the nation in the 20th century, and your time spent studying abroad in Germany is sure to be a fascinating cultural experience as well as lots of fun. Top Universities has come up with the top ten things any undergraduate student should do to get the most out of your time studying abroad in the Germany.
Germany’s capital city is unique. Study abroad here and you’ll never get sick of learning. Visit Berlin and you’ll run out of days to see all that you want to, from the Berlin Wall to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Charlie’s Checkpoint to Potsdamer Platz. It may have a chequered history but that just adds to the atmosphere of this incredible city. Yet, there’s more to Berlin than just World War ll sites. It also has a vibrant film industry, a raging night club scene, state-of-the-art architecture and a grungy underground music scene. From the majestic Brandenburg Tor to the fashionable Alexanderplatz, Berlin is a capital city like no other.
2. Castle Neuschwanstein
This 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace is one of the most picturesque castles in the world. Commissioned by Germany’s “fairy-tale king” Ludwig ll of Bavaria, Castle Neuschwanstein holds a special place in German history. Upon the death of his grandfather, Germany’s slightly eccentric king began the task of rebuilding the palace, a favourite haunt from his childhood years. Incorporating his love of opera, most notably that by composer Richard Wagner, Ludwig built himself a haven in which he was able to live out his idea of the Middle Ages. However, the palace wasn’t yet finished when Ludwig died in mysterious circumstances by the lake. Today, Castle Neuschwanstein is a popular tourist spot receiving more than 1.3million visitors annually.
Did you know? Castle Neuschwanstein was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
3. Christmas markets
One of the best parts about studying abroad in the Northern Hemisphere is that you’ll get a real Christmas, and Germany certainly knows how to make the most of the festive season. It won’t matter that the days are now shorter and the temperatures much colder, you’ll still want to wrap up warm and head outside to explore the Christmas markets (Weichnachtsmarkt) which are staged in almost every town and city around Germany (
www.germany-tourism.co.uk). Warming glühwein (hot red wine with fruit and spices) and apple fritters are a must on a cold winter's day. What’s more, you can get your Christmas shopping done in one hit!
4. Oktoberfest
Location: Munich, Bavaria
Germany is one of the great brewing nations of the world so make the most of your time studying abroad in this spectacular country and indulge in some of its finest beers. The best time of year to do so is during Munich's two-week Oktoberfest (
www.oktoberfest.de), which takes place from late September and attracts six million visitors to the Bavarian capital each year. Get into the spirit of Oktoberfest – dress up in traditional costume (lederhosen for the boys; dirndl for the girls), and forget your study books, this is where you’ll find the rest of the German student population and most probably your lecturers too!
5. Summer fireworks festivals
During Germany’s summer months, from May to September, something special happens on the Rhine. On one of Europe’s longest and most important of rivers, a convoy of boats, showered in a dramatic blaze of fireworks, make their way up the river, providing entertainment a-plenty. These spectacular riverside fireworks displays are known as the ‘Rhein in Flammen' (Rhine in Flames) (
www.rlp-info.de). Book a place on board a dinner cruise at one of five places along the river to get the best view of the fireworks, accompanied by music and set against a backdrop of castles, palaces, romantic villages and beautiful riverside landscape.
6. Wagner Opera Festival
If you are able to get tickets (waiting lists are long), head for the city of Bayreuth in north-east Bavaria, to witness the famous Wagner Opera Festival (
www.bayreuther-festspiele.de), which takes place every year from late July to August. Festival performances take place in Bayreuth Festspielhaus, a custom-built theatre that composer Richard Wagner himself helped to design. People wait five to ten years for tickets to the Wagner Opera Festival, but try your luck by turning up on the day. You may be able to secure a returns ticket – that’s if you haven’t got stuck in a traffic jam along with everyone else wanting to do the same thing!
7. Drive the Romantic Road
Stretching from Würzburg in the north of Bavaria to Füssen in the south, the 300-plus kms of Germany’s Romantic Road (
www.romanticroad.com) is the most famous of all the scenic roads in this picturesque European powerhouse. A historical trade route, the Romantic Road takes visitors past medieval walled towns, alongside vineyards, past palaces and castles, and through quaint villages, all providing an excellent insight into the region's history, art and culture (
www.visitbavaria.com). Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, hiking trails, German cuisine or a few ski slopes, you’ll find it all along the Romantic Road.
8. Baked Fish Festival (Backfischfest)
Don’t be put off by the name – of the festival or the city. Instead, head to the city of Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate, Western Germany in late August to celebrate the traditional Baked Fish Festival (Backfischfest) (
www.backfischfest.de), the biggest wine, food and folk festival on the banks of the Rhine. Dedicated to the Fishermens' Guild, Germany's oldest such organization, Backfischfest includes activities such as a lantern procession, a tug o ‘war competition and jousting, not to mention the housewives’ afternoon!
9. The Cologne Karneval
Each year, at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of November (the time and date of the truce that ended fighting in World War One in 1918), carnival season is declared open – and there is no better place to join in the revelry than in Cologne (Koln). In one of Germany’s most popular student cities, the streets come alive during “Karneval”, with processions, concerts and colourful costumes. Traditionally coinciding with Easter celebrations – the week-long street festival is timed to fall between Fat Thursday and Ash Wednesday in the Lent calendar – the Cologne Karneval has become as important a date in the party calendar as Oktoberfest. So, join in one of Europe’s biggest street festivals during your time studying abroad and explore the city while you’re there.
Did you know? Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10. Experience the bustling maritime city of Hamburg
Not only is it Germany's second largest city, Hamburg is also the country’s wealthiest city. But on top of this is a maritime history which today has secured Hamburg’s place as the world's third busiest port (behind London and New York). Perhaps not quite as popular – or well known – as many of Germany’s other cities (think Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich), Hamburg is deserving of a visit by any student studying abroad. To begin with there are the buildings shaped like ocean liners, the artificial river beaches, gothic warehouses and fish markets. Visit Hamburg and find out why over 1.8million people call this German city home.
Once you’ve finished those:
1. Why not run the Berlin Marathon?
2. Visit Trier - the oldest city in Germany
3. Sample currywurst - a German street-food speciality!
4. Take a break from studies for some "kaffee und kuchen" (coffee & cake)
5. For a bit of literary culture, visit Frankfurt, the birthplace of Germany's most important writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
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