Field of study in Wageningen: Management, Economics and Consumer Studies
Study period exchange: 01/10/2022 – 22/02/2023
Country (exchange): Germany
City (exchange): Munich
University (exchange): Technical University Munich (TUM)
Faculty (exchange): TUM School of Management
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I wanted to go abroad in my Bachelor, but this was cancelled due to Covid. My main reason to go abroad was to develop myself personally and to learn more about different cultures.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
To improve my German language skills and the courses at TUM sounded really interesting.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
Day train is very nice, but make sure to reserve a seat. And with a train you can bring more luggage than by plane. Just make sure to not book the last train, because the Deutsche Bahn is being known for delays and you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of Germany.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
The exams are all in February/March, but I already had 3 exams before Christmas, which was very nice, because I had more free time at the end of my exchange and less contact hours after Christmas. For me, the workload was lower than at WUR, and I spent 20-30 weeks studying/going to university each week. For almost all courses, you only have to learn the slides and attendance is not mandatory.
What is the culture of the university?
The professors are very approachable and willing to help like here at WUR. The lectures can be longer than you are used to (3 hours with only 10 minute break and with 1,5 hours you don’t get a break). I rarely had to do assignments and for only 1 course I had to read a book.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
Sport is very cheap: 10 euros per semester for a basic ticket and 10/20 euros extra for a sport of your choice. The university offers a buddy programme with a lot of activities: going to the Oktoberfest, free walking tour through the city, free Dachau tour, free BMW plant tour and more. At these activities I have also met some German friends. Eating at the Mensa is quite cheap. ESN TUMi and ESN MESA offer a lot of nice activities to meet new students. They organise an introduction package called ‘party animals’ or ‘culture creatures’ which I would highly recommend!
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
Very difficult to find a room and also very expensive (average is 700 euros). Wg-gesucht is the main website to find a room, but be careful for scammers. Try to find a place near an U-bahn station, where in Munich doesn’t really matter. I also had some friends who lived outside of Munich (Garching or Freising), but in the centre is more preferable. You can look at Google Maps what the travel time is between your house and the U-bahn stop Theresienstrasse (TUM is not at the stop Universität, because this is LMU).
What is the culture of the country like?
All supermarkets and shops are closed on Sunday and in the evening after 20:00. Additionally, if you want to get some fast food after clubbing, almost all places are closed. In Germany they have Ruhezeit, which means commonly agreed upon quiet hours in and they are from 10pm and 6 or 7am on weekdays and the entire day on Sundays and on public holidays.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
Average is 700 euros
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
I have spent around 400 euros for the semester fee and to travel through Munich. I have spent additional money for day trips outside of Munich which are quite cheap and around 12,50 a day in whole Bavaria if you travel with a group of friends (Bayern ticket).
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Oktoberfest, Schloss Neuschwanstein, Allianz Arena, most museums are 1 euros on Sunday, Dachau, Königsee, Innsbruck, Salzburg, going to an ice hockey game, Christmas markets (around 20 in Munich and a really big one in Nürnberg, I also went to a Christmas market in Lindau which I would highly recommend), Regensburg, Fasching (carnaval), operas and symphony concerts costs only 10 euros for students for a front row ticket, and much more.
What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?
Schloss Schleissheim, Lindau, Flaucher
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
Food: Hofbräuhaus, Doctor Drooly, Schneider Bräuhaus, L’Osteria Clubs: 089, Call me Drella, Neuraum, Studentenstadt
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
Finding a room was very difficult.
What was your best memory abroad?
Too many to choose from, but if I must choose, I would say the Oktoberfest.
