Nina in Kiel

Field of study in Wageningen: Urban Environmental Management
Study period exchange: 01/04/2022 – 30/09/2022
Country (exchange): Duitsland
City (exchange): Kiel
University (exchange): Christian Albrechts University

2. Motivation for exchange

Why did you choose to go on study exchange?

I had been on exchange before and I really enjoyed being in another country, meeting new people, learning new things and learning a new language. I really wanted to improve my German.

What is the reason you chose for this country/university?

Simply because I had never heard of the city and it caught my attention. I thought it was interesting that this city was at the German coast and was well known for marine ecology. Kiel was a smaller city with good infrastructure and nice surroundings. In addition, I wanted to improve my German.

3. Accessibility to reach destination

Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?

I went by train and that was perfect! There is a comfortable train going from Amsterdam to Hamburg with one stopover. Also sustainable 😊.  

4. University and studying

Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?

How is the study formalized?

I had really different courses, but I really enjoyed that. Academic level differs amongst the courses. Some were easy and some were more difficult. There was a big difference in teachers and study material. I can not really give a general answer to this question…

What is the culture of the university?

The culture is very formal (very German) and very bureaucratic. There was a lot of paperwork and this often was not in the favour of the student. We had to apply to exams and papers ourselves. Everything works with applying for certificates. At WUR you are more supported with administrative tasks.

What does the university offer the student additionally?

I really enjoyed the language courses! Also CAU has a great variety of sport facilities. There is a big German mensa with German food in the canteen.

5. Housing-travelling-living

What are the possibilities for housing?

I found my house at WGgesucht.de I had a shared apartment that I subrented from a girl who also went on Erasmus exchange. I lived with two germans and another exchange student. I payed around 370 euro for 20m2 furnished room. All my friends were in the campus of CAU, which also looked good and with fairly cheap prices I would say. Locations differed a bit, so I would suggest to look into that carefully.  

What is the culture of the country like?

Stereotypes of Germany are sometimes true I found out. Punctuality and bureaucracy are high on the list. For the rest the Germany and Dutch culture are quite similar, which makes life easy there in a way. Though, German techno is a big thing there!

Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?

Around the same prices! The campus was a bit cheaper sometimes.

Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?

I got a ‘Semesterticket’ , which I paid around 250 euros for. With this I could travel within my Bundesland Schleswig Holstein (which also including Hamburg!). I thought it was expensive, but I also made use of the ticket and travelled a lot around the province. For the rest there are a lot of boats in and around Kiel, which you can also make use of through this semesterticket. Big bonus. My transport to university was mostly my Dutch bike. I brought it from NL 😊.

6. Free time

What are must-sees in the area? 

I enjoyed visiting cities nearby such as Hamburg, Flensburg, Eckernförde, Lübeck etc. Kiel has some beautiful beaches and cute villages as well around the city. Kiel is a bikable city, so take the bike to the other side of the city. Eat a fischbrötchen in Eckernförde or Flensburg. Visit Hamburg and go clubbing there or second hand shopping.

Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?

Don’t expect too much of Kiel, it is not a crazy city. But it is perfect for a relaxed time to take a step back and spend time in nature, with friends, go to cafes, and explore the surroundings.

7. Challenges & best moment abroad

What was a challenge you have experienced?

The German semester starts late and ends later than the WUR. I found it hard to do my administrative tasks so late after the exchange.

What was your best memory abroad?

Meeting new people and having fun, doing courses outside of my studies, improving my German and living abroad.

8. Contact details

Would you like to ask Nina more questions about her exchange? Send her a mail: ninamaaswinkel@gmail.com