Mobility specification

Country:Germany

Institution:Free University of Berlin

City:Berlin

Program:Erasmus+ traineeship

Activity type:Traineeship

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Science / Department of Geography

Study level abroad:Doctoral

✅Check the boxes

How would you categorize your internship?Social sciences

💼How-to: Interning abroad

How did you discover this internship opportunity?Recommendation from acquaintances

Can you describe the role you held during your internship?As a researcher.

What specific responsibilities and tasks did you do during your internship?I've been involved in the department's research.

Did your tasks align with the pre-defined conditions?yes

Did the internship meet your expectations?yes

Did you apply any theory you learned at university during the internship?yes

If yes, can you provide a specific example?Programming in R, GIS.

How well did you manage to communicate in a foreign language?almost no difficulties

Did the institution have any special requirements?Level of study

Do you have tips on how to make a great impression on the institution?Indisciplinary overlaps, technical knowledge.

How competitive was the selection process? Did you have to go through an application procedure?It practically wasn't.

Why would you recommend students do an internship?Because it will broaden their job market and experience (both soft and hard), not to mention that internships are compulsory in many PhD programs.

💰And how to fund it?

What were your average monthly expenses during the internship?30000 CZK/month

Did the institution provide accommodation?no

If not, how did you find it?Airbnb, it was not cheap - about 600 EUR per month.

Did you have any unexpected expenses during the internship?no

Do you have any tips on how to save money during the internship?DeuthlandTicket, you could get it e.g. via HVV-Switch-App, which is an app of the Hamburg Transport Company, but it allows you to pay by card and also charges a pro-rata start.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How difficult was it for you to adjust to life abroad?no big deal

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?See previous reply - I recommend HVV-Switch-App, I used to buy tickets for my bike using local apps.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Berlin itself is a "must see", for sure. Thanks to the former Berlin Wall, it brings together the still noticeable Eastern and Western worlds in a mini-scale of one city. I used to live in the former West Berlin, so I would recommend a trip to the East one to Karl-Marx-Allee and the Soviet War Memorial Treptow, you will see the quirks of the past times beautifully :).

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Besides the classic sights, I recommend Tempelhofer Feld, Military History Museum - Berlin-Gatow airport, Teufelsberg, but also a number of brutalist buildings (e.g. our embassy, Mouse Bunker, Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin). The best view of the city I had was from the observation tower next to the ICC - Funkturm Berlin. The entire Berlin Wall can be cycled around on good quality bicycle infrastructure, but I recommend splitting the route over two days.

Share your best experience:Critical Mass Berlin, who like to ride a bike and promote cycling. An experience with thousands of people across the city from west to east, and from east to west...

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Train

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Bicycle, climbing aids.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Thanks to the peaceful Grunewald forest, Berlin is perfect for introverts looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Plus, it's an ideal starting point for trips to places like Rügen, because with the Deutschland-Ticket you can get there (almost) for free!