Am I a true Berliner yet?

To say the least, the beer here in Germany has been my most regularly purchased item. By choice obviously. My name is Matteo and I am on a student exchange in Berlin, Germany! I spent the first week of my exchange here mostly alone and travelling the city to familiarise myself with my surroundings. After meeting all the other students on exchange I have been opened up too many different countries around Europe and the Americas. There are SO many people from Brazil its crazy. On Friday night we had our welcome party for all new students in the housing here at Victor Jara in East Berlin in something referred to as a ‘Bier Keller’. Translated to beer cellar in English, we spent most of that night drinking a lot of beer (can’t expect any less) and socialising and understanding many peoples cultures. It was a great transition especially when you didn’t know any of these people only a few days before! Meeting people from Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Denmark, France, Brazil and many more has been extremely interesting to interact with people from a wide range of cultures and we have all gotten along really well and partied all weekend together.

HTW here in Berlin had organised multiple events in which making the first few weeks here the most enjoyable, such as a bus tour of the city and parties for international and Erasmus students.

This is going to be an eye opening experience, to understand how Business operates and interacts with the market and to understand the way different cultures interact with Business thinking. All in all, Berlin has been amazing so far, and the exchange itself has been incredible and can only get better. I would recommend highly for all students to undertake such a rewarding and fun experience. It will only benefit you and develop great skills that will be with you for the rest of your life, not to mention you will meet some incredible people – those who you will stay friends with for the rest of your life!

Attached are a few photos from my trip so far. Me having my first Currywurst by the Berlin Wall, and me at the ‘Berliner Dom’ right by the famous Museum Island.

Matteo Pandolfo, 99124923

Bachelor of Business

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin