Summer in Germany

In July 2023 I had the opportunity to travel abroad and live the student life in a country I had never been to before. Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a vibrant, bustling city which offers a range of activities for all people.

I arrived the weekend before classes started and settled into the hotel accommodation recommended by Technische Universität Berlin, which was a convenient 10 – 15 minute walk from the university. I wasted no time and headed out to explore the city. I was pleasantly surprised by the Tiergarten district which hosts a huge park of the same name and notable buildings and monuments such as the Reichstag building, the Victory Column and the famous Brandenburg Gate (technically located just outside the Tiergarten district). I spent an hour or two walking through this district and appreciated the large amount of greenery which is not common in big cities!

As part of the cultural program we visited two musuems: The Humboldt Forum and the Jewish Museum. Each provided an engaging experience, with the former showcasing human history, art and different cultures whereas the latter focused on the Jewish religion and culture over time.

When the weekend arrived we took a day trip to the nearby city of Potsdam which hosts magnificent historical architecture and parks to spend the day in. We spent a few hours with a local tour guide, explored the city and learnt about its history before stopping in the gardens of Sanssouci Palace for a relaxing afternoon.

The last two activities to round out the cultural program were a visit to the Reichstag building and paddleboating on the Spree river. The Reichstag building which sits the german parliament has a unique history having been through the tumultous times of WWII and the cold war, which was fascinating to explore with our knowledgable tour guide. Two days later, the cultural program ended with a relaxing paddleboat ride on the Spree river which was a fun way to spend time with friends exploring the parts of the city from the water.

To sum up, my trip to Berlin was a highly enriching experience where I got to explore a new city and culture, try new foods and make great friends! I will definitely miss German food including currywurst, schnitzel, some of the best kebabs I’ve ever had and of course the beer! (and how cheap it is). I am very grateful for this experience and will cherish these memories for a long time!

Shreyan Deshpande

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science

Global Short Program Student at Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship