Berlin

Besides being Germany’s capital, Berlin is also the country’s largest city (with a population of 3,5 million.), and one of the world’s centers of culture, media and science. Berlin’s most significant industries include IT, biomedical engineering, clean tech, and electronics, and the capital serves as a continental hub for air and rail traffic, with a highly complex public transportation network. Some of the most famous landmarks include the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building and Regierungsviertel, Pergamom museum, and the Museum Island. As a cultural metropolis, Berlin encompasses around 50 theatres, 300 libraries, and countless museums and cinemas. The night life too is an integral part of the capital’s vibrant nature, hosting countless pubs and clubs.

Berlin School of Economics and Law

Founded in 2009, the Berlin School of Economics and Law (BSEL), or as known in German, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR), is a merger between the Berlin School of Economics and the FHVR Berlin, each with over 30 years of experience behind them. The Business department is located in the Schöneberg campus. Despite its short history, the school made quality management its top priority and it clearly focuses on student skill appliance, by closely cooperating with hundreds of companies. Theoretical approaches are also taken through direct contact teaching. Our double degree students can choose one of the three specializations offered by the Berlin School of Economics and Law: marketing, finance and accounting, or management. At the end, our students will receive a BA diploma in International Business Management from the partner university and a BA in European Business Administration from Metropolia Business School.

Tips from Previous Exchange Students

Living

• Accommodation: 200-500 Euro/month in a shared apartment.
• Housing options are: shared apartment, student housing, private apartments (see the ones offered by the House of Nations and make sure you understand all the clauses of your contract).
• Apply for a room in a shared apartment a few months in advance.
• Register at the Rathaus when moving in
• Set up a German bank account. If you are a non EU citizen, you will need to create a “blocked” account in order to get your residence permit.
• Make sure you have the European Health Insurance Card before going there.
• Pick up your residence permit from the LABO office.
• Look around for different internet provider companies as the quality might differ from the Finnish one.
• Carry your personal and student ID with you at all times!

University

• Courses tend to be more theoretical than in Metropolia, depending on the lecturer.
• Curricula is built around general studies, management, electives, marketing, HR, finance and accounting.
• Moodle and Capus4u are used as teaching platforms.
• Teaching sessions are 4×45 minutes long.
• Many courses offer different teaching times to choose from.
• School offers a local buddy to help you set up.
• Grading scale is opposite from the Finnish one, grade 1 being the best, 5 the lowest.
• Most courses include a group presentation (25-50% of the final grade) and an individual written assignment, report or exam.

Lifestyle

• Public transportation is available throughout the night.
• Sports activities can be found around every corner (fitness membership is around 17 Euro/month) and there are many parks for running.
• The city offers a wide range of cultural events to suit all tastes.
• Street festivals and a rich night-life.
• Eating out is cheaper than in Finland and you can choose anything from Spanish tapas to Chinese food (e.g. Mustafa’s Gemuse Kebab, Mar y Sol, Alpenstueck, Damas, Ming Dynasty).

 

Olivia Nastase, Photos by Viktor Velinov