How are you finding the university and the city you’re studying in?
Why did you choose this particular university and course?
What I love about law is its logic – although some people may find that hard to understand :)) – and the way it reaches into everyday life. Humboldt-Universität was a clear choice for me for several reasons. The HU Faculty of Law is among the best in the world and gives me the chance to study areas such as international and European law, but also to see how the German legal system works, which is a great experience for me as a future lawyer in Central Europe. I was also drawn to Berlin’s unique atmosphere. I see it as a fascinating crossroads where a rich history meets contemporary European trends. It’s incredibly open and inspiring, and that comes through in the discussions we have in lectures too.
What were your first impressions when you arrived?
How is teaching different from what you were used to in the Czech Republic?
How would you rate the quality of the teaching and the lecturers’ approach?
The teaching at Humboldt-Universität is first-rate, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and working independently with sources. A lot of the teaching is built around analysing case law and other sources, followed by discussion. I’ve been really happy with the lecturers’ approach too. Although many of them are leading experts in their fields, they talk to students as equals. There’s a very open atmosphere in lectures and seminars, and nobody is afraid to ask questions or give their opinion. The digital facilities and access to materials are excellent too.
What has interested or surprised you most about studying there so far?
How are you finding studying in another language?
It was quite a challenge at first. Legal German is a whole discipline in itself, and listening to lectures on complex legal issues in a foreign language demanded total concentration, especially in the first few weeks. My studies have also made me use the language actively, whether I’m working with sources or discussing things with classmates. But Berlin is incredibly international, so even if you occasionally stumble over your German, you can always make yourself understood, and both lecturers and local students are very understanding about it.
What has been the hardest part of living abroad so far?
Definitely wrestling with notorious German bureaucracy. Getting all the paperwork sorted, registering with the authorities, and finding my way around the university systems was basically a full-time job in the first few weeks. You have to be very patient and not let it get to you when things don’t happen as quickly as you’d like. But once you’re over that initial hurdle, you can really start enjoying the freedom and opportunities Berlin offers.
How did you deal with practical matters such as visas, insurance, and accommodation?
As an EU citizen studying in Germany, I didn’t need a visa, which was a huge relief. Insurance was fairly straightforward too: I used a combination of my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and some additional private insurance. I’ll go into accommodation in more detail below. I’d also definitely recommend opening a local bank account and getting a local SIM card – it makes day-to-day life much easier.
How did you find the cultural differences?
Berlin is unique in that respect. It’s less a question of a divide between Czech and German culture and more this incredible mix of influences from all over the world. The biggest cultural difference for me was the sheer sense of freedom, openness, and tolerance you feel everywhere. People aren’t afraid to express their individuality through how they dress or the way they live, and nobody judges anyone. You get used to that very quickly, and it’s genuinely liberating. In academic life, I had to get used to the famous German emphasis on rules and precision. Back home, we sometimes look for ways around things, whereas here you just follow the rules. But once you realise that the strictness isn’t personal and is really there to make sure the system works for everyone, you start to appreciate it.
How did you find accommodation, and what has your experience been like?
Housing is a big issue in Berlin. With the housing crisis, finding somewhere decent can be both time-consuming and expensive. I was lucky enough to be offered a place in halls by the university. Even then, a place isn’t guaranteed – demand is huge and places are allocated by lottery, so I’m very grateful I got one. I share a flat with two flatmates. The student accommodation is very international, so you’re constantly meeting students from all over the world, which is a great experience. The only downside is that it’s quite a long way from the centre, but Berlin’s public transport is excellent, so it’s manageable. I’d definitely recommend starting your accommodation search as early as possible, because renting privately in Berlin can be very expensive and competition is fierce.
How do you spend your free time outside university?
There’s never a dull moment in Berlin because the city has absolutely everything. As a musician, I love the huge range of concerts, from classical music to the electronic scene, which is in a league of its own here. Music is a great way for me to clear my head after demanding lectures. I also spend a lot of time being active. I’ve been dancing for several years, and I’ve found some great dance studios in Berlin where I can keep improving. And when I’m not dancing or at a concert, I’m exploring the local food scene, browsing flea markets, or spending time with friends. Berlin is just one of those cities where you couldn’t get bored if you tried.
Have you made friends with local students or other international students?
Making friends in Berlin is especially interesting because of how international the city is. My closest circle of friends is an incredible mix of people from all over the world – from the US and Scandinavia to China. It’s fascinating to see how differently we view life, but also how much we have in common. It’s a bit different with German students at HU, but that makes those friendships all the more valuable. Germans can be a bit more reserved at first, but once you get to know them better in seminars or on group projects, they’re great company. My interests help a lot too, because at dance studios and music events you meet a completely different crowd of locals from the people you meet at the faculty.
What do you feel you are getting most out of studying abroad?
The biggest thing I get from studying abroad is that it constantly makes me rethink the way I see things. With law, that’s doubly true – when you see how another legal system and culture deal with the same problem, you start thinking about things much more deeply. Outside university, it teaches me independence and flexibility. Living in a foreign city and using a foreign language puts you in situations you’d simply never face if you stayed in your comfort zone at home. And Berlin in particular has taught me to be more open and tolerant and given me the confidence that I can hold my own and find my way in any environment.
What experience or skills do you think you’ll use when you come back?
There are quite a few, but top of the list is being able to work in an international environment. Law is becoming more and more global, and studying abroad gives me a real head start in that respect. I’ve learnt to make legal arguments in German at a professional level and work with German legal sources, which will be a real asset for a future career in the Czech Republic given how close our countries are geographically and historically. I’ll also come away with a much broader perspective and a more flexible way of thinking.
What advice would you give other students planning a similar stay?
What do you like most of all about studying and living abroad?
What I love most is the absolute freedom and the chance to start afresh in a new environment. What I enjoy most about studying at HU is being able to think about law from a different angle and practise my legal German. And life in Berlin? Definitely the energy of the city – a place where you can feel at home even if you’re completely different from everyone else. I love the contrast too: during the day I’m sitting in the historic Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Library with German laws and textbooks, and in the evening I’m off to a former power station for techno :)
Has anything really disappointed you so far?
Disappointed probably isn’t quite the right word, but one thing that has surprised me, and not in a good way, is the state of digitalisation in Germany, especially in public administration. You’d expect a country like Germany to let you sort everything out quickly online, but in reality you often can’t get by without paper letters, trips to government offices, and long waits for appointments. In that respect, the Czech Republic is ahead in many ways, even if you might not expect it. Another thing that can be difficult for students in Berlin is the anonymity and the fact that people can sometimes seem a bit distant. But that’s part of the city’s identity too, and after a while you start to see it more as one of Berlin’s quirks than as a negative.
