As a master student who just moved to Sweden, applying to an exchange program didn’t really make much sense to me at first. Exchange studies as we’ve come to know it, is the interchange of culture and perspectives (between different parts of the world) thus paving the road for better understanding and tolerance among the myriad sets of people inhabiting our earth. This, however was not my reason to come to Stockholm but as a result became part of the experience I’ve obtained and what an eye opener it was.

  Despite this initial view point, it wasn’t until a conversation I had with our program director that my stance on the matter changed. It became clear that acquainting myself to the ways of the Karolinska Institutet, which not only encapsulates its offerings of frontier courses and the high end research being performed by its top notch scientists, within its stone walls. It also involves participating in the numerous collaborations and agreements that are formed with universities across the globe. Infused with enthusiasm I began my journey first with the paperwork in the application process!

  Looking back, I must state that it’s interesting to finally end up at one of the oldest universities in Germany. I was initially nominated for an exchange to the University of Iowa along with another colleague. Due to difficulties encountered by the host institution, welcoming both of us as exchange students was no longer possible. Our international student coordinator (ISC) handled this situation with utmost professionalism and provided us with alternative destinations.

  Driven by my fascination with neuroscience, the choice of Heidelberg proved to be an easy one, renowned for its status in medical research. It also has a comprehensive network among different departments and institutions in various fields such as neuroscience, cancer biology, developmental biology and infectious diseases.

  Surprisingly, absolutely nothing is what you need to do after the nomination. In the sense that there was no official application procedure that you could tend to promptly. However, you will receive an email regarding an application for admission as an Erasmus student “Antrag auf Zulassung für ERASMUS Studierende” that will require you to fill out and send via email. Although enjoying your summer vacation should be taking most of your time, there are however some details that you must attend to. First and foremost, a definite decision must be made regarding what you would like to undertake during your exchange whether it be courses or diving into a project. I choose to employ myself in hard labor towards an elective project. Finding a project in general, is always time consuming and requires that you start early going on and persevere. An exchange is no excuse that the rule doesn’t apply. Of equal importance is the need to find a place to dwell during your adventures in a strange foreign land. Attaining that little space of tranquility is comparatively readily achievable than in the Venice of the north.

  Needless to say, health insurance is an important aspect of any contemplated travelling. Fortunately for Karolinska exchange students, regardless of their country of origin they are guaranteed this coverage. Obtaining the insurance certificate and card only necessitates contacting Malin Ahlén, our ISC who much appreciatively sent mine via mail. Should you consider visiting neighboring countries getting an European health insurance card from the Swedish Social Insurance Office (Försäkringskassan) is a clever move since this is not insured under the KI insurance policy.

  Being an EU citizen or having a permanent residence does have its advantages!!! For one, you don’t need a visa to reside in Germany for a period of three months which for my period of exchange was the case. However, my colleague a Swedish denizen but not a holder of the traditional burgundy colors was asked to apply for a visa, of course she was going to stay longer but it’s always good to make sure so ask! Another benefit is the Erasmus grant which amounts to merely a thousand euro’s but nevertheless still worth the squeeze.

  Last but not least, without it nothing would be possible and that is your matriculation document (Zulassungsbescheid ) sent to you from Heidelberg University. Transcribed within its text lies a very vital piece of information, the last date you can actually register, a date you wouldn’t want to miss.  Naturally, should you require more information and by all means it’s always helpful, you can check out the Erasmus page on the Heidelberg University website http://www.eu.uni-hd.de/index_en.html and the KI website as well http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=28390&l=en .

  The question of how early do I need to arrive is a very subjective one, mingled with personal differences and circumstances it may vary.  Pondering on this issue, certain factors may exert some weight such as accommodation, orientation programs, language courses or just the plain exploratory curiosity of the area you will temporarily call home. It is indeed worthy to mention that even though the semester maybe stated to start in September most of the actual programs or lectures start in October.

  Along with the matriculation papers, arrives information regarding the orientation days organized by the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt). Catering a concoction of events including pub crawls, which prove to be a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students particularly if you plan to just work on a project. Similarly, other organizations such as the AEGEE Heidelberg and even some master programs have some form of orientation planned, therefore dig for information.

  Breaking the ice aside, the time comes to enter the world of bureaucracy and officially become a member of the Heidelberg student body. Conveniently located, all the buildings required for this conquest are present within an important square known as Universitätsplatz (Uniplatz for short) in the Allstadt or old city. My battle began at the Adminstration offices located on Seminarstrasse 2. The actual registration requiring the following documents takes place here.

1) Matriculation paper (Zulassungsbescheid)

2) Valid passport and/or residence permit

3) Two personal photos

4) Health insurance obtained from KI

  A quick pit stop at the Mensa (Student Cafeteria) is necessary, in order to get a German insurance certificate from one of the insurance booths setup there, seeming to be more of a formality than anything else. No additional papers other than the KI insurance certificate are necessary. I don’t remember the sequence of events but this is an important step to be able to register.

  Paying the student union fees amounting to sixty four euros is obligatory and can be done at the Sparkasse bank located comfortably within the vicinity. With this in hand your next stop would be the university library aiming to obtain your campus card, student ID and your Heidelberg university email address that I never used. Now, the campus card is a very important card maybe as important as your credit card. With it you pay for everything in student related establishments such as food, drinks or even doing the laundry if you’re living in a student dorm. My student ID, that vital document, turned out to be a paper printout that I incurred at my own accord from any printer I can find. However, I heard that the New Year brings new possibilities and with that a new student ID/campus card hybrid, hence being a single rectangular shaped multi-purpose plastic object. Despite conveying it to be quite challenging and eventful this process seems to move smoothly, problem free with however a lot of skipping from one edifice to the next.

  Getting in tuned with your project or courses is usually one of the first things on our mind. A trip to the student coordinator and contact person Dr. Andrea Wolk should make things much clear. Naturally, working on a project demands a visit to your supervisor and future lab.

  The city of Heidelberg, accommodating just over 145,000 inhabitants, can be according to my sometimes painful experience, be explored on foot. Though this shouldn’t be your main mode of transport it’s a great way to expose yourself to the architecture underlining this vibrant city. The public transportation system in Heidelberg is very efficient, incorporating buses and trams for the services they provide. I nonetheless, did the mistake of buying a semester ticket which can be easily bought from any ticket office or the Studentenwerk office at the Uniplatz Mensa provided a student ID or fees payment receipt. The reason you might want to take your time thinking of such an expensive purchase which cost me € 127, is that you can probably get a bike for a much cheaper price. In addition, riding public transport is free every day, yes you heard me FREE, though after 7 p.m., on weekends and on public holidays again a student ID is required.

  Unlike buses in Stockholm, where drivers issue no tickets and restrict entry to be able to inspect your pass, buses in Heidelberg permit you access from any door waiving this right from drivers while allowing ticket purchases on board. This postulates citizens to be more responsible and buy a ticket, of course sudden surprise inspections from officials also advocates this law abiding behavior. A website helpful in travelling around the city is http://www.vrn.de/  which corresponds to some extent to what http://sl.se/ is in Stockholm.

  Trying to see Heidelberg from a different point of view is not that difficult especially if you are a proud owner of a bicycle. Biking from my perspective is the most convenient and efficient method to move around in this magnificent “town”. Hustling a two-wheeler, that is in good condition and affordable is rather an uncomplicated task. AEGEE hosts a page with plenty information regarding renting or buying bikes even for short periods http://www.aegee.uni-hd.de/service/rentBike.en.php.

  Residing in Heidelberg for only three months, I didn’t see the need to go through the hassle of establishing a German bank account. Cash is readily and widely accepted as is the case usually. In fact, this made me realize how I’ve become accustomed to not carry money back in Stockholm. You soon observe that not a large group of people depend on plastic, which according to me conceals and numbs the sensation of spending money. Moreover, some establishments don’t even accept credit cards thus making cash prime. My Swedish bank did however charge me a small amount per withdrawal which led me to remedy it by drafting larger sums at a time.

  In comparison, Stockholm feels more expensive than Heidelberg but at the end of the month you feel you’re spending the same amount regardless. I don’t know why but it may be due to the fact that you end up eating out more, say during lunch, since hardly anyone brings their own lunches whether they are enrolled in courses or working in a lab. Lunch however, doesn’t cost the traditional 60-80 SEK we are all used to, you can get quite a hefty meal for € 2-5 I’ll delve into where from in the Leisure section. On the other hand, grocery shopping is considerably inexpensive, packing your hand basket fully may surprise you with spending a mere € 10-15. 

  Having already found a project before heading to Heidelberg, I assumed it would be a smooth transition. But nothing sums it better than the colloquial proverb “Shit happens!!”. Less than a week before my departure, I was informed that the mice I would’ve worked on were indeed diseased and will not be available. These genetically modified depressed mice were ironically going to be arriving from Sweden. Confident and with high hopes, I continued with my journey as planned but in search for another project. Sending numerous emails with no apparent success, I’ve implored the assistance of our contact person Dr. Andrea Wolk. While graciously attempting to tackle my predicament, she also linked me to the neuroscience masters in hope of finding a project.

  Different departments in Heidelberg University along with other local institutions form extensive networks in particular fields of research. In my case, I was more interested in the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN). Having scientists in various fields but all under the umbrella of neuroscience, this proved to be the best way to secure a position in a lab. Within a week my search had come to an end and I was on my way fully engrossed in my newly found project.

  With much appreciation, to Dr. Wolk I was able to get a first hand view of the master program at Heidelberg University. Contrary, to KI where I’m studying a Master in Biomedicine, a student is accepted directly into a subcategorical field under the loosely tagged Masters in Molecular Biosciences. Biomedical students in KI have the freedom to perform their projects in completely different fields such as stem cells and infection biology for instance, while following courses in the tumor biology track, thus sampling different areas and catching sight of their true calling. While in Heidelberg, students can only pursue courses and projects in their respective fields being Cancer biology, Developmental biology, Evolution & Ecology, Infectious diseases, Molecular and cell biology, Molecular, cellular and developmental biology of plants, Neurosciences and finally Systems biology. While this has the advantage of being much focused, an individual not really sure what he’d like to do next and I’m sure we are all there at some point might feel glued.

  Working environments differ between institutions or even offices on the same floor let alone countries. Being more laid back yet very efficient is how I perceived the Swedish work ethic. With plenty of coffee breaks or Fika that energizes discussions and gives birth to new ideas and may in fact form collaborations between different labs. Adapted to this culture, it felt weird not enjoying a cup of coffee with some pastries (Kanelbulle in particular) at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon for the least. But this was an even bigger incentive to introduce such a convention within my German counterpart work ethic. Especially since almost everyone drinks coffee, I thought why not savor it with a Swedish twist.

  Heidelberg one of the most preserved German cities after the Second World War compared to Stockholm, from my perspective seems more like a town. Not that that is a bad thing but let’s just say it needs getting used to. Moving around reaching most parts of the city within 15 or 20 minutes by bus gives you an idea of its size. Though it is surrounded by smaller communities all of which can be included as part of the city. But it’s felt most when it comes to going out, as eventually you’ll always end up somewhere along the Hauptstrasse, the main road translated literally.

  This long pedestrian road, Haupstrasse, is home to many touristic shops, cafés, mobile and department stores, basically all you will ever need. During the festive time of the year, it is transformed by the many Christmas markets along it into one big fiesta. The markets filled with many interesting things to buy and enjoyable delicacies to satisfy the hunger accompanying the long walks.

  There are many establishments to experience I’ll just name drop a few Zum teufel , Halle O2, Tangente and the Cave. Another attraction is Hemingways, with its chill ambiance and zesty display of dishes is definitely a great place to hang out. During the summer its outdoor seating provides a cooling atmosphere especially with its view of the Neckar River. If you ever find yourself wandering hungry late after a long night of partying then head to Vater Rhein. Its spaghetti bolognaise will blow your mind for its delicious flavor and cheap price less than € 3. Living in Heidelberg, is not complete if you’ve never caught a Wright Here, Wright Now concert. They used to play the first Thursday of every month but now changed it to the last Thursday of every month at Billy Blues (Im Ziegler’s). A huge band of misfits, jamming unrehearsed prove to give you a new experience every time you see them. 

The Heidelberg experience as I’m going to call it leaves quite an impression. Although I haven’t travelled at all during my exchange within Germany, I instead went to tour neighboring Spain. However, since coming back from my exchange I have been back to Heidelberg twice. I think this alone will give you an idea of how great the Heidelberg experience can become addictive. Apart from what the city has to offer, the University and the globally recognized local research Institutes also present you with excellent opportunities and training. I believe that grasping the chance to come to Heidelberg will never be a disappointment.