Study Abroad Student Success Stories: Hamburg, A Dream Turned Reality

Hamburg was always like a tale to me. Through my father’s stories, I fell in love with the city long before I moved here-huge containerships, the calls of seagulls, and the wide, powerful Elbe. About 1.5 years ago, I made the decision to start studying in Hamburg, and life has never been the same. Hamburg has already given me so much: inspiration, opportunities, and unforgettable experiences. That’s why I’d like to share some of my experience and how to make the most of your time here.

City of Hamburg

What to Study?

There are many universities in Hamburg, each offering a wide variety of courses. The one I want to highlight is Kühne Logistics University (KLU). Though relatively young (it was founded only 15 years ago), KLU has proven its credibility many times. Many alumni I’ve heard about are now highly successful, some even running their own businesses. The university’s focus areas are logistics, sustainability, and business.

My personal goal is to deepen my knowledge of sustainability and entrepreneurship, which is why I chose KLU. I also have friends studying arts, history, and social sciences at other universities such as the University of Hamburg, HAW, and HFBK, and they’re equally happy with their choices.

Studying at KLU

Studying here is demanding but not overwhelming. The best part: all lectures are in English. Classes are scheduled in a way that leaves time for student jobs, for example having lectures on only two or three days per week. This smart time management helps a lot.

Professors know most students by name, and the small class sizes make it easy to ask questions and really understand the material. The community is very welcoming and truly international. You’ll meet people from all over the world! There are also great opportunities for growth: an integrated internship, the chance for an exchange semester at one of 100+ partner universities, and close contact with industry.

Finding student accommodation in Hamburg

Finding housing in a big city like Hamburg can be tough at first. This is where KLU brings a big win: the connections between alumni and new students are strong, and the newbies can get key help when searching for apartments. Other options include private student accommodations (with shorter waiting times), Airbnb, or WG-Gesucht, where you can find shared apartments (WGs). Living in a WG can be fun, since flatmates often gather for a chat or a beer. My advice: ask around and use your network. In Hamburg, connections really help to find a place to live.

Building Connections

University is the best place to start connections. Beyond your classmates, your teachers or alumni, you can make the best of the events hosted on Campus to meet new people like students from other majors, industry experts, or sometimes even students from other universities. At KLU, these events open your doors to 60+ nationalities. It doesn’t get more international! Out of Campus, there’s plenty of ways to extend your network, too. For example, grab yourself a Flexi, which offers access to over 100 sports courses, and meet people in the gym or at dance class. Not a dancer? Then try studying in the main library of Hamburg or in one of the city’s many cafés, as they are great spots to focus, and you never know who you might run into. I once met a friend there completely by chance. You can try language courses, participate in social clubs, apply for additional seminars, etc. Communication matters a lot. The network you build today will broaden your options tomorrow.

Travelling in Germany and Europe

Germany has 16 federal states and offers all kinds of landscapes: from the stunning coast of the Baltic Sea to breathtaking mountains and lakes. And here’s the best part: as soon as you’re enrolled, you receive the Deutschlandticket, which gives you free travel on all regional and city transport. While it doesn’t cover the high-speed trains like ICE and IC, it’s still an incredible way to explore.

Germany’s location in Europe is perfect: from Hamburg you can easily get to romantic Paris, colorful Barcelona or sunny Greece. Low-cost flights, trains, and buses make traveling on a budget a reality. With the Deutschlandticket, I’ve even visited Salzburg and Strasbourg almost for free!

Back to Hamburg

For me, Hamburg is the most beautiful city in Germany (though Munich locals might disagree). Every season has something special: Christmas markets, the DOM funfair with roller coasters, or summer days at Elbstrand beach. Don’t miss the famous street food, Fischbrötchen or Franzbrötchen, best enjoyed while watching the Elbe from a ferry.

And nothing inspires me more than the views from KLU itself. Some lecture halls overlook the Elbphilharmonie and the busy port, with containerships, cranes, and seagulls in constant motion. It’s a daily reminder of the dynamic world we’re studying to shape.