Start of studies: dormitory places are scarce, cafeteria is cheap, leisure activities are varied

The new semester at universities starts. First of all, you have to find a roof over your head, but then, in addition to studying, it's also about a warm lunch and about student life beyond the lecture hall. What does that look like?

Where can I live? What are the chances of getting a place in a dormitory?

In the traditional way, many students can find a place to stay in dormitories. Almost all university locations offer them near the university. But there is one big but: the waiting lists are long. 600 applicants could be left empty-handed for the new semester in Potsdam, for example; There are more than 500 in Cottbus, as the student unions announced.

“We are in the fortunate position of having a new dormitory on the Potsdam Golm campus,” said a spokeswoman. The first students moved there in June; One-room apartments, two-person shared apartments and family apartments are offered. There are 3,606 residential places in western Brandenburg. The Studentenwerk Ost has 3,776 places to live at its four university locations.

In Berlin the situation is even more tense: Here the student union provides 9,124 dormitory places. “There are currently around 4,000 students on the waiting list,” it said at the end of September. The number had risen again shortly before the start of the semester. The waiting time is about a year.

350 euros rent - with “Living for Help” even just the additional costs

It's logical that the dormitories are so popular; after all, the rent is almost unbeatable. In Berlin it is on average 352 euros per month, in the east of Brandenburg it is 262 euros and in the west it is 330 euros per month.

In addition to the free housing market, there is also the “Housing for Help” program. Here, the student unions help to accommodate students in private households. In living tandems, they then help the people with whom they live in everyday life and only pay the additional costs.

What does the cafeteria offer me?

In Berlin, the student union operates dozens of cafeterias, cafeteria bakeshops and cafeteria coffee bars at university locations - they serve around 22,000 guests per day. The cheapest dish of the day always costs 1.75 euros.

“The vegetarian and vegan offerings continue to be particularly in demand,” says the Brandenburg West Student Union. Seven establishments even offer breakfast as well as hot dishes, snacks and drinks. The figures from last year show how heavily the canteens are used: a total of 1,169,939 meals were served. This corresponds to almost 5,000 portions per opening day. The cheapest meal costs 2.15 euros.

And what do I do when I'm not studying?

In addition to the range of university sports from yoga to basketball to handstand training that universities and co. offer themselves, the student unions operate their own cultural venues. There are rehearsal rooms for music fans and student clubs for parties. Cottbus, for example, has the cabaret stage “Bühne eight”, where its own plays are shown. In Frankfurt (Oder) the “Stuck” offers space for events and cultural exchange.

In Berlin, in addition to theater and improv groups, there are also musical, drawing and dance courses. Anyone who wants can take part in the talent show “Mix It! Take part in the Open Stage or sing in the pop choir “Unität” with more than 200 student members.

The new winter semester officially begins in Berlin and Brandenburg this Thursday (October 1st). At most universities, such as Humboldt University, Free University and Technical University as well as the University of Potsdam and European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), the lecture period starts on October 12th.