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EHL Student Guide to Berlin - Tips to staying 6 months

Written by Jonathan Rahm | Mar 7, 2016 9:30:00 AM

You have first discovered the story of his internship at Design Hotels, Berlin on Facebook. Today, Jonathan Rahm shares with us his survival tips to spending 6 months in Berlin.

Berlin is an exciting, open-minded and diverse city. You will not only be amazed by the original and alternative mindset of its inhabitants, but also by its tranquility. There’s a laid-back, down-to-earth atmosphere that invites you to slow down and take a breath.

Where to stay?

  • 25hours hotel bikini: If you are looking to enjoy an original and green/culture oriented stay, this is definitely the place I would recommend. Located in the famous Kurfürstendamm street in the trendy West part of Berlin, this hotel will amaze you with its alternative mindset. Make sure you enjoy the rooftop terrace. It offers one of the best views of the city and the Berlin Zoo.
  • Soho House Berlin: This well known hotel is the perfect fit if you are more attracted by the fancy and glamourous side of Berlin. Close to Alexanderplatz, it is the place to be for every art and
    originality lovers.

Where to dine?

Berlin is full of small restaurants that offer international food. To do a brief summary: you will find the fanciest restaurants in the Mitte district, plenty of international small restaurants in the Prenzlauer Berg area, and the best kebaps in Kreuzberg.

  • Chén Ché: Located in the Mitte district, this delicious and authentic Vietnamese restaurant will transport you directly to Asia.
  • Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap: Another food institution in Berlin. You will probably wait 40 minutes in line, standing in the cold weather… But it’s worth it! Some Berliners say that it’s by far the best kebap in town. I’ll let you judge for yourself.

 

What to visit?

Let’s skip all the typical touristic attractions of Berlin and go directly to my three must-see places if you interested in art or architecture:

  • Hamburger Bahnhof: This old train terminal station has been transformed into a museum and features well-known contemporary artists, such as Andy Warhol.
  • Boros Sammelung: It is a 70 year-old bunker where two art collectors expose their private collection of contemporary art.
  • Reichstag: You can enjoy a beautiful view on the city from the German parliament. Make you sure to take an audio guide with you while you’re visiting the Dome and the roof terrace.

Related article: Postcard from my internship in Singapore

Where to shop?

From the thousands shopping spots that Berlin counts, I would like specially to share two of them:

  • Hackescher Markt: If the sun is shining, stroll along the streets in the Mitte district. It is near to Alexanderplatz, and you’ll find plenty of small clothe shops in this area.
  • Mall of Berlin: Close to Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Center, you can literally spend your entire day in that shopping center.

Where to have breakfast?

What’s more important than a breakfast to kick off the day? Nothing. So here are two places where I took all my friends to start the day the best way.

  • Spreegold: A modern breakfast/lunch/dinner place. Centrally located and really yummy! What else?
  • Café Anna Blume: Another nice breakfast place with a family-style atmosphere. On the menu: delicious homemade cake and breakfast specialties.

Where to go out?

The clubbing scene in Berlin is definitely one of the best in the world. The nightlife there is open-minded and as diverse as the city. Here are, according to me, the three best clubs you should try for a perfect Friday or Saturday night out.

  • House of Weekend: On the top floor of a building in Alexanderplatz, this club offers you a beautiful view from above while you dance on good music.
  • Salon Zur Wilde Renate: This club is literally housed in a house; enter by the garden and discover plenty of rooms with different atmospheres.
  • Berghain: Unquestionably the most famous club of Berlin. A whole experience awaits you inside this renovated power-station, so I won’t tell you more about it. For a chance to get in? Dress all in black and try on late Sunday mornings.

EHL’s Bachelor students complete two 6-month internships during their studies, an opportunity to travel the world and work for prestigious companies and promising start-ups.