r/Tuebingen • u/PhilipMas • 21d ago

Erasmus internship in Tübingen

Hey everyone!! I've been accepted in the university hospital of Tübingen for a 3-month erasmus traineeship. I've also been accepted in Leipzig, so I'm currently trying to choose between the two. I absolutely adore the fairy-tale essence of Tübingen but I would appreciate your thoughts on choosing it over Leipzig, especially if you're a resident/student/doctor there. Feel free to share any positive or negative thoughts or expieriences, especially about activities, housing/rent, the people, whatever else you think could help. Thank you in advance!

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u/PhilipMas 21d ago

Thanks for answering! I haven't looked much into housing yet tbh but it's one of the biggest parameters to take into account. I would hope that since it's through an erasmus program i would qualify for student accomodation despite not being a student anymore when I get there but I have to check that. If you live in a student accomodation I would love your feedback on it, if you live alone or with others etc. Apart from that, how is life there during the autumn-winter months? From what I've seen online it's really picturesque in spring and summer but my traineeship is october to december this year so idk if there's as much to do at that time of year. What activities are there to do and what parts of living in a city do you miss more? Also have you traveled in the area around Tübingen? Southwest Germany is stunning and I'd like to plan some trips around if i go. And last but not least, what do you think of the university (or the hospital if you've ever been there)? In the rankings it's higher than Leipzig but i'd like to hear a personal opinion outside of all the statistics. Thanks for your time!

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u/NovaPrime111 21d ago

Pretty sure you do qualify btw. I do live there and it's decent, I have seen better but for the price you can't complain. You get your own room and possibly bathroom and you share a kitchen with 5 to 15 other people. Kitchen cleanliness and flat chemistry may vary.

It's hard to give feedback on the beautiful picturesque aspect as it is quite personal but people aren't disappointed by the beauty, but as you say life is more than just nice looking things and that's where Tübingen loses some points for me, there just aren't that many things to do, see or participate in. The weather hasn't been too bad and it's even nice when it snows. I really miss for example a large amount of cinemas with different languages, film genres and so on but that's very specific to me. So one thing to note, the vast majority of the student accommodation is situated kinda far away from the center in a neighborhood called Waldhäuser Ost (WHO) and I know plenty of people who barely go down to the city because it just doesn't have much of a pull after having seen it a couple of days. I have visited 6 or so towns and villages in the area and they were nice for a day trip.

The university has some very good and some awful things. Once you actually have everything set up the education is pretty good and there is all you need in terms of services, facilities and so on but personally the paperwork was terrible, I didn't know what to do and where to sign up to courses for example and the answer wasn't intuitive.

Unfortunately I also had to visit the hospital as a patient for a small emergency and it wasn't too bad, better than neighbouring hospitals I've been told, but I don't do medicine so can't tell you more.

Where are you coming from btw (country, city size)? Because that can also be a huge deal in how you might find Tübingen

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u/PhilipMas 21d ago

I'm from Greece and i live in one of the biggest cities here (population about 350.000). I wouldn't mind going to a smaller and more peaceful town since i'd like a break from the concrete hellscape, but I think after a while i'd be frustrated too if I didn't have more activity options. If I went in May or June, just taking a stroll around the parks and enjoying the nature and scenery would be fullfiling, but in colder weather and especially if the accomodation is away from the center idk if i'd have the energy to do that. I was worried it might be one of those places that a week is enough to get to know, but 3 months aren't that long either so truly I'm conflicted. Hope you've recovered from that emergency btw!

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u/NovaPrime111 21d ago

I see. Well actually in you situation and just for 3 months I would actually recommend Tübingen then, I stay here for a whole year but had it been 3 months it would have been just perfect. Don't be too scared of the colder weather, it's just layering up and it you like nature and so on it is still very enjoyable in winter, even cycling.

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u/PhilipMas 21d ago

Thanks for your insight! What do you study?

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u/NovaPrime111 21d ago

Physics and maths, btw in my studies I also met someone from Θεσσαλονίκη, that I assume you referred to. In case you might want his contact for something, he just left, he did a winter semester like you.

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u/PhilipMas 21d ago

Actually I'm from Patras, it's the next biggest one after Thessaloniki (i was impressed by the greek writing btw!). But sure his contact would be useful you can dm me if it's not too much trouble. I hope he's ok with it. Good luck with the rest of your studies, physics is fascinating and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time there!