Some practical tips for exchange in Fulda

Some practical tips for exchange in Fulda

Flights, getting there and getting around

Frankfurt Airport, which is the closest one to Fulda, is one of the busiest and biggest airports in Germany so you might get lucky with the flight tickets. I payed approximately 140 one way. Note, that cheap Ryanair flights fly to another airport in Frankfurt Hahn, which is 1,20h bus drive away from the center, Frankfurt Main.

From Frankfurt Main, you can get basically anywhere, including to Fulda, by train. The fast trains, ICE take approxamately one hour and cost more than the reagional trains, which take about 1,30h. Tickets can be bought easily from the ticket maschines.

From the webpage https://www.busradar.com/ you can find all the cheapest transport options, including buses and trains.

When you pay the registration fee for the university in Fulda, you get a student card which will be your number one thing getting around. It will grant you free travels in the whole state of Hessen, meaning besides Fulda, also the bigger cities like Frankfurt. Note, that while using trains, the student card grants a ticket only to the regional trains, not the faster ICE trains.

In fulda you can get basically anywhere around the main area by walking. Renting a bike would be a fun thing too.

Living, housing

I booked a room in a student flat, which cost me 260 euros. It was 60 euros more than what the locals payed. However it included water, heating and internet(no wifi). Internet was that slow, that often I stayed at the university to do my homework. So I personally recommend, that you buy an internet stick or explore other options.

The room was okay and had furniture plus a towel and one set of bed linen in it. It also had its own sink. The kitchen however was dirty and didn´t have much equipment in it. This varied among the flats, some were okay, others not so much. The shower water was a problem for all though, it kept changing from burning hot to ice cold.

Some other students had looked their rooms individually and were living in much nicer flats with less money. In Fulda there are a lot of students living in shared apartments so it is very possible to find a very nice flat which is cheaper, and closer to the university. If you decide to explore this option, I recommend to do it as early as possible because there are always new students looking for rooms.

On a positive note, the roommates were awesome and there were only students living in the whole building. The area was beautiful, near the famous Dome, about 20 min bus drive away from the school, but 5-10 minutes walking distance from the center.

Phone contract

All of us used a prepaid sim cards, which you can buy from any supermarket. Tutors will assist you right away with that, upon arrival.

Money

All of us internationals got a free youth bank account from a german bank, with the assistance of our tutors of course. It was easy because we made a contract where the rent money would go off of it every month, automatically.

I recommend to have cash, always. In comparison to Finland, there are many stores where you can pay in cash only and not too many Otto´s. Besides, if you use a different Otto than your own bank, you pay some money.

Germany overall is cheaper than Finland. Fulda however, not so much as some other bigger cities. Note that water is never free while eating out, and usually very expencive. Cosmetics and drugs are notably cheaper than in Finland and the selection is much better. So if you have little room in your suitcase, you might leave out the shampoos etc. and buy them from Dm.

Help...

I suggest, that you be active and be in contact with the international officce of Fulda Hochschule in case of any questions, fears or if you just want to ask advice where to find a flat. Everyone at the school was super helpful and always so understanding. I knew people, who had been in touch with the school and asking about rooms and internships for a long time before they came to Fulda.
Also, throughout the whole stay, the tutors and professors would help us with the silliest things. So your support network will be huge.