Life in Berlin
Berlin is one of the most innovative and exciting cities in Europe,and home to the biggest Turkish population anywhere outside of Turkey. Students there have the opportunity to learn about international culture, politics, history and daily life in a historic, dynamic community.
Berlin’s large university community includes Freie Universitӓt, Humboldt-Universitӓt, and Technische Universitӓt. All three share joint programming agreements with BAU. The city has a student population of more than 135 000, offering a vibrant social scene for visitors.
Berlin is a global center of government, business and culture. It is also Germany’s greenest city, with two large rivers, hundreds of parks and large forests. The city supports more than 170 museums, many theaters and three state operas. Music, theater, cinema and culture festivals take place year-round. Berlin is world-famous for its young lifestyle, nightlife, cafes and bars. It has also become a center of global fashion design, hosting “Bread & Butter,” “Berlin Fashion Week,” and other shows.
Berlin today is one of the most exciting places in the world to live and study. BAU students there enjoy access to a world-class city with all kinds of educational and cultural opportunities.
Architecture Galleries
- Schwarz Contemporary, Sanderstraße 28, 12047 Berlin
- Small gallery, opened in 2010, focusses on abstract painting and conceptual art.
- Factory Art, Mommsenstrasse 27, 10629
Berlin Presents young and upcoming international artists. - Architecture Forum Aedes, Aedes am Pfefferberg, Christinenstr. 18-19, 10119 Berlin
Focuses on architectural culture, urban design, etc.. - Deutsches Architektur Zentrum DAZ, Köpenicker Str. 48/49, 10179 Berlin-Mitte
Presents “workshops, exhibitions, talks, film nights and book presentations.. Located very close to campus. - Platoon Kunsthalle, Schönhauser Allee 9, 10119 Berlin
This “Art Gallery” consists of assembled cargo containers. It features regular exhibitions, workshops, and other public events.
Dining/cuisine
Berlin is known for its multicultural cuisine. Below is a short list of Turkish, German and Asian restaurants in Berlin, focusing on both quality and affordability.
Berlin/German
Rogacki, Wilmersdorfer Straße 145, 10585 Berlin, Charlottenburg: Typical German lunch / special sausage lunch. Blutwurst (blood sausage) and Leberwurst (liver sausage).
Kuchen Kaiser, Oranienplatz 11-13, 10999 Berlin, Kreuzberg.
Max und Moritz, Oranienstraße 162, 10969 Berlin, Kreuzberg: Quintessential Berlin-style food in an authentic historic setting. The restaurant is located on two floors and includes space for events and a “library room.” It regularly hosts small readings and concerts.
Curry 36, Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin (Kreuzberg): Small take-out shop specializing in “Curry Sausage”.
Asian
Hamy, Hasenheide 10, 10967 Berlin (Kreuzberg): A small Viet cafe and market.
Amrit/Mirchi, Oranienstrasse 202/204, 10999 Berlin (Kreuzberg): Offers Indian food and Singaporean/Asian fusion cuisine. Seating includes a large outdoor patio with a heated tent.
Turkish
Turkish market at the Maybachufer Every Tuesday in Kreuzberg. Full of culinary surprises.
Oranienstrasse. A street lined with Turkish and other international establishments, from small cafes to full restaurants. 4-5 minutes walking distance from student housing.
Arabic
Maroush, Adalbertstrasse 98, 10999 Berlin (Kreuzberg): Tasty, accessible Lebanese food. Excellent falafel sandwiches. Open late and usually packed.
Habibi, Oranienstrasse 30, 10999 Berlin (Kreuzberg): Some of the tastiest falafel and shawarma dishes in Berlin.
Burger Places
Burger Heaven, Graefestrasse 93, 10967 Berlin (Kreuzberg)
Burgermeister, Oberbaumstraße 8 10997 Berlin (Kreuzberg)
Hasir Burger, Adalbertstrasse 93, 10999 Berlin (Kreuzberg)
Traveling to Berlin
- Students should bring about 100 euros (€ 100) with them for immediate purchases (German cell phone, SIM card, food, etc.).
- All airports and larger train stations have exchange offices where students can convert foreign currency into euros. Visitors may also use foreign credit or bank cards to withdraw cash in euros.
- For group flights from BAU Istanbul, BAU Berlin will reserve bus service from the airport to campus.
Public transport
- Monthly Public transport passes are sold in subway (“U-Bahn”), light-rail (“S-Bahn”),and major train stations. Passes cost € 77 and allow students to take all public transport vehicles available in Berlin city territory.
- Berlin’s transport system offers many lines and very good connections. On weekends, the subway, light-rail and most buses run all night.
- An alternative to public transport is to rent or buy a bicycle. Berlin is a very bike-friendly city. Bicycle rentals cost about € 10 per day. Frequent riders may find it cheaper to buy a used bike.
Second-hand Shops for bicycles:
Bikefix Kreuzberg: http://www.bikefix-berlin.de/.
Fahrrad Markt: ( Flea Market for bicyicles) http://www.fahrradmarkt-berlin.de/.
Flohmarkt Mauerpark: http://www.mauerparkmarkt.de/.
Bicycle shops are required to give buyers a certificate that the purchased bike has not previously been stolen, with the frame’s serial number printed on it.
Parks & Recreational Areas
Berlin has many parks located throughout the city. Some of them are especially popular with young people and located close to the campus:
– Viktoriapark is an urban park in the district of Kreuzberg, popular for its central hill, small waterfall and beer garden.
– The Park am Gleisdreieck is located between Potsdamer Platz entertainment and shopping area and the Technical Museum. Established in 2012, It is Berlin’s newest park. It offers small gardens and large outdoor sports fields, including beach volleyball courts at “Beach 61.”
– Tempelhofer Park used to be the main landing field of Berlin’s oldest airport. After the airport closed, the land opened to the public and is now hugely popular. It is a great place for picnics, sports (inline skating on the old landing strips, for example) and sunbathing.
– Mauerpark has become one of the most popular areas for young people in Berlin. The park hosts a large weekend flea market, which is a good place for students to find affordable goods and tasty foods. There is also a regular outdoor karaoke session here, open to anyone who feels like participating. In the summer residents use the park for picnics and barbecues.
– Grunewald Forest is Berlin’s largest wooded area, to the south-west of the city center and easily accessible via S-Bahn. The “Teufelsberg”, a man-made hill constructed from debris after World War II, towers above it. On top of the hill is an old former surveillance station, open to guided tours.
– Admiralsbrücke (“Admiral’s Bridge”) spans one of Berlin’s many scenic lakes and waterways. These are popular places for young people to relax over drinks and listen to music, and the bridge is a well-known meeting spot.
Special Places/Events to Visit
Lange Nacht der Museen
Lange Nacht der Museen (“Long Night of the Museums”) takes place twice a year. More than 100 museums and archives stay open all night, with special cultural events taking place around Berlin during that time. A single ticket provides access to all of the venues, as well as transportation on special shuttle bus lines and regular public transit.
Akademie der Künste
The “Akademie der Künste” (Academy of the Arts), Hanseatenweg 10, 10557 Berlin, is one of the most popular arts institutions in Berlin.
Art Forum Berlin
The Art Forum Berlin is an annual event that brings together artists and galleries to display contemporary art. It attracts visitors from around the world.