Erasmus in Hagen

Information and tips for Erasmus students in Hagen

Why should you do an Erasmus in Hagen? This German city is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, a region with a rich cultural and industrial history. Living in Hagen allows you to immerse yourself in German culture, learn the language and explore nearby cities such as Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Cologne. Hagen is surrounded by green areas, parks and nature reserves, making it an ideal place for nature lovers. It’s also an excellent base for exploring the Ruhr Valley and other nearby regions.

Cost of living in Hagen, Germany

Hagen is one of the largest cities in Germany, but it’s also an economical city as an Erasmus destination. The average cost of living in this city ranges between €700-750 per month, with accommodation, food and leisure.

When it comes to accommodation, there are many options you can consider. Small studio apartments are an alternative if what you are looking for is privacy. The price starts at €450 and up and can reach €1,550 per month. In any case, note that students usually choose to rent individual rooms in shared apartments, a more economical option. A room in one of these apartments costs €280 per month on average.

Regarding food, the Distance University of Hagen (FernUniversität in Hagen) offers students affordable daily menus in its canteens from Monday to Friday. The price of these menus is between €5-6, so it’s a very economical option to save money on food. There are also aids for transportation in this city. For only €26 you can buy the SemesterTicket! With this voucher you have access to public transportation for an entire semester. In addition, from Monday to Friday from seven in the evening and all day on weekends, you can take one person with you for free.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Hagen

If you want to immerse yourself fully in German culture and partying, you can't leave Hagen without trying the local partying and beer! If what you want is a quiet plan to start the night, we recommend stopping by the Café de Paris. It’s a cosy place in the centre of the city where you can have a coffee or beer with your friends. Also, to try local beer the right place is Crocodile, a tavern where they often show soccer games and where there is a great beer list to enjoy. If what you are looking for is a nightclub to listen to music and dance with your friends, you have to go to Capitol!

Hagen also offers alternatives to partying to spend your free time. The city is full of gardens, parks and small lakes where you can go with your companions to spend the day. Some that you can't miss are: Stadtgarten, Volmepark and Hamecke. In addition, there are four rivers that cross the city: Lenne, Volme, Ennepe and Ruhr. In them you can practise canoeing or pedal boating.

Culture and gastronomy in Hagen

The city of Hagen is characterised, above all, by the number of museums that you can visit. One of the most famous is the Hagen Open Air Museum (LWL-Freilichtmuseum Hagen). It’s the museum of the city and technology, it extends over more than forty hectares and offers many activities for all ages. For art lovers there is the Museum Osthaus. It contains an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and modernist objects. Another essential visit is the Bunker Museum, located in the basement of a bunker. This location allows visitors to experience its history and role during World War II.

In addition to museums, Hagen also has beautiful castles to visit! One of them is the Schloss Hohenlimburg, the only hilltop castle in Westphalia of which part has been preserved in its original state.

As for your gastronomy, Hagen is the ideal place to try typical German food. For example, here you can try the well-known Pretzel. You can find it in the traditional markets in the squares on weekends or in any café. The potato salad (Kartoffelsalat) is another strong point of German gastronomy. It can be found dressed with mayonnaise, mustard, yoghurt or sour cream. Lastly, you have to try the Semmelknödel, a classic of local food. Although they have a somewhat difficult name to pronounce, they are tasty seasoned bread balls.

Advantages of doing Erasmus in Hagen, Germany

• You can go into and explore German culture, learning about their traditions, their way of life, their gastronomy and their people.
• In Hagen you will meet and share experience with other students from all over the world.
• From there you can travel to nearby cities easily. The German transport network is characterised by being efficient and economical.
• You can learn and practise German, a very useful language for your development in the world of work.

Cheap student accommodation in Hagen

Do you need accommodation in Hagen and don't know how to get it? At Erasmus Play we bring together the best flats, rooms and apartments for students in this German city, so you can see them easily.

Frequently asked questions about doing Erasmus in Hagen

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