In one month I am going to be an exchange student in Berlin, Germany for one year on a full ride scholarship. I will be living with a host family and going to school in downtown Berlin. I completely understand this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I also understand there are many people who know much more about Europe than me. So in order to make the most of my trip, does anyone have any suggestions on must see's, other fabulous countries I should visit, and general tips from the wise. I am 18, so I won't be able to drive a car, but I was thinking I'd just get a Eurorail pass. I am almost fluent in German, but don't know any other foreign languages. I am, however, eager to soak up as much European culture as possible. Please grace me with your experiences. Thanks.

I haven't been to Germany so can't recommend anything there. However, just wanted to suggest you check out Eurail passes before buying one or assuming things. They are very very expensive, and only good for a limited time period, and I doubt if they would make sense in your situation.

I would suggest you surf the trip reports posted on this site for an idea of what interests you and then perhaps ask more specific questions. I've only been to Bavaria in Germany but would recommend you definately visit Munich and Salzburg Austria.

I'd buy Let' Go Europe, a good affordable guide done by Harvard Student Press.
You'll probably find using low cost carriers like easyjet.com, germanwings, ryanair, etc. less expensive and faster than rail.

Enjoy your time. I did the same in France and now return to Europe regularly for friendship and artistic beauty.

I don't think a railpass is what you're going to use/need. Those are for a lot of train travels on consecutive days, or multiple days in a short period of time. Not for a year. After you get there, you can find out from other students or locals what type of train tickets that'd be best for you for specific travels during your year there.

As far as countries to visit, Berlin is pretty far to the east. I think with the emergence of the former Eastern Bloc countries, you should concentrate your travel to those places rather than more traditional western Europe destinations. Prague in the Czech Republic is only a few hours by train; so is Warsaw and other Polish cities. Further south, you can visit Vienna, and then onward to Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest, and beyond. There's also direct trains to St. Peterburg and Moscow from Berlin (takes 2 nights)...

Congratulations. You're going to have a year to remember for the rest of your life.

I don't understand why you can't get a drivers license at 18. Maybe the Germans have a higher age limit than the 16 years old I thought was standard in the USA. With my California drivers license I was able to obtain a German drivers license without taking lessons (mucho $$$ ) or a driving test. Just had to take a vision test.

German was the most common second language in eastern Europe ten years ago. It probably still is with the older folks. Between German and English you should have no problem navigating the eastern countries. It is much cheaper over there than in Germany or westward so try to take advantage of any travel opportunities through Czech, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, etc.

"I am, however, eager to soak up as much European culture as possible. Please grace me with your experiences." I could fill another book with my experiences. Just be yourself as much as possible. You will find yourself more than welcome everywhere you go in eastern Europe so don't let it go to your head.

Hi youngster-

I think this will be a great experience for you. As others have said, a railpass isn't something you would want to get. I assume you will have time to travel on weekends or other school holidays. I know the German Rail has a "Bahn Card" which you can purchase - it gives you discount on traveling on German Rail. Look for discounts for students or under 25. Most of them are in German which I assume you'll be able to read. But I think the best for you is to wait until you get to Berlin and ask your host family to see which German Rail offer suits you the best.
www.bahn.de

Since you will be there for 1 year, you'll have plenty of time to travel around Europe. I don't think you necessarily have to limit yourself to travel within Germany or to the "Eastern" countries. There are many many budget airlines these days which can take you from Berlin to many destinations in Europe for a low price.
One of them is
www.airberlin.com

I did a 1-year exchange in London when I was in college, and that was the best year of my life! You'll have a great time!

Congratulations youngster! This will be a great year for you. Both my daughters were exchange students in high school (one in France and one in Spain). One is doing a year of University beginning next month in Tubingen, Germany. If you want to contact her, feel free at [email protected] Good luck on your adventure!

..congradulations!! I wouldnt fret a lot about preplanning. you have an absolutely unique opportunity that is hard to replicate. the unique aspect is that you will be living with a german family and i assume going to a school which will have "local" students. you will hear from them about some of the places to visit in germany. i also know in europe in general there are often significant reductions in tickets to cultural activities which are available to students..much more than NA. i agree forget the eurorail option. on your breaks or longweekends often great "packages" within europe (air plus hotel)..only thing you may want to work on would be adding on a month or 2 of vacation before or after the exchange..(but read small print in your visa..to make sure your ok..isnt usually a problem but just make sure you dont need to do any extra paperwork. Have a wonderful time.

Hi Y,

Lucky you.

Here are a few places that you might want to visit, all easily accessible by discount airlines.

Prague, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen,

Hi youngster,

this will be a great experience.

I am living in Dresden, which is only 2 hours away from Berlin (and definitely worth a trip). Let me know if you have any specific questions. You might contact me at [email protected] if you like to.

I don't understand why you should not be able to drive a car in Germany. You are allowed from age 18 on! There are some restrictions with car rental agencies, though.

Btw, there are some low-price airlines operating from Berlin, e.g. Ryanair. Often cheaper than rail.

Keep your eyes and ears open,

Ingo

Unlike the US, it takes a significant investment in time and money (maybe $1200. - $1500 USD)to get a German Driver's License, and 18 is too young to be driving a rental legally.
Germany may even have restrictions on teenager's US licenses even if they were the owner of a car.

Curse microsoft yet again,
Teen driving in Germany is not a "game" unlike other places we know.
M

To those who questioned the driver's license thing, I thought I would explain: my program prohibits it. Basically, they reason that if I were to spend the $1000 for the 6 month course, I would have only 6 months to be able to drive. Yet 6 months to them is long enough to do something they don't want to be liable for. Not that I blame them. Plus, I think it will be more of an adventure to travel otherwise.

One thing I forgot to mention was that I had an exchange student from Memmingen (near Munich) and my mom was born in Augsburg (similar location), so I fully intend to travel to some of the inticing places recommended, like Munich and Salzburg.

For those looking for more specific questions: Which countries can I go to for the least amount of money (I really am a poor student) and the most amount of variety/spontaneity? Also, which books/dictionaries/travel guides would you recommend I take with me, or those that won't be necessary. One final question: Any ideas for what an appriciated gift would be for my host family from America? They have two sons, 22 and 24, so a 4 person family. Also, ideas for recipes that I could make them while I am over there. Although, from reading posts on this site, it sounds as if American cuisine is a joke to many foreign dishes. Once again, much gratitude.

..re your last comment..for reasonable travel look to the east..poland (ex krakow)..croatia, serbia, slovania, estonia and latvia, slovakia..but again look for student travel groups and assoc locally...bring some peanut butter, maple syrup and pancake mix if from the north east..look at the lonely planet travel site ..there books are great for students..and lets go series also good (though i found the advice a bit uneven)..i dont think fodors is the best site for student budget travel.

You'll have a marvellous time! I'm about to finish my study abroad year in Germany in less than a month now (alas!). I am in the southwest though, rather than anywhere near Berlin, but have really enjoyed myself. Eurail is not what you want, the suggestion for the BahnCard is. I got a BahnCard 50, which means I receive 50% off all train travel in Germany all year. Students can get it for half off the usual price, only 100 Euros. I've saved at least three times that much using it so far. Once you've been in Germany 6 months, you can also get a Eurorail-like pass for a shorter period of time with all train travel covered, except in your "home country" which is only 50% off. I didn't end up doing this option, as point to point travel has always been cheaper on my out of country trips, but it is cheaper than Eurorail, if you decide to do some extended travel during a school break. And don't worry about not having a car. Public transportation in Germany is very easy, and you can get practically anywhere you need to. I've also enjoyed a number of travels throughout my year here, including Italy, Greece, England, and of course throughout Germany. Still crossing my fingers that Prague will fit in before I have to go home. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you like.

PS. Grasshopper: I spent my first month in Tuebingen, very nice city! Your daughter should love it.

Oh, and in the process of my replying you posted your specific questions. One thing I've found people really enjoyed is I brought coffee-table style picture books of my home state. When I cooked my "American food" dinner I had a hard time trying to figure out what would work, but I eventually settled on chicken and dumplings, devilled eggs and cinnamon rolls. They loved the chicken and dumplings and cinnamon rolls, and half of them were leery of the devilled eggs, but the half who tried them really enjoyed them. I haven't found any guide books that are really good for what I need, though. But here there is lots of what-to-see info available, just you'll probably have to forego most of the where-to-eat and where-to-stay suggestions.

Being almost fluent inGermn puts you miles ahead of most American tourists. That and English will take you almost anywhere - almost all educated europeans - and certainly those at all involved in the tourist trade will speak at least some english.

I agree with others that a rail pass is not a great use of funds. You;re better off buying individual tickets as you go - or low cost air tickets.

Definitely look at a couple of the student type guidebooks - will have tons of info that most of us on this board are a little senior for.

Also agree that going east is a great start - will be interesting, close and quite inexpensive. Prague esepcially - an easy train ride from Berlin - is wonderful.

There are thousands of choices - I would start will a couple of guide books - and even get some tour books with pictures - that's one of the things that help me define some must sees (I think of myself in the middle of the picture and figure out which ones I can;t live without.)

Years ago I was a volunteer with an exchange student program. The returning teenagers were going home with the ingredients for "Mexican" (tacos, etc.), chocolate chips, brownie mix and peanut butter. (The p-butter is probably more available now though.) Maybe pancake batter and maple syrup?

In our program, students no matter what age were not allowed independent travel. Have you checked the rules of your group? Nor could they get driver's licenses while in the U.S. (because it was so much cheaper); that's not to say a few didn't do it anyway.

I suspect this will be a turning point in your life and the way you see the world. Have a blast.

You might find helpful The Lonely Planet's bulletin board (similar to this one) called The Thorn Tree. There are a much greater number of younger, student, budget travelers who post there. Check out the Western European branch. Tons of good tips about youth hostel, trains, traveling on the cheap.

www.lonelyplanet.com