Cheers to Memories and a Heartfelt Auf Wiedersehen: My Munich Adventure Comes to an End
Authors . Student life . TravelAs the the breath of the end hovers above my winter semester at LMU University in Munich, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that unfolded over the past few months. From embracing the vibrant international atmosphere to discovering hidden corners of the city, my Erasmus+ experience has been nothing but exciting. However, there is another side to every coin. Join me as I bid farewell to Munich, reminiscing about the places, people, and experiences that made my time here unforgettable.
The international charm of Munich proved to be a constant source of pleasure during my stay. The diverse offer of different cultures and languages gives Munich its unique character. I will not hide that I feel like a fish in water in an international environment. It is this unique blend that turns strangers from different countries into friends. And I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
Pubs were often a great place to make new friends here. Lost Weekend, Bierstube, Shamrock, Egon’s—these names now hold a special place in my heart. In the cozy corners of Munich’s pubs, I rediscovered a shared passion for beer that transcends borders. Czechs and Germans alike, we revealed in the art of toasting to life’s moments, creating bonds over pints and laughter. Whether it was playing board games, dancing, or just talking, I always had a chance to learn something new about the world.
Where I could learn even more about the world was in libraries. Some of them like Philologicum, Schweinebaum Bibliothek, Historicum or ZHS Bibliothekeach always made a good impression on me. Not only with a pleasant environment, but above all with the ability to convince even an unfocused person like me to Study.
Although I spent some time in libraries, I learned the most in seminars. LMU University, with its academical approach to communication studies, provided a refreshing contrast to my home university’s practical orientation (Charles University). Engaging with different perspectives and trying out different research methodologies enhanced my understanding of the field.
My goal was also to educate myself in a more creative way and I could not have chosen better. Despite not reaching my goal of visiting at least one museum a week, I had the opportunity to use the 1 euro Sunday admission many times. Without a doubt, I was never disappointed or bored. Places like the Pinakotheken, the Residenz, the BMW Museum or Egyptian Art Museum will be source of my inspiration for a long time. I would recommend a visit to anyone.
Another important hobby of my Erasmus was sports. Bouldering at Elements Boulder, lacrosse at ZHS, cycling through the autumn landscape or practicing yoga. Opportunities for physical activity were not only pathways to fitness, but also gateways to making new friendships. I can say from my own experience that you make friends even faster with sports than with beer. I can’t even imagine how much more Munich has to live by sports in the summer months, for example in places like Englischer Garten.
However, Munich is not the only interesting place in Germany. I would need several Erasmus to have time to look at all the main ones. From hiking and skiing in the Alps to exploring German cities, Munich served as an ideal launching pad. I was lucky enough to experience the natural wealth of Garmisch, the historical significance of Nuremberg and a powerful history lesson from Dachau. Each trip became a great memory and an integral part of my several-month, but still short, stay in Bavaria.
Apparently that’s just the way it is that time was the biggest limitation of my stay. Now, a few weeks before the end, I wonder if I took advantage of every second. At the same time, I wonder if I have accomplished all my goals, which I wrote about in the introduction post. To answer both questions to you and myself truthfully, no I think I didn’t. To balance the avalanche of positivity from the previous lines, I would also like to mention what I could have been doing better.
Although I finally found a nice and cozy place to live and I was glad I found one at all, I regret not living in one of the dorms or at least in a WG. I find that, despite the advantages of living alone, I increasingly value daily human contact.
My contact has decreased even more, due to the small distance of Munich from home, Prague. I have returned there twice and several times friends or family came to visit me. It was always a great time, but later I missed experiencing the Erasmus atmosphere and meeting new people. Next time I would therefore try to cut off more from home.
At the same time, I did not improve in the German language as much as I wished. However, this is only my fault and I take it as inspiration to continue my studies. My Buddy, with whom I met several times and conversed in German, offered me great help in this regard. I have to admit that I appreciate her patience.
I also appreciate your patience in reading this far. So let’s close my time in Munich, not just on paper. When I said goodbye to Munich, I carry with me a treasure of memories, friendships and experiences that shaped me.
While it’s time to say Auf Wiedersehen, it’s not goodbye, but “see you later.” My bucket list still has a few unticked goals, but that means I have even more reasons to come back. And believe me, I will come back for sure! 🙂
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