General Hacks

Tannenbusch by Klaudia İnanç

If you need something for breakfast or lunch, you can always find a shop somewhere near a place you currently stay. But if you plan a bigger shopping, then you should take a short ride to the Tannenbusch Center. When I’m there I can’t stop myself from buying my favourite olives with almond! Besides food you can find there good quality care products and anything you may need for home - from pillows, blankets to cleaning supplies! Don’t worry everything is student-friendly, or if you prefer, budget-friendly :)

African Market by Sonia Tesfaye Abebe

Bonn has many hidden gems and exploring the city's iconic landmarks, such as the Beethoven House, paying homage to the musical genius, and the captivating Poppelsdorf Palace has been so much fun.

The picturesque Rhine River that gracefully winds through the city presents an inviting backdrop for leisurely walks and moments of reflection. Bonn's charming Old Town, replete with cobblestone streets and quaint cafes, beckons with its historical allure. And, of course, the United Nations Campus is a unique site that embodies the city's international significance.

Beyond the enchanting tourist attractions, Bonn boasts several intriguing spots that add an extra layer of excitement to life here—these are the numerous international food markets and shops representing various nations. Being from Ethiopia, I found genuine delight in discovering the Afro Beauty House, a haven for cultural treasures from Ethiopia and Eritrea. This emporium allowed me to reconnect with elements of home through its array of aromatic spices and specialized hair products, evoking a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Moreover, along Wilhelmstraße, one encounters a multitude of African shops offering an array of multifaceted delights. From essentials like Cassava, Yams, and Plantains to specialty items like Native Rice and Coconut oil, these diverse offerings entice the senses and serve as reminders of home.

Designer Outlet Roermond by Klaudia İnanç

Today I have a slightly different recommendation for you. Perhaps you’ve heard of some shopping destinations that people from different countries travel here to visit the outlets there. Every time friends visited me, they asked me about the outlets, so I had to see for myself. I travelled to Roermond to look for bargains. On that day, the prices for sports shoes were very attractive! I got some comfortable and pretty Adidas shoes for 25 euros! 

Tip: When you go to the outlet, check the prices in the regular shops so that you don't get confused by all the discount labels 😉

Outdoor activities

If you prefer natural views, then hiking would be one good choice. Drachenfels in Königswinter has wonderful forest views, there is a splendid castle (Schloss Drachenburg) located in the mountain It is worth a visit if you are also interested in the European architecture.

Indoor activities

To have social group indoor activities, skating is a recreational activity that enhances everyone’s experience. Eishalle Troisdorf is an active place to visit, it also has encouraging dynamic music. You don’t need to know how to skate in advance to enjoy this exercise with your friends.

Soccer at Endenich football field by Enock Asamoah

To the guys and everyone who loves soccer, the Endenich football field in Bonn (Röckumstraße 58a)  is the place recommended to be on Sundays. Some students as well as football fanatics converge at this venue to play soccer and have fun to release stress from the previous week's activities. This is the best place to be every Sunday evening as you will have the chance to meet and socialize with other students and people in Bonn.

Römerbad by Klaudia İnanç

Did you wake up on a day when the temperature reached 30 degrees and the sun was shining brightly? If so, you definitely need to get out of the house and head to one of the best swimming pools in Bonn – Römerbad. It’s a perfect place to spend a sunny day with friends! You can enjoy your time swimming or sunbathing on the grass :) If you love swimming as much as I do, you should book a whole day for this activity! Trust me, you won’t regret it. Your batteries will be instantly recharged. Take your favourite book, games and of course some snacks! It’s only €2,5 for students. Don’t forget to show your student ID.

If you live in one of the Römerlager dormitories, you have only 5 mins to get to this great place! You can find the address here: Römerbad, Eduard-Spoelgen-Straße 11, 53117 Bonn.

English Theatre by Prateeti Mukhopadhyay

In the holiday season I could finally take out some time to watch a theatrical performance organized by the Bonn University Shakespeare Company. Spending most of my teenage reading Victorian novels by Austen, a production of Pride and Prejudice caught my attention. This English-language play beautifully depicted the emotions and representations of the characters.  In case you’re a lover of the theatre, you can skim through their website https://busc.de/termine/ for updates on upcoming shows.

You can also find English language shows performed by the theatre group “The Bonn Players”. I got the opportunity to watch “The unexpected guest” based on Agatha Christie’s crime play of the same name. It was a noteworthy performance topped with thrill and mystery. https://www.bonnplayers.de/ provides more information on upcoming events and dates.

Learning Deutsch by Klaudia İnanç

Unfortunately, German is not one of the easiest languages to learn. But you are certainly not alone in this journey! I'm putting together some tips to make the process of learning German, hopefully, more enjoyable! Firstly, learning any new language requires patience and consistency, so we need to make learning a habit. I started by watching simple videos in German, such as Easy German, a Youtube channel that every beginner should know! They create videos on various topics, but the most important thing is that they prepare captions in both German and English, which makes it very easy to follow! Another channel is Learn German Fast, with videos on grammar, common mistakes, but also many podcasts if you feel like practising your listening skills!

Another great way to learn German is with an online course from Deutsche Welle. You have access to every language level, from beginner to advanced. You can learn with videos, music and current news! Plus, you can verify your knowledge with tests after each level or check your current level. Viel Glück! ☺️ 

Another channel where you can improve your German is Eleos Corner. I discovered it recently and would like to introduce it to you! A good way to learn German is to watch something that both improves your language skills and is entertaining. I tried to find some channels where the language isn't too difficult, so you don't have to struggle to understand everything while watching. The videos in Eleos Corner are just right! She speaks a little slower, which makes a big difference compared to other videos. She is both a language teacher and a language learner, and you can tell that she really knows her stuff when it comes to language learning! 😉