I’m sure you’ve read a million and one articles about Barcelona, Prague, Florence, London, or Paris, but have you read any about Berlin? I’m going to take a wild guess and assume that you haven’t, and if that is true, then put your faith in this article when it comes to all things study abroad in Berlin, you will not be disappointed by this place. Berlin is a cosmopolitan behemoth. The city offers an eclectic mix of fun that suits many personalities, and better yet, it’s a fairly easy place to navigate. So, without further ado:

1. Weirdness and oddities: Berlin is a cultural melting pot, to say the least. There are so many different types of people that you can meet in Berlin, but if there is one thing that they share in common it is their inherent weirdness and appreciation for the oddness in all. And this is not an insult by any means; in fact, it’s the biggest compliment that you can bestow upon someone who associates with this city. Berlin attracts people from every corner of society. Another very true component of living in Berlin is that there is a circle of friends for everyone. Whatever your interests may be, wherever they might take you, no matter how freaky you are, it is found here. There are places for these people to entertain themselves too. For example, if you’re into very public displays of affection as well as a dose of some BDSM, role-playing, lingerie, and literally whatever else it is that tickles your fancy, just roll on into KitKatClub. The club itself operates as a nightclub, not a sex club, so there’s obviously dancing, music, drinks, but really it’s also a gathering place for, well, weirdness. The motto of the club is “Do what you want, but stay in communication," not everyone is showing up looking to get laid. Everyone there makes his or her intention known and it’s very easy to tell whose up for what. And remember, don’t show up to KitKat fully clothed and expect to be questioned about your sexuality upon entering. The bouncers want to make sure that they are creating an environment that is fun but also healthy for everyone else to enjoy. Berlin is really known for a “you do you, and I’ll do me” attitude. As someone who attends a Big Ten school in the U.S. and is constantly immersed in the traditional American college social scene and life, accepting a nonjudgmental and carefree attitude can be hard at times. When I was already living in Berlin for quite some time, I had come to an understanding that what I thought about myself and other people could sometimes be very negative. All along, I thought that the positivity towards different kinds of people was something that I had thought I already accomplished on my own, but as it turned out, I didn’t really cultivate those characteristics until going to berlin, a place where these ideas are brought to life through so many outlets. If you want to live in a city where it’s ok to let yourself live freely, come to Berlin. Enough said.

2. Everything about the U-Bahn / S-Bahn: Berlin’s subway system actually revolves around two separate systems that connect at various central stations around the city and can take you as far as an hour or more out of the city to, for example, Potsdam. The subway in Berlin has a few unspoken rules, some of which are not always apparent to (American) tourists. One of the most important rules on the subway in Berlin is the respect of others’ personal space. If you are riding on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, it is imperative that you remain very respectful; this includes controlling the volume of your voice, not talking loudly on your phone, or not talking on your phone at all, making sure that you are standing or sitting in the right places. Volume control is probably one of the more important factors to remember. While riding on the U-Bahn during the first couple of weeks into my study abroad, I realized that there was just dead silence for extended periods of time. Do not be surprised if people whisper to each other or ask others to turn down the volume on their headphones. Also, do not be surprised if someone tells you to be quiet. One thing that many Americans in particular often forget is that German culture is very, very formal. People uphold a certain demeanor in order to provide a more comfortable ride for everyone onboard. And, at the end of the day, it really pays off. You begin to appreciate the level of respect that most German people uphold in public spaces. Another very stereotypical German trait is timeliness. It does not matter what time of day it is, or night, nor does it matter if there is inclement weather above ground, the subway in Berlin is on time, every time. And not only is it on time, its clean, easy to navigate and very affordable! Oh and by the way, on a Wednesday morning at 8 am its not completely unheard of to see a business professional on their way to the office sitting next to someone slumped over who is just ending their night at the club.

3. Markets: Seems fairly self-explanatory considering the fact that we are in Europe, but really there are so many layers to the question of where to find good food in Berlin. With such a variety of event spaces, which include the shells of buildings that occupy formerly Soviet-controlled territory, you can enjoy some great cooking alongside of an ambiance of old world buildings that have survived and morphed into what some may call a beautiful disaster. Its true, whenever you walk around the city you realize that there is a clash between cultures, which include those that are considered anti-establishment. And behind these walls are restaurants and markets that exemplify the feeling that great food can give you. Case in point: Markthalle Neun. The market is over 120 years old and is located off of the Görlitzer Bahnhof U-Bahn station. Originally intended for over 300 stalls, the market is still quite large, however there are far less vendors. But this does not mean a shortage of quality. There is authenticity to what each vendor produces, ranging from everything including Korean BQQ to American Southern soul food, or you could enjoy vegan donuts that don’t actually taste “vegan”. Another interesting place to explore for fresh eats is Mauerpark on Sundays. Every Sunday, the park hosts a bazaar that includes flea market with odds and ends like clothing, home décor, vintage beer steins, wooden mannequins, balloon artists, literally everything but the kitchen sink. So once you’ve finished exploring all of the discarded antiques of Germany, you can head on over to the center of the outdoor market. If its wintertime, I highly recommend getting a cup of gluhwein, this literally translates to “mulled wine, this is a mixture of wine and spices, which can include cloves and cinnamon and it’s served hot, of course! The food at Mauerpark includes a variety – there is a trend here if you haven’t realized already – this includes Mexican, Asian, fried food, crepes, traditional German pastries, pizza – all of which is home made. When you have your burrito and beer in hand, take the time to stroll over to the outskirts of the outdoor market where there are several grassy knolls and open spaces, often times there are great street performers and huge dance and drum parties. The park is a nice mixture of people, this is a social gathering for Berliners, but with a flea market and really good food that warms the soul.

4. The Turkish Culture: during the 1960s and 70s there was a huge influx of immigrants in Germany, most of which came from Turkey. What many people fail to realize about Germany itself is that it is very far removed from the stereotypical blonde hair and blue-eyed look. The diversity of the country as a whole has and continues to undergo so much rapid change. While there has and continues to be criticism of the lack of integration of these communities in to German society, one thing remains clear is that these people are in fact huge contributors. The Turkish immigrants who arrived several decades ago served as the workforce that Germany so desperately needed at the time; this is now a reoccurring theme in the present. During my study abroad I lived in an area called Kreuzberg, which was known as one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Berlin, and for many years, an area with high crime rates and poverty. But since the fall of the Berlin wall, the district has underwent huge sweeps of gentrification, very carefully so not to exclude the original inhabitants, and is still a major center of Turkish life. Probably one of the most instantly recognizable features of German-Turkish relations in Berlin is the döner kebap. This is a type of kebab that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in pita bread or in a wrap, which is called a dürüm. And while this is a common dish all over the world, the German-style döner is truly one of a kind, and the best place to get it – if you can stand waiting in line long enough – is Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap. This is not a restaurant by any means; it’s actually a shack sitting on a sidewalk in Kreuzberg off the Mehringdamm U-Bahn stop. Don’t be turned off by its outward appearance, Mustafa’s is the real deal. And while I would have included the Türkischer Markt earlier in this article, I felt like this really needed to be here, because the Turkish Market, as its name indicates, is very specific to, well, Turkish stuff! Turkish delight, Turkish coffee, more döner, textiles, rugs, kitchen utensils, fresh produce and meats, all of which is done with a Turkish flare, being sold by (mostly) Turkish businesses to both German and Turkish patrons. It really is a Turkish bazaar in the heart of Berlin.

5. The nightlife: Hands down, the most interesting nightlife scene in Europe is in Berlin, a city that is famous for its techno and dance clubs, and quite literally, endless parties. Typically, you won’t make it to the club until 2 am; the earliest I’ve ever gone is 12:30 am. And typically, you won’t make it home until 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 am. You might even stay at the club for the entire weekend, a common practice in places like the infamous Berghain. Before coming to Berlin, I read up on club etiquette and was very surprised to see that all of the articles I read were actually true. In the Berlin club scene, there are no gimmicks. There are no promoters trying to get the best looking girls to the table. There is no bottle service with sparklers. There is no way to pay someone to get you into the club. For 9 out of the 10 clubs you try, you will find that these things are rules to live by. A lot of people get discouraged when they go out in Berlin because they might get rejected from one or two places before getting the ‘ok’ from the bouncer. Some tips to live by if you are interested in exploring Berlin’s treasure trove of techno include:

Wear dark colors. some people say just to wear all black. To be completely honest it doesn’t matter what you wear you just have to look like ‘yourself’, meaning don’t dress for any occasion, the Berlin club scene is not a fashion show, no one cares about what brands you’re wearing or how much your watch is worth.

Speak a little German. When you get to the door, you be asked ‘How many?’ to which you should reply – IN GERMAN – the number of people you have in your group. It is common for bouncers to turn away tourists, particularly American tourists. While Berlin clubs are not exclusionary by any means, they are still primarily focused on creating a specific kind of atmosphere. Bouncers do not have trouble turning away people that they perceive will hinder the experience of other club goers, and this includes people who don’t speak the language. Do not take offense if you get rejected and feel it is because of your nationality, it’s really nothing personal.

Going in groups of two or three or four people is really the move. And have a mix of gender as well. Never show up to a club with more than four people. If you happen to be in a big group, split up in line.

Do not talk loudly to others while in line. Don’t talk or text on your cell phone in line.

And when you get into a club, do not use your phone. Again, this is a message primarily for us Americans: there is nothing more hated in Berlin clubs than cell phones. In fact, most clubs place a sticker over your camera upon entering in order to send a message: if you are using your phone in here you are distracting yourself and other people from their experience. One time, I was getting a million phone calls while at a club, I went to a dark corner of the room to look at my phone while it was still inside of my purse (inside!), next thing I know I have someone breathing down my neck asking ‘What could be more important than being here?’ to which I replied, ‘Nothing.’ Also, be cool with the sticker thing, I know its hard to imagine a night out where there are no Instagrams or Snapchats but really, refraining from taking photos and videos is not just about enjoying the moment, but also about respecting other peoples privacy. What goes on in the club stays in the club.

Do not be surprised if you realize that most of the people you are interacting with at a club are on drugs or offering you drugs. This is more commonplace in Berlin than in the U.S. but do not be freaked out. Very rarely will you meet a German person who actually pressures you into taking something, but if they offer, don’t get too freaked out. This is sort of surprised me, but very rarely will you run into a lot of unruly drunk people in the club. Techno clubs in Berlin do not revolve around heavy binge drinking, but if you’d like a drink or two you will be pleasantly surprised at the reasonable prices most clubs offer.

If you want an upscale club that is similar to the bottle service/ table/ shot girl routine, stay in America.