How to Study Abroad in Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany, is the third largest city in Germany and home to 1.35 million people. It is the capital of Bavaria, Germany, and was the host city of the 1972 Summer Olympics. It is a historically rich city that is currently doing very well in the areas of economics and social innovation. It is a great place to study abroad if you want to learn to speak German and experience the Germanic culture; sadly, it is also considered to be the most expensive city to live in in Germany, which can make it unappealing to students who are living on a tight budget.
If you have decided that you are going to study abroad in Munich, there are still a lot of cool things you can see and do that will not break the bank. Here is a list of some of my favorite things to do in Munich:
1. Go to the English Garden (Englischer Garten). This is not just a large garden of the English variety, like it’s name implies. In fact, it has representative gardens for several countries. There is a Greek temple, a Japanese tea garden, and a Chinese pagoda. The first time I went here was on a sunny day with friends. We returned several more times to have picnics in various parts of the park. This is also a good place to do your homework or go for a run. Basically, if you want to be outside in Munich during the nice weather and feel like you have escaped from the big city for a while, you should go the English Garden.
2. Visit the Royal Palace, Nymphenburg Palace. This gorgeous palace and it’s ground were built between the years of 1664 and 1675. The Baroque artworks inside the palace are absolutely beautiful; remember to look at the ceiling when you go into the palace or else you might miss some of the most beautiful works of art including the Steinerner Saal. The gardens around the palace contain two lakes, various fountains, and many pavilions where you can stop and rest in the shade. My favorite part of the Nymphenburg Palace is the Amalienburg, a hunting lodge that was constructed for Maria Amalia. This smaller, pink building is home to the Hall of Mirrors, something that you absolutely must see if you are going to the Nymphenburg Palace.
3. Go rollerblading! This fun pastime has gone out of favor in the USA, but it is still alive and well in Munich. During the summertime, there are organized rollerblading events in the city. Thousands of people rollerblade throughout the city. If you do not have rollerblades with you, I would recommend buying a pair as they are a great way to get around the city while also getting some exercise. However, there are also many vendors who rent the blades for a small fee.
4. Oktoberfest in September. Although we celebrate Oktoberfest in the USA, the Germans celebrate it at the end of September since the weather quickly turns chillier in October. The festival has been going on since 1810, when the Crown Prince of Bavaria married his wife, and has been celebrated ever since. Let’s be honest here folks: Oktoberfest is not really about history, but it is a freaking blast! People come from all over the world to drink German beer, make friends, and just have a good time. Please drink responsibly, but if you are in Germany and do not take part in this pastime, I think you will be missing out on a great opportunity to experience the culture.
5. Remember at Dachau. Dachau is a concentration camp that was used during World War II to kill thousands of people. Dachau was the first concentration camp to be opened in Germany on March 22, 1933. The exact number of those who died at Dachau is unknown, but some experts claim it was more than 200,000 people. Going to Dachau is a fantastic historical experience, but it can also be very emotionally taxing. If you go to Dachau (which I highly recommend doing), be prepared and take the experience seriously by showing respect to the thousands who lost their lives there. In addition to seeing the barracks, you should visit the crematorium, the Russian Orthodox Chapel, and the execution wall where prisoners of war were assassinated at close range.
For more details about studying abroad in Germany, visit studying-in-germany.org, which has many languages to choose from.
Have you studied abroad in Munich? Do you have any tips for other students who are planning on studying there? Share them with us in the comments section below.
See Also:

How to Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic
How to Study Abroad in Vienna, Austria
See All Our Study Abroad City Guides: How to Study Abroad Without Breaking the Bank