Living Like a Local in Hamburg: Tips for TAB Participants

Packing and Weather Adjustments: The weather in Hamburg was colder than I expected in October. I hadn’t packed many thick sweaters, so I ended up buying a few warmer layers. There are big shopping malls and stores like Uniqlo, where I found a fleece that got me through the chilly days. Surprisingly, I managed without an umbrella, relying on just my raincoat. Unlike Calgary’s heavy downpours, Hamburg’s rain is usually light, though the dampness gives the cold a different feel. My advice? Pack with late October in mind, as it does get colder than a typical fall.

Balancing Online Classes and Life in Hamburg: Living with two other TAB members in a vibrant neighborhood was both fun and challenging for staying on top of schoolwork. With so many exciting places to explore, it was sometimes hard to stay focused. Getting ahead on assignments is crucial, especially in the final weeks when deadlines start piling up, and fatigue kicks in. We also caught colds as flu season hit and being around students brought more germs, so having a set routine helped. The group work and synchronous meetings in our online classes were tough at times, particularly with the time difference and pre-assigned groups. This is something to keep in mind and bring up to professors if possible.

Grocery Shopping and Dining: Groceries in Germany are really affordable, and since three of us shared an apartment, we cooked together a lot, which saved money and helped with homesickness. We frequented stores like Penny’s, Aldi, Edeka, and Lidl, which had everything we needed and were much cheaper than what I’m used to in Canada. For souvenirs, German chocolates and Haribo gummies are great options! “Go Asia” was also a lifesaver; it’s like T&T and had a wide selection of Asian groceries, which made it easy to prepare familiar meals.

Navigating Transit and Sightseeing: Getting around Hamburg had its quirks. Although our school was only 7-8 km from our apartment, it took over an hour each way on transit, and some days, our time commuting was actually longer than the time spent at school. The city is well connected, but delays, route changes, or buses disappearing from schedules were common. The trains within the city were generally reliable, but if you’re travelling further, like on regional trains, expect delays. Download the HVV Switch app—it’s a cheaper way to pay for transit than the machines and very helpful for navigating the city.

Exploring Local Neighborhoods and Communities: We lived in Winterhude, a trendy, lively neighborhood on Gertigstraße. Our liaison compared it to Calgary’s Inglewood, and I’d agree—it has the same artsy vibe. It’s a very safe area, even at night, and I always felt comfortable walking around. Hamburg as a whole was very welcoming, and while some people didn’t switch to English right away, most were happy to help when they saw we were trying. A quick “Moin” (hello, in Hamburg dialect) or “Dankeschön” (thank you) went a long way.

Traveling Beyond Hamburg: We planned to travel and bought an EU rail pass, giving us five travel days. We ended up using only four of them; by the end of the trip, we were more exhausted than we’d expected and spent some weekends resting. The pass was convenient and budget-friendly, but keep in mind that seat reservations on longer rides often come with extra costs. Here are some highlights: Germany: Lübeck (known for marzipan), Berlin (tons of museums), Potsdam (peaceful town and filming location for Queen of Tears), Munich (Oktoberfest was a unique experience), and Trier (stopped through on our way to Luxembourg and Paris). Luxembourg: Beautiful with free public transportation, though it’s pricier than Germany. Paris: Our final stop, where we booked return flights home. Despite warnings about pickpockets, we didn’t have any issues. Spain: A spontaneous four-day trip to Barcelona to escape Hamburg’s chilly weather. Austria: Salzburg was full of Sound of Music and Mozart history—super touristy, but we enjoyed it despite the cold and rain.

Unique Souvenirs I bought: Germany: Haribo gummies, Lübeck marzipan, and Faber-Castell stationery. Austria: Mozartkugel, a marzipan treat with a pistachio center. Spain: Turrones (whole Marcona almonds, which are bound together with whipped egg whites, honey, and sugar).