Exchange Semester at ESB Business School, Germany
Elizaveta Bolotina, a student of the “Business Administration” program, shares her experience of studying at ESB Business School in Germany.
Communication during studies
Like many other students, you’ll probably have classes with different groups from different semesters, so your classmates will be changing all the time. Communication happens within the stream, and just like at HSE, each stream has its own specialization. Each one also has students who can immediately add you to the group chat. During my semester, everything was online, so messengers were a lifesaver whenever there were any changes.
Besides informal chats, there’s also a platform similar to LMS-RELAX. Professors upload tasks and announcements for each course there. Every subject has its own “page” where you can also post on the forum (for both students and the professor). Usually, it’s used to discuss questions that came up after class. Professors are always on top of things — whether it’s a new link or a schedule change, they’ll let you know.
The main issue is access to the platform. Since you’re an exchange student, you might not be added to it right away. But your coordinator will take care of everything and send you your schedule and all the links to upcoming classes. I was “connected” to the platform about a week after the semester started. The coordinator also helps with any other questions and is always ready to support you.
All your assignments are uploaded to RELAX unless the professor says otherwise. However, your grades won’t show up there — they’re posted on a separate platform called HIP. That’s where you’ll be able to download your grade report. You’ll receive all login details and passwords from your coordinator during the first meeting — including your university email, which is how you can contact your professors. Important updates (especially COVID-related) are also sent there, so make sure to check your email regularly. You’ll also get info about fun events that way. ESB also has an Instagram account (@esb.business.school).
Student life and events
There’s also a great student buddy program called “Students4Students” that organizes all kinds of activities like International Dinners and more. They have Instagram (@students4students.hsrt) and a channel on MS Teams. They took us on a city tour, and we got to visit a chocolate factory, join sports events, and much more.
Each exchange student is paired with a buddy, so even before arriving in Germany, you can ask all your questions — including how to get to the dorm from the train station.
About the city
Reutlingen is a small city — about 8–10 minutes by bus from the dorms to the center. There are two big shopping malls and a bunch of smaller stores. For fun, there’s a movie theater and bowling alley. Since the city is small, most of the “action” happens downtown — restaurants, cafes, bars.
Before the semester starts, your buddies will definitely organize a get-together for all exchange students, so you’ll get to know people from all over the world. That really helps, especially if you’re coming alone.
I also recommend taking a trip to Tübingen — grab your new friends and go explore. It’s also a small city but super beautiful. It feels like a mix of Amsterdam and old-school Germany, with colorful buildings and classic charm. It’s only 15–20 minutes by train from Reutlingen’s main station. And Stuttgart — the regional capital — is just 40 minutes away.
You can get a student pass for buses and trains, but double-check the details with your coordinator or buddy.
IMPORTANT: Germany is still a cash country. If you don’t have cash, you can’t take the bus unless you already have a student card. So make sure to bring some euros with you when you arrive.
Dorm and campus life
There are lots of dorms near campus, all managed by different companies. You’ll definitely remember the name Pestalozzistraße — that’s where all the dorms and campus buildings are.
My dorm was at Pestalozzistraße 29, the first one on the street. There are three dorms like this, each seven stories tall, with 14–16 rooms per floor. Most are single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Each floor has two entrances and two hallways (7–8 rooms each). Every hallway shares two toilets (separate for men and women) and two showers. There’s also a big common lounge with a kitchen and a balcony.
There’s another dorm called the Aquarium — named for its unique architecture. It also has mostly single rooms with shared bathrooms and a lounge.
The third dorm type is closest to campus and the newest. They have both single rooms and apartments (these are available in all dorms but are more common in the newer ones). You’ll get a link to a site where you can view and choose the dorm you like — the prices don’t vary too much.
IMPORTANT: check the square footage! My dorm had a free laundry room on the top (7.5th) floor. In the newer dorms, laundry is paid. Also — my dorm had a push-button shower system (like at swimming pools), which wasn’t super convenient. In other dorms, if you pay for laundry, at least the showers are regular.
If this matters to you, read the dorm descriptions carefully. My dorm also had a “study room” coworking space — super handy for online classes during COVID.
The campus library is cozy — smaller than Pokrovka’s but nice and with solo and group study zones.
I didn’t spend much time on campus since it was closed most of the time, but during the tour, we were told there are cafes and even a bar with table tennis. Behind Building 3 (where the library is), there’s a beautiful walking area. Go left from the building and you’ll find the sports field — football pitches, volleyball courts, a track, and even an outdoor gym in the woods.
Near the newer dorms, there are basketball courts, workout stations, and even trampolines. All of this is within walking distance from every dorm!
ESB Business School: personal experience
