Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

I didn't hear great things about the accomodation provided by the university before I went - that it was located far out in a pretty unpleasent area and that it was generally thought to be unhygenic! A fellow exchange student opted for the uni accomodation and didn't even move in when she saw it - she ended up finding something herself, another did the same and stuck it out for a week before finding something else independantly. I imagine the situation has improved since though....

There is sooooo much to do in Berlin - where to start?! I loved Prenzlauerberg - Eckstein for lavish breakfasts after nights on the town. Kreuzberg was also very cool in a different way - often randomn cultural events take place in Victoria park. Otherwise, I was barely in the same venue twice - there was so much to do!

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Perhaps this wouldn't be the place to come to lift your grade because there's so much going on on every other level that focusing on your studies may prove tricky. I wasn't there in winter but I hear they have serious winters and alot of the cheaper accomodation will have coal ovens to heat them - very beautiful and decorative, but a real nightmare to keep stoked, especially if you live on the top floor ( a lot of carrying)

It was perfect, my main priority was to practise and improve my german before returning to complete my final year at university. Complete submersion is definitely the way forward, although if you are a complete beginner you would probably benefit from contact with your native language relitively frequently (to stop you feeling like you're dreaming all the time)