Campus and city
TUM has three main locations: Garching (main engineering/CS campus, 15km north of Munich, connected by U6 U-Bahn in 25-30 min to Marienplatz), Munich city center (Management, Medicine, Architecture — beautiful historic buildings near Königsplatz), and Weihenstephan (Life Sciences in Freising, ~35km north, small-town feel, home to world's oldest brewery). Engineering students spend most time at Garching — modern research park with large labs and lecture halls but NOT a vibrant student quarter (few cafes, limited nightlife, 'isolated' feel). Munich itself is exceptionally safe (Numbeo Safety Index 79.03 — top in Europe), walkable, with excellent transport (€29/month Deutschlandticket covers ALL German public transport). BUT: housing is the #1 stressor — Studentenwerk dorms have 1-4 semester waitlists at €280-600/month, private rooms €600-1,100/month, scams targeting internationals are common. Social life requires proactive effort — German students arrive with existing friend groups from Gymnasium, no Freshers' Week, no dormitory community. Integration happens through: ESN TUMi events (for internationals), student clubs with regular meetings, WG (shared flat) flatmates, Hochschulsport (100+ sports at low cost), language tandems, study groups. Biergarten culture (Englischer Garten, Augustiner-Keller), Oktoberfest, Alps 1-2 hours away (skiing, hiking), lakes accessible by S-Bahn for summer. Mensa meals €3-5. Munich is 21% more expensive than German average — budget realistically.