![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_MainGate-1200x800.jpg\")
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Here you can see the Main Gate, one of the three entrances to the campus. To enter the campus, I have to show my student ID. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_RoadMainGate-1200x800.jpg\")
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The street in front of the Main Gate, photographed from the pedestrian bridge. Most of the time, however, people don't use the bridge; instead, they cross the street directly when the traffic lights are red. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU <\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_GarbaNight-800x1200.jpg\")
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I had already experienced \u201cGarba\u201d on a smaller scale on campus, where there was also a performance at the beginning. Other students took me to this Garba Night so I could experience the festival off-campus as well. Together, we took the local trains to another part of the city. Garba is a traditional circle dance that takes place during the Hindu Navratri festival, which is celebrated over nine nights. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_Himalaya-1200x800.jpg\")
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Here I was hiking in Himachal Pradesh with my sister, who was visiting me. The view of the Himalayas is truly beautiful. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_Amritsar-1200x800.jpg\")
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I traveled to Amritsar with other exchange students. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the most important religious sites in Sikhism. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_CSMT-800x1200.jpg\")
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Here you can see me in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in South Mumbai at night. It is one of the largest train stations in the world. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_MoodIndigo-1200x800.jpg\")
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At the end of the year, \u201cMood Indigo\u201d - one of India\u2019s largest student cultural festivals - takes place on campus, featuring concerts, competitions, and numerous events. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_Pagoda-800x1200.jpg\")
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Entrance to the Global Vipassana Pagoda. It can accommodate up to 8,000 meditators. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/magazin.tu-braunschweig.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/post_aus_indien_Wanderung-1200x800.jpg\")
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Trekking with the Adventure Club. During the hike, we experienced drastic changes in the weather: first it was cool, then bright sunshine, followed by heavy rain, and then bright sunshine again. Picture credits: Caroline Krebs\/TU Braunschweig<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
One thing that\u2019s particularly typical of the country I\u2019m staying in is:<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s common here to eat with your hands. I got used to it after just a short while. Also, people don\u2019t put the bottle to their lips when drinking.<\/p>\n
The people in Mumbai are very friendly and helpful. Communication is often more direct and personal. It\u2019s much more common here to call someone than to send a text message.<\/p>\n
Here’s what I’ve learned in my first three days here:<\/h3>\n
Since I arrived in Mumbai at the end of July during the monsoon season, I quickly learned to always make sure I have my umbrella with me.<\/p>\n
The biggest challenge I\u2019ve faced so far during my stay:<\/h3>\n
Daily life is heavily digitized. A local cell phone number is required for many things, which is why we were helped right at the beginning to get a SIM card. Payments are also often made digitally, which is why it was necessary to open an Indian bank account.<\/p>\n
Another challenge was booking train tickets: The website for creating an account was constantly down, so I couldn’t set up my own account and had to ask friends with existing accounts to help me out.<\/p>\n
The funniest misunderstanding I\u2019ve had due to language barriers:<\/h3>\n
I didn\u2019t really have any language barriers, since it\u2019s easy to communicate in English. What stands out more are differences in word usage: for example, tuk-tuks are called \u201ccars\u201d here. Other terms like \u201cbrinjal\u201d (eggplant) or \u201chostel\u201d (student dormitory) also differ from standard English.<\/p>\n
Good to know<\/h2>\nMy insider tip for anyone traveling to Mumbai:<\/h3>\n
A trip to the Global Vipassana Pagoda in northwest Mumbai is well worth it. The pagoda is an impressive, peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of city life and is one of the largest self-supporting stone domes in the world. It is closely associated with Vipassana meditation and was built to preserve and spread this tradition.<\/p>\n
I also recommend taking a midnight bike tour through South Mumbai\u2014preferably in a group. At night, the city is much quieter, the temperatures are more pleasant, and many familiar landmarks take on a completely different atmosphere in the dark.<\/p>\n
You absolutely must try this traditional dish:<\/h3>\n
Everything is really delicious! It\u2019s also very easy to eat vegetarian in India. Since I\u2019m vegan, I always ask when I\u2019m eating if the dish can be prepared without dairy products. That works out very well. I really enjoy eating dosa, samosas, and okra with roti. I definitely recommend fresh juices like mosambi and sugarcane.<\/p>\n
What blunders should you avoid in Mumbai?<\/h3>\n
Although cars in Mumbai use meters (taximeters), drivers sometimes try to charge higher prices. It\u2019s rarely worth arguing; it\u2019s usually easier to just take another car or use Uber.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my advice for other students and researchers who want to study abroad:<\/h3>\n
Just do it! And if you have the time, travel as much as you can!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
General Information This is where I currently live: Mumbai, India. … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":82382,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","class_list":["post-82378","kb_magazin","type-kb_magazin","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","kb_reihe-post-aus-en","kb_cat_magazin-study-and-teaching","kb_tags-computer-science","kb_tags-international-en","kb_tags_internal-alumni"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n