Aachen

Aachen offers international students a uniquely European experience in a compact, historic city located at the intersection of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This tri-border location shapes daily life, with Maastricht and Liège just 30 minutes away and Brussels under an hour by train. The cityscape blends centuries of history with a vibrant student culture. Aachen Cathedral, Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the coronation church of Charlemagne, stands alongside lively squares, independent cafés, and a thriving nightlife centered around the famous Pontstraße. With around 60,000 students at RWTH Aachen, one of Europe's leading technical universities, the city pulses with academic ambition and international exchange. This makes it easy to build connections across cultures and disciplines. Aachen's compact size means everything is within walking distance or a short bike ride away, and living costs are more affordable than in larger German cities like Munich or Cologne. For international students seeking a historically rich, open-minded city with a genuine European character and the freedom to explore three countries on a whim, Aachen is hard to beat.