Student Life Editor
Lena Hoffmann
B.A. European Studies · 8+ years experience
Lena Hoffmann spent a year on Erasmus in Lisbon and worked four years in the international office at the University of Münster before moving into full-time writing. She covers the day-to-day reality of studying abroad: housing, friendships, language hurdles, and the stuff nobody tells you in the glossy university brochures.
Education
- • B.A. European Studies, University of Münster
Areas of Expertise
Covers
Articles by Lena Hoffmann
Mental Health Abroad: Support Guide for Students 2026
30-50% of international students face depression or anxiety in year one. Where to get free help, insurance coverage, crisis hotlines by country.
Making Friends Abroad: Practical Guide 2026
About 60% of international students feel lonely in their first 3 months. Here are the 9 tactics that actually build real friendships abroad.
Dating While Studying Abroad: 2026 Guide
Roughly 40% of international students form a romantic relationship within 12 months abroad. Apps, culture, visas, safety — the honest guide.
Student Health Insurance Compared 2026
Germany €110/mo, UK NHS free, USA $2,000–$3,000/yr, Australia OSHC AUD 500+, France €103/yr — full country-by-country breakdown for international students.
Student Cooking on a Budget: Country-by-Country 2026
Aldi/Lidl in Germany: €150/month groceries. Tesco UK: £120/month. Mensa meals €2–4. Real food costs and meal prep tips by country for 2026.
Homesickness Abroad: How to Cope in 2026
Most students feel homesick within the first 3 weeks abroad. Here's what's normal, when to seek help, and 12 practical strategies that actually work.
Cheapest Ways to Travel Europe as a Student 2026
FlixBus, Ryanair, Interrail from €185, BlaBlaCar — the real numbers for budget student travel across Europe in 2026.
Working as a Student in Turkey 2026
Work as a student in Turkey 2026: work permit (çalışma izni), part-time rules, minimum wage TRY 22,104/month gross, best student jobs, and employer tips.
Learning Turkish: Guide for Students 2026
Learn Turkish 2026: TÖMER certificate levels A1-C2, agglutinative grammar basics, Yunus Emre Institute, best apps, and immersion strategies for students.
Working as a Student in Russia 2026
Work as a student in Russia 2026: work permit needed, 20 hours/week during semester, part-time options, and common student jobs.
Learning Russian: Guide for Students 2026
Learn Russian 2026: TORFL/TRKI levels, Cyrillic alphabet, six grammatical cases, university prep faculties, and immersion tips.
Working as a Student in Poland 2026
Guide to working in Poland as a student 2026: no work hour limit, minimum wage PLN 30.50/hr, Umowa zlecenie vs Umowa o pracę, tax, and top jobs.
Showing 12 of 53.