RISEBA Riga, Latvia

The last two weeks of my semester abroad in Riga have begun. But before I get too melancholic about the last five months, here are some useful tips and tricks to make life in Latvia a lot easier that I have tried and tested! Basically, apart from the language, life in Latvia is not very different from life in Germany. However, there are some good know-how tips:

Finding accommodation:

Probably the biggest issue to start with. Almost everyone around me has found a room or an apartment in a different way, so I'm going to summarise a few simple and hopefully scam-free tips here:The Latvian "classifieds", where you can find a lot of flats, is called ss.com. This is where I found my apartment, which is centrally located, perfectly equipped and affordable. The downside is that you have to sign a contract in another language, although there is usually an English translation.

If you are looking for a shared apartment, you can have a look at stabu16.lv. The rooms in the whole building are rented out individually to students, especially Erasmus students. This has the great advantage that you can make direct contact with your flatmates or neighbours from the other flats. Generally, all flats are fully equipped with everything you need. The disadvantage is that you don't know in advance who you will be living with.

Alternatively, many of my friends have found flats and shared rooms through Facebook groups. However, be careful of scams as there are some strange ads.

Winter safety:

If you come to Riga in the winter semester, be prepared for it to get really cold. But don't let this put you off, because it's usually only icy for a few days, and most of the time it's not much colder than it is in Germany at this time of year. Make sure you bring good gloves, thermal tights and shirts, but above all a thick jacket and warm shoes. That's how you enjoy winter. After all, when do you get to see the sea freeze over at -25°C or walk across frozen lakes?

The supermarket:

Food, especially in supermarkets, is surprisingly expensive in Latvia. Fruit and vegetables imported from southern Europe or other continents, as well as vegetarian and vegan products, are more expensive than in Germany. Loyalty cards can save you a lot of money when shopping at Maxima or Rimi - the Latvian supermarkets. There is an app for Rimi, but you have to get an extra card from Maxima. That way, an oat milk will cost you €1.99 instead of €3.99. So worth it!There are also several Lidl stores in Riga, which don't require cards or apps, and are generally cheaper than Latvian supermarkets.

Public transport:

Public transport in Riga - and in Latvia in general - is very cheap. As a student, you will receive a certificate from your university entitling you to a monthly city transport pass for as little as €15. Using Google Maps is an easy way to check tram or bus schedules. 

It is also very cheap to travel outside the city. A train ticket from Riga to Jurmala on the Baltic Sea costs around €1.40. You can buy it using the Mobilly app, at the ticket office in the station or even on the train. The same applies to the long-distance buses that travel to other cities across Latvia. A trip from Riga to Liepāja on the west coast will cost you around 8 euros.

Sending & Receiving:

Sending and receiving parcels is a bit tricky here. There are a few post boxes, for example from dpd, but you usually need to have a Latvian mobile phone number to be able to open them. They often get confused by foreign area codes, which is why doorstep deliveries are also a bit tricky. So if you order something from time to time or are expecting a parcel from your family, make sure you write down the mobile phone number and get tracking information. This will ensure that nothing gets lost.

Friendships:

This may not seem like an earth-shattering tip, but it is probably the most important. Make international and especially Latvian friends. There will always be things or situations where you can't get on with English during your semester abroad. Latvian friends are the key to this because they can translate into Latvian and almost always into Russian as well. Also, you will only really understand and get to know the culture here if you engage with it, and that includes talking to Latvians and making friends.

PS: At first glance, most Latvians may seem reserved and shy. But once they come out of their shell, they're super warm, funny and loyal!

With these tips in mind, you should be well equipped for the time being and may have fewer problems getting started. However, finding solutions to problems and growing from them is part of the experience abroad. So my last tip is simple: just go for it, it will be worth it!