Anything of use really. I'm going into this totally blind. I'm a twenty-year-old American girl whose never left the country and before I go to study in another I'd like to know as much as possible (weed won't be an issue as I don't smoke it, but I'll keep that in mind should the occasion arise).

I'm looking more for advice on etiquette and whatnot. When I go I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and be that girl.

I plan on studying at the Freie Universität and they offer housing accommodations, but something tells me I shouldn't depend on them. Anywhere in the school's vicinity that is affordable for a poor college student, but not the boonies?

I have my driver's license in the U.S. Would it be worth the expenses of having a vehicle there, or should I just invest in a bike?

Ideal places to work for a foreign student or in general? Waitresses here can pay their $1,500 rent with their tips, but I've heard tipping isn't as big there and that waitresses get paid hourly. Is there anything that would allow me to live comfortably and have some money leftover for fun? I'll be saving money of course, but I can't imagine not working while I'm there.

Total American question alert: I'm getting my license to carry soon as I need it anyways for the career I want to pursue and, since people here are fucking nuts and you can't even go to the movies here without the thought that it might be your last in the back of your mind, for protection. Ideally I would like to bring my handgun abroad with me, but I'm not familiar with the firearms situation in Germany, or if this would even be allowed at all.

Eurail - how the hell does that work? It sounds like such a beautiful thing. So beautiful that it seems too good to be true.

Etc.

I'm allowing myself two years before I even apply to study in Germany as I want to learn at least the basics of the language (my biggest fear is trying my hand at German and having the person I'm speaking to reply in English). Basically, I don't want to look like an uncultured, ignorant dickhead when I go there. I could have Googled most if not all of this, but it's better to hear it from a resident's perspective.

(I'm sorry, I'm going to be that guy really quickly). How big is August Diehl there? I'd love to pick up some films he's been in while I'm there since they're a rarity in the U.S. Something that is easily found there, or should I just stick with Amazon? I love him in everything I've seen him in so far, but my life still has a bit of a Diehl deficiency in it. I want to see the movie he is in on Karl Marx, but you know, 'Merica.