Motivation
I had always wanted to go on an international experience of some sort, if only to experience the culture and university life in another country. When one of my friends also decided to go on exchange, it was a no-brainer for me. Exchange was everything I dreamed of and more.
Personal Development
Going on exchange in (most) universities in Europe means coming into contact with a melting pot of different people from many different countries. For me, I made unbreakable friends from across the globe, and got to travel through some of the oldest and history-rich cities in the world. In Germany, most people spoke english, but learning a bit of German (To order at a restaurant, ask directions, say thank you) is always helpful. If you haven't lived alone/with roommates before, an exchange is a great way to develop these essential life skiils, especially in countries that offer student accomodation where rent isn't crushing (like Germany).
Academic Development
I got to try many subjects that at UQ are locked behind masters/ buried in prerequisites. In Germany, exams are 100%, which can be a little bit scary, but as long as you remember to go to lectures (Recording Lecs/Tuts isn't as common over there) and study before the exams, there is nothing to worry about. For me, I found that the 100% exams actually gave me plenty of free time during the semester to travel/ do activities that i wanted to do without worrying about assignments.
Professional Development
Integrating with another culture and developing strong interpersonal skills is always valued at any company, as these are soft skills. Exchange also helps you develop a new perspective when facing problems, as many people you will talk to will have wildly different ideas on how to solve the problems you face day to day. This kind of open-mindedness is also essential.
Costs and Budget
Rent was quite cheap, around 300-400 Euro per month for the student accomodation. However, it is expected to be paid in two lump sums, each corresponding to 3 months of rent. If you are not ready for these bills, they can sneak up on you. Transport was 28~30 Euro/Month for a DeutchlandTicket, that will let you take any (regional) train in germany, as well as all of the inner city public transport. For me, I was pretty frugal on groceries, I spend around 120 Euro/Month. Aldi and Lidl are quite cheap and offer a wide range of produce, so i reccomend them. Eating out is around the same price as in Australia, expect to pay 20-30 euro/meal. For travelling, a ticket on the high speed train will cost 50-90Euro depending on where you want to go. FlixBuses are Alternatives, that are generally cheaper (30-50 eur) but will take longer.
Overall, I would recommend a budget of 1200-1600 Euro/Month. This will give you a buffer to travel, while also being plenty of money to sustain yourself for 6 months.
Funding
The grant was quite beneficial. I (personally) used it to pay rent, but it would translate to about a month's worth of expenses, or maybe even a large 2 or 3 city trip in europe.
Accommodation 
My university had student accomodation that could be applied to. You can see the list of dormitory accomodations on their website https://www.studierendenwerk-muenchen-oberbayern.de/en/accommodation/, but you have no choice in which building you are assigned to. I was assigned to the Olydorf Bungalows, which are 1-person Bungalows, with two floors. The first floor contains a mini kitchen and a fold-up table, while the second floor has a bed, table and chair. Living alone is an obvious pro, as well as being close to the city and public transport. My advice would be to have a list of things you want to buy before moving in, as these houses come with nothing except a mattress, and are pretty insulated against phone signals(My phone data wouldn't work inside). This will save you hours roaming ikea.
Highlights
Travelling with friends, Taking a bath in an ice-cold river, Experiencing home-cooked meals from other countries, Trying the famous Munich Beer, Visiting the tallest mountian in Germany (Zugspitze), Setting off my own fireworks for new years eve.
Top Tips
Go to as many welcoming events for exchange students as you can in the beggining, even if you feel exhausted. Your closest friends will come from these events, and it will only get harder to socialize when exams are close. Have a list of things you want to buy/ have in your accomodation. Be prepared to deal with websites in other languages, and apply to visa/ do your paperwork early! Keep an open mind, and try as many new things as you can, especially if you are unsure whether or not you will like it.
