honestly, if you're already worried about regretting not doing STEM, that might tell you something. but international business grads from HTW or HWR do find jobs, especially if you speak german well and get some werkstudent experience while studying. the pay is decent but nothing crazy, think 45-55k starting in Berlin, not the 70k+ you'd see in tech.

HWR has a stronger reputation for business in Berlin, partly because it's older and more established with companies like Siemens and Deutsche Bahn recruiting there. HTW's program is a bit more practical and hands-on from what I've heard, plus their campus in Oberschöneweide is quieter if that matters to u.

one thing nobody tells you - check the modules carefully. some international business programs are basically just general BWL with english modules slapped on. if you want actual cybersecurity knowledge mixed in, HTW's "cybersecurity & business" might be smarter, even if the name sounds weird. that combo could open doors in compliance or risk management roles where pay is better than plain business.

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both are fine schools honestly, the difference is more about what u want day to day. hwr is right near s-bahn schöneweide which is a bit annoying if u live in kreuzberg or something, htw's campus is further out but the tram from ostkreuz is reliable. i'd pick based on modules tbh, the cybersecurity & business one at htw has some actual it security classes which is rare for a business bachelor, and that makes u stand out for consulting or tech-adjacent roles later. the plain international business degree is a dime a dozen in berlin, every uni does one, so u'll be competing with hundreds of other grads for the same 45k jobs

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i'd say go for the cybersecurity & business one at HTW, it gives u a niche that's actually in demand right now. plain international business is a dime a dozen and u'll be fighting for jobs with every other bwl grad in berlin. plus, no one regrets having tech knowledge later, even if u switch to pure business roles

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i'd say skip the big names and look at studiowest in prenzlauer berg, they do amazing japanese style but the waitlist is like 6 months. if u want something quicker, the artists at bitterlich tattoo in mitte are super underrated, especially for fine line. and honestly, walk past the instagram hype, go to a shop in person and ask to see their portfolio book, that's where the real stuff is.

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The Berlin tattoo scene is pretty spread out, so it depends on what style you're after. For fine line and minimalist work, I'd look at A Fine Line in Kreuzberg, they're booked out weeks in advance for a reason. If you want bold traditional, check out Die Wilde Ecke in Neukölln, they've been around forever and the artists there are solid. Honestly, your best bet is to scroll through Instagram and find someone whose healed work you like, not just the fresh photos, because that's where the real skill shows.

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One thing nobody's mentioned yet is the tattoo convention at Arena Berlin, usually in early summer. It's a good way to see a bunch of styles in one afternoon and talk to artists face to face without committing to a shop. I found my guy there three years ago, he works out of a tiny studio near Boxhagener Platz and does amazing neo-traditional, but he rarely posts on Instagram so you'd never discover him otherwise. Bring cash if you go, a lot of the booths only take that on the day.

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