Among the higher education institutions Berlin has to offer, one university stands above the rest in its embodiment of the city’s many faces: HTW Berlin. Also known as the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, the university offers courses from mechanical engineering to communication to fashion design. Almost 14,000 students are currently enrolled in the more than 70 degree-programs, and he university’s collective atmosphere is easily felt when wandering around the buildings.

The history of economic growth, the kind to which we are now accustomed, is inseparably intertwined with the discovery, and then plunder, of fossil fuels. Some historians have even argued their unearthing was its main catalyst, relegating more popular theories of free trade and technological innovation. The argument is seductively simple, and although something of an exaggeration, usefully highlights the strong connection between the two – for in tandem, they radically altered the course of human civilisation.

Attending university is a ton of fun, but it also prepares you for the next stage in your career. Even your hobbies can be advantages in your career development if you pursue them at a high level. Everything you do at university can be added to your CV in order to help you get a job in the future, and universities are great places to take part in extracurricular activities. And remember, not only will these help you practically after you've finished your degree and are moving on to working or further education, but they'll also make your stay at university more enjoyable, enabling you to meet friends, develop intellectually and stay fit. Although lots of these will help you whatever career you decide to pursue, some may be a little more useful specifically for a career in economics.