It is possible to get college credit or even a degree while immersing oneself in German culture by studying abroad in the country. The following is some information from DAAD Young Ambassadors that will be helpful if you are thinking about studying in Germany.
A lot of people think of Germany when they think of beer, bratwurst, and the Bavarian Alps. But did you know that Germany is among the most sought-after locations for international students?
Because of its reputation for supporting research, Germany is frequently chosen as a study abroad location. It’s also easy to get excited about the prospect of living in one of Germany’s many exciting cities while you study there. Cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt each have their own special attractions.
But there are certain things you should know about living and studying in Germany as an American student before you make your decision, like how the culture is, how the academic programs compare to those in the United States, and how much money you may need to set aside.
Students from around the world can now study in Germany thanks to government initiatives.
Making the most of this chance calls for some forethought and preparation. We’ve compiled a list of helpful hints for your next semester in Germany.
1. Aim for a GPA of 3.0 or higher when you submit your application.
The degree you’re seeking and the university you’d like to attend will determine how challenging it is to apply to study abroad in Germany. Students have the option of applying to institutions independently or through a third party, such as IES Abroad or CIEE.
Many German universities have minimum GPA requirements of 3.0 or above. Be careful to include all of your grades from high school on your transcript if you plan to submit it as part of your application to a German university.
Take use of a study abroad advisor's services.
You can streamline the application process by contacting your university’s study abroad advisor, who can assist you in determining your academic objectives, guiding you through the application process, and answering any questions you may have.
A student’s initial step in applying to a university in Germany is to fill out an online application form with details about themselves and their academic credentials (including TOEFL results, if English is not their first language). After then, it’s possible that you’ll have to write an essay answering questions unique to your desired division.
It’s important to plan ahead financially for application-related expenses, such as testing and transcript requests. Your study abroad advisor can also help you get letters of recommendation from teachers and keep track of both your home institution’s and the host institution’s application deadlines.
Another alternative if you need assistance with your application is to contact the university’s international office. Although applying to a German university is an individual process, overseas students can count on assistance from the university’s international office with matters such as enrollment, course selection, financial aid, and more.
3. select a show that appeals to your particular tastes.
There are a few things to think about before deciding on a program or school in Germany:
- Some programs may be ideal for what you want to learn and achieve, but they may not provide the same kinds of research or internship possibilities as others.
- Choose a well-received piece of software: Read the notes of students who have gone through the course before you. That way you can decide if you want to apply or not!
- Don’t be swayed too much by the resources one school may have over another simply because it has been operating longer or is more well-known on a global scale; instead, make your comparisons based on similar factors.
- Explore the campus’s offerings if you plan to perform research or complete an internship there. I was wondering how many helpers they had. Where do things like libraries and laboratories fit in? Do you think they are must-haves for making it in this field?
- Make sure the program director has the right credentials; leading successful foreign programs at a university requires certain expertise and training. The ideal candidate will have prior experience coordinating international student exchanges between educational institutions.
It’s also important to keep in mind that many master’s programs demand a related undergraduate major. Therefore, if you want to earn your master’s degree in Germany, you should focus your undergraduate studies on the same area.
To study biology at a German university, for instance, you should have a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.
4. Pre-booking a place to stay in Germany
Popular destinations for international students include Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, but there are many other university towns in Germany that are also excellent options.
The city of Aachen, Germany, for instance, is home to two prestigious universities and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a fascinating location for students interested in science and technology.
In general, studying in Germany is convenient for foreign students because the country has a reliable public transit system and low living costs compared to, say, the United States.
Some schools also provide accommodation listings for rooms and apartments in the local region. The DAAD’s housing search is a great resource for international students looking for information on how to apply to student dormitories in Germany.
Both off-campus apartment rentals and on-campus dorms are options for students. Numerous unfurnished apartments and shared houses, known as Wohngemeinschaft (WG) in German, can be found in neighborhoods across the city.
You should start thinking about your relocation to Germany as early as feasible. Finding a place to live before classes start can be a huge relief.
5. Gather intel from former and current students
Communicating with former and current students can provide invaluable insight into the atmosphere of your prospective university, the courses available, the quality of your teachers, and the sheer enjoyment of studying in Germany.
Students affiliated with the Federation of German-American Clubs or other organizations might serve as excellent resources for this purpose.
You never know what useful advice alumni may have to offer, so make sure to question them about their experiences abroad and how they made it through their time abroad.
6. Familiarize yourself with how the German schooling system differs
Students from the United States should be aware of a few things before deciding to study in Germany because of the country’s notably distinct educational system.
Most German classes will give out a handout at the beginning of the semester or quarter that lists the most important topics to be covered throughout the semester or quarter. This handout should serve as an outline for your notes throughout the semester or quarter.
It’s important to keep in mind that the school system in Germany is somewhat different from the one in the United States.
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING IN GERMANY:
There is a lot to be learned beyond the confines of a classroom. You will be asked to write essays, make presentations, and participate in debates outside of class, as Germans have a reputation for being good public speakers.
It’s best to avoid interrupting your professor unless absolutely essential.
There may be less of an expectation that you work independently in class than you might be used to at home, but you will still need to put in a lot of solo study time throughout your time abroad.
The grading scale is slightly different. Most colleges employ a number system (between 1 and 5) instead of a letter system (as most American schools do) to determine grades.
7. Prior to going overseas for school, try to learn German.
The fact that there isn’t a unified German spoken throughout the country often comes as a shock to visitors. Most of the various varieties of German are categorized as either “High German” or “Low German,” however there are many others.
The centre and southern regions of Germany, as well as Luxembourg, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, speak High German (Hochdeutsch). Also, most individuals in the media and schools will speak it, as it is the official language of the country. Northerners use a less widely spoken kind of German called Low German (Plattdeutsch or Niederdeutsch).
If you ever get confused between High German and Low German, just keep in mind that High German originates in the more mountainous southern parts and Low German comes from the northern coastal lowlands.
And then there’s Bavarian, or Bayerisch as it’s referred to in Germany. If you’re learning German as a second language and hear a few words of Bavarian, you might find yourself wondering what the hell happened to your ears. This language is primarily spoken in the southern Bavarian regions of Germany, as well as in some regions of Italy and Austria. Dialects are also present in other regions of Germany.
Before heading over to Germany for college, you should probably start by hiring a tutor or enrolling in a German language course. You may ease into living in a foreign country by simply installing a mobile language-learning program like Duolingo.
8.Make use of DAAD's financial aid opportunities by the number
Studying in Germany can be expensive, but the exact amount will depend on the school you attend, the program you enroll in, and the length of time you spend there.
There are no costs to attend a public university in Germany for a bachelor’s degree or most master’s degree programs. Non-EU students studying in Baden-Württemberg, meanwhile, should expect to pay 1,500 euros every semester ($1,462 USD).
All German college students must also pay a semester contribution fee of from 150 to 300 euros ($146 to $293 USD).
This charge is for administration and student government and has nothing to do with tuition. The money you spend on this will get you perks like free rides on public transportation, reduced prices at the campus cafeteria and health center, and discounted tickets to local attractions. Before classes may begin, students must submit the fee payment.
You will also have to pay for living expenses, meals, and any supplemental materials you may need for your degree in addition to the contribution fee.
You can get financial aid for your education from a wide variety of international organizations.
Scholarships to study, conduct research, or intern in Germany are available through the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD). However, there is a restricted number of Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships available, and they are given out based on academic merit and, in some cases, financial necessity.
DAAD Scholarships That May Be Available To You:
- By offering financial assistance to undergraduate students from the United States with demonstrated financial need who intend to study in Germany, the Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship program fosters academic interchange between the United States and Germany.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers study scholarships to international students who wish to pursue a Master’s degree at a German university.
Undergraduate students can participate in the Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program, which provides them with a three-month summer internship working alongside scientists and engineers at German universities and institutions.
Graduate students in Germany can participate in a program called Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE professionals) to obtain valuable job experience in a variety of scientific fields.
Getting an internship with one of the numerous German-based companies that provide internships as part of their career development programs is another great opportunity to earn some extra cash while studying abroad. Inquire at your host institution if they know of any local companies that are looking to hire international interns.
Join DAAD and go to university in Germany!
Learning about German culture and living with people from all over the world is a great perk of studying there. It’s important to do your homework before applying to college, but after you’ve chosen a school, the application process is simpler than you would think.
We hope this information has helped you feel better prepared to study in Germany. There are a lot of moving parts and stuff to figure out, but the payoff is definitely worth the effort. Studying in a foreign country can be an eye-opening experience that leads to new possibilities.
