Studying in Germany

Enriching Diversity

Germany, the “land of poets and thinkers,” famous for precision, order, punctuality, and efficiency, also features a world-class education system that hundreds of thousands of international students patronize, attracted by its universities’ reputation and offerings. The nation’s universities also play a major role in preparing international students for life after graduation; thus, the study experience in Germany can influence students’ post-graduation plans greatly. While some students might want to return home or pursue their studies elsewhere, students who have had a great study experience in Germany are more open to remaining after graduation as long as attractive job opportunities are available.

Europe’s Strongest Economy

Germany is Europe’s strongest economy and the world’s fourth largest, with a GDP worth 4.21 billion EUR in 2018. The country also is home to many world-famous brands, such as SAP, Siemens, Bayer, and Volkswagen, along with Allianz, Daimler (Mercedes), and BMW. The country also is one of the leading soccer nations and has won the World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014. But besides its strong economy and famous food and beer, Germany has much more to offer: As a decentralized country with 16 federal states, every big city offers a unique atmosphere, and every region its own identity. This invites international students to travel the country on the famous German highway (“Autobahn”) or via the nation’s high-speed train system to discover as much of the country as possible.

A Great Place To Start Careers

Germany has produced many famous and inspiring personalities, such as Goethe, Kant, Planck, Einstein, Beethoven, and Wagner. Being the home country of so many world-renowned thinkers, artists, and brands, Germany is the ideal place to study and start successful careers. During their studies, international students can apply for internships at different companies and start building their networks. Students also can make use of the universities’ service offerings and participate in extracurricular activities to gain additional insights and become more competitive. Thus, universities have a responsibility to create appealing service offerings and provide the necessary support for international students, either on their own or through strong partners. For most international students, job opportunities after graduation and overall career perspectives are decisive when it comes to choosing a country or a university for their studies.

Feel Welcome, Integrate, And Find A Job

Students moving to Germany to study can benefit from public and private study options and choose from a variety of many different study programs. Besides the traditional German-language programs, more and more universities have started to offer study programs in English. This is especially true for private institutions that must distinguish themselves through their study courses and the language of instruction. However, whether it’s a public or private institution, the more international students feel welcome and taken care of, the more willing they are to integrate, learn the language, learn about the host country, and remain after completing their studies.

Service Offer For International Students

To make international students feel welcome, universities need to provide a full range of services and offerings that are tailored to students’ needs. While it is important to understand that international students do not have the same needs as domestic students, universities also need specially trained staff to assist international students. Additional help is required in areas such as visas and housing, and often, these students also will require assistance with more personal issues that arise while studying abroad, for instance regarding financial issues, health issues, or again family issues back home. Private institutions particularly must design attractive service offerings to justify their higher tuition and fees. Therefore, to differentiate themselves from public universities, private institutions should develop and define clear profiles.