Pro Tips for International Students to Study in Germany

Tips for living in Germany for students who are about to travel to one of the top study destinations for international students who want to complete their study abroad in Germany.

Opportunities abound in Germany, as do high-caliber educational institutions, employment opportunities, and many other factors that render such an opportunity IN compensable.

However, there are some pieces of advice that you should be aware of before you go—pertaining to, among other things, the university activities, your Living in Germany, the costs of studying, and how to spend your free time.

Read on this ultimate guide provided by the UniApp team and have fun learning more about Germany’s lifestyle.

Top 10 Tips for Living in Germany Safely

Are you thinking of moving abroad? If yes, then you should definitely consider studying in Germany. The country has some of the highest standards in education and offers great opportunities for international students.

Germany is a highly developed economy with a high standard of living. It also boasts a strong culture and rich history. In addition, German universities offer excellent academic programs.

There are several reasons why you should study abroad in Germany & tips for living in Germany, such as:

• The country offers a wide range of educational options.
• You’ll get to experience German culture firsthand.
• You’ll gain valuable language skills. And finally, you’ll meet new people from around the globe.

1) Learn German, first of all

Learning German is the next of our top ten tips for living in Germany for international students. Unless you are enrolled in an English-taught program in Germany, you will need to learn German.

In most cases, you will be taught in German and expected to be fluent in the language. You might also be able to interact with many other members of the community in English. Nevertheless, be ready for those who will only speak their native language.

Why Learn German?

As a person who wants to pursue higher education, it’s tough as most universities or colleges are too expensive. What if there was a way to get a great education and experience a new culture?

Learning German will make you stand out as not many have mastered it. Once you learn German, there are no tuition fees at German universities.

Furthermore, knowing German can give you great advantages, such as job opportunities. Germany is rich in its cultural history and discover the fantastic German-speaking world. The adventure itself is a reward in its own right as all of Europe is open to you.

Germany is a diverse country and has been ranked in the top 5 of the best countries delivered. Get ready to enjoy a hearty welcome into a multicultural and dynamic society.

Making new friends in the German-speaking world is fun today and will help your career tomorrow. So if you want to do something big there, step into German!

2) Studying in Germany 

Germany is a very highly regarded study destination due to its high-quality education and affordable tuition compared to other nations, such as the US and the UK.

The best thing about studying in Germany is that you get to meet a lot of people from around the world because there are so many international students there.

Top Tricks & Tips for Studying in Germany

• Join as several clubs or societies as possible in order to meet new people.
• Be on time for your classes – Germans value punctuality!
• Be ready for oral exams.
• In comparison to other countries, the relationship between professors and students is quite formal.
• German universities use a point-based grading system with grades ranging from 1 (excellent) to 5. (fail)

3) Costs of housing

Depending on your circumstances, you may live in student housing or privately rent. The amount you pay for rent will vary depending on where you live, but it is typically between €500 and €1000 per month – this may be lower or higher depending on your city and accommodation.

Utilities and other bills must also be budgeted for; these additional fees are known as ‘Nebenkosten.’ Some of these costs may be covered by your monthly rent and shared if you live with others, but you should still consider them when budgeting.

4) Visa

In comparison to other countries, obtaining a German visa to work or study is relatively simple, and some students may not even need to apply. So consider the following tips for living in Germany.

Before moving to Germany, you should find out if you need to submit a visa application. The majority of EU students should be fine, but non-EU students can just remain in Germany for three months on a tourist visa.

The visa process does not always end once you arrive in Germany; you must also register your address with the German authorities – failure to do so may result in problems.

To register, you must provide proof of address to local authorities within two weeks of your arrival.

4) Recycling

Germans take recycling seriously and you have to take these tips for living in Germany seriously, as evidenced by all the different bins for various types of trash.

So you have to learn about your new city’s recycling system so you can put out the correct bins on the correct collection days.

What is the importance of RECYCLING in Germany?

Germany has some of the strictest recycling laws in the world. What does it take to recycle properly in Germany?

Germany has some of Europe’s strictest environmental regulations. In fact, they have the highest recycling rate in the EU at over 80%. This means that Germans recycle almost every single item they produce.

But even though Germany recycles more than other countries, they still have room for improvement. The country recycles only around 60% of its waste.

That’s why the German government recently introduced new rules requiring companies to separate their trash into three categories: paper, plastic, and metal.

5) Supermarket checkouts

Supermarkets are everywhere these days. They are convenient places where you can get food at affordable prices. In addition, they offer a wide variety of products from fresh produce to frozen foods, meat, dairy, and even groceries.

The different thing in Germany is that the supermarket there has strict rules that must be adhered to!

Start practicing your wrapping skills because German supermarket checkouts are notoriously fast. At the checkout, you should also put everything back into your trolley and then use the bagging areas to properly pack everything.

6) Events

It is important to study, but it is also crucial to make the best of your study abroad experience and socialize with new people. Fortunately, Germans enjoy socializing and being a part of clubs.

Look into student clubs at your university or English-speaking groups in your area. Germany is teeming with expats, so you should have no trouble finding like-minded people who speak English in any city.

Most universities will hold orientation weeks for international students to meet one another, so make every effort to attend as many orientation events as possible. There is no better way to connect with students than to take advantage of Germany’s vibrant nightlife.

Note: If you take these tips for living in Germany seriously, you will finish your studies and you will have many friends from different cultures and nationalities, and this will positively affect your finding successful job opportunities there.

7) Bottle deposit system

Here are the golden tips for living in Germany as a student. In Germany, the Pfand system requires customers to pay a deposit on each glass or plastic bottle they purchase, which they receive back once the bottle is returned.

Many supermarkets in Germany, such as Lidl, Aldi, and Netto, sell groceries at a lower cost. You might prefer these over more expensive stores.

You can also speak with locals and inquire about farmers’ markets where you can find fresh products at a lower cost. We recommend that you watch for store deals and discounts and that you purchase your basic needs in larger quantities.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re a student in Germany, you’ll get special deals at cafes, restaurants, cinemas, libraries, and museums as long as you have your student ID.

8) Diversity

Germany is an extremely diverse nation, owing to a large number of expats and students from all over the world.

Germans are indeed very welcoming and inclusive people; however, as with any other country, specific cities are more liberal than others; for example, Cologne and Berlin are especially welcoming cities.

What are the best cities in Germany for international students?

Here are the top two cities to live in Germany for international students, with a wide range of tips for living in Germany:

• Munich

  • Munich is the third largest city in Germany. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Technical University of Munich are two universities that are ranked among the world’s top universities.
  • They have both won university of excellence awards, so an outstanding education is guaranteed.
  • If you are interested in sports, there are thousands of indoor and outdoor opportunities.
  • A major benefit of Munich’s location is the proximity to the Alps, where you can go hiking, snowboarding, skiing, ect.
  • Munich has a highly developed economy and is home to many well-known companies in the fields of technology, electronics, communication, and automobile production.
  • The students who study in Munich have a pretty good chance of finding a job in this innovative city after their studies have ended.

• Berlin

  • Berlin is the biggest city in Germany and the nation’s capital.
  • It has 5 major public universities and around 20 private, professional, and technical ones.
  • Some of the world’s top business schools are located here, such as the GISMA Business School and the Berlin School of Business and Innovation.
  • There are a wide variety of study programs and courses to choose from in Berlin.
  • The student population is quite high, so finding friends from all over the world is not a difficult task!
  • Berlin is a vibrant city and it attracts people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Students can enjoy Berlin’s multicultural music and arts scene, beautiful parks where you can relax and enjoy nature, and numerous museums where you can learn about Berlin’s fantastic past and its role in history.

Other cities that are perfect to live in for international students are Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Dresden, Aachen, Bonn, Hamburg, Koln, and Leipzig.

9) Don’t be late, please!

How important is it to respect deadlines in German culture? Learn how to deal with that from these following tips for living in Germany.

In Germany, it’s common practice to meet deadlines. This means that you should always plan ahead and take action before the deadline. If you don’t, you might get penalized or even fired.

Deadlines are very important in Germany. They are considered sacred and should never be broken. Even though they are often seen as annoying, they are also necessary to ensure that projects run smoothly.

10) Keep cash with you

Depending upon where you live, you might be surprised at how many stores only accept cash. As a result, it’s best to have enough cash on hand when touring the city.

Additionally, shop on weekdays or Saturdays because most stores, including grocery stores, are closed on Sundays. Finally, avoid doing your shopping on Sundays and always be prepared to pay in cash.

Read more: Top Business Schools in Germany for 2023

To conclude, there are many tips for living in Germany, such as you should know how to work, socialize, study, spend a good time, eat, go out, and more. In other words, you should get the details of everything related to your journey before you go there.