DAAD stands for German Academic Exchange Service(Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst)
Ten reasons for Germany:
Studying in Germany – the right choice for you!
Germany is the third most popular destination among international
students in the world. More than twelve percent of students at German
universities come from abroad – just like you. Germany is an attractive
place to study and German university degrees are highly respected by
employers worldwide.
1. You have a top-class degree recognised around the world!
German higher education is one of the best in the world! Whether it’s
cars or education, people everywhere recognise “Made in Germany” as a
seal of quality. You can benefit from Germany‘s long and famous
university tradition especially in the fields of engineering and
science. A German university degree is highly respected by employers
around the world.
2. You have a diverse range of study opportunities!
Germany’s higher education system has something for everyone! There are
almost 450 state-accredited universities with some 17,500 degree
programmes in Germany. German universities offer degree programmes in
every possible subject and academic level – be it bachelor’s, master’s,
state examinations or doctoral degrees. General universities focus
strongly on scientifically oriented study in a wide range of
disciplines. Universities of applied science, on the other hand, are
very practice-oriented. If you’re more interested in artistic subjects,
you can enrol at a college of art, film or music.
3. You can study in English!
More and more courses and degree programmes are being offered in
English, especially at the master’s degree level. This is good news if
you don’t know any German or if your German isn’t good enough yet.
You’ll find an overview of international degree programmes in Germany in
the large DAAD database.
4. You are not alone!
Around twelve percent of students at German universities come from
foreign countries, just like you. You can make friends from around the
world, become acquainted with different countries and expand your
horizons. The universities offer support to make your start in Germany
as easy as possible. There are many mentoring programmes available, such as “Buddy” and “Tandem” programmes.
5. You pay very low tuition fees – and sometimes none at all!
Students normally don’t have to pay tuition fees at German
universities, and if so, the fees are very low. Most German universities
receive considerable financing from the government. Bachelor’s degree
programmes are usually tuition-free at public universities. Some
master’s degree programmes, however, come with tuition fees, but they’re
not as high as in other countries.
6. You have very affordable living expenses!
Compared with other European countries, the cost of living in Germany
is reasonable. The cost of food, rent, clothing and cultural activities
are equivalent to the EU average. There are also a number of concessions available
to students. You can receive reduced prices at theatres, museums, opera
houses, cinemas, swimming pools and other institutions. All you have to
do is present your student ID.
7. You can benefit from many scholarship programmes!
As an international student with outstanding academic achievement, you
have good chances of receiving a scholarship to finance your studies in
Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the
largest scholarship organisations in the world and offers countless
scholarship programmes. No matter what your country, subject or status,
you’ll find a scholarship that matches your profile and needs in the DAAD scholarship database! And not only does the database contain programmes offered by the DAAD, but also many other organisations in Germany.
8. You live in a safe country!
Germany is a safe country – also on an international scale. The police
are reliable and help you in every situation. Whether you live in a big
city or in the country, you can move freely day or night without having
to take any special precautions.
9. You live in a diverse country in the heart of Europe!
Beaches and mountains, medieval city centres and pulsating
metropolises, and above all, lots of nature. Germany is a diverse
country with many facets! Living in Germany means living in the middle
of Europe surrounded by many other countries. Whether you’d like to
visit Paris, Prague, Rome or Copenhagen, you have a wide range of
destinations at your doorstep. Within a couple of hours by train or
plane, you can experience an entirely different culture and language.
Weekend trips are no problem and affordable.
10. You learn a language which can open many doors!
German is one of the ten most spoken languages in the world. Some 185
million people worldwide can speak German. You can still study in
Germany even if you don’t know German, but having some knowledge of the
language can make everyday life easier and help you make friends faster.
Knowing a foreign language also looks great on a résumé! Nobody says
that German is an easy language, but there are many ways to learn German
– in a course, with a tandem partner or with German flatmates.
Here's a super new video from DAAD entitled NEW HORIZONS:
FINALLY: Since German universities have nothing comparable to our General Studies, or even Liberal Arts, here is some truly practical advice from one of my main gurus, Dr. Kuhn-Osius, of Hunter College CUNY. --rsb
The DAAD material is very general. The two things to keep in mind for an American high schooler:
1. There is no general education at German universities, so you have to have a very good idea what you want to study.
2. To be admitted to a German university, you will need 4 AP tests in a specific combination. Otherwise you will either need two years of college or you'll have to go to a Studienkolleg.
This is not something you want to do on the spur of the moment. The German educational system can be excellent for those who know what they want (and so can be the US system). If you are in any way uncertain, it may not be worth it.
Danke Stephanie! With this news source I feel like we've hit the big time on the topic of the importance of supporting the goals of our youth! CBS Money Watch
ByLYNN O'SHAUGHNESSYMONEYWATCHOctober 3, 2014, 8:12 AM
Want to attend college for free? It can happen if you learn German.
All German universities are now free to Americans and all other international students. The last German state to charge tuition at its universities struck down the fees this week.
Even before Germany abolished college tuition for all students, the price was a steal. Typically semester fees were around $630. What's more, German students receive many perks including discounts for food, clothing and events, as well as inexpensive or even free transportation.
In explaining why Germany made this move, Dorothee Stapelfeldt, a Hamburg senator, called tuition fees "unjust" and added that "they discourage young people who do not have a traditional academic family background from taking up study. It is a core task of politics to ensure that young women and men can study with a high quality standard free of charge in Germany."
Actually, German universities were free up until 2006 when they started charging tuition. That triggered such a crush of criticism that German states began phasing out this policy. Lower Saxony was the last holdout.
It's too bad that politicians in the U.S. don't feel that a college education is worth supporting appropriately. State aid to the nation's public universities took a nosedive during the 2008 recession and education funding remains well below those levels. The average state is spending 23 percent less per student than before the recession, according to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Actually, state support has been declining for public universities for a quarter of a century. Using an interactive tool from The Chronicle of Higher Education, you can see how state government subsidies have cratered at individual institutions.
With the average undergrad borrower now leaving school with more than $29,000 in debt, the free ride in Germany can look awfully tempting.
How to handle the language barrier
German is not an easy language to learn. Fortunately, however, there are international language programs in Germany, which have become very popular with international students before they tackle obtaining a degree in a different language.
What's more, an increasing number of German universities are offering degrees in English. These are often called international studies programs or in some other way have the word international in their title.
There are some things to consider when seriously thinking about a German University degree. Does this mean if I go to a German University I can then work in the European Union? There are some differences in the educational systems of the United States and Germany. There are three types of high schools in Germany. Their University bound high school teaches the equivalent of the first two years of University in the United States. Most German Universities don't offer bachelor degrees. Their degrees are the equivalent of a masters degree. If you cannot work in the European Union, then upon return to the United States, someone from this country must put an equivalency to your German education. Most Americans don't know what they are looking at and will assume you don't have the equivalent of a bachelors degree because no general requirements are taught at German University. General requirements are taught at their University bound High School. To get a fair assessment, you should take your degree to someone who has experience in both educational systems. Then it takes a minimum of two years to really learn a language. Dive in, go to Germany and live the culture. Immerse yourself. If you can work in the EU, you'll work about 40 hours a week even if you are a manager. Over 40 means overtime for managers too. Then there is at least two or three holidays a month in which everyone is off. You'll start off with either 5 or 6 weeks vacation a year. Good Luck.
As an American who just completed her MSc. in physics at Uni Stuttgart, a few pointers.
1.) Gaining fluency in German is not an option. It is mandatory for living in the country for several years. More master's degree have English options. Still be prepared to speak, read and learn in German.
2.) Attend university in America for your bachelors, double major in German and whatever it is you want to study (for me it was physics)
3.) Don't plan on doing a bachelors degree in Germany, all bachelor programs have lectures in German. Attend a cheap university back in the states (like San Diego State) and study abroad for the maximum of 2 years. You can then study abroad in Germany and attend relevant courses to your major in German to know for sure whether or not the move is right for you. German universities are academically more challenging than American ones. A's (1's & 1,3's) aren't common. Most courses have one grade, one chance to pass, the final exam.
I have spent nearly five years in Germany now and am happier and healthy then the first 20 years of my life in San Diego.
More information about studying in Germany can be found at the DAAD[.]org or you contact your local DAAD young ambassador with specific questions.
as a German I'd just like to say: PLEASE don't all send you kids our way! Or at least don't send them to the bigger cities like Berlin, Munich or Hamburg. There are literally NO APARTMENTS left to rent and the state universities are bursting at the seams. Besides, judging from the fellows you keep sending already, they are NOT here to study (unless bar hopping is a major in the States, which sounds frighteningly possible). If you HAVE to pick a German university for your kid(s), look for smaller schools in the lesser known cities. BTU Senftenberg, University of Braunschweig, etc.
Oh, and btw: There is an election coming up in your country. And if you like free (or at least affordable) education, decided to make THAT a priority instead of gun ownership, curtailing women's reproductive rights, a childish obsession with lower taxes (for rich folks) or limiting the ability for non-white people to vote and VOTE FOR ANY PARTY THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN ELEPHANT IN ITS LOGO!!!
This is where we should be focusing our taxpayers' dollars. Instead, we are hell-bent on destroying peoples and countries with our military might. $500,000,000 in military support to destabilize yet another country (Syria) may sound good politically, yet that amount would pay for a lot of tuition, books and housing for students. We are sending $500,000,000 to aid the gun deaths in Syria while our own FEMA has refused to allocate one dime to rebuilding our own citizens' homes destroyed by wildfires in Washington and other states. Shame on our politicians!
@Maria Lopez Vega Many, if not most Germans, do not go to a college like the US. They have many technical apprenticeships and vocational schools that the US has moved away from. If Germany tried to give everyone a free education in an American-style education system, they'd be bankrupt in a month.
What an outstanding effort by the German people to educate and produce productive citizens. America would be smart to rebuke the class system and cut down on violence and incarceration by giving their citizens a chance to make the country better by educating the masses. No wonder the Germans are the top industrialized country in the world and their engineers are supreme. Sad that racism and profits come first instead of building a strong foundation for the future of a great nation.
Never before have so many foreign students studied in Germany, while one
in three German students goes abroad. Education Minister Johanna Wanka
says Germany is more welcoming than its reputation implies.
With no tuition fees and its beautiful university towns, Germany is
becoming increasingly popular among foreign students. Approximately
300,000 of the country's 2.6 million students come from abroad. Almost
half of them stay on for a while after finishing their degrees.
The
mobility of German students, by contrast, has not increased over the
last 14 years, according to a report issued earlier this week by
Germany's Ministry of Education. Education Minister Johanna Wanka
explains to DW how she intends to promote international academic
exchange.
DW: Germany has become the third most popular country among foreign
students - a far cry from the situation back in the 1990's. What has
brought about such a dramatic change?
Johanna Wanka: ... Over the last
few years, we have made huge efforts to improve the standards of our
universities and to reach out to foreign students and researchers. Since
2005 the federal government has invested a lot of money in
strengthening Germany as an academic hub, while many other countries
have been reducing funding. We now offer a greater number of interesting
study programs and many students believe that a degree from a German
university or college and spending time there will open up better job
opportunities for them.
The discussion about how welcoming Germans are comes up again and
again. Some German students feel there is room for improvement.
Strong academic programs for free - reason enough for many foreign students to come to Germany
The reality here has become better than our reputation.
Especially at universities, a lot has been done to improve the reception
of foreign students at so-called welcome centers.
Which countries do most of these 300,000 foreign students come from?
The overwhelming majority of foreign students come from other European
countries. The second biggest group is made up of students from Asia.
But looking at individual countries of origin, China ranks first,
followed by Russia, Austria and India.
How many students are from African countries?
Unfortunately, only 10 percent. That's why my ministry has developed a
so-called Africa-strategy in the fields of research and science. What's
particularly important to us here is that this strategy aims at
establishing a scientific exchange between equals, rather than some sort
of development aid. Almost half of the population in Africa is under
age 18, and we must do more to attract young people to Germany, but also
to establish opportunities there. In the future, Africa will be high on
our agenda.
As the number of foreign students is on the rise in Germany, how
should German universities deal with the fact that most of them need
help with their German language skills, at least at the beginning?
Wanka says many international students are interested in learning German
By offering more courses in English, which is already being
done. More than 1,000 master degree courses in English are already being
offered at German universities. But our studies show that many of these
young foreigners are not only keen on studying in Germany, but also on
learning the German language. Quite often, it seems, English gives them
an entry to Germany, but after a while they show an interest in German.
Both the universities and the Goethe-Institut offer a wide range of
German courses.
Roughly one in three German students studies abroad during their
studies. In comparison with other countries, that's a lot. However, that
number has remained constant over many years. Your goal is to get one
out in two German students to study abroad. Don't you need financial
incentives for that?
Roughly 30 percent of German students doing a Bachelor's degree spend
some time at a foreign university. German students who receive student
loans from the government are also eligible to apply for a student loan
to study abroad. But there are also many other institutions that offer
scholarships, like the
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the
Erasmus Programme.
Why is it so important to you that more German students study abroad and more foreign students come to Germany?
Academia is international, says Wanka
Academia is international. There isn't a single academic field
that can afford to seal itself off and exist autonomously in one
country. That's why we cannot do without international networking and
cooperation. Besides, spending some time abroad strengthens the
students' intercultural and linguistic skills, which will help them
during their professional careers.
22-jährige Elite-Student Robert Chesters sitzt in einem Londoner Coffee-Shop und
schlürft seinen Tee. Es ist Februar, Robert studiert Neurowissenschaften
am berühmten(at the famous) "King's College", eine der besten Adressen für
englischsprachige Studenten in der ganzen Welt. In wenigen Monaten wird
er seinen Bachelor abschließen (finish up) . "Aber danach will ich so schnell wie
möglich weg aus England. Am liebsten (My preference) würde ich meinen Master in
Deutschland machen", sagt Robert.
Nicht Oxford, nicht Cambridge, nicht die University of Edinburgh.
Ausgerechnet Deutschland.
Nun ist es so weit(Now it is that far...time has come) - wenn im Oktober das neue Semester beginnt, werden
unter den Studenten voraussichtlich auch viele Engländer sein.
King's-College-Absolvent Robert Chesters ist mittlerweile in Tübingen
angekommen(meanwhile, has arrived in Tübingen) . In wenigen Tagen beginnt er seinen Master in "Cellular and
Molecular Neuroscience".
Die Vorlesungen finden komplett in Englisch
statt. (Here, he can arrange his classes so that the lectures are completely in English.) "Das ist eine gute Alternative. Ich hätte mir ein Studium in
England einfach nicht leisten können", sagt er.
Wie die britische Regierung Studenten in die Flucht schlägt
Wie er können sich viele englische Studenten ihr Studium nicht mehr
finanzieren. Die konservativ-liberale Regierung von David Cameron hatte
die Investitionen in Hochschulen 2010 dramatisch zusammengestrichen und
setzte die Höchstgrenze für Studiengebühren in England hinauf, sie stieg
von 3290 Pfund pro Studienjahr auf 9000 Pfund, umgerechnet etwa 11.000
Euro. So viel verlangen viele Universitäten ab diesem September.
Daraufhin ist die Anzahl der englischen Bewerber um rund zehn Prozent eingebrochen. (Looking at tuition costs in Britain, is there any wonder why there is a 10% increase in demand from English students studying in Germany? -- Also, How do they compare with ours in the USA?)
"Auch die Lehrmittel für die Masterstudiengänge werden gekürzt -
wodurch die Unis langfristig auch deren Studiengebühren anheben müssen",
sagt Claire Callender, Expertin am Institute of Education der London
University. "Ausgerechnet Großbritannien riskiert den Ruf seiner guten
Hochschulen", sagt sie. Und so kommt es, dass die Engländer nach
Alternativen im Ausland suchen.
Einer von ihnen ist Sam Dolbear. Ab Oktober wird er seinen Doktor an
der Philosophischen Fakultät der Freien Universität Berlin machen. "Ich
liebe die Stadt und das Studium schon jetzt, auch wenn ich erst seit
kurzem hier bin", sagt er. (One new British student is Sam Dolbear. He's studying for his Doctorate in Philosophy in Berlin. "I love the city and the courses already, even if I've only just arrived," says he." Dass ein englischsprachiges Studium in
Deutschland überhaupt möglich ist, erfuhr er nur durch Glück. "Die
meisten Engländer haben davon keine Ahnung. Aber ich glaube, das wird
sich schnell ändern. Aus englischer Perspektive hat das deutsche
Hochschulsystem momentan wirklich viel zu bieten", sagt Dolbear.
They say goodbye, we say hello
Die Freie Universität, an der er studiert, sammelt seit Jahren
Erfahrungen mit der englischsprachigen Lehre. Seit 2007 hat sich die
Anzahl britischer Studenten an der Uni verdoppelt. Entsprechend weit
gefächert ist auch das Angebot an Kursen. Damit ist sie kein Einzelfall:
Der Studienplattform StudyPortals zufolge haben die deutschen Unis in
den letzten zwei Jahren den größten Anstieg an englischsprachigen
Masterkursen in ganz Europa verzeichnet.Inzwischen gibt es rund 650. (In the meantime, there are about 650 master-level courses offered in Englich throughout Europe.)
Besonders in technischen und naturwissenschaftlichen Fächern sind die
deutschen Studiengänge beliebt. Ingenieure können aus einer großen
Auswahl an rund 200 englischsprachigen Studiengängen wählen.(German technical and natural-science programs are particularly favored. Engineers can choose from an array of approximately 200 English-language courses of study.)
Auch die Deutsche Wirtschaft setzt zunehmend Hoffnung in die
Studenten aus dem Ausland. (Also the German economy is increasing its hopes in foreign students.) Lars Funk vom Verein deutscher Ingenieure
sagt: "Das Interesse unserer Firmen an englischen Studenten ist groß.
Denn der Fachkräftemangel könnte uns nachhaltig schädigen."
Robert Chesters könnte sich vorstellen, später in Deutschland zu
arbeiten. Auch wenn ihn im Moment noch ganz andere Probleme
beschäftigen. "Jetzt brauche ich erst einmal ein Bankkonto." Das dürfte
unter dem Studium in Tübingen deutlich weniger strapaziert werden als in
London. Und Tübingen sei ja schließlich auch eine nette Stadt, um zu
studieren. Er sagt: "Ich habe mich gleich wie zu Hause gefühlt." (Tübingen is such a nice city in which to study, that Robert Chesters said: "I immediately felt at home here," He can imagine working in Germany after he's finished with his college.)
