The idea of moving to a foreign country to pursue education might have seemed preposterous in the past. However, more and more students nowadays are moving abroad to obtain university education. Germany in particular has become a hotspot for foreign students due to its availability of high-quality education available free of cost. That being said, if you or somebody you know is planning on moving to Germany to study, there are a few things that must be understood beforehand.
The importance of the German language
German is an important tool that is essentially vital for day-to-day academic life in Germany. Not only is the language a requirement to enroll in most universities (Hardee, 2015), but the locals will find it easier to converse in their native language, and socializing will become a breeze!
The People
Germans are known for being very no-nonsense and straight-to-the-point people. Rather than wasting time making small talk, they prefer discussing issues of importance such as politics, and choosing to talk about a more light-hearted topic might get you looks of disapproval. This is important because it helps a person better socialize with their peers and avoid potentially awkward situations.
The Culture
German culture is among some of the most diverse in the world. The German locals are incredibly fond of rules and regulations that protect and preserve German culture, and hate to see these rules broken. For example, it is frowned upon to discuss the events of the Second World War in public. Sustainability is a big part of German culture. Most locals are advocates of recycling and the use of sustainable materials and renewable energy (Holloway, 2018). Additionally, German people also consider themselves to be efficient and forward-thinking people, often times planning for something weeks in advance!
The Nightlife
Germany is home to some of the most exciting nightlife around. Bars and nightclubs are filled to the brim throughout the night and well into the morning, especially around Oktoberfest (the world’s largest beer festival that runs in the month of October). Aside from this, music lovers will also find something to enjoy. Germany is a pioneer when it comes to the adoption and development of EDM, or electronic dance music. It is adored by many of the locals and is often found playing at all-night discotheques (Klys, 2017)
The Food
German food is truly unique and undeniably delicious! A large proportion of German foods get their inspiration from Austrian and Turkish immigrants who brought recipes to Germany in the 20th century (Krueger, 2019). Dishes like the Döner Kabab, which have Turkish roots, are now staples in the German cuisine. Germany is also famous for its Bratwurst, otherwise known as the sausage. There are over 40 different kinds of German Bratwursts, and many different ways to cook them, such as by grilling or cooking over a barbecue. Beer is incredibly popular in Germany too. As mentioned earlier, Oktoberfest is recognized as a national holiday, and some people even time off work to celebrate it. There is no doubt that German food is adored by the locals, and among the most famous in the world.
There is no doubt that Germany is indeed a great place to study and improve one’s future. However, it can be extremely difficult to live comfortably without learning the German language. We here at C2C academy recognize this fact, and because of this we offer German language courses that allow for easy learning and fluency in the language, so that students may kickstart their future the right way!
References:
· Caitlin Hardee, 2015, “10 things to know before studying in Germany”, accessed through https://www.dw.com/en/10-things-to-know-before-studying-in-germany/a-18210563 (accessed November 7, 2019)
· Simon Klys, 2017, “6 things to know before moving to Germany”, accessed through https://www.goabroad.com/articles/jobs-abroad/moving-to-germany (accessed November 7, 2019)
· Max Holloway, 2018, “7 things you should know before moving to Germany”, accessed through https://www.movehub.com/uk/moving-abroad/germany/things-to-know/ (accessed November 7, 2019)
· Marcel Krueger, 2019, “German food: 20 of the best things to eat”, accessed through https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/german-food/index.html (accessed November 7, 2019)
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