Guidelines for foreigners coming to study in Germany

Important information for prospective students coming to Germany

Introduction

It's an undisputable fact that Germany has the largest economy among the European countries. This makes the country desirable for foreigners who wish to make a good living because of job opportunities in the country. In addition, education is free for both locals and foreigners. This is the reason for a significant number of foreigners currently studying here. Whether you have been offered an admission to study in Germany or have a job offer. It is advisable to do the following:

Step 1: Accommodation

Make an accommodation arrangement before your arrival in Germany. Due to the high number of foreigners coming into the country, there is a scarcity of accommodation, especially in industrial and cosmopolitan cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Munich, Cologne etc. Students can apply for accommodations managed by Studierendenwerk from their home country. Furthermore, there is important information of the respective German Studierendenwerk like the one from the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU). (https://www.studierendenwerk-mainz.de/en/home)

The accommodation will be reserved, and there is an instant allocation once you arrive in Germany. Keep in touch with the janitor or facility manager and inform them of your travel plans. This will help them to make proper arrangements before your arrival in Germany.

Step 2: Stay organised and manage time efficiently

Be organized and stay focused on why you are in Germany. There are distractions and problems that often arise. The German environment differs from your home country's, also there might be cultural differences. Stay focused and ask for help and advice from your lecturer and the respective office. For the JGU, this is the international office (https://www.studying.uni-mainz.de/international-office-incoming/). Additionally, many universities have a specific bureau for international students (https://asta.uni-mainz.de/vs/asta/international/) and Erasmus students (https://www.international.uni-mainz.de/erasmusteam-mainz/). Most of these institutions have their own e-mail address so that international students can write them concerning unclarities, doubts and other issues.

Cultivate the habit of managing time efficiently and be conscious of the friends you keep. All of this will help you to navigate through obstacles and make meaningful progress in both academic and career prospects.

Step 3: Obedient to rules and regulations  

Obey the rules and regulations to avoid troubles and fines. Germany has strict laws, these must be obeyed by all residents living in the country. It's advisable to obey rules and regulations in the country to avoid serious consequences such as deportation.

Step 4: Language

Learn the German language for a successful integration into the country. This is the most difficult task for foreigners in Germany to accomplish. It's essential to speak German, because it will give you the confidence to communicate meaningfully with the locals and provide you the opportunity to find a better job. A certain proficiency level is also mandatory for immigration applications.

Step 5: Connection

Attend necessary events to get useful information and make good connections. There are events organized by universities for students such as orientation week, career fair, public lectures and more. Try to attend as many of these events as possible – especially the ones you find interesting and significant. Go to these events, to make connections and gather important information for career development.