Bureaucratic Jungle: Your first boss battle! It’s true, Germans are very bureaucratic…appointments might take weeks, websites crash, some forms still have to be sent by snail mail. Don’t panic!
Survival tip 1: Book everything early. Especially your registration (Anmeldung) should be one of the first things you do! (It is required for opening a bank account, getting a phone contract, and many other things.)
Survival tip 2: Make sure you have all important documents in printed form. Read every form carefully and don’t be afraid to ask a German for help if you don’t understand all the details. Even for Germans it can be difficult…
Cash Is Still King: You are used to paying by credit card or with your phone? Don’t rely on it! You may find that restaurants, shops, public offices, and public toilets either only accept cash or their card reader isn’t working.
Survival tip: Always have €20+ cash with you.
Sundays in Germany: Be prepared that almost all shops are closed.
Survival tip: Stock up on food and sanity by Saturday night. Sunday = meet friends, relax, or enjoy other leisure activities.
Public Transport: Expect delays, and keep in mind that regular tickets are often not cheap.
Survival tip 1: Get a local student ticket or the Deutschlandticket. You’ll save a lot of money. Also: learn to read train delays like a weather forecast.
Survival tip 2: Think about getting a used bike. Most cities are very bike-friendly. It is a cheap and convenient way for most students to get around the city.
Survival tip 3: In case you get stuck and there is no bike and no public train or bus available, remember this: regular (yellow) cabs are expensive, use car-sharing services, there are lots of convenient apps to book a cheaper ride.
Be Proactive! Germans aren’t exactly known for being open and approachable. If you don’t make an effort yourself, it’s easy to end up feeling isolated or out of place.
Survival tip 1: Step out of your comfort zone and talk to people (yes, even if it’s awkward)! It’s easy to just vibe with people from your country, but you’ll feel much more integrated if you make German friends over time. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work out right away. Many Germans also find it difficult to start conversations with strangers.
Survival tip 2: Join clubs (at your university, in your neighborhood, or search online for clubs that interest you). It’s easier to strike up a conversation when you share a hobby, and you get to see each other regularly. Plus, you can discover new hobbies and take a break from your daily study routine.
Unpredictable Weather: It can be warm and sunny at 11am and then suddenly you’re fighting wind and rain at 2pm. Also, people like to open windows in winter to get fresh air, even though it’s below freezing outside and there are almost no air conditioners even during the hottest summer days.
Survival tip: Wear layers. Always!
Did you find this information helpful? Come to Studydoor! All our customers get more detailed information in our manuals!
Foto: Kai Pilger / Unsplash