student life in germany vs usa

A major problem for foreign exchange students is having to adopting to new cultural norms, and by extension, understanding what other university students find fun or interesting. Arts.21 interviews the fair’s director Juergen Boos.

So here are my top five tips about what to expect from student life in Germany … German universities will not hold your hand. Also, while certain seminars more closely resemble an interactive liberal arts model and factor in participation and homework, a fair number of courses pin the entire grade on the final exam or paper. The student body congregates at sporting events, speeches, and in Greek life.

German students learn many of the same basics as American students, but their education paths diverge earlier than students in the US. In the United States, students go to school for extended periods of time, sometimes coming home from a regular school day as late at 4 or 5pm. The German and American school systems both have their pros and cons, and each produces well-rounded students. It’s just not as common or positively looked upon to drink yourself into a stupor. They must study “core curriculum,” like math, English, and science, but also can choose what language they take, whether they take art classes or shop class, and so forth. DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, is state-supported and offers the largest range of scholarships for international students - and there are many other foundations with specialty grants. All rights reserved. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. You only get out what you put in! It is not easy to work your way into the socializing network if you have a strong foreign accent (that can be true everywhere, but I found that in the US it was seen as a huge plus). Student Life - UK vs. USA. They do not have much freedom to explore the city or hang out with friends without a parent accompanying them.

Keegan S, Darlene J & 7 others saved this. You are a savvy, intrepid individual who knows how to get the best out of life. College parties in Germany are different: going to a bar with a group of friends, drinking a few beers and talking about stuff. Find roommates - it'll help you adjust and improve your German. Personal questions about a relationship, even amongst best friends, are simply not asked. German students have a much more prescribed curriculum and are not able to explore as many of their own interests in the classroom. If you decide to stay to work, fluency will give you a crucial advantage in the job market. After back-and-forth experiments in Germany's 16 states with nominal tuition fees, the 16th state bowed last year to public opinion and abolished tuition at public universities altogether. Unless you are an EU citizen, expect to spend a decent amount of time dealing with the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office). While the two systems do certainly have their differences, any student would be lucky to attend either. Maybe you meet someone new. DW Digital tests the most popular apps. Another great student accommodation option is the so-called WG (short for Wohngemeinschaften, meaning a shared flat) – a great way to get an instant social network. For me, the switch from California to Germany was relatively easy as they both have similar cultural laws and traditions. How will that work? Also, students holding EU passports may be eligible for BAföG - a half-loan, half-grant from the state which is generally interest-free. Students can hang out in libraries and lounges.

The Subjects Taught But there are worse fates. These are not dorms in the way Americans think of them, but rather individual apartment right on campus. But while students with wanderlust in their blood might salivate over visions of free college paired with beer-soaked revelry at Oktoberfest or techno-fueled bacchanalia in Berlin, there are some practical things you should know before jumping on a plane to Germany. While U.S. students have 8-9 weeks of summer vacation, German students have 6 weeks off. We use cookies to improve our service for you. It's on you to figure everything out, survive in a strange country, attend lectures, and study. Be flawlessly organized and quick on the draw with documents. Isabel believes that the overall time spent in school is the biggest difference between American and German schools. Enjoy the local specialties - but don't forget to go to class. Nonetheless, essentially every aspect of your life abroad will be easier with functional language skills, from dealing with government employees to making local friends. Anke Jahn, one of our volunteers, recently sat down with Isabel Schueppel, a 16 year old student who has attended both American and German schools to discuss differences between the two systems. American campuses are designed to draw in their students; student unions for example are the centerpiece of campuses where dinning-halls, campus stores, entertainment, and libraries can most often be found. This is not to say that there are no awesome college parties in Germany; there are. 10 Celebrities Who Went to Business School, Find your perfect School and Program with our matching tool, Connect with other students on our forums. However, there are many differences between the student lifestyle in the UK and USA. Inform yourself first about studying in Germany - then come! As a student you can be a part of student run university radio or even become a writer for the university paper. Large varieties of museums in Germany offer a range of subjects and inspire people to discover … When they leave school property, they are typically escorted by an adult—either the school bus driver or their parents themselves—and are seldom on their own. If you are an interesting person (and everyone is), then they will love to hear your story – and especially if you tell it in German; Germans are very impressed when someone speaks their language very well.

You are not the first person to do this. Sure, in the larger German cities you can get by without knowing the native language, and some degree programs are even available in English. American schools and German schools have many notable differences. (17.07.2014), All over the world, young bestseller writers start their careers with a degree in creative writing. Summer vacation functions differently in Germany and the U.S. as well. The 2020 fair will take place online, leaving the event’s large halls empty. Anke Jahn, one of our volunteers, recently sat down with Isabel Schueppel, a 16 year old student who has attended both American and German schools to discuss differences between the two systems. He grew up in California and moved to Germany to take advantage of the great (and free) education system.

The rest usually live in cheap apartments where the bathroom is shared. But what students’ interests and even the most fundamental reasons for going to university are different. For millennials, outsourcing higher education is becoming increasingly attractive. So know what you're getting yourself into - and then do it anyway. In his increasingly shrinking free time, he enjoys running, budget traveling and reading. If you are from the United States and have been accepted into a university program, the visa application should go fairly smoothly, and those who complete a degree in Germany are eligible for an extension of up to 18 months to stay and look for a job. © 2020 Deutsche Welle | Never before have so many foreign students studied in Germany, while one in three German students goes abroad. They make decisions about what interests they wish to explore, and they can change that decision if they discover they do not care for it. Is there a new readiness to address Nazi-era art in Germany? In the US, students opt for faculty positions after receiving their PhD. When American students are dismissed from school, they either have after school activities or go straight home. Only a small minority of students actually live in student dorms.

One of the differences Isabel noticed in her time within the American and German school systems is the difference in practicality with what is taught. German students love to meet new people.

(08.07.2014). Contact This is a topic you can ask about very delicately with friends. Excellent. Maybe.

This form of partying is much more sensible for your health, wallet and brain.

Instead, brush up on your charm and apply to join a lively flatshare, known throughout Germany as a WG, or Wohngemeinschaft. In contrast, German schools keep students until 1pm, when they go home for lunch.

10: Germany revamped its education system after 2001 and by 2015 it had spent $11,000 per student. During the semester, students may only work for 20 hours per week. Education Minister Johanna Wanka says Germany is more welcoming than its reputation implies. If you want to take pictures with your smartphone and quickly share beautiful results, you need effective image editing tools. One way or another, once you fall for 'Schland, there's no going back. Each of these has its own focus and curriculum, which is pre-determined for the students. For students from developing countries, the process can be far more complicated and begins with long-distance visa applications via the embassies in their homelands. Chances are, these options are neither the most attractive flats nor your best chance of acquiring a stellar social life. If you miss too many classes, somebody from the school might notice and inquire or offer you support. #9 Less publications. The Frankfurt Book Fair is the most important event in the international book industry. While universities in the U.K. do offer club sports programs, attending games and school spirit generally isn’t a part of everyday life. Or more likely several somebodies…. In contrast, German students tend to have more personal freedom after school. Please tell us about the city you studied in or a city Students can also do internships on campus. No matter what existential crisis has struck - from applying for a student visa to finding real saltine crackers in Berlin, from paying taxes to understanding your German lover - somebody on the Toytown Germany forums has undoubtedly asked your question and started a spirited discussion on the topic. Campus Life. Students can play sports for fun on campus fields and work out in campus gyms. This is a very emotional topic for Germans, even for the younger generation. Twelve young artists pursue this question.

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