Top Qualities to Consider Before Moving To Germany

Congratulations! You have made it to a German university and that too for the program of your choice! Mission accomplished! You will soon embark on your study abroad journey to Germany. Is that all? No. It is now time for you to thoroughly prepare for your journey to Germany. So, what qualities do you need to possess in order to ensure a smooth and productive stay in Germany and blend with a new culture, city, people and surroundings? Let us find out through this blog! To begin with, let us explore the top five qualities you need to develop or strengthen before moving to Germany.

Quality No. 1 – Independence

Since you will be travelling and living on your own in Germany, this is the first and foremost quality you need to have. Remember, your family will not be travelling and staying with you in Germany. Therefore, you will need to exercise independence in all aspects of your stay there – whether it is cooking, managing laundry, money management, networking with professors & fellow students, etc. The list is endless. Yes, maybe your family and friends back in India will be able to provide you with emotional support via video calls, but they will not be there with you to deal with your day-to-day challenges. Do you feel overwhelmed with the challenges ahead? Please don’t! Instead, please consider the situation a blessing in disguise since the challenges ahead will serve as a springboard for your overall development.

Quality No. 2 – Ability to Cook for Yourself

Back home in India, you are used to getting home-cooked food from family and also easy availability of your preferred food items. However, all this and more will change after you reach Germany. A) You might not easily find Indian food items in Germany and, B) You will need to cook for yourself food items you generally like to eat. To avoid cooking, while having junk food/ready meals or eating out at restaurants daily might sound easier for you, it would be costly and not very healthy in the long term.

Quality No. 3 – Conversant with the German Language

Germans prefer speaking their own language. Yes, universities in Germany do teach in English; however, not knowing German could make it challenging for you to converse with locals and get day-to-day jobs done. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you learn the basics of the German language. Though some universities provide a German language course once international students reach Germany, you will be better off learning the basics of German before you depart from India.

Quality No. 4 – Self Sufficiency in terms of Finances

While the term independence is more of an umbrella term that encompasses a lot of aspects, financial independence and prudence is something that is very critical to ensure a smooth stay in Germany. So, you must have heard about the Blocked Account in which you are required to put a specified amount of money to deal with any emergencies or contingencies during your stay in Germany. However, it is best recommended that you avoid withdrawing that money once all the formalities are over. Instead, please carry some additional funds with you to meet your day-to-day requirements. To manage your stay in Germany, you could take up a part-time job. Remember, it is best to be self-sufficient instead of depending on others.

Quality No. 5 – Mental Strength and Toughness

Your study abroad endeavour will be both exhilarating and challenging. So, one critical quality that will help you succeed in your study abroad mission is mental strength and toughness. If you are positive and strong, you will be able to deal with any challenges you come across. Make a strong determination to do everything well and the rest should follow. Training your mind is imperative.

Now that we have explored the top five qualities you need to possess as an international student headed to Germany, let us look at a comprehensive checklist of things you need to do or manage during your stay in Germany. It might seem like a long list but remember, it is quite doable if you are positive and determined:

1. Open a German bank account – This process is mostly online and quite simple if you meet all the eligibility and documentary requirements (valid passport, certificate of registration in Germany/proof of residence). For your information, direct banks are the cheapest.
2. Find a reasonably-priced German internet provider – You could explore providers like O2, 1&1, Vodafone, M-Net, etc.
3. Choose between a Mobile Contract (with a monthly bill) and a Prepaid SIM Card. Both options have some advantages. A mobile contract is more suitable for a long stay and has a flat rate; however, it requires a long notice period, registration address and bank account (IBAN). A prepaid SIM card is suitable for a short-term stay; you can pay as per usage and no bank account is needed.
4. Accommodation – Depending on your paying capacity and requirements, you could opt between an independent flat, a shared flat and a dormitory. If you share a flat with a German roommate, it will serve you better and will be fun. If you do not intend to carry any household goods, you can even choose a fully-furnished dormitory room.
5. Master the basics of the German language
6. Choose public transport – In Germany, public transport is easily accessible, affordable and convenient, be it bus, metro, train or bicycle.
7. If you like driving, then you will enjoy driving in Germany, provided you meet the necessary requirements (a foreign EU driver’s license or a translated driver’s license not issued in the EU or EEA).
8. Explore places to visit during weekends – You can travel to beautiful places in Germany like Königssee, Bavaria; Lüneburger Heide, Lower Saxony; Chalk cliffs on Rügen; Wadden Sea, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein; Spreewald, Brandenburg
9. Look for part-time jobs to earn some extra money and have a comfortable stay in Germany while studying
10. Carry clothes to Germany according to the weather of the city you will live in

Hope these tips assist you in making your stay in Germany enjoyable and fruitful. In case you are hungry for more information and tips, please reach out to our expert advisors at Manya-The Princeton Review.

Manya – The Princeton Review Advantage

Manya – The Princeton Review offers end-to-end study abroad services encompassing admissions consulting services, test preparation, English language training, career assessment, and international internship opportunities to study abroad aspirants. Founded in 2002, Manya holds an impeccable track record of enabling more than 4 lac students to accomplish their study abroad dreams through its network of 47+ centers across India.

Manya has formed long-lasting global alliances with several market leaders in the education industry in order to maximize the benefits of its large service portfolio. Their list of esteemed partners and affiliations includes – The Princeton Review (TPR), Cambridge University Press (CUP), Cogito Hub, British Council, Tuding to name a few. Manya has also forged 600+ partnerships with international universities across top study abroad destinations.