SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN GERMANY

Germany is one of the perfect destinations for great scholarships. Scholarship applications are brushed up by independent and voluntarily selected committees. Here is the list of scholarships you can apply for in Germany.

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) Scholarship Program
This falls under government-funded scholarships. This scholarship offers different scholarship opportunities to international students in Germany. DAAD scholarships focus on students who have completed their bachelor’s degree program with work experience. Visit daad.de/en/ for more information.

Erasmus Scholarship Program
This is a program founded in 1987, whose goal is to fund international exchange programs. This scholarship also falls under government-funded scholarships.
This scholarship is similar to DAAD scholarship program in terms of the criteria expected of any student wanting to apply. Erasmus offers international students in universities in Germany one year of financial support and a chance to experience and have fun in a foreign country.

Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship
This scholarship is financed by the Einstein foundation, which is up to 5 years. Those eligible are junior research group leaders, who have received funds from the DFG or an ERC grant.

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships
To apply for this scholarship, you need a doctoral degree or four years of full-time research experience. This program is funded by the European commission. This is offered to students who wish to further their education.

KAAD(Catholic Academic Exchange Service) Scholarships
This is a scholarship institution of the German Catholic Church. Students applying for this scholarship must be from developing countries, have a master’s or Ph.D. degree, and must be fluent in the German language.

Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships
This falls under non-government scholarships. It is funded by the Bayer foundation. This scholarship is open to students willing to study in the field of science.

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
This scholarship is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying in Germany and to international students who can’t fund their studies, this is financed by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Click here to know more about this scholarship.

SIST LMU Study Scholarship
Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich is for those with a Doctoral degree. This scholarship is funded by the German Foreign Office. Note that incomplete applications are rejected.

For more advice about scholarship applications, you can visit Kampus Konnekt. We’ll be glad to help.

THE MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM IN GERMANY.

The Medical Care System In Germany

Germany offers the best quality medical care system in Europe. On the 2018 Euro Health Consumer Index, it is ranked 12th. As the care system is funded by statutory contributions, it ensures free medical care for people.

Through public health insurance in Germany, residents have the right of entry into the medical care system. Those who aren’t residents in Germany can seek private insurance to access the medical care system while the temporary residents would have to pay for treatments.

THE COST OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS.

The cost of medical treatments in Germany is competitive. It is not the cheapest, also not the most expensive either. The cost of treatment may differ, subject to the required medical needs.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM.

  1. The pharmacies are open 9 am-12 pm on Saturdays and 9 am-6 pm from Monday to Friday. Always ensure to enquire information from the doctor or pharmacist, about the drugs you are getting from them since in most cases, medications don’t come with dosage instructions.
  2. There are three kinds of hospitals in Germany. The private hospitals, the public hospitals – run by local and regional authorities, and finally, the voluntary hospitals, which do not really make sales. They are usually run by the German Red Cross or churches.
  3. In Germany, it is legal for doctors to give information to patients about the treatment they will receive. This is also a chance for patients to ask their bothering questions. Before giving treatments, patients are to sign consent forms.
  4. The hospitals in Germany offer efficient services as they attend to patients appropriately with operative treatments, which can help patients save time and money.
  5. German doctors take medical laws strictly. They are honest and respectful towards the patients. They tend to tell patients the truth and never hide information, even if it means giving bad news about a diagnosis.
  6. To opt into the private healthcare insurance in Germany, you have to be self-employed, working part-time, a civil servant, an artist, or an employee earning more than 57,600 pounds.
  7. In the women’s healthcare, gynecologists are there to care and support pregnant women and see to sexual health matters and other women’s health issues. Also, statutory insurance cover all maternity costs, except for private insurers who choose not to be covered.
  8. If you have state insurance, you are to pay for your treatments as some doctors in Germany treat private patients.
  9. As a patient, you are free to choose your own doctor. It will also do you well if you are fluent in German as many doctors speak Basic English.
  10. Vaccinations for children in Germany are free. Also, for children under the age of 18, public health insurance covers the finances. If you want as a parent, you are free and it is free to choose a pediatrician for your child as, until the age of 18, pediatricians provides medical care for your child.

THE PROS AND CONS OF STUDYING IN GERMANY

With almost 200 countries worldwide, picking a suitable destination for your tertiary education can be quite a hard decision to make. However, today, we’ll be going over what it takes to study in Germany.
We’ll dive into some of the factors to consider when considering studying in Germany and present you with some reasons why Germany may or may not be an option for you.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY IN GERMANY?

High-Quality Education

With well-established institutions that date back as far as the fourteenth century, Germany has managed to create a well-respected community of universities that work and strive to bring the best education to prospective candidates worldwide. 

With over 40 internationally recognized universities and more than 17,000 study programmes nationwide, Germany has more than enough options for a high school graduate looking for a potential university match. 

Germany serves high-quality education with a prestigious degree that guarantees you a job, in a world where employment opportunities are continuously depleting. 

Affordable Education

Many countries in the world have respectable universities and greatness to offer, but the difference between them and Germany is that acquiring that education does not create a financial strain on the students. 

As a nation, Germany is strong enough to support its universities through state finance. You do not need to pay high amounts of tuition fees to get access to high-quality education. 

The idea of affordable yet high-quality degrees presents an opportunity to bridge the wealthy and the less wealthy together, giving them a better shot at knowledge and educational growth.

Rich Culture and Lifestyle

As a first-world country with old roots and a great economy, Germany is a great place to be for a university student looking for more than just school and books. Germany has an incredibly rich history, culture, and lifestyle.

 With incredible architecture and classic art and music, Germany stands to give students an enriching experience that will broaden their minds and challenge their perspective – creating the bright, young leaders that are desperately needed to direct today’s world.

Great Location

Positioned fairly close to the center of Europe, Germany seems the perfect place for a student to live, considering how easy it becomes for one to travel to other countries for leisure trips places far and wide. 

Whether by train, plane, or sea, travelling around the continent becomes conveniently cheaper due to Germany’s central location, and with abundant job opportunities for students, studying in Germany also becomes another opportunity to explore the world and what it has to offer.

THE CONS OF STUDYING IN GERMANY

Language Barrier

Although Germany offers some world-renowned education, the degree comes at a cost. The majority of the available bachelor’s degrees are studied in the German language, and specific fluency levels are required to be accepted, at your own cost. 

There are six language levels to conquer, but at least three are required for most universities to successfully admit you, so German language lessons are much needed. 

Here at Kampus Konnekt, we can provide German lessons to help you solve this problem. German is not only needed to study, but it’s also useful in daily life, especially for ease of communication.

Working Limits

As a student in Germany, you can get a job, but your working hours are very limited. An international student is only allowed 120 full working days, with a maximum limit of how much money they can earn before they are required to pay tax and change their insurance costs. This results in higher costs and bills that may prove harder to keep up with.

The opportunity to study tertiary education is valuable, and its requirement in the modern world has grown considerably fast over the last century. 

Kampus Konnekt is here to help you realize your dreams, by connecting you to quality education and helping you conquer any obstacles along the way.

THE LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN GERMANY

As a foreigner in a country you’ve never been to before, you might probably find it difficult to feel at home or to get used to the environment or even how things are done.

As an international student living and studying in Germany or planning to, there are quite some interesting facts you should take note of. Germany has a lot to offer aside from the success of the German educational system.

The Grace of Learning a New Language

I know quite a lot of us find learning a new language fun and interesting. Even if you don’t fall into this category, as an international student in Germany, there is a chance that you’d be tempted to learn the German language for better communication with people. The German language happens to be the most spoken language in the world and the most spoken native language in the European continent. With this, there is an open door of job opportunities waiting for you in German companies globally.

Work Opportunities Available on a Platter of Gold.

In Germany, international students are allowed to work part-time unlike in some other countries where there are restrictions but only for up to 20 hours a week or 120 days full days a year. This could help your employment experience and also help pay bills, reducing the burden on your finances.

You must also keep in mind that, international students aren’t allowed to be self-employed or to freelance and if you want to work past the limited hours, you are to take permission from the local employment agency and the foreigner’s registration office.

Here are some of the part-time roles you can lay your hands on in Germany, as an international student:

  •  A Tutor
  • A German Language translator
  • A Waiter
  • A Babysitter
  • A Writer
  • A Bartender
  • A Cashier
  • A Courier
  • A Library Supervisor at your academic institute
  • A Filling document officer
  • A Media Personae

 Read More on How to Fund Your Studies in Germany

A Chance for Exploration

If you love to travel around Europe and vlog, seeing new places and trying new things, I guess it’s a plus for you as an international student in Germany. There are lots of beautiful places to visit and new food to try, new culture and customs to learn and new friends to make. This gives room for socialization and cultural awareness.

A Low or No Tuition Fee

For public universities in Germany, the cost of studying is low or free. This makes it easy for international students to live and learn comfortably. 

The Standard of Living

The standard of living in Germany as an international student is quite low. The expenses of rent and other finances are affordable. With this, there will be enough to save and probably invest. Read here for more tips on how to live in Germany.

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The Work Opportunities In Germany

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Working in Germany is a great opportunity for anybody looking to grow their career as well as start it. In this article, we will look at three sectors that dominate the German economy and the various work opportunities in Germany that can be pursued both within and out of these industries.

Opportunities in Medicine

Germany is by far one of the leading economies in the advancement of medical and general science, with over 1000 research facilities, and at least 536,000 physicians and related careers countrywide. A doctor in Germany earns an average salary of 40,000 euros annually, with endless possibilities to upgrade and for specializations.

The general requirements are one full bachelor’s degree in medicine for a standard doctor and a master’s degree for a specialized doctor.

German is used in most of the medical industry, so thorough prerequisite knowledge of the language is required.

Kampus Konnekt provides German language classes, as well as helps you identify and apply to prospective schools that may help you achieve a degree in your desired program, for anybody looking to set up a healthcare career in Germany. 

International medical degrees obtained outside Germany are acceptable, albeit require additional specialized language examination. Among medicine, psychology and natural science are also on the rise and are currently thriving and provide secure jobs across Germany.

Work Opportunities in Engineering and IT

The automotive, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering industries are the four biggest contributors to Germany’s economy, currently turning over 1800 billion euros in gross national profit, and employing 6.2 million engineers and technical co-workers, whose numbers are rising with the constant enhancement of technology.

With an average annual salary of 44,000 euros, there are more than 3600 engineering and IT employees nationwide, with abundant work opportunities for more workforce to keep up with the rigorous manufacturing industry that sustains Germany.

Work Opportunities in Architecture

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With a constantly growing population in a dynamic world, architects are greatly depended on to create visual works of art in form of their building work. Germany can be seen as an artistic hub when it comes to infrastructure, as the entire country comprises a diversity of architectural styles and expressions.

Whether it’s domestic housing or corporate buildings, architects earn an average of 52,000 euros annually, and are in constant demand across all industries, creating a pool of opportunity for architects in the industry.

The cost of living is relatively higher in the western world, but thankfully so are the salaries. Aside from monetary value, working in Germany stands to give you a better quality of life than the European average, and an enjoyable working experience. Kampus Konnekt is the ultimate German hub, we’re set up to help you with all the information you could ever need; just send us a message and we’ll get in touch.

You can also read more about the economy of Germany here.

THE CULTURAL DIVERSITIES IN GERMANY

Different countries around the world are known for several unique things. The same can be said for a country like Germany. Living in Germany exposes you to the customs, culture, and traditions that contribute to what makes the country and the people unique. Let us take a look at some of the cultural diversities in Germany.

Language

The German language is the official and most spoken language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Italian province of South Tyrol. The German language serves a purpose of an important second language in the Central and Eastern languages. Some of the Western works are written in German. For example, popular works in Philosophy, literature, physics, medicine, art, history, chemistry, and many more are written in the German language. If you’re interested in learning German, check out our page.

 Religion

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Christianity has to be the largest religion in Germany. According to research, 54% of people practice Christianity, 40.1% have no religion, 5.0% practice Islam, 0.2% practice Buddhism, 0.1% practice Judaism, 0.1% practice Hinduism, 0.1% practice Yazidi and finally 0.4% practice other religions aside the ones stated.

Local Cuisine

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The local cuisine in Germany is part of the cultural diversities in Germany. Different countries have foods that they love to eat and consider as unique. In the culture of the Germans, their food is made up of several distinct recipes, which include plenty of vegetables, meat, bread, potatoes, etc. Considering this, you are less likely to go out of the idea of what to eat even if you are the type that is quite choosy.

 The quality of German foods has a high rate of a meat diet, which provides quality protein that helps to maintain, grow and heal the muscles, tissues, and skin of the body. It is also rich in vegetables which help to aid easy digestion.

Music

Ever heard of Rock and Pop? These genres are the most listened to in Germany. Classically, German music is one of the most performed music in the world. Where they have popular composers like Ludwig Van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Wagner, and many more known in history and around the world.

Fashion

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Traditionally, Women in Germany wear what is called ‘’Dirndl’’. It has a low neckline, a blouse worn under the bodice, and a wide high waist skirt attached with an apron. For the Men, it is called ‘’Lederhosen’’. It is a well-known outfit which commonly means ‘leather trousers’, worn by riders, hunters and other outdoor laborers.

It could generally be worn during festivals, parties, weddings, or any special gatherings.

The Festivals, Holidays and Celebrations

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As other countries have special days reserved for special events. Part of the cultural diversities in Germany are the special festivals and celebrations that occur every time of the year.

Here are some of the festivals, holidays, and celebrations that occur every time of the year in Germany

  • Three King’s Day (Drei Konigstag): in Germany, this is the celebration of the 12th day of Christmas.
  • Spargelfest: this is the celebration of white asparagus and it is celebrated during spring.
  • St. Martin’s Day: it is celebrated by youths and this is another chance for German kids to collect candies, after Halloween.
  • Beethoven fest: this is a live concert with classical music.
  • Wurdtmarkt: this is the largest wine festival in Germany. It has to do with the tasting of wine.
  • Munich Opera Festival: this is a musical festival, celebrating culture through music and arts.
  • Rock Am Ring and Im Park: this is a celebration of different music genres like rap, rock, pop and metal.
  • Erntedankfest: it could also be called ‘Thanksgiving’. This is a religious holiday celebrated on the first Sunday of October.
  • Mother’s Day: it usually takes place on the 8th of May. This is the celebration of mothers, expressing our love for them by giving gifts.
  • Oktoberfest: this is an annual beer festival, celebrated for 16-28 days and which days place around the middle of September to the first Sunday of October.

Architecture

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There are so many famous, attractive and beautiful buildings in Germany. As a foreigner, you could visit some of these places where these famous buildings are located to enjoy the view and take beautiful pictures. Some of these buildings are built half-timbered and from brick.

Some of these famous buildings are:

  • Schwerin Castle
  • Trier Saint Peter’s Cathedral
  • Reichstag Building
  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Duchess Anna Amalia Library
  • The Semperoper, Dresden
  • Wiblingen Monastery Library
  • Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart Library
  • Vischering Castle

Sports

The major and most popular sport in Germany is football. Other sporting activities are car racing, track and field, cycling, boxing, tennis, handball, alpine skiing biathlon, and ski jumping. For the Olympics, Germany had the highest number of medals during the 1992, 1998, 2002, and 2006 winter Olympics in Turin. 

Arts And Crafts

German arts and crafts create a cultural sense of belongings and experience for people in and out of the country, especially the kids. There are so many beautiful German arts and crafts that have been created in history, which represent a part of the German culture.

Some of the arts and crafts which make up part of the cultural diversities in Germany are:

  • Glashutte: watchmaking
  • Lauscha: Glass Manufacturing
  • Burgel: Small Town Pottery
  • Seiffen: Wooden Art And Toys
  • Markneukirchen; Instrument Making

Symbols

There are symbols in Germany that represents the country as a whole; they show and tell more about the culture, life, history, and people of Germany.

 Some of them are:

  • The Flag: the flag is a national symbol of Germany. It consists of black, red and gold colors.
  • The Coat Of Arms: the coat of arms of Germany has a black eagle with a red beak, a red tongue, and red feet on a golden field. It is one of the oldest coats of arms in the world and the oldest national symbol used in Europe.
  • The National Anthem (Deutschlandlied): it has been the national anthem since 1922.
  • The Majestic Mark: the iron cross was a military decoration in the kingdom of Prussia and later on, it was in the German Empire.
  • The German Reunification: this was a process by which the German Democratic Republic became part of the Federal Republic of Germany to form the reunited country of Germany in 1990. 

If you’re looking toward migrating to Germany, we’re here to make the process seamless for you. Get a free assessment from us here. You can also read more about the cultural diversity in Germany here.