If you plan to study and settle in Germany, you should know German. While they offer many programs in English. Especially at the graduate level, some undergraduate courses might require proficiency in German. Learning the language can greatly enhance your experience and integration into German society. If you plan to go to a city in Germany, let’s consider that you will probably find 50-70% of people speaking English. But if you move to the countryside, you will hardly find 5-10% of people. On the other hand, suppose you move to eastern Germany, where people do not speak English that often. People there prefer speaking in German. So, being the first major thing in Germany, you will have to learn German.
German is not an easy language to learn, but it is also a pro if you end up learning German, you can easily move to Switzerland and Luxembourg, and countries that speak German. So, knowing German not only helps you in Germany but also in other neighboring countries. Well, what I was saying before was a little off-topic, but now let’s suppose you want to get a status and shift to Germany. You will have to learn German, at least at a B2 or C1 level, which people generally require.
Even if you end up marrying someone in Germany, getting a status through marriage also requires knowing German. Germans are very comfortable and have pride in their language. They give a lot of preference to their mother tongue, which shows a spirit of nationality and a sense of connection. So, we understand the most important thing in Germany is to learn their language. While our language is important, we will have to prioritize learning German.
Understand, even for a second, what this means: You earn ₹1 lakh, and you pay approximately ₹38,000 in taxes, with other expenses being separate. If I take an average salary of ₹60,000, how much will it become? I will give you three seconds. ₹16,000. Assuming an average effective tax rate of 35%, then add the expenses as per your requirement. How much do you think ₹60 lakhs will amount to? ₹60 lakhs will leave you with a final saving of ₹8 lakhs. If you are Indian and living in Germany, know that Germany’s ₹60 lakhs is worth ₹20 lakhs in India.
I found living in Germany to be more expensive than I anticipated. Accommodation and other costs were very significant. Sometimes students do part-time jobs in Germany for better financial stability. Working 20 hours per week while maintaining my studies was difficult, but it helped me learn time management skills. My job also improved my German and allowed me to network with locals, making it easier to find full-time employment after graduation. I had to get used to it because life in Germany can be a little tough for someone coming from a developing country, as things don’t work the same way. It took me around three years to get accustomed to how Germans think, and behave, and to understand what is accepted in the country and what is not.
Although major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt have a significant Indian student population, offering a support network and cultural events can make the transition easier; You will not be close to your family, which is something you should consider. In my experience, Germany is not at all friendly. When walking on the road, if a person passes by, in countries like Canada, you can say, “How are you?” But in Germany, they don’t respond beyond a simple, “good.” When I met my German friend for the first time, the word “Hi” was a lot for her. In India, people might think you’re not in your senses if you say ‘hi’ to someone on the street, but in Germany, people do not consider it polite at all. Germans are straightforward and blunt.
Another major factor is the harsh winters in Germany. Compared to Canada, the winters are harsh, with only about 120 good weather days. Cold winds and unpleasant weather mark the remaining 245 days. Germany is much colder despite being lower on the map. Temperatures tend to be better in the UK. A cultural shock for me in Germany was beer. People often expected me to meet them over a beer. When I ordered a Coke, they used to say that it was not a good response. It made me feel out of place. After becoming friends with many Germans, I learned the dos and don’ts.
Now, I will share a story. When I was in Canada, two of my very good German friends and I, a group of five, were hanging out. They started making fun of Indians, and initially, I took it jokingly. But after some time, it became unbearable, so I started making continuous remarks. After 7-8 days of this, I decided to divert my attention to the French people in the group since things were getting heated.
Despite my efforts to deflect, my jokes upset both the French and the Germans. The situation escalated, and I was told in a lengthy lecture to avoid sensitive topics like the swastika. Germans don’t discuss this part of history openly. If you are planning to move to Germany, avoid making any Nazi references, as this is a serious offense, and even a gesture can lead to police action. The same caution applies in France. I’ve been told about these sensitivities by both French and German friends.
