27 de maio de 2021
You read here about a few good reasons to choose a German university for your higher education. So now you must be curious about life in Germany, right? You might have even visited the country, once or several times, but to experience it as a student is miles away from being a tourist. Life in every region or city will be different and have its own particularities, but also lots of common ground.
Let’s start with the basics. Germany is a federal republic consisting of 16 states: Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Sarre, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. There are so many different accents, dialects, flavors and traditions, all while belonging to the same country.
This diversity reflects on the cost of living and the character of each city. Munich in Bavaria, for example, is elegant and weatlhy, while the ever-dynamic Berlin is steadily transforming but retains its status as a symbol of counterculture. Hamburg and other northern cities offer close proximity to the coast, in addition to a calm and cosmopolitan lifestyle. And so it goes – Germany offers something for every taste: nature, sports, architecture, history, all in big, medium and small cities.
If you can’t make up your mind because the course you want is available in more than one city and at schools of similar level, think of what matters to you in terms of quality of life. As an example, if you prefer busy places with lots going on and plenty of activities you can enjoy between classes, a big city like Berlin can be a good choice. On the other hand, if you wish to become proficient in German, it might be better to pick a smaller town, where you will be less likely to get by just speaking English.
But whatever place you might choose for your new life in Germany, you can be sure you’ll find some kind of combination between new and traditional, regional and global, in different levels. Small local businesses coexist side by side with big international chains. Cars and highways share the space with bicycles and public transportation, and so on.
Of course, life in German cities goes beyond the pretty old towns and tourist attractions. Real life in Germany will bring you new concerns to deal with, such as figuring out which container is the one for recyclables – or better, WHAT is considered recyclable? Why did that bottle of beer cost a bit more than the price displayed on the shelf? So many questions.
But you’ll also have fun exploring your new city and electing your new favorite places, as well as meeting other international students, learning different things and appreciating the different joys of each season: asparagus in spring, long summer days, the color of the autumn leaves and drinking mulled wine in wintertime. And suddently, one day you’ll realize you own your new life, navigating through your town like a pro, being able to communicate in German and, believe it or not: you’ll have a favorite type of bread. Willkommen in Deutschland!