Germany is a compelling destination for many international students. Students choose its universities and colleges for their excellent academic reputation, affordable or free tuition, the diversity of fields, and the opportunity to learn and work alongside renowned researchers.听
Many students are also attracted to the lively cultural and sports scenes across the country. Additionally, Germany’s central location in the European Union makes it an easy hub to explore the rest of Europe during semester breaks.
When choosing where to study in Germany, keep in mind that the community’s size, local climate, and culture will all affect students’ overall experience. Read on to learn more about what life outside the classroom is like across Germany.
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Culture
Even the hardest-working students can’t be in class all the time, so it’s important to think about what they’d like their overall experience abroad to be like.听
Here are some good questions for students to consider when choosing a study city:
- Which hobbies or sports would I like to pursue?
- How do I feel about learning German? (Living in smaller towns and cities may require functional levels of German)
- Will I be working part-time? If so, what kinds of companies are in different communities, and where are there English-language jobs?
- Does my programme include an internship or other work placement? (Universities are more likely to partner with local industry for work placements)
- Do I need access to specific foods (vegan, halal, etc.)?
- Would I rather be close to nature, cultural activities, or a mix of the two?
- Do I plan to live on- or off-campus?
Students interested in mountain sports or who are in related study programs, like geology or tourism would thrive in southern German cities like Munich and Stuttgart. These are also great cities for students in cultural fields, given these cities’ strong arts and cultural sectors.听
Equally, those studying maritime fields, whether supply chains or marine biology, could be a good match for the northern parts of the country, where cities like Hamburg, Schwerin, and Bremen are located.
In eastern Germany, Berlin is a draw for many international students, and has 33 universities to choose from! Students enjoy free or discounted admission to galleries, libraries, and other cultural attractions, which can make living in the city more affordable. The city’s vibrant nightlife supports many different genres of music, performance, and theatre.
Let’s take a closer look at these and some other top student cities. Hover over or click on a city marker for more details:
When preparing to choose where to live, it’s also worth thinking about how much students want to stay connected to their own culture. While each campus might offer some cultural support, like access to a chapel or prayer room, celebrations of multicultural holidays, or social groups, bigger communities are more likely to have larger numbers of international students and other immigrants. This will translate into different perks for different students: for some, it’s having more than one local restaurant with food that reminds them of their auntie’s. For others, it’s access to sports leagues, films or theatre in their first language, or being able to connect with a larger faith community.
Lifestyle is a key determining factor in an international student’s cost of living. Learn what the current cost of living looks like in Germany on our blog.
Climate
While much of Germany enjoys a temperate climate, its seasons can vary from year to year. Students should be prepared for colder, longer winters in southern Germany, near the Alps, and foggy, rainier weather along the northern coast. In northern Germany, temperatures change less from season to season, moderated by the west winds off of the North Sea.听
Inland, in the hilly central and southwestern regions, there is more temperature variation, making each season more distinct. In general, mountainous areas are wetter and cooler, and the lowlands are warmer and drier. Southeastern Germany, especially in its river valleys, sees the coldest temperatures in winter and the hottest summer days.
International students used to sunny winters should brace for grey skies in Germany. that “one less-agreeable feature of the German climate is the almost permanent overcast in the cool seasons.” Winter temperatures are colder as one travels from west to east, with the average temperature in Berlin in January hovering around freezing (0掳C or 32掳F). It’s smart to purchase a warm coat, boots, and gloves after arriving in Germany to stay warm.
Overall, though, most international students will find that Germany’s climate is welcoming. Many of its cities have a warm, humid continental climate, which makes being outside pleasant for much of the year.
Community Size
For students who want a big-city experience, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich are industrial and financial hubs. These cities are also some of Germany’s most international communities.听
That said, locals share that each of these cities have , which stem from the fact that before , Germany was made up of dozens of semi-independent states and free cities.
Meanwhile, smaller cities like Salzburg and Dresden are more historic and picturesque, but it can be harder to get by with just English in your daily life.听
No matter where you settle in Germany, it’s a good idea to : basic phrases, greetings, food words, and numbers are good places to start. You’ll feel more confident, and being willing to learn German can help to connect you with other community members.
For international students planning to study in Germany, it takes time and care to choose where to live and which institution to attend. By keeping the three Cs (climate, community size, and culture) in mind, students will be better equipped to choose a programme and community that fits their needs.
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