Go to School in Germany...It's Cheaper!

Did you know that up until the year 2006, a public university education was free-of-charge in Germany? I need my fellow Americans to grasp that fact.  We pay almost six figures for our overpriced education while German students pay only a fraction in tuition.  We've been duped.  Big time.  We've been convinced that an American education is the most direct path to success. Therefore, we must consider that there are other reputable institutions located outside America that offer a high standard of education without the exorbitant fees.  

In Germany, the average undergraduate may pay between €500 and €700 per semester ($738-$1,033) for as many courses as she can handle.  That's still around €1400 ($2,066) per year.  That's peanuts compared to what we pay in the States.  The inside scoop is that many foreigners study German and apply for admission to a university here.  It's a tough road, but they get there.  I applaud the young students that work hard.   Imagine how envious I feel when I meet young Togolese students speaking German and earning their degree here for almost nothing. It's not for everybody but I would think twice before blowing a hundred-grand just to say I went to an American university.  If you feel it's for you, do your thing.  Just know that you have options. Know that you don't have to put yourself in debt for the next 10 years after you graduate from school.  There is more than one route to realizing your goals and dreams.

Another thing I noticed about being a student in Freiburg is all the perks that come with your status.  You have unlimited discounts from theatre tickets to public transportation passes.  For example, as a student you can purchase a Student Semester Pass (specifically for public transportation), and it costs around €69 ($100).  It's valid for six months and grants you access to the regional trains, trams, and buses.  It pays to be a student. Hell, I wish I was a student! I know a lot of grown people that enroll in school just for the student benefits. 

So, my first piece of advice for coming to Germany is to try and obtain a student visa.  

Go online and apply for admission to a German university. There's a ton of helpful information on the German Academic Exchange Service's website (officially the DAAD or Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst). You'll notice that many of the schools offer degree programs in English, too.  However, some schools may still require that your level of German is functional at the university level, but don't be discouraged. You can still come here and pick up German along the way, although I'd at least take a survival course at a local community college before making my way here.

Oh yeah, before I forget: a student visa also allows you to work about 80 hours a month.  Remember, it is not so simple for a foreign non-student to get permission to work here. Sure, you'll get permission but the Immigration Office has a tight leash on the non-student immigration community. However, the city absolutely loves students because Freiburg is a university town (thanks to the historic University of Freiburg).  So...become a student and hop in the game.

Once you start checking things out for yourself, you may suddenly decide that travelling to Europe to obtain a degree is not such a bad idea, especially when compared to the nightmare of a bill that  Sallie Mae (the  most prominent financial institution of student loans in the States) is waiting to slap you with.

However, if you've decided to do things the hard way, like me, then stay tuned.  I'll be posting a general protocol for what you can expect should you decide to relocate here as an independent expat.

Until next time....Don't forget to check out the DAAD website at: www.daad.de. 

Tschüss!!