Country Guide Germany| German Education | Study Abroad Germany

Germany Life and Culture

Germany is a well-developed industrialized nation with a strong political, economic and social structure. For a person searching for something different to the norm, Germany is a goldmine of adventures. The country is the product of a long history of division. For this reason alone, it is a country of remarkable diversities. The clearly evident cultural diversity makes the modern Federal Republic. It is a mix of history and nature, fine arts and youthful rebellion. It is known as ‘land of poets and thinkers’.

Germany is a country with a long and diverse history. Tradition, religion, political upheaval, war, and reformation are all factors that have influenced the evolution of the German culture today. Germany is home to some of the finest academic centers in Europe. Some famous Universities include those of both Munich and Berlin, University of Tübingen, University of Göttingen, University of Marburg, University of Berlin, Heidelberg University, Mining Academy Freiberg and Freiburg University, among many others.

Throughout the world, patrons are familiar with Germany’s theatres, opera houses, special institutions, music schools, etc. Almost every city can boast of their libraries, museums and art collections. Germany’s mark is permanent and unquestionable.

As the world’s third largest economy, Germany understands the important role that immigration plays in sustaining its development. However, its policies remain both restrictive and selective in terms of who will be allowed to immigrate there.

Germany Education

The educational system in Germany generally follows the European model of free public education and offers a variety of secondary schools for academic and vocational education. Education in Germany is a function of the states. There are differences in operation and curriculum between each state. A strong history of excelling in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering areas, but also in business and economics, law, social sciences and the arts.

Germany has different types of higher education institutions including Universities, Private Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences, Universities of Education, Colleges of Art, Film and Music, Church-maintained Colleges, and Universities of Cooperative Education.

Several notable German higher education institutions offer numerous courses geared to international students. Students may not even need to know how to speak German prior to enrolling, depending on the university and program of study chosen, but will probably find it useful to take classes. Upon successfully graduating, students are generally given one year to find a position appropriate to their qualification. Graduates must receive a residence permit in order to continue looking for employment after the permitted time is over.

Working While Study at Germany

Earning money while studying is a way of life for many students in Germany. Students from the European Union and the EEA stand practically on equal terms with German students and have free access to the German job market. However, for students who do not come from the EU or EEA countries, work time is restricted; they are only allowed to work 90 full or 180 half days in a year. To do this you do not need authorization from the Employment Agency, i.e. the German authorities. There are exceptions also so it is needed to check employment regulations before taking on a job.

Getting Around Germany

Germanian Fast Facts

Germanian Climate

The Germans are extremely skilled at getting people (and things) efficiently from Point A to Point B. Its world-class transportation system is one of the most commendable things about the country. The road, rail, and air systems are all extensive and well-maintained and public transport in cities is also remarkable. The local transport system provides lots of options like buses, cars, trams, light trail, subways commuter rail, taxi, etc.

Driving in these cities is generally more of a trouble than a necessity, especially with the excellent public transportation available. Nearly every town and many rural areas have scheduled local bus service. In larger towns and cities, lines crisscross the city. Where local rail service is offered, buses compliment those services. Most medium and large cities have a streetcar (tram) system, sometimes fairly broad. Trams are especially prevalent in many eastern German cities.

Some cities, most notably Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hannover, Cologne, and cities in the Ruhr region, have relatively new light rail systems known as a Stadtbahn. Generally, these systems function very much like a regular U-Bahn system (subway) with wide-gauge tracks, longer trains, and high platforms. A few of Germany's largest cities have a full-fledged subway system, or U-Bahn.

Official Name: Federal Republic of Germany
Area: 357,050 sq km
Population: 82,438,000
Capital: Berlin
Currency: Euro
Largest city: Berlin
Religion: Christianity-67.07%, Islam-4%, Jews and others-28.93%
Official language: German
People: Germans-94.4%, Others- Danes, Turks, Spanish, Italians, Greeks, Slovaks, Serbs
Major industries: Aircraft, Agriculture, Cement, Chemicals, Ceramics, Computers, Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Food Processing, Forestry and Fishing, Glass, Iron and Steel, Machinery, Mining, Motor Vehicles, Non Ferrous Metals, Optical Equipment, Petroleum Products, Precision Instruments, Railway Equipment, Textiles, Tools.

Germany has a continental climate in the western regions of the country with strong Atlantic influences in the northwest causing the winters to be mild but stormy. Further inland the winter temperatures are lower and the summers are warm with slightly higher temperatures in the southwest. A temperate climate is experienced in the eastern regions with an Atlantic influence giving rise to mild winters and cool summers. Average annual precipitation in Berlin is 592 mm (23 inches) and average annual temperature ranges are from 0.5 degrees Celsius (31 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) in July.