Culture | life-in-germany.info

Have the Time of Your Life at Theme Parks in Germany

When you look at the number and types of theme parks in Germany, you can plan one or more vacations based on these attractions alone. For those with a yen for off-roading experiences, you just have to visit the VW Autostadt Complex in Woksburg. Under the supervision of a qualified instructor you will learn how to navigate steps and water barriers and handle an off-road vehicle in hazardous situations. The younger visitors can also learn from this experience in the kiddie cars, which are electric and even take a children driving test.

Learn the tricks of the film industry when you spend the day at the Bavaria Filmstadt near Munich. You will appear on the set dressed in costume and be filmed from four different angles. You will see a hair raising stunt show and view computer animated thrillers as well as being able to see the sets of several popular German TV series.

In Leipzig, visit the Belantis Theme Park and take a daring plunge on the roller coaster in the Valley of the Pyramids. Some of the other thrilling rides include the Dragon Ride roller coaster and a gigantic swinging ship on the Explorer Coast. At this attraction, you can tour the Belantis Castle, take a journey with Odysseus on the ancient Mediterranean or take in a spectacular show.

Experience the merging of cultures in Rust when you spend some time at the Europa-Park. This is the largest of Germany theme parks and the one that receives the most visitors annually. It is located near the resorts of the Rhine and the borders of France and Switzerland. This is a Disneyland like theme park with something for everyone. Each year there are more attractions added so if your second visit will give you more thrills than the first. Through the attractions you can actually visit every country of Europe and there are many celebrations and festivals at different times of the year.

Near Stuttgart, you can have a thrilling experience at the Tripsdrill Amusement Park. Take part in a soapbox race or enjoy others of the more than 100 unusual attractions for visitors of all ages. This venue also has an animal park housing wolves, lynx and bears. Visitors can watch the keepers feeding the animals at scheduled times.

The Babelsburg Film Park in Potsdam brings the stunt sector of the industry to you in a dramatic way. Explosions, daring performances and many more performances will have you holding your breath in anticipation of the outcome. Enjoy the illusions created by moving seats and other special effects. At Dreamland you will meet the little tiger of Janosch and you may even be able to take in an actual filming of a movie or TV show.

Fort Fun and Panorama Park in Sauerland is another theme park that you just have to visit. Here you can fly over the theme park in a hang-glider at the speed of 70 kilometres an hour. There are thrills galore for all ages, such as taking a water bob ride or hurtle down the side of a hill on the Trapper Slider.

These are but a few of the thrilling experiences that await you when you look into what Germany has to offer in terms of theme parks.

How Culturally Aware are You?

1 In Spain, the main purpose of a business meeting would usually be to:

a) make decisions by discussing in length the pro’s and con’s of an option

b) reach agreements by consensus between everyone concerned

c) brief their team about something already decided by specific decision makers

2 You are asking a question of your junior Japanese colleague and he/she looks down and answers you after a few seconds. You think the chances are that he/she:

a) has something to hide and is looking for an answer that would boost him/her in your eyes

b) is paying respect to your position and your question

c) hasn’t got a clue what the answer is and feels ashamed

3 In Italy, the majority of people think that a good manager should:

a) have at hand precise answers to most questions his/her subordinates may raise about their work

b)be able to direct his/her subordinates to those who may have the right answers to most of the questions they may raise

c) be critical of his/her subordinates for asking him/her questions as he/she considers that, if they are in the right position, they should know the answers themselves

4 In Germany, performance review is usually perceived:

a) very well, as a way to give a chance to everyone to develop their own competences

b) very badly, as it may be seen as a way to challenge their skills and knowledge

c) as an opportunity to impress their colleagues and superiors

5 Do you think that, to be effective in a multicultural organisation, a successful competency framework should:

a) be designed in such a way it could be implemented by everyone, irrespective of their cultural background

b) take into account the cultural diversity of an organisation and be designed accordingly

c) stick to the one which has proved successful at home

6 You hear your German colleague saying about your latest proposal: “don’t take it personally, but this idea is stupid”. You think that:

a) he/she is very blunt and rude and these are not proper business manners

b) he/she is expressing politely and clearly his/her view about your proposal

c) he/she is purposely trying to undermine your proposal for political reasons

7 You are making a presentation in Tokyo in front of a group of Japanese executives and two of them are sitting with folded arms, their head down and their eyes closed. You think that:

a) they are very rude to be sleeping during your presentation (after all, you should be the jet-lagged one)

b) they are deliberately pretending they are sleeping to show that they are not supporting your proposal

c) they are listening attentively to your presentation

8 Your Mexican potential client has arranged to meet you in a cafe at 10 a.m. in Mexico. You are there on time but he arrives 30 minutes later and says “Sorry, I’m a little late”. It may very well be that:

a) he arrived late intentionally to show you indirectly that, being the potential buyer, he is in a position of power

b) he arrived late intentionally to let you have the time to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere

c) he arrived late, as all Mexicans would, because it is well-known that business is taken very lightly over there and besides, he didn’t give you any good reason for his delay

9 You email your Dutch fellow team member in these terms: “Let’s meet ASAP to discuss this project.”. The reply comes: “Who is Asap?”. You think:

a) your colleague has a sense of humour that you didn’t expect

b) your colleague probably did not understand the expression ASAP

c) your colleague doesn’t seem to be co-operative as you think he/she may have meant “why ASAP?”

10 You make a request to your Norwegian junior colleague in these terms: “I wonder if you would be kind enough to do that for me when you have time”. Two days later, you are still waiting. The chances are that:

a) your colleague is sulking because in his/her culture, this way of expressing a request would be considered as an order and might be offended

b) your colleague does not know how to do what you requested and does not dare to ask as it would show that he/she hasn’t got the right skills for the job

c) your colleague thought that you gave him/her the choice to do it now or later and decided that he/she didn’t have the time right now

The Answers

1. In Spain, the main purpose of a business meeting would usually be to: make decisions by discussing in length the pro’s and con’s of an option

2. You are asking a question of your junior Japanese colleague and he/she looks down and answers you after a few seconds. You think the chances are that he/she: is paying respect to your position and your question

3. In Italy, the majority of people think that a good manager should: have at hand precise answers to most questions his/her subordinates may raise about their work

4. In Germany, performance review is usually perceived very badly, as it may be seen as a way to challenge their skills and knowledge

5. Do you think that, to be effective in a multicultural organisation, a successful competency framework should:

be designed in such a way it could be implemented by everyone, irrespective of their cultural background (answer b is probably also acceptable here)

6. You hear your German colleague saying about your latest proposal :”don’t take it personally, but this idea is stupid”. You think that: he/she is expressing politely and clearly his/her view about your proposal

7. You are making a presentation in Tokyo in front of a group of Japanese executives and two of them are sitting with folded arms, their head down and their eyes closed. You think that: they are listening attentively to your presentation

8. Your Mexican potential client has arranged to meet you in a cafe at 10.00am in Mexico. You are there on time but he arrives 30 minutes later and says “sorry I’m a little late”. It may very well be that: he arrived late, as all Mexicans would, because it is well-known that business is taken very lightly over there and besides, he didn’t give you any good reason for his delay

9. You e mail your Dutch fellow team member in these terms: “Let’s meet ASAP to discuss this project”. The reply comes: “Who is ASAP?”. You think: Your colleague probably did not understand the expression ASAP

10. You make a request to your Norwegian junior colleague in these terms: “I wonder if you would be kind enough to do that for me when you have time”. Two days later, you are still waiting. The chances are that: your colleague thought that you gave him/her the choice to do it now or later and decided that he/she didn’t have the time right now

Originally posted at www.intercultural-training.co.uk

Car Hire Frankfurt Airport – Best Way To Travel Through Germany

There are a lot of reasons why you should visit Germany. Germany does not only boast of a long history; the country also has some of the best places that Europe has to offer. The country is the perfect place for a honeymoon or a summer visit. If you would like to maximize your stay in Germany and see all the things that the country has in store for you, you should definitely consider hiring a car.

Just imagine what you can do with a car in a foreign country. You’d have all the comforts of your own driven car. You will have the luxury of driving from one place to another without having to worry about anything else. You can get around easier. You can drive from museum to another, one city to the next at your own convenience.

The great thing about car rental Germany is that it is available online. You can visit a car rental shop online and rent a car even before you leave your home so that once you reached Germany, you can just go jump right ahead to visiting the best cities and best Churches in Germany. The process is fairly simple and it can be done so quite quickly.

Once you’ve reached Germany, the first city that you should definitely visit is Frankfurt. You cannot leave Germany without spending at least a couple of days at Frankfurt. The city is actually divided into the Northern and Southern regions. If you are going to speak of history, this city boasts of a 1200-year worth of history.

Similar to most German cities, Frankfurt did not escape the wrath of the Royal Air Force during the World War II. However, unlike the other German cities, Frankfurt did not take time to reconstruct the old city. What Frankfurt did, however, was to embrace the new world and it chose to modernize the old city. Not surprisingly, Frankfurt has become the country’s center of commerce and finance. The city boasts of a metropolitan and dynamic culture where you’d find numerous museums, galleries, restaurants and theaters.

With a car that you can probably hire at the Frankfurt Airport the minute you reached Frankfurt, you can visit the various tourist sites like the Städelsches Kunstinstitut or Goethe’s childhood home, the Goethehaus; or the Sachsenhausen, the preserved quarter of the old Frankfurt; or the St. Bartholomäus Cathedral where you can appreciate some great Gothic art.

If you’re lucky, you can also visit Frankfurt’s infamous international fairs, the Spring and Autumn Fair. These fairs are famous in Frankfurt which is not surprising since they are as old as the city itself. They date back to the early 13th century.

There are still a lot of places that you can visit if you go to Frankfurt. You can visit the city directly by plane or you can travel by land depending on where you’ve come from. Regardless of how you’ve reached the city, it is advisable, however, that you secure for yourself the services of a hired car. You would definitely enjoy Frankfurt if you can go around at your own pleasure.

When traveling in Germany avail yourself of Car Rental Germany . You can visit the city of Frankfurt and see it in a Car Hire Frankfurt or a Car Hire Frankfurt Airport

DJ Clouds @ U-Club Dubstep – Deep Medi

Germany Culture

Image taken on 2009-02-01 00:38:39 by Retinafunk.

Germany, Berlin love Parade 5

Germany Culture

Image taken on 2006-04-02 03:45:22 by travellingtamas.

Amsterdam Art And Culture

The city of Amsterdam is an old city that has embraced the new cosmopolitan flair of Europe. The seat of government is in The Hague, but Amsterdam is also thought of as the capital and it is the home of The Netherlands? royal family. The Dutch are also a cultured people who enjoy the finer things in life when it comes to the arts.

Amsterdam is a city of less than one million residents but has over 50 theatres and movie houses, two ballet troupes, a symphony orchestra, and numerous museums.

The Leidesplein is the theatre district of Amsterdam. Many of the numerous theater cinemas are themed in that each carries a certain type of film ? art house, film noir, English only, new, etc. The Dutch run the film in it?s original language with the sub-titles in Dutch dialogue; as a result, visitors can often find a film in their native tongue; especially English.

The various theatres carry the best and latest in operas, symphonies, dances, and various other concerts. It is not uncommon to find a theatrical production being played out in a plaza or park. There is even a theatre that specializes in programs for the younger generation.

The Dutch art scene covers everything from graffiti to works by the masters; both inside the museums and galleries and out on the streets.

Some 50 of the over 400 museums in The Netherlands are located within the city of Amsterdam and are among the city?s most popular tourist attractions. Besides the typical works of the masters, modern art, film, and photography; some of the museums that can be found in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, a Botanical Museum, a museum dedicated to the Dutch resistance during World War II, the Heineken Experience, the Ajax Museum (Dutch football team), a houseboat museum, a torture museum, museums dedicated to sex and erotica, NEMO a hands on science museum for the children that is housed in a boat shaped building, the shipping museum, a Biblical Museum, the tropical museum and the Jewish museum. There are also several art galleries within the city.

The largest of the museums is the Rijksmuseum, which houses Dutch art dating as far back as some early religious works, and of course; the masters.

Located in the middle of the city is the Anne Frank House, where the young teen wrote her diary while hiding from the Nazi?s with her family. The original diary is on display at the house.

The Houseboat Museum is an actual houseboat similar to those used by some residents of Amsterdam. The boat is set up as if the family where merely out running errands or at the cinema and will return at any moment.

Across from the Anne Frank House is the tulip museum. The small museum offers a multimedia presentation of the famous flower including its history.

For those interested in the art of the adult beverage there is the Heineken Experience which provides everything about the famous beer. And there is the Vodka museum that not only gives a history of the alcoholic potato and a display of unusual vodka bottles, but a bar where visitors can sample the famous Russian concoction. There is also a coffee and tea museum for the coffee and tea lover.

The Jewish Museum tells of the history of Dutch Jews and is housed in four synagogues some dating back to the sixteen hundreds.

Located on the edge of the Red Light District is the Museum Amstelkring which houses religious artifacts and art.

Visitors to St. Petersburg, Russia can see a few of the works housed in the Hermitage along the Neva River; but it is nearly impossible to see everything housed within the palace walls. However, visitors to Amsterdam can visit the Hermitage in Amsterdam which features two exhibits each year.

The TIN-Theater Museum features the history of the theater back to the Middle Ages. And the Film museum features a history on cinema history. The FOAM specializes in photography.

And for those who have an interest in things ancient and archeological is the Allard Pierson Museum.

And of course; the old city would not be complete without a historical museum of Amsterdam itself and the maritime museum Nederlands Scheepvaart Museum.

The tropical museum features exhibits on the tropical areas around the world.

There are museums dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt and writer Theo Thijssen.

Madame Tussauds offers visitors the chance to see Rembrandt at work, see Kylie Minogue, Bono, Bob Marley or hold court with Princess Maxima.

The Tassen Museum Hendrikje is dedicated to the great designers of women?s purses and handbags offering thousands of the women?s accessories for visitors to view. The Brilmuseum features eyeglasses.

For the musically inclined there is a small museum featuring player pianos and thousands of the paper rolls used in creating the music. Sir Elton John has nothing on this small museum which offers s glimpse into the history of eyewear.

With the wide variety of exhibits offered by the museums and the variety of cultural events there is something for almost any interest for the visitors and residents in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam ? a city sometimes called the Venice of the north ? is a city surrounded by water. Holland is a small country located between Germany and England across the sea. Whether it be along the North Sea or one of the many canals and rivers throughout the city, finding a place to stay with a waterfront view is an easy task. This modernized city with an old world charm offers a variety of places for visitors to stay from the finest international chain hotels to an intimate inn and even a houseboat. For a relatively small city Amsterdam contains nearly 300 hotels and that does not include the 100 plus guesthouses, the hostels, cottages, houseboats, and even some apartments for extended stays. But even with all of these available hotel rooms and other places to stay, finding lodgings during the tourist season can be very difficult. As a result, it is recommended for tourists to book a room or other lodging in advance. By booking ahead guests will be ensured that not only will they get the room that they want but at a price they desire as well. There are websites that list these hotels and similar accommodations in the city by category ? large, number of stars, small, etc. ? there are even listings those places that are suitable for families, are pet friendly, wheelchair accessible, and even the ones that are gay/lesbian friendly.

For the adventurous tourists and travelers Amsterdam also offers campgrounds just outside the city. In winter it gets very cold in Amsterdam ? cold enough to freeze the waterways ? so for the avid camper, summer is the best time to visit. Residents of Amsterdam even skate along the waterways during the winter for pleasure and as a way to get from one place to another.

Like many European cities Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination but the city does not offer a lot in the way of parking; as a result, it is best to make use of the extensive public transportation services offered by the country of The Netherlands. Bicycle riding is also very popular in this small country. Visitors can easily rent bikes and even take them on the trains. The Netherlands? transit system includes buses, trams, subways, and a train service that operates over 100 trips each day. There is even a train that runs right under Amsterdam?s Schiphol Airport for easy access into the city so there is no need to pay those high taxi fees to get into the city or to the hotel. It is even possible to take a trip across the country on the train and return to Amsterdam in the same day.

For those visitors who insist upon driving, they must pay close attention to any and all traffic laws. The Netherlands may be liberal in some areas of the law but it has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to traffic violations and tickets with heavy fines are given out even for first offenses and with no warning. If the ticket is not paid within a 24 hour period then the vehicle is towed.

Since the city of Amsterdam is considered small, walking from place to place is also a relatively simple task.

Bicycle and walking tours around the city of Amsterdam are among the items offered to visitors to the city.

Getting to Amsterdam as a tourist destination is even easier than getting around in the city once visitors have arrived. Schiphol Airport serves some 40 million visitors each year with approximately 90 different airline services from every corner of the globe.

The trains that run all through the country also offer trains to the neighboring countries of Germany, France, Belgium, and beyond. Many Hollanders speak English and offer informational kiosks throughout the train stations and airport making it easier for visitors find what they want and to get around the city.

Besides the windmills, wooden shoes, chocolates, and tulips for which Amsterdam and The Netherlands are best known; Amsterdam is the home of the artist Rembrandt and oddities like leaning houses.

Among the other rather unusual things that can be found in The Netherlands and Amsterdam are targeted for adults ? that of the coffeehouse where Cannabis is smoked and the Red Light District where the ladies are displayed in shop windows. In the Red Light District a man literally shops for the companion he wants. Beware: no photos are allowed when visiting the area.

Football fans can watch the two time World Cup Champions the Amsterdam Ajax play. One of the biggest teams in Europe the Ajax have been a part of Amsterdam and football for over 100 years.

Since Rembrandt lived, worked, and died in Amsterdam there are a number of museums and art galleries some of which are dedicated to the great artist; as well as, the other great masters in art.

Amsterdam Attractions

When many people hear the words Holland, The Netherlands, or Amsterdam the first things that comes to mind are wooden shoes, windmills, chocolate, and tulips. But the country of The Netherlands and Amsterdam have a lot more to offer its millions of visitors each year. This small country in western Europe is located west of Germany with England to the east located across the sea.

Amsterdam is a city located on the North Sea and while storms can be fierce the summer weather is pleasant. There are four beaches in the Amsterdam area for residents and visitors to enjoy the warm sun. Some of these beaches even permit swimming.

Like Venice and St. Petersburg, two cities surrounded by water, boat traffic is numerous and tourists can find rides along the waterways in the form of a taxi or a structured ride.

Amsterdam offers the golfer a number of choices to get in a few holes while on holiday.

Since bicycle riding is more than just a popular pastime in The Netherlands, it is also a form of transportation instead of the motor vehicle; bike riding tours are available during the non-winter months. A combination bike and boat ride is also offered during the summer months of June, July, and August. These bicycle tours wind through the Dutch countryside offering tourists a glimpse into the ?real? Holland with trips through the countryside, cheese farms, and clog factories. While on the tour visitors can see windmills, get a bit of history, and learn a bit about how the Dutch have reclaimed some of their country back from the sea ? The Netherlands is a country at or below sea level which floods easily.

And of course; there are the numerous gardens located all over the country showing off the tulips the country of The Netherlands is so famous for. While there are many small gardens hidden behind the walls of private homes, there are also large public gardens with thousands upon thousands of flowers in a rainbow of colour.

For visitors who wish to view the city in a more pedestrian manner, there are several walking tours of Amsterdam. The most well known is the The WOW or Walking Over Water Tour. During this 3 hour and a half tour visitors can see the old Amsterdam City Center, leaning houses, sea dikes, lost city walls, hidden monasteries, sites of former executions and spectacular murders, and the famous Red Light District where the girls are on display in shop windows; but beware taking photographs is prohibited.

The second walking tour takes about 2 hours and is called The Red Light District walks. As the name implies this tour focuses on the Red Light district. The Red Light tour visits the spots where the women offer their services to men and educates the people with a visit to the PIC or Prostitute Information Centre.

The walking tours are conducted in English year round. The residents of Amsterdam and The Netherlands are a cultured and sophisticated people and their festivals reflect such culture. Besides the various festivals for various holidays there are art festivals, literary festivals, and festivals for film and theatre; as well as, music festivals and concerts. There is some kind of festival taking place nearly every month of the year in Amsterdam. The Dutch even put on a festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

What began as a country wide celebration of the Queen Mother?s birthday has evolved into a massive outdoor party each April 30. All of Holland comes out dressed in orange to enjoy a giant birthday party and celebrate out among the blooming flowers and warming weather. The holiday is more than just a big party; marketing is strictly regulated as everything imaginable is available for sale; even the children get involved and show off their business skills.

Among the more unusual festivals happens in November when the various coffeehouses in the city hold the High Times Cannabis Cup; a six day festival that includes musical events and tasting parties. In The Netherlands it is legal to buy and smoke cannabis. It is illegal however to carry more than 5 gram of the drug.

December is the month that all the children wait for; on December 5 St. Nicholas arrives but not is a sleigh, but in a boat. The arrival of St. Nick is accompanied by a parade and festival. The Dutch do not celebrate the traditional Christmas of December 25 as the jolly one?s arrival so for many Dutch it is a normal day with businesses and museums open to the public.

The year ends with a bang ? literally ? on December 31 with bars and nightclubs opening late, early evening is for families, and a big fireworks display.

Summer may be the time when most of the tourists come to visit but The Netherlands offers something for residents and visitors any time of the year.

Visiting Cologne Germany – Five Great Places to See

Are you considering a visit to Germany? Why not visit the city of Cologne. It has a history which goes back to the Roman era. Located next to river Rhine and the fourth largest city in Germany it offers good a connection to the nearby cities of Düsseldorf and Bonn. Cologne is also linked with Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Paris by Thalys, ICE and Eurostar High Speed trains. The Frankfurt airport has a direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.

Cologne has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. The following places are certainly worth seeing:

The Gothic Cathedral, also known as the Dom, is the city’s most famous landmark and also a well known architectural monument in Germany. It is 144 metres long and 86 meters wide and has two spires that are 157 metres in height. Construction began in 1248 to house the relics of the Magi, the Dom was not completed until 1880. The completion of the cathedral was celebrated as a national event. Despite changing architectural styles through the centuries, the result is essentially Gothic. Situated in the centre of Cologne, from the top of the Dom’s south tower there are panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. Open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, except during religious services.

The most impressive attraction in the Roman-Germanic Museum is the 70 square metre Dionysos-Mosaik. The mosaic, once the floor of the main room of a large Roman villa dating from the third century, was discovered in 1941 during excavation work for an air-raid shelter. The Museum, which was opened in 1974 and is situated near the Kölner Dom, boasts a collection of prehistoric, ancient and medieval finds. The exhibitions give an insight into the daily life, beliefs and customs of long-forgotten cultures. An unusual feature is the collection of Roman glassware.

Cologne is the city of live music and concerts, with music from all periods from all over the world and in the most diverse stylistic schools and movements performed here every day. The powerfully pulsating heart of this Cologne music culture, is the philharmonic hall built in the cathedral mound, which seats 2000 people. Since its opening in 1986, it has become one of the leading international concert halls. The ‘Philharmonie’ concert hall has at least one performance scheduled for virtually every day of the year. Recitals range from chamber music to jazz, folk and pop, with a house policy of encouraging lesser-known, new and unusual music.

The city hall in Alter Markt (Old Square) dates from 1330 but has a tower from the 15th century and a Renaissance facade from the 16th century. Having been damaged during the Second World War, part of the 14th-century Renaissance building was rebuilt. Cologne artisans concentrated particularly on restoring the City Hall tower, and thanks to their donations the City Hall got restored properly. Statues of emperors, popes, poets and academics – and also of women’s rights campaigners – look down from the tower on the busy square below.

The Old Market lies in the heart of the old town. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, it hosts a variety of events all year round: home to the Christmas market during the festive season and the Medienburgerfestival in the summer, the Old Market is perhaps best known for the Carnival which begins here at 11.11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. This is when Cologne goes completely crazy. During the Middle Ages, the Old Market was Cologne’s commercial centre, and the nearby butter market, fish market and hay market were some of its subsidiaries. Nowadays, it is simply a focal point for tourists who flock here to witness the comings and goings around the market fountain.

Sonic Youth Exhibition 2009

Germany Culture

Image taken on 2009-05-10 18:00:34 by Retinafunk.

Berlin Germany Culture Festival Parade June 4, 2006

Berlin Culture Festival Parade June 4, 2006 – alot like New Orleans Mardi Gras stateside – the crush of people, lots of drinking, and TONS of multi cultural music and booths. We were lucky enough to have friends in a 1st floor apartment on Mariendam. As you can see, it’s yet another reason Berlin is a Blast!

Study In Germany – The Best Education Bargain In The World

More and more college-bound students from the U.S. and around the world are traveling to Germany to study, some for a semester or a year, but others to pursue a two- or four-year degree at one of the country’s many prestigious universities.

The reason? Part of it is pure quality – the university system created in Germany after World War II has a well-earned reputation for excellence – but another, more pragmatic reason is cost. Students who in the United States would be facing over $50,000 in student loans after four years of college can attend a public German university for an average of $700 a semester, plus between $50 and $150 in registration fees. Tuition itself in the public universities is free; the $700 covers the cost of arranged lodging and other official expenses. Even adding food, transportation, and other daily costs to that, the German university is an incredible bargain. And to sweeten the offer, the German government offers scholarships to help defray the costs of fees, lodging, and any number of other daily expenses associated with study in Germany.

Engineering students in particular are making a beeline for Germany, choosing to pursue a degree at one of Germany’s excellent technical universities, while other students decide to experience the country’s rich cultural history while earning a degree in humanities at one of the centuries’ old traditional establishments. Many courses of study leading to a wide range of career paths are available to foreign students at more than 300 colleges and trade schools. Some students limit themselves to a single semester or a year in Germany, largely for the experience of living abroad, but more and more students are deciding to stay and earn an undergraduate or advanced post-graduate degree.

Learning the language

While some courses at German universities are taught in English, the vast majority of instruction takes place in German, and the federal government requires foreign students to pass a DSH exam to prove their proficiency in the German language before being accepted for university study. The government licenses a number of private German language schools to provide intensive instruction in German; students live in German towns, sometimes with German families, and shop, travel, and attend movies, concerts and restaurants in a total immersion experience that serves to develop remarkable skill in speaking and reading the language in an amazingly short period of time. Scholarships are also available from the German federal government for these courses.

Beyond Cost Savings and Course Work – the Ultimate Value of German University Study

The current climate of commercial and political globalization offers an advantage to students with fluency in a second language, and particularly to those who have a deep familiarity with another culture; graduates who boast a degree or even a semester at a foreign university will probably be looked upon with high interest by recruiters for large corporations. But beyond that kind of pragmatism, living in a foreign country and studying elbow-to-elbow with students from Europe, the U.S., Japan, China, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and other geographically and culturally diverse corners of the world offers students a unique opportunity to develop diverse friendships and an understanding of other cultures and world views. And perhaps this opportunity to connect on a meaningful level with individuals from other, often profoundly different, cultures is the most important benefit, in this complicated and troubled world, of study abroad.

life-in-germany.info

Categories

Site Sponsor

Blogroll