The Harsh Reality of Studying Free in Germany for International Students

“You Study, You Work, You Struggle — But You Don’t Give Up”

In the viral post, the student talks about the grit and determination of Indian students who oscillate between multiple responsibilities each day when studying in Germany– they attend classes, work part-time, and face the shortage of accommodation. He says,

“People think Germany is all about free education and great jobs, but between paying rent, doing late-night shifts, and learning German, it’s a constant balancing act. Every dream comes with its own price tag.”

Several Indian students responded to this post, sharing their personal experiences in Germany and challenges they come across each day, including long working hours, cultural adjustment, and loneliness.

Also Read: Part-Time Jobs in Germany

Is Free Education in Germany a Myth?

While several Indian students are drawn to take admission in the top public universities in Germany for free education, there is nothing “free” in reality. There are several hidden costs students need to pay in Germany. For instance- Germany is well-known for its tuition free or low-cost degrees at public universities, international students need to pay a very high cost of living in Germany. This ranges between €950–€1,200 (₹85,000–₹1,10,000) per month covering rent, food, transportation, and insurance.

• If you are an international student living in popular student hubs like Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt, you will face accommodation shortages, making the rent very expensive. As a result, students either share and stay in crowded flats, or stay far from the university campus.

• Secondly, there is no guarantee for part-time jobs in Germany. Employers expect international students to know German (at least B1-level proficiency) and if you are in the service sector, you can struggle immensely and be paid poorly.

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Language Barriers and Mental Health Struggles

Just as it is promised, most of the Indian students go to Germany for English-taught programs, however, they face difficulties in communicating with everyone- in universities, shops, workplaces, government offices as they require strong proficiency in German language, creating a language barrier for them. Adding to the challenges in finding jobs, academic pressure, and more, language barrier can result in hampering mental health.

Why is the social media post relevant for several Indian students?

Every Indian student could relate with the viral social media post that highlighted the harsh reality of studying abroad. Though it paves the way to global exposure for students, it is still not a picture-perfect experience for many.

In the post, the student concluded by saying that,

“Germany gives you world-class education,” the student concluded. “But it doesn’t give you comfort. You have to earn that with effort, patience, and persistence. Every dream has a price — and it’s not always paid in euros.”

What are the key takeaways from this for international students?

Undoubtedly, Germany remains one of the cheapest countries to study in Europe for Indian students, it requires effort and determination to build a strong career in Germany.

Following are the key takeaways:

• Demonstrate high proficiency in German language (at least B1 level)

• Set a realistic budget and save for at least 6-8 months before arrival

• Choose the accommodation as early as possible and apply for student dorms if you want to save money

• Join student communities and prioritise mental health

• You can work either 120 full or 240 half days