Categories: General, Getting started
Index
Life in Germany is expensive and my buget is really tight – how can I save money in my daily life?
- Grocery shopping: The communally organized food cooperative Teilerei in Erlangen sells food that doesn’t look “pretty” enough to be sold in regular supermarkets or produce from the gardens of local citizens etc. There is no fixed price for the goods but everybody can pay what they can afford at the moment.
- Transportation: Make sure to get the student discount ticket for public transport.
- Furniture and household items: You can get very affordable second hand items in good condition at Erlanger Trödelhalle. The facebook group “Erlangen verschenkt” (i.e. Erlangen donates) is an online space where people post anything from matrasses to smaller items which they either donate or sell for a very low price.
- Smaller household items and clothes: You can make great bargains at the outdoor second hand market which takes place on Bohlenplatz in Erlangen on every first Saturday of the month (open from the early morning until the afternoon). It is also a good idea to get your own sales stand there at the end of your studies if you have any items you would like to sell before you leave Erlangen.
- Clothes: The second hand shop KleiderKaffee close to the Faculty of Engineering sells mainly clothes but also smaller household items. ALDI supermarket sells affordable new clothes and shoes from time to time; those offers are announced in the weekly info leaflet you can pick up at Aldi or you can look them up online. Since these products are extremely sought-after, you have to be there early in the morning on the day they are are introduced to make your bargain.
- Notebook/tablet, books or other study materials: Students in need can apply for the Oskar Karl Forster scholarship to receive financial support to buy necessary study materials.
What do I have to do if I want to stay in Germany after graduation?
Graduates of German universities can apply for a job seeker visa of 18 months and use this time to find employment in Germany. Please find further information here: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/job-search-opportunity-card
Do you have any tips for international students coming to Germany for the first time?
Yes, of course!
We highly recommend that you start with this short video, which introduces you to a few main characteristics of German culture.
In order to get an realistic idea of what university life will look like for you, this introduction to the German academic system by Prof. Andreas Maier (Head of our Pattern Recognition Lab at FAU) is a must-read! Alternatively, you can watch a video version of it here.
You can find more detailed information about housing, health insurance, etc. in our Welcome Brochure.
Moreover, we recommend that you watch this video series by the international student association DEGIS. It prepares you for all important aspects of your student life in Germany (studying, working, saving money, making friends) and gives peer-to-peer advice.
When it comes to the German academic system, it is crucial for your study success to understand that your study experience at FAU will differ in many aspects from your studies in your home country and that you will need to adjust to these differences, such as:
- how the university and its infrastructure are organized
- how students and teachers interact in class, how students communicate with lecturers, staff and other students
- what exams look like and how you prepare for them
- which services the university offers (and which it doesn’t offer)
- which activities students engage in in their free time
- etc.
But don’t be scared! If you have an open mind and are willing to learn about these differences, you will find that they broaden your horizon and enrich your life. If you are unsure whether the intercultural experience is for you or want to prepare for your time at FAU, you can take this online course offered by the Virtual University of Bavaria (VHB). You have to create a user account, but it is free of cost!
This general introduction to German culture and etiquette on Reddit will enable you to manage social life in Germany. If you want to learn about life in Germany in a broader sense (society, politics, tips and tricks for expats), we recommend this informative and entertaining podcast by The local.
Is it possible to work part-time and finish the master’s degree in four semesters?
Experience shows that it is close to impossible to graduate from our master’s program within the standard period of studies of 4 semesters if you need to work a significant amount of hours (~20 hours per week) alongside your studies. This is due to the fact that study programs in Germany are designed to be a “full-time job”, meaning that you will only be able to pass your exams and fulfill the standard workload of 30 credits per semester if you actually make your studies your main priority and dedicate most of your time to them. A regular full-time job is defined as a time commitment of 35 to 40 hours per week, which you spend attending classes and preparing/revising your course material at home.
Studying with a low time commitment (due to work obligations etc.) will either result in your eventual deregistration from the program (due to failed last exam attempts) or in the need to extend your study period to 5, 6 (or, in justified cases, even more) semesters. Please be aware that this extension will affect your planned financial budget significantly! Unfortunately, we have seen many, especially international, students drop out of our study program because they were unable to handle the double burden of work and our highly demanding study system. Please take care of yourself and assess your financial possibilities as well as your mental and physical health before you take on this challenge.
Can I stay enrolled for 1 or 2 more semesters after I have graduated to keep my residence permit?
You will stay an enrolled student of our Medical Engineering program until the end of the semester in which you graduate, but you cannot extend your enrollment beyond that deadline.
Since your residence permit for study purposes expires at the end of the semester in which you graduate, you need to apply for a job seeker visa in due time in order to be able to stay in Germany after that. The job seeker visa is valid for 18 months, starting from your graduation date. Please inform yourself about this option at your responsible immigrations office in time.
If you want to enroll in another English-taught master’s program at FAU in the subsequent semester after your graduation you need to officially apply for this program and receive admission for it. In addition, you must obtain the permission by the immigration authorities to start another study program (even if you plan is not to finish it and just to buy some time this way, e.g. to take German courses or look for a job).
Are all people who teach at FAU professors (and should I address them as such)?
In Germany, “professor” is not only a job description but an academic title that is obtained after a doctorate/PhD. A person who teaches at university is not automatically a professor, therefore you should only call them “Prof.” in emails or in direct communication if they actually hold the respective title.
In the 20th century, after their doctorate, German scholars who wished to go into academia usually worked towards a Habilitation by writing a second thesis, known as the Habilitationsschrift. Once the scholar passes their Habilitation, they are eligible for a call to a chair. Only if their application for a university chair (e.g. Chair for Pattern Recognition etc.) is successful they are now considered a professor and can bear the respective title.
Since 2002 alternative paths can also lead to a full professorship. One can reach a professorship at a university by habilitation, a successful evaluation as a junior professorship (after 5 years), a tenure track period (6 years) or equivalent performance. In engineering this is often attained through expert knowledge in the industry.
It is important for you to know who of your university teachers have a PhD and who are professors in the German understanding of the word, as only the “real” professors are authorized to assign you a thesis topic or supervise a PhD project.
I have admission to the master’s program but the waiting period for my visa is very long. What should I do?
We grant you the possibility for late arrival until May 15 for the summer semester and November 15 for the winter semester. If you are unable to travel to Erlangen until this deadline, you cannot join our program in the respective semester anymore. In this case, you must deregister from the semester you are currently enrolled in (please find the deregistration form on the website of our Student Records Office). If you deregister until May 15/November 15 the semester will not count towards your studies. However, you will not receive your semester fee back.
After you have de-registered from our program you can re-apply to our master’s program for the following semester. In order to do so, you must apply within the official deadline, submit all required documents again and, aditionally, upload your previous admission letter. Once you are done, please send an email to zimt-qfv[at]fau.de and inform our officers of your re-application to accelerate the process.
If you received your first admission letter in winter semester 23/24 or later, we will admit you again – without you having to retake the digital admission test.
Is there a support service for international students?
Your study advisor will be happy to help you with any question you might have concerning the Medical Engineering program. In addition to that, various introductory events are held at the beginning of every semester to provide you with general tips and information about your studies. We highly recommend that you attend those events, as the knowledge provided there is oftentimes the decisive factor in whether international students study successfully and obtain their degree (or not).
If you have questions that are specific to your status as an international student (e.g. regarding your visa situation, specific working conditions for Non-EU students etc.) you are welcome to contact our International Office.
Moreover, FAU offers a “buddy program”, in which international students are assisted by an experienced German volunteer from their faculty. Your personal “buddy” can help you with everyday problems, show you the city etc. and hopefully will become a good friend! You can apply for this program here.
Our student body representatives, who participate in various committees of the university and help shaping the study conditions at FAU, also have a working group for international students. If you would like to become a member of this group or are just looking for support, please contact them here.