Introduction
Many organizations have kept Germany as the number one study-abroad destination. Every year, students from around the globe visit German cities to get higher education. There are numerous high-ranked or subject-specific high-ranked universities in Germany, which attract international students.
When a student goes to a new country, he/she faces some cultural shocks. There are some great differences between the cultures of different countries, especially between Eastern and Western countries. So, here, you will read about the top cultural shocks that students may face in Germany. You will also learn how to cope with them.
Strict Adherence to Punctuality
Punctuality is highly valued in Germany. There is an important saying, which is “Five minutes before the time is German punctuality”. For students from some countries, it may be a cultural shock. In some nations, “a few minutes late” is not an issue. So, students from such countries may find it a cultural shock.
Understanding and practice are the only ways to cope with this challenge. You need to understand that you have to be ready five minutes before the given time. In a few days, you will be used to this habit.
Direct Communication Style
Communication style is another cultural shock for international students in Germany. Germans are known for being straightforward and direct in their communication. Some students, who are from different cultures, may find it rude and blunt. But, actually, it is not. You need to understand it.
To cope with this, you should understand that you don’t have to take the comments personally. You can also be clear in your talk.
Formality in Tenant-Landlord Relationships
You may experience a cultural shock when choosing student accommodation in Berlin or any other German city. In some countries, landlords keep casual relations with their tenants. But, Germany is known for the formality of tenant-landlord relationships. You can expect detailed rental agreements and structured processes for repairs, rent payments, and communication. German landlords often prefer formal emails and written agreements.
To cope with this challenge, you should read your rental agreement carefully for your accommodation in Berlin or any German city. Be polite and talk to the landlord about the rights and obligations.
Navigating Bureaucracy for Housing
Dealing with the bureaucracy in the surrounding accommodation in Germany is one of the biggest challenges. You can prepare for this by preparing all necessary documents and making appointments in advance.
Making Friends in Shared Accommodation
Shared accommodations provide a great way to meet new people. Your roommates or housemates may be from different cultures. So, you may find some cultural shocks from them also. Communication is a major way to cope with this shock. Start engaging with your flatmates from the beginning.
Cultural Norms Around Shared Spaces
Germans are very particular about the cleanliness and order in shared spaces. Cleanliness is liked by everyone but so particularity may be different from some countries. To avoid this shock from becoming a problem, keep things clean and respect shared spaces. Make a cleaning routine. You can also take the help of designated staff in your accommodation. Always ask before borrowing or using something that belongs to someone else.
Closed Shops on Sundays and Meal Planning
The Sunday closure of shops may be one of the biggest cultural shops in Germany. In Germany, most supermarkets and stores are closed on Sunday. So, you should plan accordingly. If you are used to 24/7 convenience stores, then this can be an even bigger shock for you.
It will no longer be a shock for you once you are used to it. To solve the problem related to this, you can do the following.
- Plan your grocery shopping and other necessary shopping in advance.
- Plan your shopping on Saturdays if you want to shop on the weekend. Many students shop on Saturdays. So, you should be prepared for the crowded markets on Saturdays.
- You can find some special weekend markets in Germany. You can visit there if you want to shop on Sundays.
Conclusion
There are different cultural shocks that you may find as an international student in Germany. German people have a strict adherence to punctuality. Besides, they talk in a direct communication style. You also need to be formal in tenant-landlord relationships. Here, shops are closed on Sundays, so you need to plan accordingly. You can get cultural shocks in the shared accommodations also since you find residents from different countries. But, it is possible to cope with these shocks with a little understanding of some things.
