A feel-free destination
Mohd. Yousuf
After USA, UK and Australia, it's the turn of German education. Considered on a par with any university across the globe on educational standards, it comes free! That's something one wouldn't like to ignore.
You get to live in the heart of Europe; earn an internationally respected degree; add European work experience to your resume; get exposure to a new culture and language; travel across Europe on great discounts. At the end of the program, you will gain for yourself a unique profile that will differentiate you from the rest of jobseekers in the international job market.
As many as 300 German programmes are targeted at international students and are taught in English or a mix of English and German. Many of these schools don't need proof of German proficiency. You'll, however, need a TOEFL score! But, here's an important piece of advice. If you are planning to go to Germany, leave everything aside and don't treat Germany as an alternative to the US, the UK or Australia. Going to Germany is a mindset needing a strong commitment.
Quick facts
Germany is the largest economy in Europe. It is the world's second biggest exporter.
Germany has the fourth largest technology centre in the world after Silicon Valley, Boston and Tel Aviv. The tech centre is located in Bavaria, where 40 per cent of all German IT companies are located. More than half the Indians holding Green cards in Germany are in Bavaria. More than 2,000 Indian students study in Germany and the strength of the Indian community is 40,000. Germany announced a Green Card aimed at IT experts and is due to expire by December 31, 2004.
Germany has 113 universities and 157 Fachochschules (FH). Universities are research centric while the FH is a combination of being research oriented as well as being practical.
German studies lead to the German Diploma Degree and this is not to be confused with the Indian Diploma. In fact, the German Diploma is equivalent to a Bachelor's and Masters Degree combined. The recently introduced international courses offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses that lead to internationally recognised Bachelor's or Master's Degree.
A German Student Visa provides you access to the Schengen Visa, which allows you to travel to 15 countries in Europe. Some of the hot programmes include Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Communications, Mechatronics, Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.
When to apply for a university?
The application deadline is usually July 15 for the Winter Semester (October) and January 15 for the Summer Semester (April). If you are looking to apply to courses that teach only in English, then your choice gets limited. If you are willing to learn German, at least up to an Intermediate level, then you can widen your choices and chances of getting admitted. The minimum eligibility to get into a Masters Program is at least 65 per cent in your degree. Scores in TOEFL is must, apart from some basic German language. Typically, those universities and FHs that offer the course in English, require the GRE.
What is the eligibility to get into BE?
To get into a German Bachelor's Degree, you will require not 10+2, but 10+3 years of study. So, Indians will have to enrol themselves in a StudienKolleg, a preparatory school in Germany, before they can enter a formal German Degree programme. A good proficiency at GIII level (Intermediate) level is a must.
How free is it really?
The tuition is 100 per cent free. But, you will need about Rs.30, 000 per month for your living expenses. Since you are allowed to work, you will easily be able to earn this money. International students are allowed to work for 90 days full-time or 180 days half time.
Internship period
The internship period could last between 8 and 26 weeks depending on the employer. After graduation, international students may extend their residence permit by one year in order to work in a German company if the work permit is obtained.
Can I settle in Germany?
Germany has no employment based migration policy like the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, except for through the Green Card for IT experts scheme.
How to obtain a work permit?
In order to get a work permit, you need to have a German company (i.e. GmbH or registered branch in Germany) offer you a job, and subsequently apply for the work permit on your behalf. If you are an IT professional, the process is much quicker and easier, but if you need a conventional work permit, then the employer needs to show that there is a shortage in the German labour market before being able to offer you a job. It can take about 1-4 weeks to get a German Green Card (for IT professionals) and 3-4 months for a conventional work permit.
Learning German
You could learn Intermediate German in 6-9 months from MMB, Goethe, CIEFL or private tutors. You can consider studying the language in Germany itself. Studying German at MMB, Pune, is strongly recommended. It has a hostel and encourages students to talk and live German for the time you are there.
If you are committed to studying German and also prove to the Visa Consular that you are a genuine candidate, nothing does the job like a stint at MMB. To enrol, call MMB at 020-26124945, and MMB, Hyderabad, Anita Desai, at 98490-27588.
More information can be had from the following websites:
www.daad.de; www.spiegel.de;
www.campus-germany.de; www.gotobavaria.com
Xavier Augustin
CEO, YAXIS Overseas Careers
Xavier@y-axis.com
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