Germany popular among international students
Recent study shows that many international students are attracted to Germany - and many also want to remain here after graduating.
(d.de) – A new study conducted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) highlights the attractiveness of Germany as a place to study. Three quarters of international respondents named Germany as their preferred destination for studying abroad. The reasons cited are Germany’s technological leadership in many areas, degree courses taught in English, attractive job prospects and comparatively low tuition fees and living costs. Four factors play a crucial role in the choice of university: the content of the degree programme, courses offered in English, the university’s reputation and the low level or absence of tuition fees.
Three quarters of international students are happy with their degree course in Germany and would recommend it to others. Around two thirds of them plan to remain in Germany initially after graduating. Roughly half are hoping to land a long-term job, while many are even thinking about starting their own business.
75 percent of international students say that they feel welcome or very welcome on campus, with only two percent not feeling welcome at all. However, many of them also report that they have experienced problems in their daily lives in Germany, especially in terms of finding a place to live, dealing with bureaucracy and making friends with German students. In the university context, 80 percent of international students and students with a migration background say that they have never experienced discrimination. The picture is rather different outside the world of higher education, however: around half of both groups report that they have experienced occasional cases of discrimination, while 13 percent say that such experiences have been frequent.