Digitalization and flexibility are the requirements for language teaching in the 21st century. With its three course models, the F+U Academy of Languages offers future-oriented language instruction for German and English.
Another 25 foreign languages can be learned in individual lessons.
The vocational school for foreign languages is integrated into the F+U Academy of Languages, and its graduates have a state-recognized degree in their pocket at the end of their training.
In addition, the F+U Academy of Languages is an international test center for TestDaF, TELC, TestAS, TOEFL®, TOEIC®, LCCI and many other examinations.
Since 2016, international students have been able to prepare at the school for the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test) for admission to a German university.
Business Type: Private
Institute Type:
Age Range: 5-Adult
Gender: Mix
Curriculum:
Number of Students: 700
Percentage of International students: 70%
Country: Germany
City: Berlin
International Airports: Berlin
Accommodation: Euro 800
Transport: Euro 100
Food: Euro 300
Courses: Principle of Management, Business Communication
Course Name | Duration | Minimum Age | Level | Fees | Intake | More Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grammar and conversation 2 hybrid 2 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 25 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 22 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 18 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Intensive course 8 hybrid 8 teaching hours per week incl.2 teaching hours of individual lessons per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 95 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 90 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 85 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Main course 4 + Grammar and conversation 2 hybrid 6 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 45 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 40 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 35 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Main course 4 hybrid 4 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 30 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 25 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 20 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Grammar and conversation 10 hybrid 10 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 60 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 55 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 45 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Intensive course 15 hybrid 15 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 70 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 60 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 50 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Super-intensive course 35 in-class 35 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 325 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 295 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 270 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Super-intensive course 40 in-class 40 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 450 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 420 EUR — 5 bto 19 weeks 395 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
Intensive course 20 + Grammar and conversation 10 hybrid 30 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 130 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 110 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 95 EUR — from 20 weeks | ||
Premium course 30 in-class 30 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 200 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 170 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 145 EUR — from 20 weeks | ||
German Course Morning hybrid 20 teaching hours per week | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 90 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 75 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 65 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year | |
German Course Morning in Class 20 Lessons | from 1 Week | 5-Adult | 1,2 | 150 EUR — 1 to 4 weeks 125 EUR — 5 to 19 weeks 110 EUR — from 20 weeks | All round year |
Visa Name | Documents Needed | Visa Application Fees |
---|---|---|
Study Visa | The following list of documents are required for any short-term German Schengen visa application:
Travel health insurance policies for foreigners visiting Germany that fulfil Germany Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance, AXA Assistance or DR-WALTER. Travel insurance policies issued by all of these companies are accepted by German authorities worldwide.
|
Euro 75 ( Euro 37.50 if under 18) |
Schengen visa (for short stay visits) (Age 6-12) single or multiple entry (90 days) |
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Schengen visa (for short stay visits) 12+ single or multiple entry (90 days) |
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Euro 80 |
What Is Considered as Compulsory Education in Germany?
All Germans are obliged to attend primary and secondary education, ever since they reach the age of 6, up until they complete a 9-year full-time schooling at Gymnasium, or 10 years of full-time years for other general education schools.
If youngsters fail to attend full-time classes at the general or vocational education schools, at upper secondary level, they’ve to attend part-time left-aside classes. This applies even if they’ve already passed the period of their compulsory education. Such obligation is known as compulsory attendance “Berufsschule Berufsschulpflicht” and lasts 3 years.
Other children who fail to attend at all such education and training, they’ve may be required to attend full-time classes and trainings (for vocational schools only).
Disabled youngsters have an obligation to complete compulsory education too. In dependence to their special education needs “Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf” they will attend either a normal school or a special school “Sonderpädagogische Bildungseinrichtungen”.
German compulsory education obliges pupils to regularly participate in school lessons, as well as in other formal and informal schooling activities/events/projects. Such compulsion extends also to their parents who’ve to regularly supervise study progress of their children and participate in school parent’s meetings. This also includes training companies which are in charge of keeping the evidence of the pupils’ attendance in the vocational training and children’s practical commitment (for vocational schools).
What Is Considered Primary Education in Germany?
Grundschule (primary school) offer mandatory education through mixed-ability classes for children of age 6 until they complete grade 4 (or 6 in Berlin and Brandenburg) of school studies.
There are two primary school education systems in Germany. In a 5-day school week pre-education system, there’re 188 teaching days/annually. In a 6-day school week preschool system, there’re 208 days of teaching/annually, by including also teachings during 2 Saturdays/every month.
Primary school pupils are obliged to attend 20 to 29 courses/1 week, and 20-22 /first year. Primary school courses normally last up to 45 minutes. During 1 day up to 6 courses can be taught.
Which are the Teaching Practices in Primary Schools in Germany?
The core objective of the German primary education is development of essential understanding, skills, abilities and key competences amongst pupils.
Subjects taught in German primary schools are German language, mathematics, general studies, foreign language, art, handicrafts/textile design, music, sports, and religion/ethics. They also teach intercultural, mint, media, health, musical-aesthetic, sustainable development, and values education.
Learning objectives in primary schools are attained through engagement of pupils in planning, running, analyzing study subjects (lessons) in an adapted way, which goes along with their knowledge, interest, curiosity and concerns. Students are also encouraged to take part in organizing initiatives and interdisciplinary projects of the school.
Primary school textbooks in Germany, used as study reference, have to be approved the respective Ministry.
People suffering long-term or permanent illness or physical incapacity who couldn’t attend primary education lessons they may well receive such education at their homes.
Moreover Germany offers special primary education scheme for children of the professional travelers, who cannot attend regular primary education. Schools like School for Children of Professional Travelers “Schule für die kinder beruflich Reisender” offer separate education for such group of children, during the period they’re not traveling.
There’s even a School for Circus Children “Schule für Circuskinder”.
Germany has also vocationally-oriented primary education modules. This education is offered for the children of workers in companies/institutions such as EU project BeKoSch (Development of Professional Skills for Showmen through Modules).
What’s more, Germany has International Schools offering primary education through bilingual lessons in several languages, such as the European Schools.
Which Is the Grading System in German Primary Schools?
By completing lessons of the grade 1, children are automatically transferred to the grade 2, regardless level of knowledge attained during such studies.
Starting from grade 2, these children are awarded a suitable mark, in dependence to the level of knowledge they’ve attained during studies. If failing to pass the grade, children have to repeat the grade lessons once more.
In the Pupil’s school report “Zeugnis” is issued showing all the marks achieved during a school year, and according to that is decided whether the child will pass to the next grade or has to repeat the same grade.
The progress of pupils in German primary schools is evaluated upon a 6-mark grading system as follows:
Does a Pupil Receive a Primary School Leaving Certificate in Germany?
There isn’t any examination upon completing a German primary school. Thus, primary school-leaving certificate aren’t usually issued, except for the Lander Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz.
Instead, when pupils leave a German primary school they must have reached “the Grundschule target outcomes”. Accordingly, there are issued an annual report of their studies during 4th/6th grade.
German Secondary education takes place after the primary school, and it’s separated into lower secondary level “Sekundarstufe I” and upper secondary level “Sekundarstufe II”.
The lower secondary education is the education offered for pupils of age 10 – 15/16 in grades 5/7 to 9/10. Lessons in this level are of a general nature and serve as preparation for the upper level of secondary education.
The upper secondary education is the education that pupils of age 15/16 – 18/who have completed lower level of secondary school receive for the purpose of getting a university entrance qualification or a vocational qualification. This level resumes all the courses of lower secondary level which built the basis of knowledge of the participating pupils.
Germany has various secondary schools attended by children of various abilities and various prior qualifications received in primary education.
Which Are the Types of Secondary Schools in Germany?
Federal country of Germany offers secondary education in public and private schools.
Germany’s publicly-funded secondary schools are:
Germany’s private secondary schools are the following:
Which are the Objectives of the German Secondary Education?
Lower secondary education in Germany, as its core mission has the fundamental education, individual specialization, and identification of individual abilities amongst children.
German secondary education objectives are achieved by:
General upper secondary schools in Germany aim to prepare youngsters with the needed understanding to obtain the Abitur or other university entrance qualification. With a university entrance qualification they can apply for further academic studies in any German higher education institution, or apply for a professional education and training study course.
Gymnasium offers youngsters with exhaustive understanding, expertise and know-hows for German and foreign language as well as Mathematics. These institutions also taught young people self-development, social responsibility, and participation in democratic society. Additionally, they’re informed and guided regarding academic institutions and their admission requirements, vocational sphere and access requirements, together with the employment prospect in various professions.
Upper secondary education offered during 2 full-time years by the German vocational high-schools “Berufliches Gymnasium” prepares youngsters to get a vocational qualification for a skilled work as qualified staff “Fachgebundene Hochschulreife”. Such qualification allows them to get a job in a profession requiring a formal qualification. The same time, such qualification can lead into a university entrance qualification, if the holder shows a good command on a second foreign language. Additionally, with such qualification the holder can study in a technical university, but before that, they’ve to study for 2 years until they get a maturity certificate “Mittlerer Schulabschluss”.
Which is the Grading system in the German Secondary School?
The progress of pupils in the German secondary schools is evaluated upon a 6-mark grading system as follows:
German tertiary education in Germany provides higher education for qualifying individuals, who before all, have completed secondary education in Germany or abroad which entitles them to enter higher education studies.
Higher education institutions under the Basic law enjoy the autonomy to independently manage the scholarship awarding, research and teaching activity.
For administrative issues, such as academic and governmental matters, these institutions have to be in accord with the Lander’s ministry.
Higher education studies (tertiary education providers) in Germany are named the recognized institutions providing higher education study courses leading to a profession that addresses needs of the local and international labour market.
Germany’s education providers, recognized as Higher Education Institutions are:
German universities are higher education institutions providing wide range of study courses. Equivalent institutions to universities offer a minor number of study courses, i.e. natural and engineering, theology, pedagogy, or alike.
Despite differences between them, both of these institutions are entitled to award Ph.D. titles “Doktorgrad” (Promotionsrecht).
Universities and equivalent institutions also have the exclusivity to offer education and scientific research study programs for the future academics.
German colleges of art and music are higher education institutions delivering study courses for education of the future artists or musicians, including teachers of art or music. Some of these institutions teach all art subjects and some others only certain study subjects of such area.
German colleges or art and music offer the following study courses:
German universities of applied sciences “Fachhochschulen” are independent higher education institutions providing practically-oriented and responsive teaching and research programs, towards labour market needs. These institutions are mainly self-sustained, and some of them are publicly funded.
The key distinction feature of German universities of applied sciences is inclusion of a paid practical training (practical job) “Praxissemester” in the study program. Such trainings are carried in premises of private businesses or public institutions/administrations aimed at placing the student closer to the labour market needs.
Teaching professors in Fachhochschulen, despite being academics, have a strong background of professional experience in the labour market, out of the academia.
German Universities of applied sciences offer the following study courses:
Along with other German universities of applied sciences, there is a “Verwaltungsfachhochschulen”. They provide study programs especially designed for training and educating civil servants of the Federal public administration. There are about 29 such institutions in Germany, and they are sponsored and managed by the Federation or the Land.
Note: In some Landers Fachhochschulen is called “Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften”.
German professional Academies “Berufsakademien” are higher education institutions providing alternative education through the academic training entitling students, who have finished the upper secondary education and have a university entrance qualification, to practice a specific profession.
The first higher education qualification in Germany is the Bachelor degree. The standard period of study “Regelstudienzeit” in a Bachelor program is 6 semesters, or 3 full academic years. In Universities of Applied Sciences bachelor studies last 6-7 semesters, by also including the practical work. In German Colleges of Art and Music such studies last about 8 semesters or 4 academic years. In Professional Academies they last 3 academic years. In Fachschulen bachelor degree studies last 2 academic years.
Depending the type of higher education institution of higher education issuing it, there are different Bachelor titles, as follows:
Which Are the Offered Bachelor Degree Fields of Study in Germany?
Bachelor Study Fields in German Universities and Equivalent Institutions.
German universities and equal institutions are recognized for providing the widest range of study courses compared to other institutions offering tertiary education.
Study courses offered by German universities and equivalent institutions are the following:
International Bachelor study programs that German universities and equal institutions offer are:
Bachelor Study Fields in German Universities of Applied Sciences.
German Fachhochschulens provide the following Bachelor study courses:
International Bachelor study programs that German Universities of Applied Sciences offer are:
Bachelor Study Fields in German Fachschulen.
Bachelor study programs that institutions of the continuing vocational training offer are:
Core Bachelor subjects of study in these institutions are:
Bachelor Study Fields in German Berufsakademien.
Bachelor study programs that professional academies in Germany offer are:
Magister Degree – Second German Higher Education Qualification.
The second higher education qualification in Germany is the Master degree. It takes 2 -4 semesters to complete studies in a German master degree program. In universities and equal institutions as well as college of art and music, this period is mostly 4 semesters. In Fachhochschulen this period is 3-4 semesters.
To complete a Master degree, students must achieve 300 ECTS credit points also including the points received by the earlier qualification. To complete a Master degree, a student whose earlier qualification is a Bachelor degree, must achieve 360 ECTS points.
The titles that can be received by completing a German Master degree at universities or equal institutions are:
The titles that can be received by completing a German Master degree at colleges or art and music are:
The titles that can be received by completing a German Master degree at universities of applied sciences are:
There are Master degree titles that can be received by completing a continuing/specialist education such as:
German Higher Education Programs Outside the Bachelor and Master Level
Diplom Examination
Some German study courses are completed by sitting a Diplom examination on a single study subject, leading to a Diplom degree, i.e. Diplom in Psychology or Engineering. If the Diplom is issued by the University Applied Sciences, usually it contains the phrasing “FH” included.
Diplom issued by the Universities of Applied Sciences is comparable to Bachelor degree.
Magister Examination
Some other German study courses are completed by sitting a Magister examination on a combined study subject leading to a Magister degree, such as “Magister of Atrium”.
Magister degree issued by the University of Applied Sciences is comparable to a Master degree.
Staatsprüfung – State Examination
For some study courses, a state examination must be undertaken to prepare students for a particular profession of importance to the public interest. This takes account for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutics, food chemistry, law and teaching (education).
Such professions cannot be pursued without having to pass a 2-stage examination, carried by state examiners and academic professors.
Church and Academic Examination
For students having completed a 5-year study program in theology subject, they’ve to sit a Church and academic examination before landing themselves in the profession. This takes account of jobs as a priest or a pastoral assistant.
Postgraduate Study Courses – Supplementary and Follow-Up Study Courses
Meanwhile or afterward completing bachelor or master studies, there’s an option of taking up additional 2-year long studies in support to the existing studies, or to specialize in a specific study field. These are known as postgraduate study courses.
Examination of Colleges of Art and Music
Some study programs offered by German colleges of art and music are completed by sitting the final examination “Abschlussprüfung” or a concert examination “Konzertexamen”.
The third higher education qualification in Germany is the PHD degree. This is a program that is embraced by the most qualified students, and can be taken at German universities and equivalent institutions, in collaboration with non-university research institutes.
There is no standardized period for completing doctoral studies, as this is a more in-depth and individual specialization.
The German doctoral studies include:
There are several paths to get a PHD degree in Germany, as follows:
Title received by completing a German PhD study program is Doctor “Doktorgrad”.
Admission requirements for German Bachelor Degree:
To apply in a German college of art and music applicants have to submit both:
At times applicants may be admitted without a higher education entrance qualification following the evidence for possessing a special artistic or musical talent.
To apply in a German University of Applied Sciences applicants have to submit both:
To apply in a German Berufsakademien, applicants have to submit any of the following:
To apply in a German Fachschulen, applicants have to submit any of the following:
Or
Or for social professions:
Admission requirements for the German Master Degree:
Admission requirements for the German PhD Degree:
German Higher Education Study Courses with Nationwide Quotas
For some German higher education study courses there are quotas, if the number of applications exceeds the number of the offered study places. In such case the Foundation for Higher Education Admission “Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung” (SfH) and the respective institution together admit and disregard applicants based on a central allocation procedure.
The selection of the students in such case is based on:
German Higher Education Study Courses with Local Restrictions on Admissions
For some other German higher education study courses exists a locally limited number of students for admission. This limitation is usually run by the higher education institution itself or by the SfH.
SfH possesses a joint database that easily compares student applications. If the student has been accepted in another higher education institution, the database frees a study place that can be given to another student.
German Higher Education Study Courses Without Restrictions on the Number of Applicants
For some other German higher education study courses there’s no limit set on the number of students to be admitted. As such, all the applicants who can comply with the admission criteria can enroll in studies free from any pre-selection process.
These institutions, sometimes, may issue a prior notification period, to an accepted student.
Country Name: Germany
Capital: Berlin
Population: 84000000
Currency: Euro
Monthly Maintenance: Euro 1000
Life in Country:
It’s hard to hate living in Germany when its full of beer, hearty food, and being active but a few more sunny days and better banking wouldn’t hurt.
I’ve officially been living in Germany for more than a year now.
That’s right – the first anniversary of living in Düsseldorf quietly slipped by over the weekend, meaning I’ve called this beautiful country home for a whole year. One year living in Germany.
Of course, the odd thing about being an expat is that, while I absolutely love about my expat life in Germany and currently have no urge to return to the UK, I do spend a lot of my time complaining about trivial things and pining for British comforts. So much so, I have summed up the relative joys and disappointments of my expat life in Dusseldorf and Germany into the good, the bad – and the praktisch.
In reality, the vast majority of expat life in Germany falls into the good category – but here are some specifics about some of the best things of German and Dusseldorf life.
Hands down, the best thing about living in Germany is the food. German food is good. Admittedly, if you don’t like the combination of meat and carbs you might struggle a bit, but once you embrace it: nom, nom, nom.
Don’t believe me? Try Currywurst. Eat Schnitzl. Then eat Jägerschnitzl (Schnitzl with a creamy mushroom sauce). Order a side salad (they are huge). Go to any German bakery. Head to any of these burger restaurants. Sample literally one hundred different types of sausage. Scoff down the best kebab of your life. You will love it.
One of my favourite things about Dusseldorf – and Germany in general – is how active everyone is. If you go to the park on a sunny day, instead of masses of sunbathers everyone is doing something instead: running, jogging, cycling, football, Frisbee – you name it. And running isn’t just for the superfit, everyone runs here.
I often feel in the UK people classify themselves either as sporty or non-sporty, and if you’re non-sporty any activity is a no-no. I’m not trying to make Germany sound like a utopia, but here sport really is a non-negotiable part of life. My gym membership, for instance, is EUR 14.99/month (FitX), which is the norm. Sport in Germany isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Living costs here in Düsseldorf are low, really low. Admittedly, this might be something to do with the fact taxes are really high, but let’s look on the bright side. And living in Düsseldorf on the average wage is generally pretty easy.
Firstly: food and drink. Eating out in Düsseldorf is very reasonable. Generally speaking, the main meal will cost €10–12. A glass of white wine is normally around €4, but you can pick up a decent bottle in any supermarket for the same. That’s right – a bottle of wine for under €5.
But the real winner is rent. I spend just 20% of my wages on rent. Not too shabby, eh?
I’ve said it plenty of times but when spring has sprung I am reminded of it all over again: Düsseldorf is such a beautiful, green city. You’re never far from a park here.
Another huge perk of living in Düsseldorf is its proximity to other capital cities and countries: Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are all an easy train ride away. In fact, you could drive to the Netherlands in less than 30 minutes. The city’s location coupled with the number of multinational companies based here (L’Oreal, Henkel, trivago to name a few) create a pretty great international atmosphere.
Now, despite all those lovely, important things, life as a British expat in Germany can still be pretty difficult. And while I don’t wish to offend anyone, I feel obliged to show both sides of the story, so here we are to the downsides of living in Germany.
When living in Germany, it’s useful to remind yourself that there are futuristic countries out there where you can make purchases using contactless payment. Germany, meanwhile, is still partying like it’s 1979: it is almost impossible to pay with card anywhere and in the few places you can, most retailers will insist you sign instead of using this new-fangled ‘chip and pin.’
It gets worse: if you have an account with Deutsche Bank, you can only get money out from a Deutsche Bank cash machine (and a small list of others), otherwise, you’ll be charged at least €4.75.
And what about online payments, I hear you ask? German standard bank cards don’t have a three-letter security code on the back, so a lot of online retailers are out of the question. Instead, most German companies will ask for payment by online bank transfer; that’s right: direct debit.
I’ve even heard that paying by cheque is still a common practice. Ridiculous.
German airports are a real pet-peeve of mine. Us Brits have airports down to a fine art – Manchester Airport is like a beautiful, well-oiled machine. Here, all the good stuff is on the wrong side of security, where you’ll spot at least five people to each conveyor belt just standing around doing absolutely nothing. Amateurs.
Admittedly, not being able to get a decent cup of tea is a harrowing problem faced by British expats around the world. However, the problem in Germany is a bit different: Germans think they know tea. And more importantly, they think they know what English Breakfast Tea is.
In Germany, tea is abundant. Everyone loves tea. But to Germans, tea should be herbal, green, mint, peppermint, or fruity.
Anything that isn’t, they like to assume is English tea, which means you’ll order yourself a lovely English Breakfast Tea – as advertised – and end up with a pot of Earl Grey that you can’t even bring yourself to look at. The agony.
The German people are being terrorized by H&M. Send shopping help.
The food issue is a double-edged sword. A short summary of the British foods I miss most would go as follows: Sunday roast dinners, Full English breakfast, proper bacon, Yorkshire puddings, Terry’s chocolate orange, decent Chinese food, decent Indian food, Wagamama’s – and embarrassingly – I actually do miss fish and chips.
Let’s be honest, the weather in the UK isn’t great. It’s mild most of the year and yes – it does rain a lot more than other places. But do you know where you could find a similar climate? Dusseldorf.
Now, if you spoke to your average Dusseldorfer about the weather, you might be tricked into thinking the city is actually found in the Caribbean, such is the huge amount of shock they muster when it rains – which is often. They will even go out of their way to chat to you about the ‘English weather’ the city is experiencing, that is to say, the phenomenon of rain. I once failed to make it to 9am before someone felt the need to point out to me that it was raining, as if I was somehow to blame. They’ll even talk about how grey London is, rather than how grey it is outside the office window most days.
So let’s look at some facts (via Wikipedia climate information 1981–2010):
|
DÜSSELDORF |
LONDON |
AVG ANNUAL HIGH TEMP |
14.79 |
15.2 |
AVG ANNUAL RAINFALL |
797.6mm |
601.7mm |
AVG HOURS SUNSHINE |
1,554.9 |
1,632.6 |
Sorry, Mr Düsseldorfer, looks like London is warmer, dryer, and sunnier (which is actually fairly depressing).
I have no idea why Brits are convinced German trains are efficient and punctual to a tee. Every single train I’ve been on with Deutsche Bahn has experienced some small delay – and they’re not cheap, either.
We’ve had the good about German life and we’ve had the bad – now it’s time for the praktisch, that is to say the little aspects of life here that are just so, well, German.
Just to explain: the German word ‘praktisch’ actually just means ‘practical’ but is used quite often to mean ‘good’ or ‘great’, to the point where someone describing your purchase as praktisch (whether it’s a jacket, a car or a bar of chocolate) feels like some small honor.
When it comes to inherently German things, this has to be number one. It is a cardinal sin to cross the road in Germany if the traffic light is on red. The road could be entirely devoid of cars or have not seen a motorized vehicle in years but you have to wait for the green man.
If you don’t, people will audibly tut or even reprimand you. And for some reason, doing so in the presence of a child is pure blasphemy – I lived with Germans in Leipzig who wouldn’t even joke about it.
Yet this is also the habit that you are most likely to take home with you, without you even realizing.
Everything is shut on a Sunday in Germany. Everything. At first, I hated this, but you soon get used to it, and come summer, it’s actually quite refreshing to be forced to do something active.
This is one stereotype that is 100 percent true: Germans love rules. Just recently, during the city’s Night of the Museums festival, I was about to leave the Filmmuseum and head to another directly in front of the building. The door at the front was serving as the impromptu entrance and the one to the rear as the exit. As there was no-one entering and I could physically see the next museum, I asked the man on the door if I could nip through the entrance door, shaving 500m off my walk. Predictably, he told me no because ‘that’s not how it works’.
And finally, the big love of all: German beer. Germany has a great beer culture – it’s not all about getting drunk, rather than the genuine love of beer. Alcohol-free beer is a popular drink of choice in Germany and bottled Radler (basically a shandy) is just as common as any full-strength. Whatever the occasion, it’s always time for beer.