Being an exchange student in Germany?

Question

Nex year, i might have the chance to go to Germany for a 1 month exchange. I already know enough of the language to get by, but what are some of the major cultural differences? Or just little things i should be aware of?

Answer 1

Alot of Germans seem rude but they really aren't. They're just pushy, especially in stores and on buses and trains. I had to learn to just push back sometimes or else an old lady would push me out of my seat! Also, they don't have many public bathrooms so go before going out! They do have a few, but you have to pay.  

Answer 2

from which country are you from?

and how old are you?

these are 2 information which you must add

also it depends on which school type you will go to

Gymnasium or where will you be?

to the one below me

we strongly dislike stupid and loud US americans...every other country does as well

however if the person is nice and not stupid then he/she will have a good time

Answer 3

Really important is that you buy a ticket before getting into any mode of transportation and then "devalue" it by punching it in the little machines on the buses/trams/subways. In Germany you can get in and out as you please without passing any security or even without buying a ticket, but if you get caught you will have to pay €40.

You can drink tap water, this is no problem here. Furthermore, you need to try the beer and of course the original Budweisser (Budvar) from the Czech Republic which tastes about 100 times better than Budweisser from the U.S.

Also, Germans love to ride bikes, since it is quite safe to ride bycicles here, even in big cities like Berlin or Münich. They are also very clean and well mannered (although as in any country in the world there are also idiots).

Finally, now that the Euro has gone up, probably things are not going to be as cheap as say 3 years ago, but Germany is still much cheaper than other west european countries such as France, Spain or the U.K.

Hope this helped. Tschüssi und Viel Spaß!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

When i went to germany we went to Hamburg and i didnt like it the kids at the school were rude mean horny kids so i'd advise you to like i dunno dress down maybee  

Answer 5

I did this in 2001 for about three months.  It was one of the greatest learning experiences I had.  Once I left I went back to the University in America and studied German extensively.

Because I was already accustomed to Europe and had traveled abroad many times growing up, I didn't notice a lot of cultural differences.   I think you will first be shocked by how different German sounds when you hear it in its own native land.   Also Germans are less superficial than Americans, and tend to be less open and more reserve.    I would recommend you to go ahead and get recycling in your head, and also become adjusted to public transportation (depending upon where you live).    You will definitely be living in a much greener, eco-friendly setting.  Also the breakfasts get old soon, and you will not be eating Pop Tarts or cereal.   One last thing, do not freak out when your host family doesn't refrigerate the bacon or the milk overnight.  It is pretty standard there.  

Answer 6

remember every one hate americans so look out for that

Answer 7

Well... cooked breakfast is something we almost never do (sometimes people go out for brunch, or invite each other over, and some people sometimes do pancakes or stuff if they have been to the states or got around to cooked breakfast some other way), so it's cereal or bread or rolls and jam/cheese/ham/, maybe a boiled egg on the weekend or something.

The refrigerators are smaller than the usual american one, and they usually don't have ice-makers or water-fountains (right word??) built in. Almost no German drinks tap-water, they all buy water, and mostly it's carbonated, though you do get non-carbonated water in every store.

to one of the other answers: Why his host family wouldn't refrigerate their bacon (if it was cut up and the way you would buy it in the us) is beyond me. About the milk: Many people don't buy fresh milk, but "H-Milch". The "H" stands for "haltbar", and it's thermo-treated to not need refrigeration. Also, milk, juice and stuff like that comes in smaller packs than in the US. Usually a 1 L or a 1.5L pack.

There is not that much American fast food, though we do have McD, Burger King, Subways, Starbucks (not really fast food, but you catch my drift). There are a lot of individual Pizza-places (don't expect the typical American Pizza, though - the dough-part is by far not as thick!), Döner Kebab (the German government says one shouldn't eat a normal-sized Döner that costs under 3.50 because of quality issues) or Bratwurst.

You should be prepared to use public transport, but mostly the system is very well serviced.

Town structures are different. Mostly people don't frequent malls, they go shopping downtown, and consequently there are a lot of cafes and nice open squares. Also some beggars or musicians.

I would definitely recommend going to Germany in your case. It is "only" a month, and the experience is one I would not pass for anything.