Working in China can often be extremely fulilling but often frustrating as well. Especially if you decide to work in international education and start giving out recommendations to parents and students what they need to apply to foreign countries.
Since I am German, of course many parents and students were curious about learning about the German education system, German high school graduation requirements and the requirements and application process to German universities.
The discussion often ends with the requirement to reach a B2 or even C1 level of German before being able to study at a German university together with German native speakers. I realized quite quickly that many parents and students rather prefer to take the shortcut than to honestly concern themselves with educational system, standards, and the outcome of forming an 'enligthened', international competent, and rational thinking human being. Prestige and low efforts paired with affordability are often the most important and understandable factors for choosing international education.
Fortunately, some countries like Germany have already understood that the best way to accept students applying from abroad is to let them finish their national education system, in China that is the Gaokao, and either let them finish the first year at a Chinese university and then transfer, or offer them a one to three years foundation program in Germany with extensive German language training and some subject courses to make sure they are equally well preared for the German higher education system as students who pass the German Abitur.
This system is evaluating foreign educational systems and leaving all options open for students who truly would like to learn German and study in Germany.
I avoids opening a 'black market' of impostors offering fraud courses, charging millions of RMB and in the end even closing student's opportunity to study in their home countries because they are not able to get 'reintegrated' into their national education systems.
What are the recommendations if Chinese or international students want to study or apply to German national universities?
As mentioned above, the most important requirement is to finish a national or international high school degree while the national system (Gaokao) is preferred.
Another important requirement is to learn as much German as possible which will make living, orientating, and studying in Germany much easier. Obtaining a B2 or C1 level of German will grant the biggest chances to apply and get accepted by a German university.
Even though there is a chance to study for one year at a Chinese or other international university and then transfer into the German higher education system, it is much more advisable to join a German foundation program in Germany and plan on 1 to 3 years spending time to get used to German culture and language and see what treasures it holds for you.
If you are unsure if you qualify for a German college or university, then get in touch with the international department of your target university and check their requirements and see what offer they can make to support you.
Germany is tough - isn't it?
Yes and no. Germany is tough for people with low moral standards, lazy people, shy people, 'face'-saving people, and unmotivated people who are looking for the easy way out.
German is neither the most common, nor the easiest language to learn. There are a couple of tricks to make it easier to learn German but when you move to Germany, you are most likely confronted with very honest people with a high degree of responsibility, high standards of cleanliness and a lot of: "Das musst du schon alleine wissen/machen." ("This is something you need to know/do by yourself.") If you do not like that, you most likely will need to learn it the hard way or will adjust very quickly.
Luckily, Germany is nowadays the second biggest immigration country in the world after the U.S. and you therefore will most likely find likely suffering people around you that can give you a lot of advice, ideas, or comfort you.
As some of the positive aspects to be mentioned here as well, you will be rewarded by learning how to survive by yourself and you will gain an incredible amount of independence that will prepare you for any situation in life that might cause you hardship in the future.
You will leave Germany extremely organized with boxes and categories for everything, and your mind will be so strong and analytical that everybody around you will look and act like a primary school student. 😜
No, but honestly, living and studying in Germany is and will be a challenge for every foreigner and it is not easy but the experiences you can make here, the connections you can build with Germans and other foreigners and the progress in becoming a responsible adult will be something that most countries in the world might not be able to provide you with.
As long as you are willing to do just a little bit more than what other people are doing and have a little bit extra energy, motivation, and smile on your face, you will be successful first in Germany and later anywhere else in the world.
Job chances
If the decision is made that you want to stay in Germany and not return to China or your home country, the prospects of getting a well-paid and decent job after graduation are extremely high. There are less and less Germans being born, more and more are immigrating from different countries and German companies are highly unlikely to meet their employment standards in the next ten to fiveteen years. That means for everyone who successfully graduates, speaks some German, and wants to gain a few years of work experience or even settle in Germany, the possibilities are endless.
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