Going to study or working as an au pair
January 11, 2012
Two African countries are among the top 12 of origins of foreign students in Germany: Morocco and Cameroon. In the last decade the overall amount of foreign graduates has tripled - up to almost 30,000 per year.
The academic world in Germany is a jungle. Our DW special "Study in Germany" gives a good overview on the vast range of universities and study opportunities and different aspects of student life. For further information you might turn to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
One of the first steps will be to verify whether your qualifications are sufficient for admission to higher education in Germany. It's a good idea to consult the official ANABIN database. If you need additional qualifications, you may have to apply for special pre-study classes. There is a service center for international student applications called UNI-ASSIST that offers further help. Here you might also find more information on the German language exam needed.
In some regions of Germany, studying is free of charge, while in others public universities require fees of up to 500 euros ($635) per semester. Still, applicants for a student visa currently have to prove before arriving that they have at least 8,040 euros for the first year as well as a monthly amount of 670 euros.
Statistics show that foreign students live on an average of 725 euros per month. Good news for small budgets: Many universities offer a basic service package including accommodation, meals, student fee, health insurance and other services for some 160 euros per month.
How to cover these expenses? Foreign students taking preparatory classes or a language course are allowed to work only during the holidays. Later, they are allowed to work 90 days per year, though during the university term working hours are limited to no more than 10 per week. Internships or other paid working activities which are compulsory for the chosen study are not included in these 90 days.
Other opportunities to live in Europe
This is another way to get to know a European country and to improve foreign language skills: Au pairs take care of young kids and do domestic work, but also have regular free time.
In Germany, au pairs have to be at least 18 years old. They can stay from six months up to one year, earning a "pocket money" of 260 euros per month. Their rights are defined in detail: Host families are not allowed to make them work more than six hours per day and 30 hours per week, giving at least one whole day plus four evenings off.
Furthermore, au pairs have to be paid during their holidays: four weeks per year or two working days per month. Should an au pair decide to enroll in a German language course, the host families have to arrange the schedule accordingly.
Still, not everything is free of charge: Au pairs usually pay a fee of up to 150 euros to an agency, and they must also cover the visa fee as well as travel costs to Germany and back home. The health insurance must to be paid by the host family.
Report: Klaus Dahmann
Editor: Jan-Philipp Scholz