Vrinda’s experience as a working student in Germany

Curious about how to balance studies and work as a working student in Germany? Meet Vrinda, a dynamic student from India, pursuing a Master’s in Management at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Germany. She’s also thriving as a working student at Fintiba, actively supporting international students on the way to Germany.

In this interview, we gain insight into Vrinda’s experience, exploring her journey as a working student in Germany, challenges she has faced along the way, and what advice she would have for incoming Indian students.

What motivated you to choose Germany as your destination?

I grew up watching my dad take business trips to Germany which sparked my fascination for Germany. Upon more research for my higher education abroad, Germany topped the list because of its reputed universities, job opportunities for internationals and because of my previous work experience in Germany.

How was the process of moving to Germany like for you?

I will be honest – it wasn’t the easiest thing I ever did. Germany is known for its bureaucracy and rules (which is a good thing sometimes) and being an international who isn’t used to such things, I found it quite challenging.

Pro tip: Always keep your documents safe and organised in Germany!

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first moved to Germany as a student?

One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning everything about a new country all by myself. There is so much to figure out in the beginning like “Anmeldung“, radio tax, opening a bank account etc. But thanks to my German friends and work colleagues, I was able to tackle everything smoothly.

What are your favorite aspects of student life in Germany?

Travelling! Germany’s location in the heart of Europe gives access to beautiful European countries to travel. So much so that you can even do a day trip to a different country (depending upon your location) and be back home by your bedtime.

How has your experience been adjusting to the German culture and lifestyle? What tips would you give incoming Indian students in this regard?

Like every newcomer, I experience culture shock in the beginning, a lot of things fascinated and surprised me. Now after almost 1.5 years I feel well adjusted and quite integrated in the culture. For my fellow incoming Indians, I would say that try to keep an open mind and never say no to new experiences, everything you do here is a learning opportunity.

Could you describe your typical day as a working student in Germany? How do you balance your studies with your job?

One thing I love about my university is that it allows us 3 days a week to work on ourselves. I chose to do an office job in those 3 days. My day starts with jour fixe, where we talk about the challenges and tasks for the day. Most of my working hours are utilised by solving tickets – if you are reading this, there is a chance I have solved your query!

When you work and study full time, it is important to be organized and plan ahead of time. I make a weekly plan every Sunday and try my best to stick to it.

What advice would you give to incoming Indian students who are planning to study and work in Germany?

I would suggest staying organized and do not neglect your studies in any case. Developing healthy eating habits and physical activity is also very important as it is easy to get busy with life and then health takes a back seat.

Have you encountered any language barriers during your time in Germany? How did you overcome them?

Yes, I did face some language barriers in the beginning. To overcome them, I enrolled myself in a German language course provided by my university.

Are there any resources (websites, communities) you found particularly helpful during your transition?

Yes, in fact many Indian influencers in Germany helped me a lot with their Instagram content. I also got a lot of help and information from Fintiba QnA section while I was getting a blocked account.

Looking ahead, what are your future plans after completing your studies in Germany? Do you intend to stay and work in Germany or return to India?

After completing my Master’s, I indend to stay and work in Germany. I really like the German work culture and the importance it gives to the work-life balance.