A day in life of an international student in Berlin

Coming to an early class

I tend to arrive around 15 minutes early to have a better seat, to make sure that I am not affected by sudden and occasional public transport delays. Call me lucky, but 9 out of 10 trips in Berlin are perfectly normal.

So, here I am in the classroom waiting for the professor. They usually come a few minutes before the class starts. A few late students. Typical :)

Taking notes, occasional gazes out the window, maybe even yawning. This is how my first class usually goes at 10 am. Waking up at 6 or 7 to be in class at 8 is not an option for me, therefore I only choose classes that start at 10 or later. Currently, the trip to campus takes me a bit over half an hour. My first year here, it took me around 50 minutes, which was frustrating to say the least.

Lunch on campus

Mensa is next! Mine is open from 11 until 14, so this break at 12 is the busiest time here. I am a vegetarian and I enjoy the variety of vegetarian and vegan options the cafeteria has to offer. The menu is different each day but somewhat similar every week. You will find recurring dishes and always find something you like.

Just as I was shown how-to-Mensa, I also helped an international student in Berlin get familiar with the process. Having lunch with hundreds of students might feel intimidating but literally nobody looks at you. Everyone is minding their own business. Typical Mensa lunch costs 3-5 euros, by the way!

Studying in a library

I am not rushing to make it to the next class because it is only in 2 hours. I am planning to go to a library to prepare for it. Obviously, I did not have time yesterday evening :)

On my campus, there are multiple libraries. There are two big ones in the main building, but I prefer the one in my institute which feels cozier and is less crowded. I greet the librarians there and find a seat. I open my laptop and look for the last lecture’s notes and check what I was supposed to do.

Oops, apparently the deadline was yesterday. I quickly finish the assignment and send an apology email to my professor. Let’s hope it is going to work and she will accept it. In my experience, most lecturers are fine with a short delay, especially if you have a valid excuse.

Checking if I have any other deadlines for my other courses and marking them in my calendar. I finish homework for the third course today which starts right after the second one. No big window between them.

Afternoon German class

The second class passes quicker because I have just eaten and am fully awake. I get to the next one which is German. I am currently attending a B2 course. Feels unreal. One more year and I will be officially at the proficient level!

I eat a quick snack before the class. Protein doesn’t get itself. I remind myself that I am going to be sitting next to these people for 4 months, so I should get to know them to feel more comfortable in the class, even though it might feel a tiny bit exhausting.

One person who was not here last week comes in later and wow, I know them from the previous B1 course. That happens every so often. I hope she reminds me of her name though. I usually forget a name the second someone tells it to me.

The professor prepared an activity for us to get to know each other better, which is perfect for the first few weeks when everybody is still shy. We are talking to each other in German. Yes, clumsily, but we still do and that’s essential.

Activities after school

Germany, and Berlin notably, are survivable without German, but I would not say livable. There is quite a difference. I didn’t know that when I came here so I do remind myself about it as I am planning to stay here for some time.

My classes end at 6 pm today. Tomorrow is my job day. I am a Werkstudent. Since it is not too late, I am going to the cinema but right after I am going straight home because I need to get those 8 hours of sleep, otherwise I’ll be sleeping at my desk.

This is what daily life in Berlin looks like. I am not claiming this to be a universal experience for all international students living in Germany, but it is quite similar to what my friends do with their lives too: a job and a few classes per week, some meet-ups during the week, bigger plans for Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays as a restful day before repeating all over again.

Have you ever thought of studying in Germany?

Berlin International College is the exact place for you if you want to experience this and beyond yourself. Not all of us have an immediate qualification to enter a German university right after high school. Here you can find help and get a conditional letter of offer from our partnering universities and study there right after successfully passing our exam. If you apply now, you can study in Germany already next year!