#University Life in Germany

[edugoabroad]

One of the first things we think about when we land in a new place, with all the abundant and wonderful possibilities it inhabits, is food. Nothing elicits joy or dismay, brings people together or polarises them quite like food. Landing up in Germany, particularly to study in Germany, comes with its own anxieties -the newness of it all can be both exciting and daunting. In this scenario, nothing brings a dash of much-needed comfort and helps you immerse yourself in the local culture quite like food. Food, in the larger context, enables you to understand the history that shaped the cultural landscape of said country, and relate with the prevalent culture.

When it comes to mouthwatering food, Germany has plenty to go around. In this blog, we shall highlight some must-try dishes that you must give a go! So while you’re excitedly waiting for your German student visa to arrive, you can trust us to whet your appetite by listing some amazing dishes that you would fall in love with and come to crave throughout your student life in Germany.

Don’t worry - if meat, eggs or even dairy are a big no-no for you, we’ve got you covered! Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

1) Halloumi Im Brot

A semi-hard, unripened cheese made from a concoction of goat and sheep milk, the origins of Halloumi are said to lie in Cyprus although Egypt has also laid claim to it. Bit of a "who came first - the chicken or the egg" conundrum right there and the debate continues to rage, but one thing's for certain - it's delightfully scrumptious.

Over centuries, Halloumi went from being a staple in Cypriot to a celebrated ingredient to many a delicacy across the Mediterranean and the world. Halloumi im Brot, in particular, refers to a sandwich which features a grilled or fried halloumi. Combining the homeliness of bread with the savoury, rich elements of halloumi, the dish also features vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce along with a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice. This dish is hearty while encompassing a variety of flavours and textures.

Fun fact: In 2021, the European Union granted halloumi Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring that only cheese produced in Cyprus following traditional methods can be labelled as "halloumi."

It’s super duper healthy too, and has plenty to offer in the protein and calcium department, so feel free to help yourself to a few!

2) Sauerkraut

This one’s especially for the meat-connoisseurs and the trivia lovers - Sauerkraut has been an essential sidekick to plenty of incredible meat-based dishes. It is essentially fermented cabbage, although in present-day there’s a chance you might mostly find the pickled variety. It bears a distinct sour flavour and given that it is made from lactic acid, forming from bacteria that ferments sugars present in the cabbage leaves.

What’s in it for the trivia lovers, you’d say. Well, it’ll come as a surprise to you, but Sauerkraut isn’t from Germany! It was actually conceived in China 2000 years ago by workers who were only provided with shredded cabbage and rice to fend for themselves. They began to store their food in rice wine, which helped with extending shelf life while also landing themselves a nutritious, highly durable source of nutrition. When you’re hungry and need something to keep you going while being inundated with assignments and deadlines, Sauerkraut should keep you in good stead and give you a loaded dose of dietary fibre, Vitamin C, Iron, and Potassium with each serving.

3) Spätzle

While it remains an ever-favourite in Germany, Spätzle isn’t exactly well-known outside of the country. If you’re craving something rich, cheesy and buttery, these fresh egg noodles should make your tummy extremely happy. In theory, the dish is redolent of mac & cheese, but trust us - it’s so, so, so much more than that!

Spätzle are squeezed through a press, shaved off the edge of a board or sliced straight into the boiling water. Afterwards, the simmered Spätzle are drained and then fried in butter. After that it is either baked with grated cheese (KäseSpätzle), or served as a side dish.

It’s taken pretty damn seriously in the region of Swabia - The European Commission made Schwäbische Spätzle and Knöpfle into protected types of pasta. If they have been produced in Swabia, they are permitted to bear the quality seal of “protected geographical indication” which is valid throughout the EU.

4) Pretzels

They never fail to hit it out of the proverbial park when it comes to bakery in Europe. This is all the more applicable to Germany, which is home to a plenitude of delicious baked items, namely the infamous pretzel. This knot-shaped treat is famous the world over, usually coming as a savoury snack one can have when craving something baked. They can make for a very filling treat whilst remaining low-fat, although nutritionists do not exactly swear by its virtues given that it is high on sodium and carbs. So while you can munch on a fair few, moderation is essential.

5) Apfelstrudel

This list wouldn’t be complete without apfelstrudel, which is a traditional German pastry dish made with thin layers of dough filled with sweetened apple slices. Like pretzels, it’s popular all over the world and if you enjoy baklava, you’d definitely want to try this! Historically, the apfelstrudel is linked to Austria but has multicultural origins so when you have it, you’re having a dish which has been evolved through the contribution of myriad culinary approaches.

Conclusion

When you finally kickstart your dream to study in Germany, and begin your university life, it is absolutely essential that you relish your time there as it’s not only about the university you’d attend - it’s also about gaining exposure to new cultures and ways of life, and as we established earlier, trying the local food can play a massive role towards you doing that. Life in Germany for Indian students is filled with opportunities to explore German culture and lifestyle, and diving into the local cuisine is a fantastic way to start. Enjoy these dishes and let them be a delicious part of your student life in Germany!

[juan-francisco-palencia]

Eine Blume auf dem Weg.

“Fate or luck. Some rare moments make us reflect on the mysteries of life and who we really are…”

I'm not a writer because I'm not sure that everything I say ends well. I am not a poet either because I am not sure if everything I say becomes an offering, sublime poetry or if it is insulting and does not end well. I'm just a poor being. Who carries in her heart joy, the mortal grace of a woman, a hope, the reason to live to love with all her soul.

—  Juan Francisco Palencia.

[bykremi]

just a few shots from the new vlog (watch here)

[kameyyy]

I was just mentally writing a tumblr post abt how I need that iphone asap so I can preview a chat when I don't wanna answer (if I archived them I don't get notifications) and then I was like — wait.. I don't have read-reciepts on, they won't know I read their messages 😭😭😭

[transmhyra]

Translated from German: "If a University burns down or is otherwise destroyed, all current students immediatly finish their degrees with a bachelors degree" I also find the first paragraph notable "If someone dies during an exam, all other attending students pass" Which makes me wonder, if you murder someone else during an exam, would you pass as well? You would probably get expelled, but at that point in time you were attending the exam AND someone died. I don't think this will work more than once though. Professors hate this trick.

[cowboylikeyouu]

my life if i could just study criminal law & go fight crimes instead of sitting through hours and hours of ✨verwaltungsprozessrecht✨, ✨sachenrecht✨, ✨schuldrecht✨, ✨staatsorganisationsrecht✨:

[mariamariamare]

Our first day, we never forget!

[inspiredbookworm]

✨ 20 day language learning challenge ✨

Day 2: Which language/s do you want to learn while doing this challenge?

Hello everyone, welcome to day 2! Just as sunny as yesterday but colder (приветствую, осень) ☁️

I would love to learn German, but it's hard to study on my own. As I mentioned I'm not a fan and if it weren't for the uni classes I would be far behind. I want to learn it anyway, although I really have to find a better motivation. I don't hate it, yet something's pushing me back. I enjoy the uni classes probably because of the teacher, and the fact that I'm also learning Russian, because we're studying it from Russian. Today I'm gonna try to study a bit, at least some verbs or vocab 🫐

I want to learn Italian as well. One of my closest friends is italian and I told him I would study the language over the summer, but I was too busy (I went to another city and walked 22k steps a day). Nevertheless, the language is really beautiful and I know I would make my 15 year old self happy. I also have someone to practice with by default ☺️

Lastly, I'm gonna keep on studying Russian the way I am now. No grammar exercises, just talking, writing, reading and listening. I guess that's called immersion? I hope to finish the book I'm currently reading soon.

Have a lovely Wednesday 🕯️

[jojojooo33]

Rotating trans girl Al in my brain some more

[velvettoothpaste]

the way rocky lays there is symbolic for how i spent most of my semester break and i loved it, thank you very much

[simonf-2001]

The "Moritzbastei" in Leipzig opposite the university. In the background you can see the municipal utilities and the cloth hall.

🎞️ Kodak Gold 200

📷 Objective: Canon FD 50mm 1:1.8

📅 02-15-2024, 03.07 pm

⚙️ Edits: I have blurred the people in the background.

[vaciena]

Can I have a hug

[juan-francisco-palencia]

May my words accompany you.

. . . Love

Tell me "my life? Can you give me a hug and a kiss as soon as possible? Of course my love. But why the rush?

Because I feel someone calling me and I don't know if I'm awake or asleep. . . I don't know until when I will find you again or dream of you.

„Alles, was wir zutiefst lieben, wird ein Teil von uns.“ Ángela Strauss.

    —  Juan Francisco Palencia.   " By someone I know it was."             

[bykremi]

My exam is tomorrow. It is the last exam for my entire university career. If it goes well, I will graduate next year. I would lie if I said I was not completely overwhelmed and scared. It feels like so much is at stake.

[graddingeducationalconsultant]

Germany’s Free Education: Reality or Myth?

Germany’s reputation for providing free higher education has sparked global interest, attracting students from all over the world. But is Germany’s “free education” a reality, or is it cloaked in myths and misconceptions? Let’s go into the facts to see what free education in Germany really means and whether it lives up to the promise.

An Understanding of Germany’s Free Education

Germany eliminated tuition fees for undergraduate students at public universities in 2014. This policy applies to both domestic and international students, making it a popular choice for those looking for a high-quality education at a reasonable cost. However, the term “free education” may be misleading if taken at face value.

[littlebigmouse]

People like to make fun of YA worldbuilding tropes that sort teenagers into arbitrary categories based on arbitrary characteristics that nonetheless have a huge impact on the teenager's future.

This is not unrealistic however, because the german education system sorts 4th graders based on their "academic merit" as determinded by one of their elementary school teachers into one of three (sometimes four) further type of schools, which has a drastic impact on the likelihood of you even getting the qualification to attend university.

Yes, your entire academic career path is dependent on whether your elementary school teacher likes you or not. Don't worry, some states think that's bullshit too and instead make fourth graders sit entrance exams for the education level of their (parents') choice. (Although the teachers still get a say). That's why sometimes have news articles about the burn out rates of elementary schoolchildren in Bavaria.

But don't worry! Politicians love to complain about... to many people in recent years receiving the qualification to attend university...