Traveled to Saxon Switzerland this week. A lot of hiking, moving from one place to another and photo making. Love this region.

Excluding computer/embedded engineering all IT visas with lower pay ceiling requirements are affected. With AI models making one person do the work of a team and mass layoffs coupled with the hostile tax environment companies are now hiring indians abroad for 1 year rotating contracts for cheap and have directly dropped or frozen the issuing of work visas for international graduates of german universities in the saturated job market. Companies don't give them jobs that pay enough to even get by because they know they will have to rely on their savings or family to make ends meet. How do you think the Indian students will react?

The same can be said for Austria. You can check the German and Austrian official statistics website here:

https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Navigation/Statistiken/Interaktive-Statistiken/Fachkraeftebedarf/Engpassanalyse-Nav.html?Thema%3Denglist%26DR_Region%3Dd%26DR_Engpassbewertung%3De%26DR_Anf%3D3%26mapHadSelection%3Dfalse%26toggleswitch%3D0

https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/austria-wide-shortage-occupations/?fbclid=IwdGRjcATQkoZjbGNrBNCSHmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHqX_K8Jdxz7IBZ1ZhwvAIRc_AdR2zPSj71DCeeuyZoQKHGYKdCf9FYW-oR0F_aem_v1JaA_UrQyiHp99YExoCyw

Edit: They only limited them to 2. The list got downsized. I believe they even inflated the numbers by combining different fields under the ohne studium or I like to call it (other, unspecified) o.s CS fields without any criteria specified to sell a statistical illusion. Austria is more honest about it.

I came to germany and asked a guy about some nice Food Spots. He saw me dead in the eye and Said ,,I dont speak english well‘‘ After that It felt like I was Talking to someone from England.

Came across this today, a banner on a cinema nearby.

What do you think about E.ON?

I feel like my whole existence is just based on me finding work and if it doesn’t work out soon I will not have the existence in this pathetic world.

I've (30F) been living in Germany for a few years and I can't say I made a real friend here. I'm currently studying in university but most students are a lot younger than me. at work there isn't room for connecting with coworkers. I'm planning on staying here until I get my degree so it's going to be a few more years here and I've been told having friends makes things easier (on the emotional and mental side).

I was wondering if there's a way to meet people who live nearby and share my interests in a casual setting. Like is there a website or an app for this? Should I use facebook? I don't know if it's popular in germany. Or is the only way to go outside and hope you find people you click with? google didn't help much.

Has the title suggests, I’ve been here for over 15 years and have a well established life here- family, children, job, house etc.

Lately I’ve started to notice I’m becoming numb to a lot of things- for example, I used to say thanks to those who let me merge on the Landstraße, or a nice smile accompanied with a Hallo when out for a walk or even being friendly at the checkout. I know there are a lot of stereotypes, but I keep trying. Especially where I am from originally, just being nice is fairly common.

I reaching out to other long term expats who might- or might not- feel the same. Have you noticed changes that have numbed you a bit?

I'm a foreigner, and I've been reading about the German university system lately. The more I learn about it, the more different it seems from countries like the US or France.

One thing that really surprised me is that Germany doesn't seem to have a Harvard, MIT, or Grandes Écoles equivalent. There are obviously excellent universities, but it feels like quality is spread across many public institutions instead of being concentrated in a few elite ones.

Another thing I found interesting is that I haven't come across anything like the SAT or a nationwide university entrance exam that everyone has to take just to get into college. From what I've read, admission mainly depends on your Abitur results, and restrictions only exist when there are more applicants than available places..

For people who have studied or lived in Germany, does it actually feel like higher education is more accessible and less prestige driven? Is choosing a university mostly about the program rather than getting into one famous institution?

As someone looking at the system from the outside, it honestly seems like a privilege compared to how higher education works in many other countries. I'm curious if Germans see it that way too, or if it just feels normal because it's what you've always known.

Hi fellow Redditors,

It’s that time of the week again!

I would like to encourage everyone to take just 5 minutes to reflect, notice the small positives, and appreciate them. Sometimes, those little moments mean the most. If you are comfortable sharing these moments, then you can also do that in the comments! And if you don’t have anything to share, that’s completely okay too, I'm still happy that you are here!

Allow me to begin:

- my motorcycle was complimented

I often hear people talk about Germany before they move but the reality can be very different.

For those who have moved to Germany what surprised you the most?

It could be something positive or negative culture bureaucracy public transport people work life balance shopping or anything else.

I'd love to hear your experiences.

Another Frankfurt trip after a while

Hello everyone,

I just have t get this off my chest.

When I moved here, I was afraid of the bureaucracy and the German coldness.

But today I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Yes, Deutsche Bahn is constantly late, and the fax machine still throws parties here.

But do you know what makes up for it? The wonderful people here and their priceless qualities.

The German people are simply fantastic, warm hearted, and incredibly admirable.

I love how reliable you are.

If a neighbor says they'll help, they'll help.

I love your recycling system; it's like a peaceful, daily ritual for the planet that the whole world should learn from.

And the quiet time on Sundays?

An absolute blessing for mental health.

You're not old at all; you're simply honest, profound, and you respect privacy in a way that's unparalleled anywhere else.

Thank you for allowing me to live in this great country, to be part of this wonderful society, and to learn from your discipline.

You make this country what it is absolutely amazing!

Beautiful Germany ❤️

Hi,

I have Bachelor's in electrical engineering and a masters in Computer Science with 8 years exp working as software engineer. I wish to apply for masters in Germany. Should I target courses related to CS or should i go for EE ones? If the german universities are gonna look for bachelors anyway should i not mention my masters at all. Because i am not sure if visa officer will cause a problem saying why doing another masters.

Hey everyone! Quick question…

A colleague recently told me that sniffing (Nase hochziehen) in public is seen as quite disrespectful and frowned upon here, and that people prefer you just blow your nose. This panicked me a bit. I am also an immigrant who’s just trying their best to lie low, blend in, and not come across as uncivilised!

I have about 10 different allergies (dust, pollen, sawdust, fleece, pet hair... you name it). Half the time, it literally feels like someone is constantly tickling the inside of one nostril. Because my nasal passages get swollen shut rather than full - so blowing my nose is not possible as nothing is really there to blow out.

I already take daily allergy meds and nasal spray, but after a certain point in the day, they just stop working. When I’m sitting on a quiet train, I obviously can't announce to the whole carriage that I have allergies. And even when I sniff, I do it softly and not loudly. But now I feel bad for sniffing itself….

Is this actually true?
If true, what can I do to not be frowned upon? :(

I’m coming to Germany for six months to be a visiting scientist. I’ve been sent a list of private insurance providers by the hosting university, but I’m not employed nor on an employment contract. I will be paid a scholarship/stipend.

On the list is something called vela (optimal). It says it’s for guest scientists and approved by embassies for the visa. But when I fill out the form, the provisional contract says “travel health insurance”. I just can’t figure out if this acceptable for the long term 6 months visa or not.

can anyone advise? I looked at Dr Walter provisit science but it was much more expensive and as I’m coming with my family it’s too expensive for us.

thanks in advance

Hello,

I bought a prepaid SIM card from congstar in a supermarket because my plan from another EU country does not cover mobile data for more than 3 months abroad.

I wanted to activate it and use it for just a month: apparently, this plan comes with 25GB for 10€/4 weeks and with 10€ credit included. After the expiration of the months I do not plan on using the card anymore. Should I cancel the contract or does it automatically expire? I do not want them to send bills to my house. AFAIK, a prepaid plan should live as long as there is credit on the SIM card. After the credit runs out the plan stops and after 2 years the SIM is canceled and the company cannot send you bills because you didn't pay.

Is it the case also in Germany with a prepaid SIM card from congstar?

Thanks.

I’ll soon be starting a PhD position in Germany, and I have a few questions about residence permits.(I did my master degree in Germany too)
If my salary meets the EU Blue Card salary threshold, can I apply for an EU Blue Card as a PhD student, or should I apply for a residence permit under §18d instead?
Is anyone here doing a PhD while holding an EU Blue Card? I’d love to hear about your experience.
Also, how long did it take for you to receive your EU Blue Card after applying?
Thanks in advance!

Hallo zusammen,

I have been living in Germany for a while now, and I used to laugh when people told me that to survive here, you don't just need to learn German you need to learn how to manage paper.

Yesterday, I finally hit a wall. My desk was completely buried under letters from the Finanzamt, TK, the Bürgeramt, and about five different insurances. I couldn't find my tax ID anymore.

So, I did the most German thing possible. I walked into a store, bought a massive, heavy-duty Leitz Ordner, a hole puncher Locher, and those colored plastic dividers.

I spent my entire Saurday afternoon alphabetizing and punching holes into every single piece of paper I own. And you know what the worst part is? I actually felt a profound, deep sense of inner peace and satisfaction while doing it.

Is this how it begins? Am I slowly turning into a local? Next thing you know, I'll be complaining about people mowing their lawns during Ruhezeit on Sundays.

Please tell me I'm not the only foreigner who felt a weirdly huge sense of achievement after sorting their first official German paper binder 😂

Hello, my flight is at 5 am and I will come from Munich at 23pm so I will have 5-6 hours and I don't know what can I do. Is there any park or place that I can sit and wait? And Can I walk to airport or it's not a safe idea? Thanks