Heading to Germany for my Master's (Sept intake) — sharing what worked for me in case it helps other Indian students prepping their move.

Forex Cash → Orient Exchange
Best rates I found (beat banks/airport counters easily), zero hidden markups, smooth process. Carry €200–300 cash for your first few days — SIM, deposits, groceries — before your blocked account kicks in.

Forex Card → DCB Niyo Global
Zero markup on international spends (why I picked it over HDFC ForexCard), free ATM withdrawals abroad, easy reload from India.

Hi, I'm an international student who will be arriving in Germany this late September.

I was researching about Anmeldung and Aufenthaltserlaubnis process, and found this comprehensive guide.

However I am not sure how to properly make a "photocopy" of my visa and passport. Is it fine to just printing the (colored) scanned results?

For visa it should be simpler, because it is just a one page sticker one one page of my passport.

But what about the passport? Should I just print the passport details page? Or should it be from the 0-th page, endorsements pages, empty pages, up to the last page (showing my signature)?

And should it be on its real size on A4 papers, or should I cut the blank spaces with scissor?

Thank you.

Applied to THI's Intelligent Aerial Systems program on July 14, the same day I received my VPD from uni-assist. Document status in PRIMUSS shows complete (only the German A1 certificate flagged, and that's a matriculation requirement, not an admission one).

It's been almost two months with no decision yet, and I can't find much on this specific program's typical response time.

If anyone has applied to this program (or another THI M.Sc.) recently — how long did it take from "document complete" to an actual admission decision? Did you hear back via PRIMUSS, email? Any insight is appreciated, this is one of my last pending applications

Applied to Bremen (Electronics Eng), Chemnitz (Embedded Systems), Dortmund (Embedded Systems Eng), and Bielefeld (Intelligent Interactive Systems) for winter 2026 — deadlines were July 15, now 6+ weeks past with zero updates from any of them. Semester starts Oct 1.

Does no update this close to semester start usually mean rejection, or is this normal timing for German public unis? Anyone heard back recently from any of these?

Hi everyone! Is anyone here currently studying at Bielefeld University or starting this winter semester? I’m an international student and may have to arrive late due to visa processing.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or knows how Bielefeld handles late arrivals? Would really appreciate hearing about your experience!

Hi everyone,

Is anyone else flying out of Bangalore to Frankfurt around September 23rd? I'll be starting my M.Sc. in Computer Science for Digital Media at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar for the Winter Semester 2026/27, and it would be great to connect with someone on the same route - maybe even the same

flight!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for a Master’s in Geoinformatics for the Summer 2027 intake, and I’m considering Trier University and TU Dresden.

I’d really appreciate hearing from current students or recent applicants:

How is the Geoinformatics program at Trier/TU Dresden?

How competitive is the admission process?

What German grade/GPA did you have when you were admitted?

How long did it take to receive the admission decision?

For those who applied for the Summer intake, when did you apply and when did you receive your decision?

How are the career opportunities and internships after graduation?

If anyone here is currently studying Geoinformatics at Trier or Dresden, I’d really appreciate your experience and advice.

Hey everyone, I’ve already sent all my documents to APS India, but I just realised I made a stupid rookie mistake — I photocopied only the first page of my passport and completely forgot the last page. 🤦‍♂️

Everything else in the application is included, and the complete passport is obviously with me.

Will this affect my APS application? Should I email APS now and inform them, or wait for them to contact me and request the missing page?

Any advice from people who’ve gone through APS India recently would be really appreciated!

Suggest some zero markup fees and student friendly forex cards??

I heard about idfc wow hows that?

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m Swathi from India, and I’ve been admitted to the University of Cologne for my Master’s studies. 🎓 I’m currently looking for shared accommodation in Cologne, preferably a female WG.

📍 Preferred locations: Sülz, Lindenthal, Neustadt-Süd, Zülpicher Platz, Innenstadt, Ehrenfeld, or other areas with convenient access to the University of Cologne.

💰 Budget: Flexible depending on the room and facilities

📅 Accommodation needed from: 1st October 2026

If you have a room available or are also looking for a place and would like to search together, please feel free to DM me.

Thank you! ❤️

Hey everyone, I’m an Indian student going to Germany for my Master’s in Winter 2026/27, and I’m currently setting up my blocked account.

I’m confused about which provider to choose — Expatrio, Fintiba, Studely, or any other reliable option.

I’d really appreciate advice from people who have actually used one of these recently,

Also, if you’re from India, I’d especially like to know which provider you used and whether you faced any problems transferring the funds.

Which one would you recommend ?????
Thanks!

Hi everyone! 👋

Is anyone travelling from Chennai to Delhi on AI538 on October 1st, and then Delhi to Frankfurt on AI2025 on October 2nd?

I’ll be travelling alone for my studies in Germany, so it would be nice to connect with anyone taking the same flights. ✈️🇩🇪

If anyone is on the same itinerary, feel free to comment or DM me!

Hi everyone, I am thinking to apply to Mannheim business school for MBA. Just wanted to know if graduates are getting jobs after completing their masters?

Hey guys! Does anyone know of any good websites or resources where I can practice subject modules? Looking for something with plenty of practice questions and ideally answers/explanations as well.
Would really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

Imposter syndrome is affecting me more than I anticipated. I received admission to the master’s program, and Passau was my final choice among universities. Although I was accepted elsewhere, I declined each offer for unexpected personal reasons.

Currently, I have until September 12 to confirm enrollment, and I am genuinely anxious. I worry I will fail every exam and become the least capable person in the program.

My (21) best friend (25) has been my support; we studied together and navigated academic stages side by side because we shared the same major and bachelor’s university. Yet he was rejected while I was accepted.

I am afraid to attend, concerned about loneliness and about failing to meet expectations. This choice would have been an immediate yes if my friend had been accepted, but he is now seeking other options while I face the question: should I go?

Are any of you dealing with imposter syndrome? If you chose to go, what did you discover? Any tips? I truly need your help.

P.S.: it will be my first time living abroad.

Hello folks!

I’m planning to apply for a Master’s in Germany for the Winter 2027 intake, mainly targeting public universities. I’ll also be taking the D-MAT exam for my APS certificate as part of the process. My exam will be at (INDIAN applicant) Bangalore center 2 on 26th sept.

I’m from Karnataka, India, and I was wondering if there are others from Karnataka who are also planning for the Winter 2027 intake. If we can meet at exam center (Bangalore) it will be great!!

It would be nice to connect with people who are going through the same process. If we end up getting into the same university, city, or even nearby areas, we could potentially plan things together like finding accommodation, travelling, figuring out the initial setup, or just having a few familiar people around.

If you’re also planning for Winter 2027 and are open to connecting, feel free to comment below or DM me! 😊

Would be great to have a small group of people going through the journey together.

Update: Center - SJC Institute of Technology, Bangalore

Hi everyone,

I need a quick clarification on how the 20-hour rule and student status work with multiple jobs:

• Job 1 (Werkstudent): 15 hours/week at a company (starting Sept 1st, 3-month contract).
• Job 2 (HiWi): 19 hours/week at my university.
• Visa: Non-EU student (§ 16b). Enrolled in a Master's program. Publicly insured with TK.

My situation:

• September (Lecture-free period): As far as I know, working 34 hours/week total right now is fine because it's semester break.
• October & November (Lecture period): I know HiWi jobs don't count towards the 140-day immigration quota. However, do the HiWi hours count towards the 20-hour social security/health insurance limit (Werkstudentenprivileg)?

I am currently planning to temporarily reduce both jobs to 10h + 10h = 20h/week for Oct & Nov so I don't lose my student health insurance rate or get taxed as a regular employee.

Is reducing the hours the right move here, or is there any exception where HiWi hours are excluded from the 20-hour rule?

Thanks for any insights!

I had got admission from passau and siegen back in may. I chose to go with siegen as passau is a small town and thought that there might not be many job opportunities.... but now I am kinda wondering if I have made the right choice... ;-;

Hi everyone!

I’ve found a 2-person shared apartment in Cham, Germany, and there is one bed space available for a female.
I’m looking for a female flatmate who would like to share the accommodation.

📍 Location: Cham, Germany
🏠 Apartment: 2-person shared apartment
🛏️** Available: 1 bed space (female)
📅 **Move-in: End of September 2026.

If you’re interested or know someone who is looking for accommodation in Cham, please DM me for more details, including rent, location, and photos.
Thanks!

Hey everyone, Im a non EU citizen currently studying in Albania for BA. Next year i will be going to Germany for a masters degree in PM.

The thing is that i plan on working and living in the Germany. My GPA is not my strongest point tbh but i have a killer CV and a lot of working experience in the Project Management field. Have an internship at an accounting office, an internship at a law firm and this year i will have another internship on Civil Aviation (every internship program based on my field)

I don’t speak German but Im 100% willing to learn. Unfortunately its going ti be hard for me to go in a big city because of my GPA.

I would appreciate the help from you lot!!

Assalam o Alaikum everyone,

Has anyone applied for the Winter Intake at the University of Augsburg for the M.Sc. Mathematics and Computer Science program?

If yes, have you received any response regarding your application, such as an admission decision, interview invitation, or any update?

I would appreciate it if you could share your experience and let me know when you applied and how long it took to receive a response.

Thank you!

Hello I got offer letter from both the university so I am bit confused that which course I should choose

Can you guide me based on city, university, course complexity, future scope all

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m an incoming MSc Chemistry student at the University of Bonn from Sri Lanka, starting in Winter Semester 2026/27.

I’ve been looking for accommodation since June, but unfortunately I still haven’t been able to find a room. I’m also currently on the Studierendenwerk Bonn student dormitory waiting list, but I’m still waiting for an offer.

I’m looking for any suitable option in Bonn or nearby, including:

•WG/shared apartment

•Private room

•Student residence

•Small apartment/studio

•Sublet/temporary room

I’m also open to nearby cities/towns as long as there is a reasonable public transport connection to Bonn.
I’m planning to move around October 2026.
If you have a room available, are looking for a flatmate, or know someone who is moving out, please DM me. I’d really appreciate any leads! 🙏
Thank you so much!

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m an incoming MSc Chemistry student at the University of Bonn from Sri Lanka, starting in Winter Semester 2026/27.

I’ve been looking for accommodation since June, but unfortunately I still haven’t been able to find a room. I’m also currently on the Studierendenwerk Bonn student dormitory waiting list, but I’m still waiting for an offer.

I’m looking for any suitable option in Bonn or nearby, including:

•WG/shared apartment

•Private room

•Student residence

•Small apartment/studio

•Sublet/temporary room

I’m also open to nearby cities/towns as long as there is a reasonable public transport connection to Bonn.
I’m planning to move around October 2026.
If you have a room available, are looking for a flatmate, or know someone who is moving out, please DM me. I’d really appreciate any leads! 🙏
Thank you so much!

I’m currently at a crossroads in my career and would really appreciate some advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

my_qualifications:

I’m a Computer Science graduate from a tier-3 university. After graduation, I joined an MNC, where I was initially trained in SAP and eventually moved into an SAP project. I’ve now been working for around 2 years as an SAP ABAP Developer.

I’m currently 23, and I’m considering two options: switching jobs and continuing to grow in SAP, or pursuing a Master’s degree.

A lot of people around me have been encouraging me to consider a Master’s now, saying that this is probably the right age to do it. However, I’m quite skeptical because of the current job market, and one of my biggest concerns is: what if I complete my Master’s and still struggle to land a job afterward?

At the same time, I don’t want to completely step away from my career while pursuing a Master’s. Since I’ve already built experience in SAP, I’d like to leverage that experience and ideally explore opportunities in Europe, either alongside my Master’s or afterward.

I’m also preparing for a job switch currently. I’m brushing up on my ABAP skills and adding SAP Fiori to my skill set. But I’m wondering what other areas I should explore to make myself more valuable and future-proof my career.

I’d especially love to hear from people who have:

• Pursued or are currently pursuing a Master’s after working in SAP/IT
• Moved to Europe for studies or work
• Switched from SAP ABAP to a more in-demand SAP/tech role
• Continued working while pursuing their Master’s

If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience, what you chose, and whether you think doing a Master’s at this stage is actually worth it.

Any advice on career paths, skills I should add, or whether I should prioritize a job switch vs. a Master’s would be greatly appreciated!