Adjusting to a new environment is definitely not easy, from the change in scenery to the change in food, language, and people. The Brandt School is made up of many students from all over the world who have done the un-easy and are adjusting to this interesting, beautiful and different country called Germany, specifically the wonderful city of Erfurt. It has been an experience with its trials and tribulations, charm, challenges, and contrasts. 

In this blog we hear from the first year (2024-2026) batch of the Brandt School, whose stories paint a colourful picture of the German experience and what it means to begin anew.

First Impressions: Independence, Bureaucracy and Discovery

The German first impression for many of us was a mix of surprise, wonder, and a bit of bureaucratic frustration. 

With the Master of Public Policy program as our main reason for being here, transitioning into the new academic system presented unique challenges and opportunities. Jiří from the Czech Republic describes his experience:

“…Germany emphasizes independence more than I was used to. It’s challenging at first, but this freedom allows for personal expression and exploration of topics I find truly interesting.”

Beyond academics, Michelle from Kenya found the efficiency, order and cleanliness to be wonderful:

“Honestly, [what I noticed] was how incredibly efficient and well-organized everything is! From the public transport (the connecting trains from Frankfurt to Erfurt) to the cleanliness and organisation of the streets (where people actually obey traffic lights), it was like stepping into a world where everything just works like magic. It made me feel excited and eager to adapt quickly and thrive here!”

Germany is not called Papierland for nothing. Navigating bureaucracy in Germany can be a tad bit frustrating, from figuring out the Anmeldung (city registration) process to being hit with the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) letter. The Brandtians had this to say…

For Michelle, preparation is everything: “failing to prepare is preparing to fail. So I am the type of person to prepare things and documents way in advance and communicate about things way in advance.”

Christian from Colombia, on the other hand, advises that patience is key: “Be prepared for being patient and for not finding [a] solution [on]…the first try.”

Ellysson from Brazil embraces the mentality of when in Rome, do what the Romans do: “…Right from the start, I decided to understand that this is how it works here and to avoid comparing it to my home country since I couldn't change the fact and that would only generate unnecessary stress.”

Food and Lifestyle: Pfand, Döner, and Everything Nice

Being international students with different food preferences, we have had to be creative and adaptive in discovering new meals and adjusting recipes to remind us of home. 

Ellysson: “Schupfnudeln is my favorite! It's also easy to find vegan (without eggs) and it resembles the pasta dishes we have in Brazil, although it has its differences.”

Jenna from the USA discovered Reibekuchen: “They are very similar to Latkes, a classic Jewish food I would eat back home this time of year to celebrate Hannukkah.”

For Christian, it’s the classic Döner: “I love Berliner Döner. We don't have that in Colombia, although our cuisine is so much better in any sense.”

In terms of lifestyle, the Pfand system here was a pleasant surprise. Aside from getting money back, we get to feel like part of the process of protecting our environment and reducing waste. Like Ellysson says, “In addition to making recycling easier, encouraging the return of bottles through consumer refund saves raw materials and has a positive impact on CO2 emissions. This definitely surprised me in a positive way!”

The Language Game: Lost in Translation

The most important and perhaps trickiest part of living in Germany is navigating the language barrier. This barrier can lead to hilarity. 

Ellysson had an interesting moment of asking to be shot when he just needed a haircut:
“The first time I went to see a hairdresser to get a haircut, I made the mistake of telling him that I wanted someone to 'schießen' (shoot) instead of 'schneiden' (cut). And the worst part is that he only corrected me the second time I went to get my [hair cut] by him. He said he thought it was funny but didn't say anything the first time! Haha.”

If you think you know your alphabet, wait till you meet German special letters and pronunciations. For Jean from Malawi, this reality hit her hard when she went to get her Huawei Y9 phone repaired and could not for the life of her remember Y is pronounced “Upsilon” and not “Yot” (which is J in German): “I told the repair guy, 'Mein Handy ist Huawei Yot 9.' ('My phone is Huawei J9.') I didn’t realize that in German, 'Y' is pronounced 'Upsilon,' not 'Yot.' … We spent about seven minutes going in circles. Finally, in desperation, I asked, 'Was ist die Buchstabe vor Z?' ('What is the letter before Z?') He said, 'Meinst du Upsilon?' ('Do you mean Upsilon?') The relief was immediate. I’ll never forget that 'Y' is 'Upsilon' again!”

These moments are humbling and present unique opportunities to be patient, learn from every mistake, and understand that learning a new language requires patience.

Cultural Adjustments: German Directness and Sacred Sundays

The German culture is unique and has its challenges and delights, from the straightforward communication style to the cherished traditions.

German directness can be striking. As Jiří observes: “German people tend to be more direct and reserved compared to Slavic cultures. While the vibe is different, my adaptability helps me navigate these subtleties without much difficulty.”

But German culture isn’t all serious. Ellysson shares his love for Oktoberfest: “Certainly, the way they have fun together while they share a large table, traditional music, and, of course, liters of beer, has become one of my favorite aspects of German culture.”

Another major adjustment is the calm of Sundays, when shops close and life slows down. Christian mentioned “[t]hat everything closes on Sunday. But now I kind of like it.”

For both Michelle and Jenna, the emphasis on work-life balance in Germany was a welcome surprise.

Michelle: “I love the emphasis on work-life balance and the value placed on leisure time. The tradition of taking long walks in nature, riding bikes in the afternoons when the weather is nice or spending Sundays relaxing is something I’ve happily embraced.”

Jenna: “Germans seem to have a much healthier attitude towards work than I’m used to….In Germany, people aren’t afraid to take vacations and rest.”

While the initial culture shock may be real, these unique aspects of German life often become some of the most cherished parts of living here.

This new experience may be overwhelming at first, but it is worth it. The Brandtians offer some tips on how to navigate these new waters:

Michelle: “Budget for unexpected expenses, especially during the first few months. Settling in comes with surprise costs, but once you’re organized, it’s smooth sailing.”

Jiří: “Adaptability is key. No matter the environment, it’s about adjusting expectations while staying respectful and true to yourself.”

Christian: “Start learning German from your home country. Believe me, you would feel so much [a] part of this country as long as you can understand the others and be understood. It's difficult but not impossible. Practice every day and you'll see.”

Ellysson: “…always remember what made you come here and stay focused on that. There will be fun and difficult moments, but your reason for coming here is valuable and by prioritizing this, you will always build wonderful and truly important things for your future and journey.”

Our Shared Adventure

The Brandt School has students from all over the world with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Yes, we are all different, but our shared experiences continue to create a bond beyond cultural differences. We may passionately debate public policy in class, but there is one thing we all agree on: for the next two years, Germany is our home, and we are embracing the good, the bad, and everything in between and beyond. 

For anyone thinking of embarking on this journey I say, Willkommen in Deutschland. Your adventure awaits!

~ The views represented in this blog post do not necessarily represent those of the Brandt School. ~