MBBS Students in Germany: Challenges, Solutions & Tips

The well-developed infrastructure and interindustry relations in Germany pillar the medical education system in the country. It is one of the most highly regarded study destinations among Indian students. So much so that it witnesses about 43,000 Indian students in the year 2023-24. The MBBS students in Germany can achieve their dreams with no or fewer education fees under a well-balanced European medical curriculum. During and after their course, they can acquire exposure to some of the renowned hospitals in Germany. However, the course does come with its limits.

In this blog, we will discuss the challenges of pursuing an MBBS in Germany and tips to overcome them.

Intense Competition

The German system is a combination of public and private universities. While public universities offer free education, the private university also comes with a number of financial aid. These universities are solely dedicated to the education, training and development of the medical students in the country. Statistically, they have about 42 medical universities. Their 9,500 seats get more than 40,000 applications. This means that only 23.75% of applicants get selection. The competition is cutthroat. Students applying to study MBBS in Germany need excellent grades and recommendations in order to get in. Without that, it could be a pretty hard journey.

However, there is a saviour. The German Medical Entrance Exam is the most recognised entrance exam for students applying to German medical universities. Students who have competitive grades or scores on their language proficiency test can significantly outshine other applicants with impressive scores in this exam. The ones with better scores in the GMEE will always be favoured over the ones who don’t or haven’t appeared for the exam.

Read: Is Studying Abroad Right for You? A Self-Assessment Guide

Academic Demands

It isn’t all to secure a seat. Students do have to keep proving themselves in classes and exams and meet other academic demands. Unlike in India, the MBBS courses in Germany are intensive and inclined towards practical learning. While it is a great advantage for the student’s account, it could be a compelling challenge. The German education system doesn’t desire students to learn in a confined space of a classroom. The curriculum would push them towards independent learning, developing analytic thinking and performing experiments and research. Memorising to pass the test will not sail your boat.

Students can seek support from the academic support services extended by their university. It hosts rigid communication between students and professors to forge an honest feedback channel. It must have facilities like tutoring, coaching and the space to form study groups that students can benefit from. Apart from this, obtaining and sharpening time management and organisational skills can also enhance their academic performance.

Read: Admission Process for MBBS in Germany: Step-by-Step Guide

Language Barrier

It is an inevitable issue for students studying in a foreign institute. Universities in Germany used their native language for all interactions from lectures to events, directions and so on. While it is at the core of most medical universities, some of them facilitate learning in English. It could limit your university options as well as your academic experience. Students must take German language classes to prepare for their time abroad. It would certainly help them participate in conversations in and outside their universities. Moreover, a German proficiency test may also be mandatory in some universities. However, that doesn’t mean the outer world will be so kind. Although almost everybody you meet will try to make comfortable conversations with you, there will be difficulties. Be open to learning a little bit of this and that.

Read: Overcoming Language Barriers While Studying Abroad

Climatic, Culture and Cooking

They are explicitly different from those in India. Germany is situated in a temperate, rainy climate zone of the mid-latitudes. The summers are pleasant. The highest the temperature ever goes is 37°C while it typically ranges between 10 to 24°C on most days. The winter could have subzero temperatures and heavy snowfall. The temperature is known to go as low as -20°C. As Asians, Indians are not accustomed to that cold weather. While it seems unbearably cold at first, it does offer a chance to enjoy skiing. It would be nice to sip hot cocoa before the fireplace of your dormitory, would it not?

As for the culture, international students comprise about 20% of the population. The local residents too were born in different countries of origin, or at least their forefathers were. At the same time, it is not much different from India. While Germany has over 100 ethnic groups, India has 2,000. It will take some time to get used to these changes but it could be exciting too. One could learn different traditions, cultures, culinary, art and festivals. The beginning could seem challenging and, infact, upsetting. But adapting these cultures, or for the least, accepting them, can help students build connections and induce personal growth. When feeling homesick, hit those delicious Indian restaurants to refresh your tastebuds.

Read: Student Life in Germany: Community, Events, Leisure and Jobs

University Facilities

When they say free education, they only refer to the tuition fee. Everything else is still to be paid for. Students enrolled on public universities in Germany would not have access to high-tech computer labs, research centres, personal counsellors, sports and rejuvenation centres. They need to pay for these facilities as well as other resources separately. Universities often have a standard administration charge that one can pay for. At the same time, some universities may not even have these facilities in-house. Even for accommodation, the demand exceeds the rooms available.

As a result, students in medical universities in Germany may suffer difficulty in navigating the other factors of their educational life. To avoid these challenges, consult with your university administration ahead and seek clarity on the subject. Apply for accommodation way ahead of time to find better options and deals. Alternatively, they could also gain assistance from their overseas education consultant.

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