Moving abroad is exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes a little spicy – especially if you’re an Indian student who cannot survive without masala. Germany, with its world-class universities, free tuition, and global exposure, is one of the top destinations for Indian students.
But beyond brochures and visa paperwork, what does a real day look like? Here’s an inside peek into the life of an Indian student in Germany – from early morning lectures to late-night Maggi cravings.
Morning: Waking Up in a Different World
The alarm rings at 6:30 AM, but most Indian students hit snooze at least twice. Classes in German universities usually begin around 8 or 9 AM. Unlike India, there’s no fixed attendance drama, but punctuality is non-negotiable.
Germany values time as much as we value chai. If class begins at 8:15, you’re expected to be seated by 8:10. Professors walk in, start lectures without formalities, and the seriousness reminds you – you’re not in Delhi anymore.
Quick Breakfast Choices
- Very German: Bread, cheese, and coffee
- Desi Version: Leftover sabzi with bread or Maggi because Maggi is forever
By 7:45 AM, you’re either cycling to campus or running to catch the tram. Public transport is punctual to the second – another reminder of German efficiency.
Mid-Morning: Classes, Group Work & Culture Shock
University classes in Germany feel different compared to India:
- More emphasis on self-study, discussions, and research
- Professors expect students to read before class and participate actively
Typical Classroom Experiences
- Professors are addressed by last name with Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Ms.)
- Asking questions is encouraged; staying silent may disappoint professors
- Group projects involve students from Germany, Europe, and other countries
The First “Oh Wow” Moment
Realising tuition is free, yet you’re in lectures with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced labs, and world-renowned professors. It feels surreal for many Indian students.
Lunchtime: Curry Cravings vs. German Food
By noon, your stomach growls louder than your professor’s voice. Here’s what lunchtime looks like:
Options for Lunch
- Mensa (University Canteen): Affordable meals (3-4 Euros), mostly bread, potatoes, sausages, or pasta. Vegetarian options are limited.
- Home-Cooked Tiffin: Batch-cooked dal, rice, and sabzi over the weekend – brings a taste of home.
- Indian Restaurants/Grocery Stores: Available in big cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich, but can be pricey.
Curry Cravings Hack
- Keep masala mixes (Maggi, MDH, Everest) stocked. They turn bland German veggies into ghar-ka-khana in minutes.
Pro tip: Don’t be surprised if German friends eat cold sandwiches while you enjoy aloo paratha from your tiffin.
Afternoon: Libraries, Labs & Side Hustles
After lunch, students often head to university libraries – massive, silent, and open late. Libraries are both study and social spaces.
Lab Sessions (Engineering/Science Students)
- Hands-on and practical, often longer than expected
- Professors expect independent application of theory
Part-Time Jobs
Indian students often work part-time (HiWi jobs, research assistantships, café work, delivery). Regulations allow:
- 120 full days or 240 half days per year
Afternoons may include:
- Helping in research labs
- Working at Indian grocery shops or restaurants
- Doing part-time delivery jobs
Balancing work and study in Germany teaches discipline and self-management.
Evening: Social Life, Sports & Festivals
Evenings are for social activities and fitness, not extra classes like in India. Students often:
- Join university clubs (sports, music, debate, coding)
- Play football or go cycling – Germans love outdoor fitness
- Hang out with friends in dorms or cafés
Indian Student Associations
- Almost every university has one
- Celebrate festivals like Diwali, Holi, Independence Day, bringing India to Germany
Imagine celebrating Diwali in Berlin – fairy lights, Bollywood songs, and German friends trying gulab jamun. That’s student life at its best.
Night: Cooking, Calls Home & Curry Cravings (Again)
Dinner in Germany is usually lighter – bread, salad, soup. Indian students often cook full meals: dal, rice, roti, sabzi. Cooking with flatmates is both fun and cost-effective.
Around 9-10 PM, the homesickness hour sets in. Most students call family in India.
Late nights are often spent:
- Completing assignments
- Watching Netflix or cricket
- Heating up Maggi for the third time that week
Weekends: Exploring Germany
Weekends are magical, especially with a semester ticket offering free or discounted travel. Students spend weekends:
- Exploring castles, rivers, and forests
- Visiting Christmas markets in winter
- Traveling to nearby EU countries like Paris, Amsterdam, Prague
Weekends also include grocery shopping at desi stores to stock rice, spices, and atta.
Lessons Every Indian Student Learns in Germany
- Time is sacred: Being 5 minutes late is rude, time management is important.
- Self-reliance is survival: Laundry, cooking – everything is DIY
- Cultural openness: Meet students from 50+ countries
- Value of money: Free tuition doesn’t mean free living
- Homesickness is real: But so is growth
Final Thoughts: From Curry Cravings to Career Goals
A day in the life of an Indian student in Germany is about growth, resilience, and independence.
You learn to balance German efficiency with Indian adaptability, survive on pasta one day and cook biryani the next, and build a new home thousands of miles away.
Germany doesn’t just give you a degree, it gives you a life experience that shapes your career and character forever.
At En-route Deutschland, we guide Indian students to embrace German education with confidence. We help you navigate student life, cultural differences, and day-to-day experiences so you thrive academically and personally in Germany.
