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 university 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 let’s be honest – most Indian students in Germany hit snooze at least twice. Classes in German universities usually begin around 8 or 9 AM. Unlike in India, there’s no fixed “attendance drama,” but being punctual 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 often walk in, start the lecture without formalities, and the seriousness in the room reminds you – you’re not in Delhi anymore.
Quick Breakfast Choices:
- Bread, cheese, and coffee (very German).
- Or the desi version: leftover sabzi with bread, or Maggi because Maggi is forever.
By 7:45 AM, you’re either cycling to campus (yes, bikes are everywhere), 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. There’s more emphasis on self-study, discussions, and research than rote learning. Professors expect you to read before class and participate actively.
Typical Classroom Experiences:
- No one addresses professors as sir/madam. It’s usually by their last name with Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Ms.).
- Asking questions is encouraged – in fact, professors may be disappointed if you stay silent.
- Group projects are common, and yes, you’ll work with Germans, Europeans, and other international students. It’s both exciting and intimidating at first.
The First “Oh Wow” Moment:
When you realize that tuition is free, yet you’re sitting in a lecture with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced labs, and world-renowned professors. For most Indian students, it feels surreal.
Lunchtime: Curry Cravings vs. German Food
By noon, your stomach growls louder than your professor’s voice. Here’s where cultural differences really hit.
Options for Lunch:
- Mensa (University Canteen):
Affordable meals (3-4 Euros for students), but heavy on bread, potatoes, sausages, or pasta. If you’re vegetarian, options exist but are limited. - Home-Cooked Tiffin:
Many Indian students batch-cook dal, rice, and sabzi over the weekend. Carrying your own dabba makes you feel instantly at home. - Indian Restaurants or Grocery Stores:
In cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, or Munich, you’ll find Indian restaurants, but they’re pricey compared to your student budget. - Curry Cravings Hack:
Always keep masala mixes (Maggi, MDH, Everest) stocked. They can turn bland German veggies into ghar-ka-khana in minutes.
Pro tip: Don’t be surprised if your German friends eat cold sandwiches for lunch while you’re secretly munching aloo paratha from your tiffin.
Afternoon: Libraries, Labs & Side Hustles
After lunch, many students head to the university library – and you’ll be amazed. German libraries are massive, silent, and open late. Students use them not just for books but as study and social spaces.
Lab Sessions (for Engineering/Science students):
Hands-on, practical, and often longer than expected. Professors expect you to apply theories independently.
Part-Time Jobs:
Many Indian students work part-time (HiWi jobs, research assistantships, café work, delivery services). Regulations allow 120 full days or 240 half days per year of work.
This means afternoons might also include:
- Helping in research labs.
- Working at Indian grocery shops or restaurants.
- Doing part-time delivery for companies.
Balancing work and study teaches one of the greatest German lessons: discipline and self-management.
Evening: Social Life, Sports & Festivals
Evenings in Germany are not about cramming in extra classes like in India. Instead, students often:
- Join university clubs (sports, music, debate, coding).
- Play football or go cycling – Germans love outdoor fitness.
- Hang out with friends in student dorms or cafés.
Indian Student Associations:
Almost every university has an Indian Student Association. They celebrate festivals like Diwali, Holi, or Independence Day, bringing a slice of India to Germany.
Imagine celebrating Diwali in Berlin – fairy lights, Bollywood songs, and German friends trying gulab jamun for the first time. That’s student life at its best.
Night: Cooking, Calls Home & Curry Cravings (Again)
Dinner is usually lighter in Germany – bread, salad, soup. But for Indian students, it often turns into a full meal: dal, rice, roti, sabzi. Cooking together with flatmates becomes both cost-effective and fun.
At around 9 or 10 PM, the “homesickness hour” sets in. Most students call family back home in India. The time difference works well – it’s early morning in India.
Late nights are often spent:
- Completing assignments.
- Watching Netflix or cricket streams.
- Or heating up Maggi for the third time that week.
Weekends: Exploring Germany
The weekdays are busy, but weekends are magical. With a student semester ticket, you often get free or discounted travel within your region.
Students spend weekends:
- Exploring castles, rivers, and forests.
- Visiting Christmas markets in winter.
- Traveling to other EU countries (Paris, Amsterdam, Prague – all just a train ride away).
For Indian students, weekends are also for grocery shopping at desi stores – stocking up on rice, spices, and atta.
Lessons Every Indian Student Learns in Germany
- Time is sacred – being 5 minutes late is considered rude.
- Self-reliance is survival – from laundry to cooking, everything is DIY.
- Cultural openness – you’ll meet students from 50+ countries.
- Value of money – no tuition doesn’t mean free living. Budgeting is key.
- Homesickness is real – but so is growth. Germany changes you in the best way.
Final Thoughts: From Curry Cravings to Career Goals
A day in the life of an Indian student in Germany is not just about classes or food – it’s about growth, resilience, and independence.
You learn to balance German efficiency with Indian adaptability, to survive on pasta one day and cook biryani the next, to miss home yet build a new one 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.
So, if you’re dreaming about studying in Germany, picture this:
Cycling through cobbled streets, attending world-class lectures, eating dal-chawal at midnight, and planning a weekend trip to Paris. Sounds exciting? Because it truly is.
