Germany is an enticing destination for students thanks to its practically nonexistent tuition fees at public universities and its location. But before packing your bags, here are a few things you should know:

• German tuition is free only if you apply to a specific degree at a public university, are accepted and study under the same conditions as locals. Study abroad programs at private universities are expensive.
• Students without EU passports are only allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. If caught working on the black market they risk being deported.
• Many student grants and fellowships are available to foreigners, especially to those who are talented. The state-supported German Academic Exchange Service offers a large range of scholarships for international students.
• German universities, even private ones, expect students to figure out everything for themselves. There are no special facilities, on-campus health clinics or other such perks.
• Your entire grade may be pinned on one final exam paper rather than a wide range of assessment tasks
• Student facilities at German universities (Studentendorf) are Spartan. Flatshare (Wohgemeinschaft – WG) is a better option and also gets you friends
• Students with EU passports may be eligible for an interest free half-loan, half-grant from the state.
• There may be unexpected snags to your foreign visa, unless you are an EU citizen. For US students the application should go smoothly, but German bureaucracy is real when it comes to foreigners who have a great deal of red tape to overcome when it comes to finding housing, employment or dealing with the health system.
• Embrace paperwork! Germans are sticklers for by-the-book procedures and those who live there need to have flawless organization skills.
• Learn the language. Those who know it have an advangate!
• You may want to stay forever!