Indian Student Thrives in Germany After Overcoming Initial Challenges

Dyuthi Pramoth, an English literature student from Kerala, India, had always known she wanted to write. However, moving to Germany to pursue her academic goals meant learning how to speak up in a new cultural context. Despite having a strong background in English language and literature, Dyuthi struggled to adjust to the German academic system.

## Initial Struggles Dyuthi's decision to study in Germany was motivated by the country's tuition-free public universities. However, becoming an international student in Germany was not simple. She faced visa delays, which meant she missed several weeks of classes, and struggled to navigate the university's student portals. Moreover, the cultural difference between Indian and German classrooms was a significant challenge for her. In Indian classrooms, the teacher's answer was considered the only right one, and disagreement was not encouraged. In contrast, German professors encouraged discussion and debate, which made Dyuthi feel uncomfortable at first.

## Adjusting to a New Way of Learning It took Dyuthi a full semester to realize that differing readings and opinions were valued in her field of study. She started speaking up in discussions, which transformed her experience entirely. Her professors became close allies, and her ambition to pursue a PhD was rekindled. Academically, Dyuthi had to adjust to a new way of learning, which focused on critical theory and secondary scholarship. She had to relearn academic writing from scratch, including citation conventions and word choice.

## Navigating Bureaucratic Processes The financial and bureaucratic path to studying in Germany was also a challenge for Dyuthi. She needed to obtain an APS certificate, which took four months, and convert her Indian percentage grades into the German one-to-five scale. She also had to prove that she had roughly 11,000 euros in a blocked account to secure her visa. Some universities required German proficiency even for English-taught programs, although Dyuthi was exempt from this requirement.

## Advice for Future Students Now settled in Germany, Dyuthi is studying German through free university courses. She advises future students to research thoroughly, but also to connect with people and ask for help early on. She wishes someone had told her that asking for help was not a weakness, but rather a necessary step to succeed in a new academic environment. Dyuthi's experience serves as a reminder that studying abroad requires not only academic preparation but also cultural adaptability and resilience.