I and my secondary school classmate started the journey to travel to Germany for study purposes in 2017. I was already enrolled to a masters programme im Nigeria then, so I thought I should complete it before moving to Germany.
FFWD —> I supported my friend to travel and promised myself I will walk in his steps the ff year. So in 2018, forced by circumstances, I made the decision, prayed to God about it and He marvellously made a way. My decision brought me to Nairaland where I got lots of help from this community of fellow education sojourners. My Bad, I did not return the favor of giving back like others do. So that is the goal of this post- to give back in the form of good counsels which what I have learnt from my experience so far. I hope this helps:

Plan your application: for me, it took one year to prepare for my coming to Germany. Yet, when I arrived and studies started, I realised I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. Kindly take note of the following:
- Choice of course: choose a course you like. Don’t be fascinated or fantasied by what you don’t know and hope they will teach you here. Well, I am writing about MSc. Programme which I know about. It is more about personal work. Plus check the job market for prospective job opportunities after your studies. This depends on if you want to stay back in Germany after your studies.
- Choice of school/study city: choose a school you like. This may be surrounded by many other factors but check the school and be sure it is what you want before you apply. It is a good idea to consider a school/city where it is easy to get a decent part-time job and where the cost of living is not so high. Especially if you have in mind to self-finance your study.
- Application procedure: ensure you fulfill all the requirements before you apply. Don’t lie in your motivational letter, it will shoot back at you. Meet all the requirements before you apply so that when you get admitted, you will have some confidence that you can do it. That way you will enjoy your study.
- Finance: blocked account will finish. Don’t borrow blocked account money to come to Germany and hope you will work/study to pay it back. From my limited experience in east Germany, you may not be able to pay back and this will make you feel unfulfilled and worried and this may make you to start optimising for money which in my opinion is a sure thing to come after your studies as long as you do what you are supposed to do (work hard).
- German Language: From my experience so far, this is the holy grail if you plan to stay back in Germany after studying. Start learning now. Plan your learning, set a realisable goal. Stay focused and work hard towards it. If you can get B1 before coming here, You are up to get a good job during/after your studies.
Finally, this Nairaland community is very helpful. I am very grateful to you guys because everyone who posted something here made me not to feel isolated during the application process. They made me know I was on the right track. Thank You all and remain blessed.

Next steps: when you come here, try to learn the language. Make effort to learn or atleast make a realisable plan to learn.

I feel exhausted that I am giving too much advice. Not like I am there yet but these are the pieces I could pick out of my 1year experience here.

I wish you a successful application and hope you join us here in Germany, hopefully when the border opens up again.

Don’t forget to return back to the community and don’t forget God in this journey.
Bye for now.

Goodevening everyone,
I am applying to schools via uni-assit. (I wish I could see other tuition free schools that didn’t require uni-assist evaluation).
The response of my application will come in around mid-August.
Therefore, I want to know if I will be able to book a space for visa interview by then.
Which other suggestion can you give an applicant with a civil engineering background.

I will appreciate your response.
Thanks.

Is there anyone here studying civil engineering or is applying to study civil engineering.
I need to talk to you urgently.

And if you know anyone,
Please connect me to the person.

Thanks.

Goodafternoon house.
Is there anyone here applying for a civil engineering-related course?
I will like to ask you some questions.