₦airaland Forum

Congratulation to all those who have had their visa granted. Herzlich willkommen, Alles Gute und viel Spaß in Deutschland. To all the hopefuls, I wish you all the best. Stay positive.

As it was ensured that I did not get lost when I arrived in Hamburg, I will like to extend the same courtesy to those coming to Hamburg this year. To all those coming, do feel free to mention me here or drop me a PM if you have questions or need help moving around when you arrive.

Shalom

CassieV:
Thanks for replying. . I was afraid that might be the case but then can I do a master in education if I don't have a BSc in education?? Is that even possible?

Anything is possible. It is always good to follow your passion, but in doing this, you will be your only limitation. I believe your background in Statistics provides a strong backbone for you. The only questions you have to answer are "do I really think I can do this?, do I really want to do this? what future plans will this degree suffice for?" If yes to the first two, then put together your application, make it very strong and convincing, and send to as many schools as possible. Do relate your future study ambitions to your previous study, and you will be fine.

CassieV:
I need help please, I checked the daad site and searched for a post graduate diploma course in education but there was nothing like post graduate in the options. Does this mean that the schools in Germany doesn't accept post graduate students?? I have a B.Tech in Statistics but I've decided to go into education and I need to do PGDE to get a degree in education.. Please those that are already schooling there should let me know if it's possible to do a PGDE in Germany. . . Thanks.

I'm not entirely sure yeah, but I don't think they have the PGDE program here in Germany like they have it in somewhere like Canada. You might be better off going for your masters, in Education, as long as you can relate both. Which I don't think will be that hard to do.

Walesby:
I dont school in hamburg, I school in Sachsen buh would be in Hamburg on saturday the 3rd of Oct for the Nigerian scholars in Germany Celebration of our independence day.....Who else is gunna be there, or am I the only one goin on thz thread...

I will be there also. You're definitely not the only one, some others in, and close to, Hamburg, will be there also.

Please use another bank if you don't have time, GTB will just waste your precious time, with little or no explanation, or remorse. They wasted two weeks of my time while trying to send my funds. Some people on here said Union bank is fast, though a bit more expensive. Try them.

emmanuellaiyke:
Please
who knows about how efficient GTB is with their Form A...I want to fund my account on monday.Thanks

I arrived Hamburg, Germany yesterday. Special thanks to God for journey mercies, and a big thank you to danniemore for picking me from the airport, and seeing me safely to my room. God bless you, bro.

First things first, please don't put your palm oil inside your garri o, because those customs guys will check your garri to see if it's really garri. For the palm oil, pour it inside one or two small eva bottles, and tie them in a black nylon. This was the way I packed my own, and I had no issues. I did not freeze it. I did not put it inside my garri. No need to pack vegetable oil or rice, they have that here.

Secondly, please buy your European adapter when you're coming, it's like 5 Euros a pop here, and also bring an extension. Also, don't forget your LAN cable. If you want to share your LAN internet with your devices, try and get a router, or get the full copy of the "connectify" software - which is eventually a cheaper alternative. it is VERY important that you come with all your certificates! Every certificate you used for your visa aplication plus any other one you have. Come with them all.

Thirdly, I used a one-way ticket on Turkish Airlines, and had no issues passing immigration. No one asked me any questions. Just compose yourself well, keep a straight face, and you will be alright. My hand luggage was not weighed, neither was my laptop bag. But do carry what you can walk around with if you have a stop-over, and carry bags that don't look suspiciously big. Also, try to do your online check-in before your flight so you can select you seat, and print your boarding pass (though they will give you the real one at the airport, it helps save unnecessary explanation to the airline attendants, and shows this is not your first time flying, even if it is). Walk up to the airline attendants and present your printed boarding pass.

Lastly, pack clothes that can keep you warm o, the cold here na die. I wan freeze for night, I no know when I wear like three cloth plus jacket, come hide under blanket. Even with that, I still dey do change-your-style for bed. Pack jeans, thick socks, winter jacket(s), head-warmer, black t-shirts to wear under your shirt. See ehn, carry cream o.

Tip: for effective packing, roll your carefully folded clothes, and place them side by side in a row or column formation. Pack underwear last because you can tuck them into corners and small spaces.

What else I wan talk o... Yeah, please if you're coming to, or in, Hamburg, do like this /O or send a PM. Also, to those who will be coming to Hamburg for summer or winter next year, help will always be here. Just holla at me.

To all visa hopefuls, those who recently had their interviews, and those yet to do their interviews, I wish you all the very best, and God's grace. May you all receive good news. To those traveling soon, I wish you Journey mercies. And to those hoping for a miracle, I say have faith, God works in mysterious ways, and he will never leave nor forsake you. To whose who recently got approval e-mails, I say congratulations, go and succeed.

God bless us all. One love.

I'll advise you call them instead. They might be too busy to reply e-mails on time. Look for their number and call them!

All the best.

XTIANmaha:
Good morning everyone, pls who knows d German embassy main mail that they reply fast? I have sent them reminder mail with a mail n no reply for 3days now... Pls time is running out my enrolment starts coming Monday. Pls help

iyke20024:
My bosses wey come collect visa I hail oh. Met many nairaland guys. It was nice talking to all of you.

Kciano uchezedon observer..

Even some on ghost mode.

Nice one boss. It was nice running into you and kciano yesterday.

Galads:
Thanks to all that has being helping me look for a solution. I got a mail this morning from DB after much disturbance. I have an address in germany I usually use as a corresponding address and I think they want current address. They ask me to send it to them in their mail but I really don't understand their statement. This is part of the mail

"We regret your account cannot be opened because your current home address has not been included.
Please provide your home address format "street with house no., postal/zip code city, optionally additional address lines (e.g. c/o), country".


!!! Please reply only in this particular case this inquiry to our email address directly. !!!

In direct response to our request we will process your order for further processing as soon as possible.
Our automatic reply does not apply in your particular case".
I don't even know which mail address they want me to send to. English pple Abeg help me

When you opened your account at the Embassy, was it your corresponding address in Germany you used? If yes, I think that might be the issue, and they require your current address in Nigeria, since the application to open the account originated from an Embassy in Nigeria. Send them this address, making sure to include all they asked for. For the "optionally additional address lines" mentioned, I think this means you can include other applicable addresses asides home address. For instance, I used a P. O. Box address, just in case they need to send any hardcopy document, because at the bottom of the page I saw where they said the address given will be my dispatch address, and I had no issue whatsoever. Follow the format used in the "registered address" section of the DB account opening form.

Was it a no-reply email? If no, then reply the email, and make sure their inquiry and the subject of the email shows. You can also copy the two DB emails someone dropped above, in your email. Someone monitors them, and might be able to forward your email to the appropriate section. If it was a no-reply email, you can still reply the email but blind copy (BCC) the two emails someone dropped earlier, or you can check their website for other applicable emails.

I hope this helps.

chybaz:
house please how much is required in the blocked account. I want also apply for DAAD but I saw deadline as july 31st. is it for admission in 2016 or 2015

As of now, 8040 Euros is required in the blocked account.
The DAAD scholarship deadline which you saw as July 31 is for 2016 admission. If you want to apply for DAAD, you mostly have to do so about a year before enrolment.

kayluxneedsu:
Well, I understand you bit take exception to some of your view. No issues anyway. Yes I have been admitted to a Uni buh required to provide a proficiency certificate.

Bros, you will find that the best gardens are carefully laid out, and quite a lot of work is put into making it so. I will advise that you bid your time, if you can. According to some pages back (a lot of pages actually), the Embassy is presently carefully scrutinizing language visa applications, with very low approval rates (if any). To be honest, I don't why anyone will want to go through so much trouble when what they want to learn is within their reach. I know someone who taught himself 12 different languages, including German, to fluency, and basic spoken and written Mandarin. He did not have to go to 12 countries. Dedication and a thirst for knowledge is all he used. Although the guy has a genius level IQ. So there is that. It might be a prerequisite for enrolling at the school, but let's face it, it's one that can be achieved months before the date of enrollment, in your comfort zone.


See yeah, I will advise you to:
1) Ask for your 500k back from the language course guys; if that's possible, see 2 - 5.
2) Self-study for a few days so you have basic grasp of the language
3) Enroll at Goethe institut using part of your 500k
4) Use the 8 months you were going to use in Germany, here in Goethe
5) Repackage and send fresh applications to several schools, attaching the certificate you will have obtained after this 8 month period. With the right documents, you will surely get admitted into a good number of them again.

As lmuhopeful wisely said, within this period, you can source for additional funds to add to what's left of the 500k. Borrow if you have to. You will definitely be able to pay back one day. Using an arranged sponsorship letter should not even be on the table. You can get banned for life, if discovered. And trust me, it's only one day for the thief. Getting banned from one European country? it sure won't be easy to enter any of the rest. This thing is not a do-do fast-or die affair. Do it and do it the right way.

Please be guided in your decision making, to avoid stories that touch. Shalom.

oligee:
Lol! I laf! All those guys and babes wey dey form for school, wey no fit cook, wey dey patronize forks and fingers from semester to semester, dem go hear am big time. Abeg additional advice; no just carry foodstuffs learn how to cook too.

Lol! And people wey dey collect bed space for fivers morning, afternoon and night.

Givers really never lack. We have allowed our "hustle" spirit make us lose sight of what is really important in life. I get it, the country is hard, it's even harder to survive in no-mans-land, and on top of that, we've been taught to treat everything as if it's a competition. See yeah, we are all really just competing with life, it all ends with each individual 6ft below ground level. Having been taught to be profit-oriented in our thinking, we've allowed it becloud our judgement. Some will say; "if it's not getting you money, then why are you doing it". Well, excuse my french, but I think that's bullshit. You see, I really do not blame anyone who decides to seek knowledge for free, and use this to make money. Many will refer to this as being street-smart, but such a behavior is why we are still being referred to as a developing country. Let those who can help, help out in whichever way they can, without a need for recompense. Advise should be free. You should help people because you want to, not because you expect something in return. We really need to shun this "scratch my back, I scratch yours" mentality if we indeed want to meet up with other developed countries. If you observe well, you will see that developed countries do things for the overall improvement of themselves, and their economy. They help each other so they can grow individually and collectively. The way I figure it, if more people can develop themselves and add value, Nigeria will one day get to where she needs to be, through direct or indirect impact of this. Look at the Indians, they help each other in all they do. They treat each other like brothers and sisters. This has led to them having a strong presence wherever they go, and even though quite a good number of them might be brilliant, they are better at what they do because they help each other to learn from the best institutions in the world. Proof of this is their advancement in the field of medicine.

Let's all try to help each other wherever we find ourselves. Let's drop our statuses when we get out there, and help each other make it because we only know today, not tomorrow. No one is an island; we only have ourselves.

To those who have been helping selflessly on this thread with advise, brainstorming and whatnot, I say Ayekoo - well done, thank you, and God bless. Don't worry, keep on keeping on, your reward is in heaven, and the blessings that will be bestowed upon you shall be greater than what can be counted by any man.

sonyville:
Thanks bosss..... trust me I won't copy anyone's work ... I will do as u said ....... how ur matter ? teamwinter2015, abi u dey our Bus ( teamsummer2016) ?
Gracia

My matter has mass, and it occupies space. Teamwinter2015 boss.

sonyville:
pls house .....i don't want this to sound like I'm being lazy ...... I m preparing a statement of purpose (SOP) for my Application (MSC system engineering and management) , anyone or Engineer in d house to help me with sample plssssss.......

Also house , the school I want to apply to didn't include statement of motivation in their required documents. Is it necessary writing one ?

Finally , my school charges 15k for students transcript . I hope with one , I can make photocopies and send to the different schools ?

With regards to your first request, though you might have Engineers in the house, our fields vary, and as such you will find it very difficult to adapt one field to the other. Visit www.studential.com/personal-statement-examples/engineering-personal-statements and read as many SOPs as you can, then adapt to your case. Do refrain from copying verbatim.

Secondly, though it might seem like a lot of work, I will advise you to include the statement of motivation / personal statement, even if you're not asked. Write it, and write a good one. To me, an application doesn't seem complete without this document. Most times, it just might be your saving grace eventually.

Someone already answered your last question. Make copies of the one copy you have, and certify at the appropriate place (high court / embassy).

femo86:
Good day ogas and madames, please i need some ogas to review my motivation letter/application essay for my summer application. Please help a brother.....

Okay, let's have it. Send a pm.

XpensiveT:
I hereby annouce to my e-family that I received the most anticipated mail this morning at exactly 7:03am to come for my visa ...I cldnt watch my Chelsea match yesterday and I was reading sport news on my phone when I receive the mail.

It took exactly 5weeks and 2 working days. I pray all others waiting for d mail will get it this week. The wait is not easy. Nd to all who are yet to do their interview, may Almighty Allah see u thru. I love this family alot and u guyz gave me all information I used up to this level. May God bless you all. The journey is not easy i must say.

Thank you is jes too small to appreciate my bosses here on NL @Topeajis @Eke40seven @Dolpaz @Hollaytan @Shakurolalekan @Obiwannn @Dehourable @Kennyoguns0509 @Aibee nd all others i cldnt mention. Thank you all nd God bless.

#TeamWinter2015 #TeamFreiburg

Congratulations! The wait is really not easy

ogagaejay:
Hello guys, I have been thinking about how to Carry cash into Germany. I want the house to tell me the best option. Change to euro at the bureau de change, use a master cars over there in Germany. How did you do it you who are already there?

In my opinion, you should try approaching your bank and telling them you want to buy PTA (Personal Travel Allowance). Your Naira is converted at the interbank rate, and the foreign currency you require is given to you. Note that you would need to provide proof that you're indeed traveling. Some of the requirements would be; your visa, and your return ticket (I'm not sure if a one-way ticket would work, but it's worth a try). Check with the bank for all the requirements. GT Bank recently said they have resumed selling, and Fidelity also sells PTA. Just check if it can be done at the bank before you give your money to our good Mallams/ our very own Bureau de Large-change.

Greetings all. It would seem one needs serious motivation for this German language self-study of a thing, and for me, that has been tending towards zero of late. Morale!? Low! Anyway, for those trying their hands (and brains) on self-study for the German language, I took the liberty of uploading some of the German books I found some weeks back, to my Dropbox account. There are two videos on verbs and stuff there also. I hope someone finds them as useful as I did. Find below, the link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wrkpl3u5zvr3i34/AADySPt72-tf050N9QKR-g4Da?dl=0

Specially worthy of note (among the uploaded books) is the "German Student Dictionary" book, which I found easy to understand, as it shows you how to pronounce each word, right after you try cramming it. Oh and the "Learn German - The fast and funny way" book, I think it was the included dialogue (with pictures, albeit childish) I liked about this one. Because it's not-so-funny when the only half you understand of what you're reading, is the English half.

Also, if you have free or excess data, or you feel like burning data just because you can, head over to the below YouTube page, and watch till you feel a migraine creeping up on you. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/DeutschFuerEuch

Spaß haben!

For those asking about the new checklist being used by the embassy, I believe the checklist below is what is being referred to. Arrange exactly as numbered:

Original Documents
1. Admission letter
2. Proof of financial means
3. Birth certificate or declaration of age
4. School - Degree certificates

Photocopies - Two sets: one behind each application form
1. Copy of the passport data page
2. Admission letter
3. Proof of financial means
4. Birth certificate or declaration of age
5. School - Degree certificates

At the back of the application forms
1. Signature
2. date of the day of application
3. Phone number
4. E-mail address

Pointers:
1) For "At the back of the application forms", the signature and other information should be at the back of the questionnaire you fill to check if you're a terrorist. Oh, and this questionnaire, and the application form, should be stapled together. With the application form coming first.
2) Arrange the documents in three sets; original documents followed by the two photocopies.
3) About the biographically old document, for mine, I included my school leaving certificate (waec) under "school - degree certificates", so this covered for it. I would believe those applying for MSc and B.Sc. would at least have this document, if not, use any old identification document you have.

Disclaimer: The above checklist and included pointers was what I used to arrange my documents, and what I submitted at the embassy when I had my interview early in July, without complaint or corrections, with regards to the documents provided or arrangement. It is by no means an indication of the document in use currently, until confirmed by those who recently had their interview. Being that as it is, I am not liable if this checklist is now obsolete.

Also worthy of note is the fact that we are meant to be helping each other on this forum, not taking unnecessary jabs at each other. If you feel an information does not suit you, feel free to ignore it, free of charge. Unnecessary retorts stay derailing this thread, and may instill unfounded fears in the heart of 'newcomers', 'mo gbo mo ya' readers and ghost readers who refuse to join in. The notion that because one thing does not work for you means "it does not work", is a fallacy of hasty generalization. One mans food is after all another mans poison. Let the advice given here serve as guidance, because as it stands, it is definitely not compulsory. I believe except you're here, and you happen to be excessively underage (which I doubt), you're of age to know right from wrong. Let your intuition guide you.

peruziii:
well i dont understand .

Please what was the exchange rate access bank used for your transaction? and the extra charges (offshore charges et al), how much did this come to?

missZ1:
Good day house ,

My interview is next week please I need some tips on how to ace the interview......I can't quite "cram" the 16 states as hard as I try.......will not knowing the 16 state by heart affect my chances of been given a visa?

Thank you

I cannot categorically say not knowing will, or will not, affect your chances. I do know however that not knowing can be the beginning of problems for you, because the VO would take this to mean "lack of adequate preparation".
You don't need to cram the 16 states per se, just write them down in alphabetical order, as the brain can relate better with new information if it is ordered, and keep writing them on different sheets till you can remember. Also, recite them morning and night. They will stick. Learning by repetition is the fastest way to learn, when you find something particularly hard to "learn".
Whatever you do though, don't go for your interview without knowing those 16 states! and their capitals if possible.

All the best.

@Ethelbert006 to add to what Ceeesaw said, for 12), Indicate from the month you wish to enter Germany. Say, for instance, your enrollment is scheduled for October 1, it would be advisable you put your duration as: September 2015 - (month- This should naturally be August, but usually, one cannot predict. Just put a realistic month, like, say, August) 2017. I'm of the opinion that your Visa, if approved, would be valid only from the indicated month, and I doubt you would be able to enter Germany before that month.

Ceeesaw:
11) what are you doing currently? If you have a job, state what you do.. If you just finished Secondary School and going for Bachelors Programme then "None" can suffice.. If you finished University, then you can state what you read. Eg if your read engineering, that makes you an engineer..etc
12) write how long your programme will last. From 2015 to..........
13) Let me rephrase that question.. who has been providing your needs and will continue to provide for you even when you are in Germany. Dont put 'self' if you havent worked for a considerable amount of time with evidence that you are financially okay to sustain your self through out your stay in Germany.. I will suggest Parents or any other family member..

I hope this helps..

Copies would suffice. They did not ask to see my original documents, though I had them with me.

Williamso:
Please concerning the bolded, does the bank need to sight the originals in order to perform the transaction? Or will only copies suffice?
Please note that I understand the copies will be submitted, I'm simply asking for sighting purpose.
Thanks.

*I had to abridge your very brilliant post to eliminate superfluity with regards to this post*

The only condition under which you can use tetfund as a sponsor is if you're collecting the money from tetfund, and depositing into your blocked account. Otherwise, it's not possible.

harrrry:
Good day house. please can one use tetfund as sponsor for masters in germany tuition free

Na so we see am o. Provided one knows these things before hand, e go cheap gaan. Everything still revolves around those questions.

I've replied. Naija no fit carry last ever. Wetin be this pleasant news? hit me up abeg.

Obiwannn:
STATES AND CAPITAL? OBOY THESE QUESTIONS DON DEY HARD OH?! CHEI...I ONLY BUT PITY THOSE WEY NEVER DO....MAYBE NA BECAUSE WE WEY DON DO TOO ACE AM THAT'S Y..

Anyway niccur I sent u a PM, it is urgent... and I have pleasant news for you. Naija? We no fit carry last jarre

Much has been said about the visa interview, and my experience was not so different, as the questions asked were practically the same. To those still waiting to do their interviews, read up and prepare well; you would find the interview a pleasant walk in the park if you follow all that has been advised in previous posts.
Also, do note that it is important that you tell the truth (or be consistent with whatever you say) during the interview. The VO checks for consistency. Also, it would seem the VO has information on each applicant so it would do you well to say it as it is. For instance, if you have not secured accommodation, say you have not but emphasize that you have applied and you are waiting to hear back from them. Asides the normal questions, some other questions I was asked were:
- The month, day and year of the reunification of Germany
- The capital of randomly picked German states (know all if possible)
- Governor/mayor of the city you are going
- Capital of the city you are going

Ich wünsche uns Viel Glück.

Eke40seven:
Well, you know that feeling you get when someone said you ain't good enough for them and immediately you get someone quite better licking your feet just to embrace them.
Yes, that's just how I feel right now, I applied to similar course in Freiburg and TUM, Freiburg rejected outrightly, but TUM jus sent a letter that looks like a coated academic 'toasting' for me to accept their programme. The main thrill is, School for School TUM is better, Programme for programme, TUM is ranked about 52 in the whole world and Freiburg, 73 for same programme and the final icing on the cake, one will choose Munich over Freiburg any day. I have the option I have long sought after.
I didn't plan for this programme though, my docs got there way after deadline. I wrote their essay and motivation letter which I was given marks for, plus the grade on my transcript and was given admission without the normal interview which means the score was over 70.
I have always wanted an option and this is a good one.
Please, endeavour to always write a good motivation letter, it has its own effect and don't give up even when the letters haven't arrived yet, it could just be closer to you than you think as far as you have done your homework.
By the way, who here is heading down south to Munich?

Niceee Congratulations oga boss.

@Obiwannn congratulations in advance, how was it?

@kuthvic and @Eke40seven thank you both for your answers.

Please I've checked previous pages, but they all seem not to agree on an answer to this first question.
1) Who knows which birth certificate we are meant to use, the checklist says "birth certificate from NPC or declaration of age" but mine is that birth certificate on a small paper (not up to A4 size) issued by the local government in the state of birth before they started the NPC thing. Would this suffice? or does one still need to swear an affidavit/do a declaration of age. Biko those who have had their interview, which did you use?
Also,
2) Under section 9 in the application form, the "I intend to stay no longer than twelve months in the Federal territory and apply for a visa that covers the whole duration of my stay" field, we are not meant to tick this, right?
Lastly,
3) Also in the application form, what should be filled into the "Trade or profession for which you trained, and if different, your current trade or profession" field?

All those who have had their interviews and all who have knowledge about this, please advise. Thank you.

@Obiwannn it was 227 naira for one Euro. The rate they would use depends on the opening rate of the Euro for that day, but it also largely depends on the rate at which they are able to bid for the Euro (at CBN, I think).