₦airaland Forum

Ndydy:
Hello all,
Been a while I posted well life happens when you have school work and German language class to balance. So just decided to give an update FROM MY PERSPECTIVE about life in Berlin Germany. Please it's not for generalisation, it's my own opinion so do not attack my post. Instead share your own opinion and we would all learn.
1) Try to learn German in Nigeria its way cheaper... At least do your A1 and A2 in Nigeria if you can. For A1 alone I paid 490 Euro here in Berlin. So you can imagine compared to the price of Goethe institute in Nigeria.
2) When budgeting for accommodation please budget for deposit ( kinda like security deposit). It's usually 2 to 3 months rent at most. You get it back when you leave the accommodation in a good condition after your contract expires.
3) Start your accommodation search as soon as you possible once you have do e your interview . Don't hope on studentwerk the waiting list is 3 semesters. Use your contacts join groups on Facebook eg Berlin housing, flats in Berlin etc but remember there are loads of scammers and time wasters on the prowl.
4) Accommodation in Berlin is expensive but you can get cheaper accommodation in the outskirt of Berlin. If you don't mind travelling for over an hour to get to school you should consider it. Also keep in mind during winter and strike times you might have transportation challenges.
5) Anmeldung is important but getting an accommodation that offers Anmeldung is more important. This helps you avoid necessary stress of repeating the process when changing accommodation.
6) Read the fine lines before signing any contract eg internet , phone, gym, insurance and so on. Contracts are binding here and hard to get out of once they are signed. Try starting with flexible short term contracts.
7) Eating out is great but cooking saves you money so bring you properly packaged Nigerian foodstuff when you are coming to Germany.
Make sure you pay your ARD fees ( broadcasting licence) , you can run but you can't hide from them forever especially since they know where you are thanks to Anmeldung. It is compulsory and just one payment per apartment so always discuss this with your potential housemates.
9) Recycling is compulsory and not hard though Berlin is dirty sha but cleaner than Naija by far.
10) A lot of generous people in Berlin giving stuff for free please join Free your stuff Berlin on Facebook. Please take only what you need try minimalist living, no space for clutter here.
11) Free food is great and cheap food is also great download 2good2go app tells you where you can find restaurants and bakeries leftover food for very low prices around you. Here there is no make we freeze and warm am for customer tomorrow. Food is served fresh and daily in most places.
12) Berlin is very diverse you would meet all kinds and types of people. Be friendly, be polite and most of all MIND YOUR BUSINESS.Try not to stare, Berlin is very LGBTQ friendly so don't be shocked. They are humans like you and might be one of the kindest people you will ever meet.
13) To survive in Berlin you need money, so hustling is very welcomed . Please drop your cloak of proudness in Nigeria because here there is dignity in Labour. Without German your job options are a bit limited to mostly unskilled labour eg cleaning, delivery, serving etc. Though people have gotten very good jobs without German so keep applying and don't limit yourself.
14) There is a drug culture in Berlin which unfortunately alot of our black brodas are the people selling em on the streets and it's quite open. If it's your thing well suit ya self. If it ain't when they approach you smile nicely and say No and find your way.
15) There are stupid people everywhere even in Nigeria so try not to get defensive when someone hurls racial insults at you. No need in putting yourself in harms way because you are trying to defend your blackness. A smile and a God bless you or Thank you or good old ignoring them does the trick. Try not to grovel in the mud with the pig.
16) Police is your best friend anything happens pls report to the police. Documentation always wins in the end. You get robbed or you lost something important report to the police.
17) In Germany you do effective work , meaning 8 hrs work is 8 hrs of work. No pressing phone or chatting with colleagues during working hours save it for your break time.
18) PUNCTUALITY please always be punctual 15 mins early always works. Pls pls no African time.
19) Socialising is a bit tricky here but it's easier if you join social groups there are a lot on Facebook . Also Berlin has a lot of activities you can join groups for . Salsa, bouldering, painting, cooking, fitness etc Soo much to do here. Best way to make friends is to socialise via activity groups.
20) Germans are very straightforward and conservative so you know our tendency of having no boundaries doesn't fly with em. So be subtle in your socialisation before they call police on you or report you to HR.
21) Make use of your student discounts find out places that offer student discounts and use them to save money.
22) Keep your music low and conversations down. Sunday's are noise free days someplace you ain't allowed to vaccum or mow your lawns on Sunday.
23) African restaurant and shops are available just google you would find some there is a big Afro shop run by Indians called Punjabi store in Osloer str you would get some Nigerian stuff there even catfish.
24) School work and exams are usually packed so study hard to make good grades. Most times they don't like story story just go straight to the point where you answer questions.
25) Be nice to each other especially your fellow Nigerians and share information when you have it. Quit your hoarding info habit, don't bring it here. Asian people dominate in most places because they have a good information network and share with each other.

Hope this helps I might not be here again until sometime later. Till then keep striving and wishing you all the best in your endeavours.
Cheers Ndidi (female lol don't sir or guy me)

Nice one

Please I need temporary or permanent accommodation around Darmstadt or Frankfurt area. Anyone with useful information as to how that can happen....please let me know. Thanks

Ghaneeyahh:
Congrats to you and chy73. I haven't heard from them. My status on the portal still reads "your application is in process". At this point, I've little hope left. Yall should enjoy and hopefully meet you guys when I get there.

Thanks...I really hope and pray you get the admission. The higher our population there in the university, the merrier it becomes for us. It really doesn't matter whether it is 2.2 you have. You can write the student counselling center for clarification.

chy73:
I sent you a mail, respond since we are both going for the same course and school

I didn't get the mail. I just sent you a private message request.

chy73:
I have applied for accommodation oo. I just got my AM on Friday. When was your interview at the embassy

I have been given AM too. I am waiting for Visa. I have already sent Travel Insurance and my passport. How did you apply for accommodation? do you have any link?

Ghaneeyahh:
Okay. Thanks. What course please? Mine is a International Media Cultural Work.

I guess I was one of the first badge to be given admission
You should write to them to find out what's up with yours

I was also admitted to the same Institution for the same program....I have already done my interview. I am currently waiting for Visa. Have you started arranging for accommodation?

Hello House,

Please, I want your advice and guidance. My sister is about to apply for Canadian student Permit. She was admitted to study for Post Graduate Certificate. However, the major thing is that she wants to take her children with her. The three of them are 11 years old, 11 years old and 7 years old. What should she do? Thanks for your help in advance

It isn't immoral. It is not even illegal (like you mentioned). These are services offered even in western countries, where the rule of law is held with high esteem. I agree with you that they should do it themselves, but we all know some people need help and guidance (that is why we are in business). What we do is the raw research work. When we deliver it to our clients they would still have to read through and make input where necessary. Thanks for your observation.

Hhhjj

they are criminals, run for your life and money

nairalanders, the person who posted this ad, is a scammer, it is very obvious from the way he was explaining things that he did not even know much about what he is talking about, we dont want criminals like this to come here and scam people on here, i think i would recommend that his profile in nairaland be deleted, how can someone who is talking about millions of naira be demanding 2 thousand, please everyone beware of this criminal