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posted by n1 on Wednesday June 10 2015, @05:04AM   Printer-friendly
from the mmrpg dept.

BBC reports that Germany has abandoned tuition fees altogether for German and international students alike and more than 4,600 US students are fully enrolled at Germany universities, an increase of 20% over three years. "When I found out that just like Germans I'm studying for free, it was sort of mind blowing," says Katherine Burlingame who decided to get her Master's degree at a university in the East German town of Cottbus. "I realised how easy the admission process was and how there was no tuition fee. This was a wow moment for me." When Katherine came to Germany in 2012 she spoke two words of German: 'hallo' and 'danke'. She arrived in an East German town which had, since the 1950s, taught the majority of its residents Russian rather than English. "At first I was just doing hand gestures and a lot of people had compassion because they saw that I was trying and that I cared." She did not need German, however, in her Master's program, which was filled with students from 50 different countries but taught entirely in English. In fact, German universities have drastically increased all-English classes to more than 1,150 programs across many fields.

So how can Germany afford to educate foreign students for free? Think about it this way: it's a global game of collecting talent. All of these students are the trading cards, and the collectors are countries. If a country collects more talent, they'll have an influx of new ideas, new businesses and a better economy. For a society with a demographic problem - a growing retired population and fewer young people entering college and the workforce - qualified immigration is seen as a resolution to the problem as research shows that 50% of foreign students stay in Germany. "Keeping international students who have studied in the country is the ideal way of immigration," says Sebastian Fohrbeck."They have the needed certificates, they don't have a language problem at the end of their stay and they know the culture."


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  • (Score: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday June 10 2015, @08:22AM

    by Immerman (3985) on Wednesday June 10 2015, @08:22AM (#194438)

    Ah, but does your country offer one of the strongest economies in the world to entice students to remain? Not to mention some of the best beer?

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  • (Score: 1) by anubi on Wednesday June 10 2015, @08:57AM

    by anubi (2828) on Wednesday June 10 2015, @08:57AM (#194444) Journal

    I had one of the sharpest mathematicians ( and computer programmer to boot ) I have known go back to Germany. He had been here about 12 years. He had finally had enough "American Bullshit".

    He emailed me not too long ago, telling me the wonderful little town he found, and how he is finally enjoying whats left of his life, and how great the beer is.

    Genetically ( and by surname as well ), he is true German.

    If I wasn't so old, I would love to jump ship and join him.

    He tells me they really appreciate the skills he brings to the table over there.

    While over here, he was just a beggar. Never at peace. Knowing management was always looking for a cheaper replacement.

    I get the strong idea that for a STEM education and employment, Germany is the place to be.

    Financial services, Litigation, and Compliance assistance: USA!

    --
    "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]