|
GERMANY...
As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed the country in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 2002, Germany and 11 other EU countries introduced a common European currency, the euro.
Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy turned in a relatively weak performance throughout much of the 1990s. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's ageing population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Business and income tax cuts introduced in 2001 did not spare Germany from the impact of the downturn in international trade, and domestic demand faltered as unemployment began to rise. Growth in 2002 again fell short of 1%. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures has brought the deficit close to the EU's 3% debt limit.
16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen.
Study in Germany !!!
If you are planning to study abroad, you probably look for a safe, convenient, technologically advanced yet has a friendly environment. Most importantly, that country should be recognized for its high educational standard with variety of distinguished universities choices to choose from. Your may think of such places like the USA, Great Britain or Australia, but do you know that Germany is another great alternative place to be with much lower in expenses. In fact, educational cost is free in Germany! Germany, noted for its technological superiority, has now opened up its Universities and now offers world class education through International Degree Programmes in various fields of Engineering and Technology. With the absence of any tuition fee, the German universities make unparalleled system of imparting education which attracts students from all parts of the world. You can get excellent education in Germany. For that you will need two things: wish to study and proficiency in German. The last is a very important factor for being accepted. If you are good at reading, writing and speaking German, you may forget your worries and go to Germany. Those who are eager to study but are not yet able to communicate freely with German professors at the exams, will make perfect candidates for lots of language courses at schools, institutes, universities, or websites. Educational system can be generally divided in 2 levels. First is mandatory for all people which is preschool to grade 10: in this level, most people choose to study at near by-school. All student included oversea students is exempted for tuition fee. They should be only aware of their personal expenses. Some of students choose to study in their learning skill specialist after grade 10, which is taking about 2-3 years. Some of them might go to university level after they complete grade 13. In the university, instruction is commonly given German and English for foreign student. There are varieties of subjects to choose such as Humanities, Sciences, etc. If you are enrolled in any state university, you will be absolutely exempted for tuition fee.
In postgraduate level, tuition is ranging from 1,200- 1,500 DM per month. In every year, the government will have the scholarships for research student and anyone who interested by DAAD, which is very fascinating for all oversea students. This is because it covers all personal expenses and living allowance throughout study period. Scholarships candidate who has met their criteria will be carefully selected. Undoubtedly, German has high in ability and integrity as it's obviously seen that German Government serves their own people and foreigner the best. Not only German cars, the most popular soccer teem, famous beer and Frankfurter sausage, but also Germany is another great alternative for higher level education in least expensive ever. If you like more challenging in your life, Germany is awaiting for you, you'll not regret. In Germany, there are at present some 312 state and state-recognised higher education institutions divided into three types. There are two semesters each academic year. The standard study period in which a degree programme (,,German Diplom")can be completed is at least eight to ten semesters at universities and at Fachhochschulen six semesters, or eight semesters for degree programmes with integrated practical semesters. The associated International Masters programs comprise of 2-3 study semesters and a semester for Industrial Internship concluding with a Master Dissertation. These comprise universities and equivalent higher education institutions such as technical universities, comprehensive universities (Gesamthochschulen) and specialised institutions at university level (eg. for medicine, sport, administrative studies, philosophy and theology). Only universities and equivalent institutions are entitled to confer doctorates.
Fachhochschulen
Fachhochschulen are institutions which have the task of providing students with practical training on an academic or artistic basis. Degree programmes and teaching at Fachhochschulen are strongly oriented towards vocational studies and the practical requirements of working life. Fachhochschulen offer shorter courses than the universities and arts and music colleges, particularly in the engineering disciplines, in business administration, social work and creative arts.
Colleges of art and music
A second strand of higher education establishment is the Kunst-und Musikhochschulen which, as well as the corresponding subject areas in the universities and Gesamthochschulen, provide training in the fine arts and performing arts and also in music subjects.
Linguistic ability
German is the language of instruction for all lectures, classes and seminars and you will be required to pass a German language test to be admitted to, or registered with, a higher education institution. This is usually administered by the institution itself and is taken before you start your studies. There are various language courses available through the German cultural institute (the Goethe-Institut) in Germany or abroad, as well as courses offered by language schools and higher education institutions in Germany; these include summer holiday courses, pre-study courses and courses accompanying regular study.
Accommodation
You are not assured of accommodation when you register with a German university or Fachhochschule. There are halls of residence but most German and foreign students have to find their own accommodation. You should go to Germany well in advance of the beginning of the semester to arrange a place to live. Initially you may have to stay in a youth hostel, boarding house or other cheap accommodation until better housing is found. Selection of students for the relatively few halls of residence takes place six months in advance of the semester so you should apply well in advance. The Akademische Auslandsmter, Studentenwerke and other university services will give you assistance.
Student organisations and services
In most German states, you would automatically become a member of the Studentenschaft (student body) when you register - an organisation established to help students look after their own interests. You could also join one of the political groups or other societies. Your overall interests as a foreign student would be looked after by the Akademisches Auslandsamt. The advisory service will provide general tips to help you organise your studies when you arrive. Student welfare offices will give you assistance with economic, social or medical problems. German and foreign students receive a student card upon registration at a higher education institution and can, as a rule, use public transport at reduced prices and eat inexpensive meals in student canteens.
The German academic exchange programme (DAAD) offers scholarships for study and research in Germany and supplies information on higher education in Germany. Publications available from DAAD include Studying in Germany - Information for Foreign Students on Universities (separate editions are available for the Fachhochschulen and for the Colleges of Art and Music).
Here i give some important documents for prospective students for study in Germany:
A to Z info for study & life in Germany.
New VISA regulations.
Research Insitutes in Germany.
Financial Affidivit for VISA.
Check list.
For more information, follow the links...
www.germany-tourism.de/ www.germany-info.org/ |
