How Alpadia can help you immerse yourself in a German student city

Student cities, home to impressive universities and large student populations, have their own unique culture: an abundance of study locations, a lively party scene, and plenty of international and local students for you to connect with! 

Immerse yourself in German life with an Alpadia German course

Two of the best examples of this in Germany are Berlin and Freiburg. Berlin is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities in the world, and has an unmatched alternative and party culture.

Freiburg is smaller, but has several universities and so has a disproportionately large student population. In the summer, the luscious green spaces of this relaxed city come alive with students relaxing and enjoying themselves. 

While this is an attractive culture to participate in, it may seem intimidating at first, especially if you’re not enrolled in a local university, or don’t speak German. Luckily, Alpadia can help you take the first steps into navigating and joining this unique environment! 

Immerse yourself in German culture with Alpadia

Alpadia is a school committed to the success of its students - and with 97 percent of its alumni showing an improvement in their German skills upon graduation, the results speak for themselves. 

Students of many different German levels or educational goals can find their ideal course within Alpadia’s extensive course list. Whether you’re wanting to pursue a degree in Germany, start your career in the German-speaking world, or simply explore a new level of the country - Alpadia will be there to help you immerse yourself into the culture of Berlin or Freiburg. 

Taking a German course in Berlin and Freiburg 

One of the best things you can do to join the student scene, is become one yourself! Taking a German course with Alpadia will help you immerse into the language through engaging, high-quality lessons. 

What’s more, with the vast range of courses on offer, you can adapt your learning to your own way of life and preferences. Here are just some of the courses you can take in Alpadia Berlin and Freiburg. 

General German courses 

Alpadia's General German courses provide a lively and engaging learning environment for students seeking to enhance all aspects of their German proficiency. With interactive group activities such as discussions on various topics, debates, and role-playing exercises, you can enjoy a fun and supportive atmosphere while developing your language skills. 

You can select from the following formats for your general German course: 

• Private lessons 
• Standard 20 hours per week 
• Intensive 30 hours per week
• Combination of private and group lessons 

Exam preparation courses 

Alpadia offers an exam preparation course for those aiming to acquire an internationally recognised German certification. The course is structured with a tailored curriculum to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen exam. The following exams can be prepared for using this course: 

• TELC 
• Goethe exam 
• TestDaf 

Find out more about the exam preparation courses. 

Academic pathways 

Spending time in a university city, it’s easy to fall in love with German student life, so much so that it could be tempting to enrol in a university yourself. Luckily, with Alpadia Academic Pathways, you can! Alpadia's Academic Pathway courses cater to students who aspire to pursue higher education in Germany but require a Studienkolleg (foundation year) because they don’t have the right academic qualifications. 

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the Studienkolleg entrance exam and commence your journey into German higher education. Besides preparing you for the exam, the course also focuses on enhancing your functional language skills, acclimatising you to the studying and living environment abroad, and increasing your overall admission prospects at your preferred university. 

Find out more about academic pathways. 

Career pathways 

Plenty of professionals aspire to take advantage of Germany's thriving job market but face various hurdles in achieving their objectives. Alpadia's Career Pathway course provides comprehensive support to help you realise your career ambitions in Germany, including coaching, visa assistance, long-term accommodation, job contract reviews, and business German courses. Alpadia's assistance commences as soon as you enrol and continues until you secure your first job in Germany! 

Find out more about career pathway courses.

Work and study 

For people who want to expand their professional development alongside their language skills, Alpadia can help you achieve this goal. Whether you’re interested in sports, accounting, design or tourism - Alpadia has ties with several local businesses and charities for you to start your professional journey in Berlin. You could be working and studying in the following programmes: 

• Languages & work experience 
• Languages & internship 
• Languages & volunteering 

Find out more about the work and study programmes. 

Berlin and Freiburg outside the classroom 

With their vibrant energy, charming atmosphere, refreshing green spaces and rich history, both Berlin and Freiburg have something for you to experience outside of the classroom. 

During the academic term, Alpadia arranges tours and activities to help you become more familiar with your new environment and explore some of the most remarkable landmarks in your city. Additionally, on weekends in Berlin, the school provides excursions to neighbouring cities such as Dresden and Potsdam, giving you a broader understanding of the country as a whole. Whereas in Freiburg you can get a better picture of the region’s gorgeous nature through an excursion to the Black Forest. 

One of the best parts of living in a student city is that it gives you plenty of opportunities to make new friends. Alpadia will help you take advantage of this social culture during your stay. Each school organises plenty of social nights for you to meet your fellow students and soak up the energetic youth culture of your host city. These activities can range from karaoke nights to Biergarten trips and restaurant nights – all of which will help you make friends in the city and practise your German in a natural setting 

Life in Germany with Alpadia 

If you’re still looking for a place to stay, or are just looking for a more authentic student experience, Alpadia provides a range of accommodation options. Each residence is conveniently located within a 30-minute commute from the school and has its own advantages and limitations. 

If you want to fully immerse yourself in the German language, you can choose a homestay where you'll live with a local family and experience the authentic German student lifestyle, 24/7.

If you prefer a certain level of independence while still being able to socialise with your peers, Alpadia has several shared student apartments and residences throughout the city. These options offer a single or double room in a shared living space with other students, giving you the opportunity to make friends and explore the city together. 

Ready to start living the German student life? Enrol in a German course in Germany today!