■ Q1: How do I distinguish whether my semester is the Winter Semester or the Summer Semester?
A1: The Winter-Semester (WS) for studying abroad in Germany is from 10/1 to 3/14 of the following year. The Summer-Semester (SS) is from 3/15 to 9/30.
■ Q2: What is the actual class period at FHWS (including final exams)? Will I have enough time to travel to other places?
A2: For the Winter-Semester, classes typically run from 10/1 to early February. For the Summer-Semester, classes run from 3/15 to the end of July. Regardless of whether you go during WS or SS, there will be plenty of time to travel. The timing is just different. For example, students who go to Germany in WS can travel during the summer break at NKFUST, as FHWS has not yet started. For those going in SS, travel can be arranged during the break between FHWS's end of semester and NKFUST's start.
■ Q3: How is the class experience in Germany different from the one at our department?
A3: German professors prefer to have students engage in simple discussions (either individually or in groups), and ask students to share the results of their discussions. Additionally, German professors often use case studies in their classes, which can either be real-life cases or hypothetical ones.
■ Q4: What is the teaching method and grading system like?
A4: Professors usually create their own PPT slides to replace textbooks and upload them to the school's e-learning system for students to download and print. Classes are often conducted in groups where students discuss weekly topics or watch videos for discussions. Grading is based on final exams or reports that assess the student's performance during the semester.
Living Conditions
■ Q1: Will there be language barriers in communication?
A1: For English, as long as you are brave enough to speak, there shouldn't be significant issues. For German, it is recommended to take the foreign language course "German 1" offered by the General Education Center in advance. This will help you with basic German knowledge and reduce the feeling of insecurity when you first arrive in Germany.
■ Q2: How much does it cost for one semester?
A2: The total cost for one semester is approximately between 200,000 to 300,000 NTD. The total expense is positively correlated with travel frequency. If you want to save money, avoid traveling too often. The cost of living in Germany is about 4 to 5 times higher than in Taiwan. Eating out in Germany is quite expensive compared to Taiwan, so exchange students often prefer to buy ingredients from supermarkets and cook in their dorms.
■ Q3: What about purchasing insurance?
A3: There are two options for insurance. The first option, as advised by the visa office, is to buy insurance for 3 months initially and then extend it once you arrive in Germany. The advantage is that if you fall ill or have an accident in Germany, the claims process is easier. However, the downside is that the insurance premium is higher, approximately 65 Euros per month to be paid to a local insurance company.
*Insurance fees vary by age group. The older you are, the higher the premium.
The second option is to use Taiwanese insurance for the entire duration, covering 6 months without additional coverage in Germany. The advantage is that the premium is relatively low, around 7,000 NTD. The downside is that if you fall ill or get injured in Germany, the claims process is more complicated. You would need to notify your Taiwanese insurance company about your situation and follow the procedure for medical fee reimbursement and claims processing.
*Fees vary depending on the insurance company and the scope of coverage.
*The claims process and documents required for reimbursement will vary by insurance company.
Comparison of the Two Insurance Options
Advantages
Disadvantages
Insurance in Germany
Simple Claims Process
Higher Cost
Use Taiwanese Insurance for the Entire Duration
Lower Cost
Complicated Claims Process
■ Q4: What should I do if I get sick?
A4: It is recommended to consult your family doctor about your physical condition before departure and purchase over-the-counter medications or prescriptions as per the doctor's advice, such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, and activated charcoal tablets, in case of emergencies. If you get sick or have an accident in Germany and require hospitalization, the insurance you purchased will be very important. You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to process the payment procedures.
■ Q5: How is the safety there?
A5: Compared to other European countries, Germany is relatively safer, but you should still be mindful of your personal safety when abroad.
■ Q6: Is it necessary to prepare the passport photo for visa extension in Taiwan in advance?
A6: Not necessarily. The advantage of preparing the passport photo in Taiwan is that it is cheaper, but you must confirm the photo size and specifications (e.g., face size) with the photo studio, as there is a high chance that the photo will not meet the local requirements in Germany and be rejected by the office processing the visa extension, which will result in additional costs for re-taking the photo in Germany. On the other hand, preparing the passport photo for the visa extension in Germany will be more expensive, but the photo size and specifications will be guaranteed to be correct.
Comparison of Preparing Passport Photos for Visa Extension
Advantages
Disadvantages
Prepared in Taiwan
Cheaper cost
Photo size may easily be incorrect, leading to rejection
