I’ve always been a huge Tolkien fan. But out of all the quotes that I can think of, one kept ringing in my head as I flew from my home country to Frankfurt.
“Home is behind, the world ahead.”
Moving to a new country is no small feat—it feels like a herculean task in itself. Unfamiliar faces, an unfamiliar language, and the sinking feeling that you’re no longer home can be overwhelming. The pressure to find accommodation quickly in a city like Saarbrücken adds to the challenge. The student housing options at Saarland University are quite limited, so many students, including myself, have to explore shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaften or WGs). Popular platforms like WG-Gesucht or Facebook groups offer leads, but competition can be tough.
It’s important to start early, and I quickly learned that being flexible in terms of location and roommates helps a lot.
Though finding the right place was stressful, there was some solace in realizing that nearly every international student you meet is facing the same daunting task. This shared experience makes the journey feel a little less lonely.
Once accommodation is sorted, the bureaucratic maze begins. Saarbrücken, while not as large as Berlin or Munich, has its own set of hurdles. I spent my first days running from one appointment to another, checking things off the long list: opening a bank account (many international students choose N26 or Deutsche Bank for student accounts), securing health insurance (TK and AOK are the most popular providers), and registering at the local Bürgeramt (city registration office).
Unfreezing my blocked account was a priority, too. I had to present my residence registration and university enrolment to the bank to access my funds. Saarland University’s International Office was incredibly helpful during this period, offering guidance on all the necessary steps. But I quickly learned that patience is key—appointments and paperwork in Germany tend to take time, so staying organized makes all the difference.
At Saarland University, the flexibility in course selection is a blessing and a curse. You have the freedom to build your own academic path, but that also means grappling with a sea of choices. The course catalogue can be overwhelming, especially since different departments follow different exam formats. For example, the computer science faculty often has oral exams (mündliche Prüfungen), while some humanities courses focus on written assignments or presentations.
It’s important to attend the first few lectures to get a feel for each course, as the exam formats and grading systems vary widely.
Saarland’s Moodle platform and the HISPOS system for exam registration can be a bit tricky to navigate initially, but once you’re familiar with them, they’re manageable.
The culture shock in Saarbrücken was more subtle than I expected, but it was definitely there. One of the biggest surprises for me was the rhythm of daily life—shops close early, especially on weekends. It took a while to adjust to the fact that Sundays are almost entirely for relaxation, with most stores closed.
Another challenge was adapting to the more reserved social norms. People here tend to be more formal and less spontaneous than what I was used to. It can feel a bit isolating at first, but over time, you start to understand that once Germans open up, they’re incredibly loyal friends. Saarland itself has a unique blend of French and German influences, and you can feel it in the local food and festivals.
Making friends in Saarbrücken is easier if you put yourself out there. Saarland University has a vibrant international community, and events organized by student groups like ESN Saarbrücken and ZiS offer a great way to meet people. I found that joining clubs, whether for sports, language exchanges, or hobbies, was the best way to build a social circle.
The university’s campus is compact, and the central Mensa is often buzzing with students, making it a perfect spot to strike up conversations. Whether through university-organized events, parties in the Nauwieser Viertel, or quiet weekends exploring Saarland’s nature trails, socializing here gradually turns the unfamiliar into something close to home.
by Om Rajesh Khairate