From the USA to Munich – an international student at ISM

Settling into life as an international student in a new country is not always easy. The new culture, way of life and language can be a lot to take in at first. Note that I am talking from my own personal experience, having spent most of my life in the USA and having become accustomed to the lifestyle there. After moving to Munich, my entire world changed, as the German way of life is very different to what I had been used to in the States. The most striking difference is the direct communication style and the formal relationships people tend to have with each other in Germany. It was somewhat difficult to get used to at first, but I have now settled in well in Munich. I would therefore like to share my knowledge and experience in the hope that I can make integration as easy as possible for others.
Studying at the International School of Management certainly helped me to settle into my new surroundings in Munich. The small groups ensure you get to know each other faster and offer great opportunities for exchange and networking.

Further, the International Office at ISM runs a buddy program full of events and excursions to help international students get to know Munich and Germany better. Starting in the 2022 summer semester, there will be a lunch event each semester for full-time international students to become better acquainted.Moreover, before commencing their courses at ISM, students receive an email with plenty of details about registering with the local authorities, finding accommodation, emergency contacts, etc. Here in Munich, for example, ISM goes out of its way to help international students feel at home in the city.
There are also so many ways to meet new people in the city beyond the university community. For instance, why not join one of the many Facebook groups to meet people with similar interests. The English Garden urban park and the city’s art galleries are always a hive of activity, especially in the summer. They are extremely popular with many students, who are usually very friendly and welcoming to new faces. Furthermore, Türkenstrasse and Giselastrasse offer a wealth of restaurants and bars where you can have a meal and a drink with friends, for example Café Zeitgeist or Bar 55Eleven. Personally, I like to go to the English Garden with friends after lessons, a stunning location with so many fabulous beer gardens. As you can see, settling into life in Munich is much easier than it may seem at first.

Images: Jan Antonin Kolar (Unsplash), Pexels

Constanze Huebner studies Marketing & Communications Management at ISM Munich.

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