My university has one of the most renowned programs in anthropology and ethnography. It enrolls more than 5000 international students annually. It boasts of an intercultural environment that I found attractive. Enrolling in my particular programs is based on good references and above-average grades in your previous educational qualification. I did not pay any application fee and it was the only university I applied to in Germany. After enrolment, I was informed that I was selected on the basis that there was a project that was being started in the area studies program that I was well experienced in.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum is excellent in that, it allows independent thinking and gives a platform to discover self-value.
Exams
The department does not value international tests but they have an internal evaluation system to assess the quality of the prospective students. I did not provide a language test or aptitude test when I applied for the particular program. During my application process, I was asked to supply reference letters from my previous university and the university was asked to provide an interpretation of the grading system.
Placement
The university departments have frequent carrier advise programs and job fairs where companies and potential employers would come and interact with students and at the time some get jobs there. Internship programs are usually used as get-ways to permanent employment.
Internship
There are campus jobs for people who are able to communicate with the rest of the students, meaning one must speak functional German to get those jobs mainly on 10 hours/week basis. The stipend is not difficult to get if one has good academic grades and has a good reference from the program coordinators.
Fees
$270 per semester as a social fee. this fee includes public transport ticket for the whole semester. International students do not get loans under normal circumstances. I was awarded the DAAD scholarship for international students which is about $1080 including a family allowance. Selection is based on how relevant your studies are to what the scholarship wanted and it was also based on my academic grades.
Examination Structure
The exams are composed of class assessments, 20% and semester test/ interview, 80%
Faculty
There are a huge number of PhD students and most of the non academic facilities are run by graduate assistants and students. The program forces students to read and participate during classes.
Hostel
I live outside campus because it is easier to get the apartments. Because I had a family, it was not easy to get enough space for the family. Campus meals are expensive, even if they are subsidized for students. I usually opt for cooking at home which is three times cheaper.