Journey as an international student can be financially demanding that is why discussing what are the benefits of working as a student in Germany becomes a very necessary content particularly for those who have chosen any German university as a place to attain their Olympian heights in the academics.
International students have their own set of regulations, which govern how long they can work before their taxes and social contributions rise. For EU nationals, the limit is 20 hours per week during the semester. For students coming from outside the EU, the limit is either 120 full days, or 240 half days every ye
Then, as international student in a foreign land overseas, the attending need to survive in terms of finances in every aspect of life there. According to the German Student Union, however, student life is cheaper, as they get by on 867 Euros per month.
On top of that, however, there are tuition fees and, depending on the housing market, a higher rent than the 332 euros. Hence, students will have to engage in some occupational opportunities that will allow them the chance to take care of their needs and lack.
Germany’s good economy offers working student job possibilities for students who need some extra income while studying. With this offering come lots and lots of benefits. Let us therefore look into what and what are the benefits of working as a student in Germany as we outline them one after another:
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Adaptation to German Working System
Every country has its own work culture that is distinctive to its workforce. Whether it’s work-life balance, the way you share ideas or collaborate with your colleagues and your time and task management, the experience in Germany can differ drastically from your home country.
The best way to understand how you fit into the specific culture of the country and your field of employment is to work as a part-time employee. It gives you an overview of how you react to the different norms in a potential workplace, how it helps you grow as a person and how it contributes to your overall learning experience as a student.
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Gaining New and Practical Experiences
Being a student in a foreign country gives you a sense of freedom, allowing you to explore things you probably would not have done otherwise. How many of us would have considered being a dog walker or a babysitter as a side gig if we weren’t outside our comfort zone and protective environment?
The best part of picking up these jobs that are not related to your field of study helps you pick up skills or character traits that might come to use even in a traditional work environment.
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Meet Potential Future Employers
If you get a student job in Germany in a sector closely related to your field of studies, it opens up huge doors into the future of your employment. With your hard work, determination and great ideas, you might have just found yourself a job straight after graduation.
But even beyond that, working as a student opens up possibilities for you at every step. When you work at trade fairs or coffee shops, you have a greater chance of meeting people outside your social bubble. This helps you in building your network, creating opportunities for yourself in the future.
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Preparation for New Environment
Having work experience in the German market before you finish college is a great way to make yourself unique during job interviews in the future. Even if you have work experience in your home country, it adds an extra edge when you send applications to companies during or after your final semester.
Having worked with a company in the country, you are seen as someone who knows how German offices work and gives you an advantage during salary negotiations as a fresher while making you a more desirable candidate to hiring executives.
Read Also: What are the Advantages of Studying in Germany?
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Mastery of the German Language and Culture
An extra advantage of working as a student in Germany is the brilliant space you get to learn the language. As you are pushed in more situations where you are required to pick up and understand the German language, you tend to use it more often, making you more confident about your abilities to master it.
Knowing the German language and practicing it regularly also definitely improves your chances of (you guessed it right) finding a suitable job after graduation.
Types of Job Opportunities to Look for in Germany
Below are some of the opportunities you can ever find in the German society as an international student:
- Mini Job
The classic among the part-time jobs is the mini job. You may earn up to 450 euros per month. With a minimum wage of 9.50 euros per hour (as of Jan. 2021), you have to work a maximum of around eleven hours per week or around 47 hours per month for this amount.
As a full-time student, you do not have to pay taxes or social security contributions on this amount. This also makes the mini job attractive for employers. If you are under 25 years old and have family health insurance as a student, you can work in a mini job without having to pay extra contributions.
- Midi-Job
More than a mini job, less than full-time – the midi-job is in between. The basic difference: health insurance and unemployment insurance are due, of which the employer pays a higher share than in a full-time job. Earnings may be between 450 and 1,300 euros per month.
Like normal part-time employees, you are entitled to holidays and continued payment of wages in the event of illness and you pay pension contributions. Students are only allowed to earn up to 850€ per month as to not loose your student health insurance.
- Self-employed/Freelancer
You can also work without an employer in jobs such as promotion, copywriting, tutoring, or web design. Check with your tax office to see if you need a trade license for this.
- Internship
You have to distinguish between a compulsory internship, a voluntary internship, and an internship abroad. As the name suggests, a compulsory internship is an integral part of your studies. Employers do not have to pay a minimum wage for compulsory internships.
Therefore, you often earn nothing or very little during a compulsory internship. The situation is different for voluntary internships: If it lasts longer than three months, you are entitled to the minimum wage.
