Useful experiences of studying abroad in Germany that you need to know

Vocational training in Germany is not only an opportunity for you to study and work in a leading developed country in Europe, but also a journey that requires careful preparation in terms of knowledge, skills and psychology. From learning the language, preparing documents to cultural integration and financial management, every step needs to be carefully calculated. If you are cherishing the dream of vocational training in Germany, do not miss these experience studying in Germany practical, useful has been SHD Academy summarized in the article below!

>> See more:

• Instructions for the discount of German vocational training 2025
• Which vocational training major in Germany should you choose for high salary in 2025?
• SHOULD I STUDY AT A VOCATIONAL COLLEGE IN GERMANY?

Why should you study vocational training in Germany?

As a key industrial center of the EU region, Germany is currently facing a shortage of highly skilled workers, especially in the service and engineering sectors. Therefore, the German government is constantly expanding its policy to attract international human resources, including young people from Vietnam who have the opportunity to study and develop their careers in Germany.

One of the highlights of German vocational study abroad program is a dual training model (Ausbildung), combining 30% theory at school and 70% practice at the enterprise. With this model, students are not only equipped with systematic professional knowledge but also work in a professional environment, thereby accumulating experience and skills during the learning process.

In addition, international students studying vocational training in Germany are also exempted from 100% tuition fees by the German government and are supported by businesses with an internship salary of up to 1,500 Euro/month (about 45 million VND), enough for students to cover their living expenses during their studies and living in Germany. 

After completing 3 years of vocational training, students will have a wide range of jobs with attractive incomes, ranging from 2,500 - 3,500 Euro/month (about 74 - 104 million VND), depending on the profession. In particular, if you work for 2 years and pay taxes in full, you can completely apply for a green card to settle permanently in Germany.

Not only that, a German vocational degree also has international value, helping students easily access the global labor market. With top-quality training and clear career opportunities, studying vocational training in Germany is becoming the top choice for young people who want to develop a solid future in Europe.

>> Reference:

• Suggestions for easy-to-find jobs in Germany 2025
• Summary of the highest paying occupations in Germany in 2025

Useful experiences when studying vocational training in Germany

Study abroad in Germany opens up many attractive job opportunities for international students, but also comes with many challenges. To be able to adapt and succeed in the new environment, you need to prepare carefully from learning German, completing your profile to practicing the ability to integrate into life in Germany. Below are some useful experiences of studying in Germany that you should note:

Learn German

Learning German is the first and most important step in your journey to study a profession in Germany. To learn effectively, you can refer to some of the following experiences:

• Create a small study group (2–4 people): Studying in groups with friends with similar goals helps you stay motivated, practice communicating regularly, and support each other in correcting mistakes. 
• Set clear goals from the beginning: Determining the goal of passing B1 or B2 right from the start will help you have a specific direction and not get lost during the learning process.

>> Reference: Guide to effective German learning path from A1 to B1

Prepare your own documents to study in Germany

When preparing yourself German vocational study profile, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Understand the necessary documents to prepare from official sources such as the website of the German Embassy, DAAD or reputable educational institutions.
• Keep up to date as visa policies and application requirements may change, so check periodically to avoid errors.
• Take note of important dates such as visa appointment, application deadline, school start date, etc.
• Referring to the sharing from international students who have prepared their own documents will help you know in advance common mistakes and how to handle them.

Learn about vocational training school programs in Germany

Before applying for vocational training in Germany, one of the important steps you should not skip is to thoroughly research the training program of the vocational school you intend to attend. Each school and each major will have different entry requirements, training time, study content and internship salary.

You need to check whether the course is suitable for your interests, future orientation as well as your current capacity. At the same time, pay attention to the geographical location factor – studying in big cities can help you have more job opportunities.

Additionally, you should consider factors such as:

• Does the school have any links with businesses for practice?
• What percentage of students are retained for employment after graduation?
• Is there support for international students during their studies?

Thoroughly researching the study program not only helps you make the right choice but also creates the premise for an effective and well-oriented study and work journey in Germany.

>> Reference: TOP 9 prestigious, free vocational training schools in Germany 2025

Integrate into German culture and lifestyle

When first arriving in Germany, the thing that makes many vocational students feel the most “culture shock” is the disciplined and principled lifestyle of the German people. To avoid feeling bewildered, you can apply the following methods:

• Practice punctuality even in Vietnam: Germans value time very much, so being late for an appointment even by 5 minutes is considered disrespectful. Therefore, try to arrive early for appointments, classes or work.
• Learn to be neat and tidy: Whether you live in a dorm or rent a house, keeping common spaces clean is a must.
• Take the initiative to learn about local culture: Participate in local festivals, get to know your neighbors or simply ask the vendors are also ways for you to understand more about the culture and people here.

>> Reference: What is life like in Germany? Daily life habits of Germans

Part-time work in Germany

When studying vocational training in Germany, many students choose to study and work part-time to increase their income and experience life. Below are some useful experiences of studying in Germany that you can refer to:

• Compliance with regulations: Vocational students are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours/week (about 40-50 hours/month). If you work more than the prescribed hours, you may be warned or your application for a German settlement visa may be affected.
• Choose a job that suits your time and health: Some popular part-time jobs for vocational students are kitchen assistant, sales, hotel cleaning, warehouse packing, etc. These jobs do not require high qualifications, but require you to be diligent, punctual, and work seriously.
• Manage your time well: Vocational training in Germany is quite heavy, so you should arrange your study, work and rest time reasonably. Don’t work too much and it will affect your study results or health.

>> Reference: Study and work in Germany: Summary of detailed information

Necessary documents to apply for a visa to study vocational training in Germany 

To increase the success rate when apply for visa to study vocational training in Germany, you need to prepare a complete and accurate set of documents according to the requirements of the German Embassy. Specifically, the necessary documents include:

• Passport: Passport valid for at least 6 months, including 1 original and 1 copy.
• Profile photo: Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white or gray background, taken within the last 3 months, no glasses, jewelry and dressed appropriately.
• Birth certificate: Notarized copy, translation available upon request.
• Academic performance report card: High school transcript, highest degree (College/University) – including 1 original and 2 copies.
• German language certificate: Minimum B1 level, awarded by prestigious organizations such as Goethe, Telc, TestDaF.
• Certificate of participation in German language course: Proof that you have studied German for at least 6 months in Vietnam, clearly stating the time and number of lessons.
• Self-introduction letter: A personal statement outlining your reasons for choosing your major, your study plans, and your career goals.
• Apprenticeship Contract & Admission Letter: Contract for vocational training in Germany signed by the training institution in Germany and Certificate of registration at the vocational school.
• Prior approval (Vorabzustimmung): A certificate from the German Immigration Office or the German Labour Office authorizing you to participate in an apprenticeship program.
• Health insurance: Certification health insurance in Germany minimum 3 months
• Other documents (if any): Depending on the case, you may need to provide additional documents as required by the German Embassy.

Note: Some requirements such as marriage certificate, criminal record, Embassy interview may be waived, depending on the latest policy.

How much does it cost to study vocational training in Germany? 

Before deciding to study vocational training in Germany, parents and students need to clearly understand the total costs to prepare in order to plan appropriate finances. Below are the expenses Expenses for studying in German vocational training basic:

• Cost of studying German: To be eligible for a visa to study in Germany, students need to have a German language level of B1 or higher. Cost of studying from A1 to B1 at reputable centers such as Shd Education fluctuates around 30 - 35 million VND/course within 9 months. In addition, the TELC or Goethe certificate exam fee is also from 5 - 6.5 million VND depending on the skills and the exam center.
• Application fee: This includes notarization, document translation, visa application and related procedures. The fee ranges from 2.7 million VND, of which the application fee is about 600,000 - 700,000 VND and the visa fee is 75 Euro (equivalent to 2 million VND).
• Airfare: One-way airfare from Vietnam to Germany ranges from 15 to 25 million VND, depending on the time and airline. To save money, students should plan and book tickets early.
• Living expenses: After arriving in Germany, students will need to pay for things like rent, food, transportation, and health insurance. On average, living expenses range from 600 to 900 Euros per month (about 15 to 32 million VND). Actual expenses may vary depending on the region of residence and the financial management ability of each student.

In summary, the total initial cost to prepare for a vocational study abroad trip in Germany usually ranges from 70 to 100 million VND, depending on the German language level, living area and spending level of each student.

Understanding the financial concerns of international students when studying in Germany. For students accompanying SHD Academy, we are committed to supporting students to connect with reputable businesses in Germany through a cooperation network with more than 40 leading partners in Germany with a minimum internship salary of 929 Euro/month. From this income, students can not only ensure living expenses in Germany but also save money to send back to their families.

>> Reference: 

• Top 10 prestigious and quality German teaching centers in Ho Chi Minh City. HCM
• How much is the cost of living in Germany for international students?

SHD Academy – Prestigious and quality German vocational study abroad consulting center 

In nearly 7 years of operation in the field of vocational study abroad consultancy in Germany, SHD Academy is proud to have accompanied and successfully supported more than 600 Vietnamese students to go to Germany to study vocational training, and 1,500 students currently studying. With the business philosophy of "Taking customers as the center of all activities, aiming to balance the interests of all parties", SHD Academy always strives to create different values, bringing practical and sustainable benefits to students as well as partners.

In addition to consulting and supporting German vocational study abroad applications, SHD Academy also focuses on solving financial problems for students. The center has cooperated with credit organizations such as the Social Policy Bank, Agribank, Shinhanbank to implement preferential loan packages from 150 - 200 million VND, especially for students in the Mekong Delta region such as An Giang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, ... Thanks to that, students can easily access capital, reduce financial pressure and confidently realize their dream of vocational study abroad in Germany.

1. Connecting cooperation

• SHD Academy builds close cooperative relationships with local authorities in Vietnam, representatives of German states, leading educational institutions and businesses in Germany. From there, it not only opens up attractive job opportunities with guaranteed output for students but also commits to full benefits of accommodation, support for administrative procedures and necessary conditions, helping students feel secure in studying and developing a long-term career in Germany. 
• Thanks to a network of partners with more than 40 German enterprises and constantly expanding, SHD Academy confidently commits to providing students with jobs immediately after graduation with attractive income, helping young people confidently enter the international labor market and develop their future careers.
• Honored to be recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City as an excellent non-public educational institution for two consecutive school years (2022-2023 and 2023-2024), affirming top quality service.
• In addition, SHD Academy is the pioneer in bringing Vietnamese leaders to Germany to visit and work, demonstrating the care and concern of local leaders and SHD team for young human resources, strongly affirming the commitment to comprehensively accompany students from Vietnam to Germany. At the same time, affirming SHD's leading reputation in connecting international cooperation. 

2. Pioneer in financial support

• SHD Academy is proud to be a pioneer in providing practical financial solutions for students. By officially signing a cooperation agreement with Shinhan Bank to implement the "Companionship Tuition" program, SHD Academy opens up opportunities to help students access preferential loans more easily.
• In addition, thanks to close coordination with the authorities of the Mekong Delta provinces, SHD Academy has implemented financial loan packages from 150 to 200 million VND through the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) and reputable credit institutions such as the Social Policy Bank to support students in provinces such as An Giang, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Soc Trang.
• This solution not only helps reduce the financial burden for parents and students but also opens up opportunities for students to realize their dream of studying vocational training in Germany.

3. Comprehensive ecosystem

• Comprehensive ecosystem with German language training services, TELC test coordination, career orientation, interview training with businesses, visa interviews and legal support for students until graduation and stable jobs in Germany. 
• Transparent design process with clear costs, close connection between services, helping students have a seamless, uninterrupted learning and working experience.
• SHD Academy is committed to accompanying students on their journey to conquer their career goals, helping young people easily integrate into the international environment and build a sustainable career in Germany.

4. Personalize your learning and career path

• SHD Academy provides vocational training courses, helping students gain practical experience and discover themselves. Through this, students will recognize their strengths and identify fields that match their passion, thereby strengthening their choice of suitable majors.
• Based on individual abilities and labor market trends in Germany, SHD Academy orients and advises on personalized learning paths for each student. Thereby, students are supported to maximize their strengths, while meeting the human resource needs of the international market.
• Understanding that “integration” is the key to success, SHD organizes exchange sessions and activities to explore German culture, from customs, cuisine to daily life skills. These experiences not only help students get acquainted with the new environment but also understand how to communicate and work with Germans. Thanks to that, students feel more confident when entering life in Germany, ready to build a long-term career in a promising international environment.
• Up to now, more than 99% students of SHD Academy have successfully integrated in Germany, quickly adapted and demonstrated the ability to study and work effectively, receiving high appreciation from businesses. This once again affirms the outstanding quality in consulting, career orientation and cultural and skill preparation for students of SHD Academy.

Hope with the above sharing, SHD Academy has helped you have a more comprehensive view and accumulate more experience studying in Germany to have the best preparation for the upcoming vocational study abroad journey. If you need more information about the German vocational study abroad program, don't forget to visit the section News or contact directly SHD Academy via hotline 033 676 0276 for detailed advice!