German education aids students to rightly assess their abilities

Crafted in a comprehensive manner backed by an application-based learning system, German universities allow students to know their strengths and skills well

For those looking at studying in Europe, Germany has paved its way as one of the highly preferred destinations to study abroad.

For Ushashi Basu, who has always been interested in life sciences, Germany was the place to fulfil her dreams. A final-year undergraduate student of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCCB) at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, Ushashi is enjoying the amalgamation of two streams that helps her explore biomedical sciences.

"It is an intensive three-year course where the two fields are combined in one comprehensive degree programme, which will give students a broad understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that form the basis of life."

Why Germany

Like any other student aspiring to study overseas, she explored education opportunities in the US as well. However, she highlights that the course structure, the lively campus life and the financial benefits offered by Jacobs University encouraged her to head to Deutschland.

Talking to Education Times, Ushashi says, "We are taught to work in state-of-the art labs with very efficient and modern technology from our first semester onwards. This gives us a deep insight into research work beyond university."

Learning sessions

Her two years' stay in the country has got her to enjoy the robust and meticulous education system. "It is very comprehensive and application based, and not based on memory learning. Here, students get ample opportunities to correctly assess their intellectual abilities. This leaves no room to over or underestimate one's abilities."

Ushashi says that at her university, students must earn 180 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits to obtain their graduate degree. "Lectures usually involve professors presenting to the class from prepared slides. Laboratory courses are more intensive where we work for four hours for two days a week during the semester, and write publication-style laboratory reports, summarising the experiments that were conducted."

Much against the popular perception that international students must learn German to study there, Ushashi claims German knowledge is not mandatory. "Though it is definitely beneficial as it helps one to interact with fellow students and while socialising outside the campus," she says. She praises the system and shenanigans of the lively German culture and the country for rendering her a great stay till date.

She states that the German learning scenario allows students to set realistic goals and not throw themselves into a rat-race where there is only survival of the fittest. "Indian system can be improved if students are allowed to pick up the subject of their choice."