I am thinking about moving to Germany. What are some things I should know beforehand?

 

Manak Shah

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M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, Hochschule Furtwangen University (Graduated 2016)

The following points are important to know:

1. Learn some German and then come to Germany. Most of them know English but knowing German will help you a lot.
2. Ask for help whenever you need, Germans are the most friendliest people I have ever met. Most of them will try to talk with you in English, just be patient and explain them your situation.
3. It is a safe and a secure place; currently 3 km away from my house there is a refugee camp from 2 months and nothing has changed, I still walk back home at 2 in night safely.
4. Keep yourself posted about the DB Bahn before landing in Germany, the train strikes takes place sometimes in Germany, so that you don't get stuck on Airport when you land. If you are having multiple connections and when you can't get on your 2nd train due to strike or bad weather you can ask for a Taxi at the DB Bahn office.(This condition is rare though)
5. Check the Weather and have proper provisions in order to face them. It rains regularly, sometimes its windy and sometimes it also snows.
6. Don't pay for your rent in advance from your home country if you are renting an apartment for 6 months or more. There are scams sometimes.
7. Learn to keep things clean. Germans take cleanliness seriously and they like things clean and neat.
8. Don't be loud after 10 pm, during afternoon and on weekends.
9. Avoid talking loudly in Public transport too at anytime.
10. Smile at strangers, most of the Germans will say Hello or Morgen in return.
11. If you are coming as a student then you should keep some cash with you, avoid credit cards because at some places they don't accept them.
12. Get temporary health insurance for 2 or 3 moths in order to take care of health problems if they arise.
13. Most of the Train Stations have WiFi and also some restaurants. So use them whenever you need them.
14. Telephone booth still exists in Germany, so you can make calls wherever you want to in Germany.
15. Keep small coins like 1 or 2 € coins for small stuff. If you don't have them, then generally at Airports they do exchange 10 or 20 € notes with small coins
16. Don't talk about the World War 2 and the things of Hitler in Public and don't do the Nazi salute in public, you may get arrested.

Edit:

Joe Hoy suggested one of the most important points which I forgot.

Be Punctual and be always on time or little bit before time