This is said in view of the fact that, while studying in the U.S. may be quite expensive, a master's degree can be obtained within two years. Universities in West Germany, on the other hand, are all public and, along with their good social welfare system, tuition free. Foreign students are also entitled to the same treatment. However, the time factor involved for getting a master's degree can be long and drawn out. It's not uncommon to spend five years in the process.

The West German government conducted a survey and discovered that the average age of students and the total amount of time they spend getting their degree are on the increase. "Old timers" are a common sight on the campuses. A West German student jocularly said, "One day the professor is going to walk into a classroom and discover that everyone has gray hair and staggers."

West German universities do not have any time limit for finishing a degree. Furthermore, those midterms and finals which tend to scare the wits out of students in other countries are simply nonexistent.

Their concept of education is that students study in order to benefit themselves. It's not up to the school to have to urge them to study within a certain amount of time, nor must it use the method of examinations to push them to study. If a student studies for the mere sake of passing an exam, well then he might as well hand in his books.

In view of the above, students are allowed to prepare on their own. When they feel they are ready to take an exam, then they apply to the school to take it. The exam, for the most part, is within the scope of the students' field of study. The student is allowed to choose the topic. He can then convey what he has learned to the teacher. If the teacher is satisfied with the progress the student has made, then he will assign him a grade.

Under such a system, there are not so many outside pressures. Students who are not so motivated may study for ten years without ever having taken a single exam or having received a grade. The school will not kick them out, nor will the teachers get involved. As for the students, well, they're used to such things.

It's common for German students to work or get married while they're still in school. The time involved in pursuing academic studies is long and difficult to get around. Also, with the ever-increasing unemployment rate in West Germany, students are in no rush to graduate. After all, studying doesn't cost anything.

Students who go to West Germany from the R.O.C. hold a different attitude. They want to get their degree as soon as possible, return to their own country, and find a job quickly.

Before entering the university, German students must complete thirteen years of education--one year longer than our educational system, which is fashioned after the American system. Although it's just one more year, in the eyes of the German people it makes a big difference.

Because Germans make a clear distinction between specialized education and research education, when they graduate from primary school at around the age of ten, they know, for the most part, which direction they will be headed in--high school or vocational school.

University is divided into general and specialized schools. The latter comprise such schools as engineering, medicine, physical education and music.

To prepare for entrance into a university, students who wish to continue in research begin preparing by gathering information, writing reports, and studying logic, Latin, or a second language while they are still in high school.

According to Gert Schneider, director of the counseling office for foreign students at Heidelberg University, students from the R.O.C. who wish to enter German universities directly must first study at a university on Taiwan for at least two years. Students who have only studied for one year may obtain permission to enroll. However, they must first study in a required class set up by the university and pass an exam before they can hold regular student status at a German university.

In the German educational system, there's no such thing as a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Universities are divided into two levels: basic studies and regular studies. Each level must be studied for at least four semesters.

The number of people going to Germany to study is on the rise. There's more information available, and the teachers and students are more experienced. On account of this, students who have graduated from a domestic university may, in most cases, be able to hold regular student status starting from the fifth semester, after a bit of negotiating with the school.

"One thing is for certain, a student who has obtained a master's degree in the R.O.C. will generally be admitted straight into a Ph.D. program," says Ku Tzung-hua, who recently returned to the R.O.C. from Germany after receiving his Ph.D. in sociology from Heidelberg University.

Although there isn't a graduate school in Germany, there's something similar in the regular studies curriculum whereby a student must write a thesis and select a topic for research.

"It's not so important what the teacher teaches you. The important thing is to let you know how to be a learned person and solve problems on your own," says Rainer Dietrich, department head of German literature at Heidelberg University and a former vice-president of the university.

There are two ways in which classes are held.

One is where the teacher lectures and the students listen. The other is the small group class discussion where the student can get a grade. The student registers with a certain teacher if the teacher is willing to accept him.

The school itself does not initiate examinations. It's up to the various departments to decide upon how many grades are needed in order to graduate. Required courses are generally few, thus giving students the freedom to choose subjects they are interested in.

Before going to study in Germany, students must pass a language proficiency exam. Even if they do pass, they often find themselves unable to communicate well upon their arrival.

Each university has its own language proficiency examination, which foreign students must pass in order to be admitted. Therefore, many universities hold yearlong languages classes for foreign students.

Clemens August Paulig, head of the counseling office for foreign students at Cologne University, also suggests that students planning to study in Germany sharpen up their language skills before they arrive, especially since some universities, such as Munich University, charge tuition for language courses.

"Under the educational system of independent self-study, many people leave because they're unable to meet the requirements. But I can assure you, any student who can manage to graduate is certainly the very best," Rainer Dietrich says proudly.

Are you still thinking of going to Germany to study? If so, it may prove to be one very long and drawn-out battle.

[Picture Caption]

Most foreign students who come to Germany to study first take a yearlong language course before enrolling.

The ultimate goal of university education in Germany is to cultivate students who can solve problems on their own. Shown here is Bonn University.

The educational systems of the U.S. and Germany are completely different. Therefore, students educated under the American educational system should do a bit of research before they arrive.

If you know what to expect, then studying in Germany can be quite comfortable. Shown here is Cologne University.

Students find books on their own to study. University libraries in Germany truly serve their function.

Are you thinking of going to Germany to study? It may just prove to be one long battle. Shown here is Heidelberg University.

The ultimate goal of university education in Germany is to cultivate students who can solve problems on their own. Shown here is Bonn University.

The educational systems of the U.S. and Germany are completely different. Therefore, students educated under the American educational system should do a bit of research before they arrive.

If you know what to expect, then studying in Germany can be quite comfortable. Shown here is Cologne University.

Students find books on their own to study. University libraries in Germany truly serve their function.

Are you thinking of going to Germany to study? It may just prove to be one long battle. Shown here is Heidelberg University.