If Adequate Support and Assistance Given, Many International Students Intend to Remain in Germany

According to preliminary results from a comprehensive survey of foreign students studying in Germany, two-thirds of them want to continue their education and find employment there. And those who study computer science, engineering, and economics are particularly more interested in that. Approximately 50% of the students who participated in the survey expressed interest in launching a company in Germany. Regardless of how you interpret those findings, Germany could take advantage of a remarkable amount of talent and opportunity. However, the survey also reveals that only one-third of the Germany's international students believe that they are adequately equipped to make the move to Germany for employment. Many are seeking additional assistance, particularly in areas such as advanced language proficiency, career services, and networking with German employers. Germany must better prepare its students for the labor market to draw in foreign students for their subsequent years skilled workers. This calls for more staff members who are always willing to assist universities for this task, as well as targeted programs at universities.

The results come from a survey that was carried out during the winter term of 2023–2024 on DAAD's request. Almost 21,000 overseas students studying at a total of 132 German universities participated in the survey. The survey also reveals that three factors in particular entice those students to study in Germany: the cost of degree programs at German schools of higher learning, the employment prospects that come with those credentials, and the abundance of English-taught programs. According to DAAD, English-language study programs continue to be a crucial recruitment tool when it comes to the language of instruction. Giving international students focused assistance to learn German is essential; ideally, this can be done through integrated language classes while they are enrolled in school. This is especially important In light of future labor market integration.

In the meantime, there is a compelling rationale for those increased career and transitional services for international graduates. According to a comparable study by the German Economic Institute, each cohort of international students in Germany generates € 16 billion in net economic impact, even if they only stay for 40% of their time there.

As Germany's foreign enrollment continues to show consistent growth, these findings are mounting. According to DAAD, there are 405,000 students from abroad in the nation at the moment. Along with Canada, Germany possesses the best staying rate of foreign students among top study destinations. According to the OECD,45% of international graduates remain in the nation 10 years after they began their education. However, the present DAAD survey indicates that if shift endorses to foreign graduates are more thoroughly strengthened, the stay rate might rise even higher, with an accordingly bigger effect on Germany's economy.