What this interview is about:
At 17, Sofia made the life-changing decision to move abroad in pursuit of a better future for herself and her family, as opportunities for young people in Colombia can be very limited. She has always been deeply ambitious and driven to build a strong professional path. In this interview, Sofia shares her experience and practical tips for international students planning to study in Germany.
How did your international journey begin?
Sofia: My international journey started in Vancouver, Canada, where I learned English and completed a Co-op program in Business Communication at Greystone College. I have been completely self-funded and financially independent since then. Spending two years in Canada was an incredible experience that confirmed my passion for international environments and personal growth.
Why did you choose Germany as your study destination, and what made you decide on the International Business Administration programme at SRH University?
Sofia: Germany offered a great environment to build my future, and after learning the language through my Au Pair year and volunteer work, I wanted to pursue my degree in International Business Administration in English. SRH stood out because it offered a clear, welcoming pathway, recognising my international background when public university requirements felt unnecessarily restrictive. What sold me on SRH was the CORE Principle: studying one subject at a time in 5-week blocks. It allows you to focus deeply, retain information better, and avoid end-of-semester exam overload. For students like me who have to work alongside their studies, this structure makes maintaining a healthy work-study balance much more manageable.
Can you walk us through the application process? Which documents did you need to prepare, and how would you describe your overall experience?
Sofia: The application required submitting my academic background, CV, motivation letter, and language certificates. Navigating the process while living in Germany allowed me to work directly with the admissions team at SRH, who guided me through every step to ensure my international credentials were standardly processed.
Was there any part of the application process that you found particularly challenging or confusing? How did you overcome these challenges?
Sofia: The document preparation in Germany was by far the most challenging part. Coming from Canada, where administrative steps were simpler, I was surprised by the heavy bureaucracy in Germany - requiring apostilles, official translations, and detailed records for almost every past academic step. Realizing that public university pathways would require repeating high school equivalencies was frustrating, but working with SRH provided a much clearer and more practical solution.
After receiving your admission letter, what were the next steps? Could you describe your experience with applying for a student visa, including the required documents and the timeline?
Sofia: Since I was transitioning from my voluntary service to a student status, I had to apply for my student residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). Preparing my admission letter, health insurance, and proof of financial means was essential, and staying organized helped manage the processing timeline smoothly.
Many prospective students are unfamiliar with the concept of a blocked account. What was your experience opening one, and what advice would you give to students who need to complete this step?
Sofia: Opening a blocked account was actually quite simple for me. Since I was already in Germany, I emailed the bank I chose to arrange an appointment. For the appointment, you need to have the full required amount ready in the account plus an opening fee. They set up the account right away during the appointment and provide all necessary official documents. The blocked account exists so authorities can verify that you have sufficient monthly funds to live in Germany. My advice is to thoroughly check how much money you actually need to deposit, because if you receive a scholarship or have other recognized financial proof, the required deposit amount might be lower. Also, remember that there are alternative ways to prove financial coverage in Germany besides a blocked account, so it is always worth researching all options.
Health insurance is another important requirement for studying in Germany. How did you choose your provider, and what should future students know before arranging their insurance?
Sofia: I chose TK (Techniker Krankenkasse). In Germany, administrative communication happens largely via email or physical letters. I sent an email request to TK, and they mailed me a confirmation letter of my coverage. After that, I requested them to transmit proof directly to the university. My main advice is to arrange health insurance well in advance because the university cannot issue your student credentials until they receive official confirmation from your insurer - and of course, having it active ensures you are fully protected from day one in case of any health issue.
What preparations did you make before leaving your home country? Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known before arriving in Germany?
Sofia: Looking back, I deeply wish I had known in advance how extensive and specific German document requirements would be. My family no longer lives in Bogotá - where I grew up and attended school - so when extra official paperwork was requested, my parents had to travel all the way back to Bogotá just to visit my former high school and retrieve certified documents. Knowing these requirements far in advance would have saved my family a lot of unnecessary travel, stress, and time.
Once you arrived in Germany, what administrative tasks did you have to complete, such as registering your address or applying for your residence permit? How smooth was the process?
Sofia: Upon arrival, the initial administrative checklist included registering my address (Anmeldung), applying for my residence permit, getting a local SIM card, and setting up the Deutschlandticket for public transportation. If you research everything in advance or have someone to guide you, the process is fairly clear since many steps can be managed online - with the exception of in-person appointments like address registration and visa procedures. If you don't speak German yet, a practical tip is to email administrative offices or university staff in advance; most staff understand English, and reaching out proactively helps you navigate the system much faster.
How did SRH University support you during your arrival and your first weeks on campus? Were there any services or events that helped you settle into your new environment?
Sofia: SRH University made the transition smooth right from the beginning. During Welcome Week, the structured Q&A sessions cleared up many of my initial questions regarding both university life and practical routines in Germany. Furthermore, Student Service maintained a helpful open-door policy, making it easy to drop by whenever I needed guidance or extra support while adjusting to campus life.
Looking beyond the administrative aspects, how has your experience of studying and living in Germany been so far? What has surprised you the most, both academically and culturally?
Sofia: Studying and living in Germany has been a deeply transformative journey. Beyond academics, SRH provided a strong foundation for my student life by offering the opportunity to work right on campus in Campus Management. Culturally, coming from Colombia - where social interactions are naturally very warm, open, and expressive - adjusting to German directness and social dynamics was a significant culture shock at first. However, learning to navigate these cultural differences has helped me become much more adaptable and structured.
Studying and living in Germany has been a deeply transformative journey. Beyond academics, SRH provided a strong foundation for my student life by offering the opportunity to work right on campus in Campus Management.
If you could give three pieces of advice to prospective international students who are just starting their journey to Germany, what would they be? Is there one message you would like every future student to remember before beginning the application process?
Sofia:
Key message: The administrative process can feel demanding, but staying resilient, organised, and proactive will open doors to a truly rewarding journey.
Closing question: Looking back on your entire journey from your first application to your life as a student in Germany - what has been the most rewarding part of the experience?
Sofia: The most rewarding part has been seeing how all my effort and sacrifices have truly paid off. Seeing my hard work reflected in earning the Deutschlandstipendium, working in a campus job that I genuinely love, and building strong, meaningful friendships at university makes every challenge worth it. Taking such a big step at a young age wasn't easy, but looking back, I know it laid a solid foundation for my future and will open incredible professional opportunities ahead.
