Foreign students at German universities and colleges: Portait of a student from China - Journal (english) 11.04.2008 10:00 UTC

There are more than 200,000 foreign students enrolled at German universities and colleges. When they've completed their studies most return home. And that's just the way the German authorities want it because they view those returning students as ideal bridgebuilders for contacts of all kinds with Germany -- with German culture, and, of course, German business. But: a surprising number of foreign students -- over fifty percent in fact -- drop out before they've completed their courses. Why? Well, money is often a problem and then there are linguistic and cultural hurdles. Let's start with a look now at one Chinese student in Cologne - at the problems he's been facing, and the help he's been getting.