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Similarly, Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on the Indo-German cultural exchanges in the early twentieth century paved a new pedagogical association between the two countries. Prior to Independence, several noted Indian personalities, such as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, earned their academic qualifications in Germany. Over the years, both countries have continued this exchange of knowledge, ideas, and opportunities and signed several bilateral agreements in the field of education and technology. 

This connection is also reflected in the fact that the number of Indians opting to study in Germany has seen a consistently increasing trend over the past decade. According to data from the German Federal Statistical Office, nearly 21 percent more Indian students enrolled at German universities in the 2019-20 winter semester compared to the previous year. From 20,810 Indian students in 2018 to 25,149 students in 2019, there was a marked increase in the number of Indians studying in Germany. In fact, Indians are the second-largest group of non-EU students enrolled across German universities, following China. Merely 20 years ago, the total number of Indian students in Germany stood at only 522 in the winter semester of 1998-99. 

As the second-largest German city, Hamburg alone has over 13,746 international students, of which 588 are from India (winter semester 2018/2019). With this number, India follows China and Russia and precedes Syria, Iran and Vietnam. u. So what makes Hamburg a desirable choice for Indian students? 

This historical port city boasts of several reputed universities and research centres like the University of Hamburg, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), and the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences to name a few. Hamburg is also home to the third-largest port in Europe and is a major centre for the maritime industry along with other sectors such as aviation, automotive, IT, media and biotechnology. Moreover, while a majority of academic programs are in German, there are a growing number of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes that are being offered in English. As a city, Hamburg’s global outlook has resulted in a more English-friendly social space when compared to the rest of Germany. 

“Being a major port city, Hamburg promises various opportunities and exposure to major industries like logistics, shipbuilding, chemical and more. Also, a larger city provides more job opportunities - be it part-time or full-time. I also found Hamburg to be quite safe for students,” says Vineet Gurlhosar, a Master’s student at the TUHH on why he chose to study in Hamburg. 

For others like Nidhi Joshi who is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction departments at the University of Hamburg, the move to the Hanseatic City was a natural progression in search of more interdisciplinary research opportunities. The University of Hamburg is the third largest university in Germany and is known to have numerous interdisciplinary projects in a broad range of fields. “I like my research since I have total flexibility to work on what interests me. There is no pressure. At the same time, I am always motivated to work because of the positive research environment. I get time to balance work and life. Also, the city has many beautiful water bodies and you get a big city vibe here,” explains Nidhi. 

Despite these positives, the move to Hamburg can also be challenging for many Indian students. With a high standard of living, Hamburg can be a tough nut to crack for students trying to budget food, rent and other living expenses. Finding affordable housing can be a daunting task to any newcomer in the city. In addition to this, navigating the dense bureaucracy and paperwork in Germany is challenging without adequate support from local networks. And while all of this is being worked out, one also has to acclimatize to the cold, windy and wet Hamburg weather and quickly get used to hearing statements like, “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung” (There is no bad weather, just bad clothing).  

Sanjana Mahesh Adi, a Master’s student at the Hafencity University sheds some light on her journey to Hamburg, “it was not a cakewalk even though I moved to Germany to join my husband. The German bureaucratic work, organizing documents and applications required a lot of time and effort. The German language can be a barrier to communication; although it has become better over a period of time. Learning a new language is not easy but it is possible. Also, staying away from family and friends was initially quite difficult. Along with that, the climatic changes especially coming from about 28 degrees to minus 15 degrees was a totally different experience.” 

While all of this can seem daunting, newcomers have a safety net available in the form of university orientation groups, student coordinators, professors and, most importantly, various student associations. For Vineet Gurlhosar who is a member of the Indian Students’ Association at the TUHH, “it wasn't so difficult to navigate around Hamburg thanks to the Indian Students’ Association. I always had a contact point from them in case of emergencies and the association members really made sure to communicate all the important aspects at the beginning of the semester.” 

The Indian Students’ Association (ISA) in Hamburg was formed in 2009 with a mission to connect the Indian community and promote Indian culture at the university. Due to its active engagement at the university, the association has a good reach and reputation. ISA has close relations with the Consulate General of India in Hamburg and therefore supports students facing visa or other administrative issues by redirecting them to the Consulate. By taking up more responsibilities over the years, the ISA not only aims to serve the Indian students better but also facilitates in spreading awareness about India and its culture to the local and international community in Hamburg through activities and get-togethers. 

Apart from formal associations, several social media groups cater to Indian students living in Hamburg. “I am part of a few Indian community WhatsApp and Facebook groups. Whenever I have some queries, they are very helpful and clarify all my doubts. If an emergency situation arises, they are always there to help out. Since I stay away from my family, connecting with fellow Indians gives me a homely and happy feeling. There is a comfort level in being around people from the same cultural background, which helps in making life in a new country easier and comfortable,” explains Sanjana. 

For some, Hamburg holds long-term appeal to settle and work, while for others, it is a springboard to learn, expand horizons and move on to make a mark. For Sanjana, Hamburg feels like a second home and she definitely sees herself living in this city even after her studies. “It is a very calm and serene place to live in and has become a part of me.” On the other hand, Vineet is clear that although he loves Hamburg and thoroughly enjoys the many advantages of the city, he would like to work there for a few years, gain some experience and return back to India to be with his family. 

The immigration of students from India makes a significant contribution to promoting Hamburg as a destination for higher education among international students. Most importantly, it is a crucial factor in helping Germany counteract the shortage of skilled and highly skilled workers. Indeed, this flux of Indian students is a fertile ground to further strengthen the diplomatic and cultural ties between India and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

Author: Sanika Diwanji