High School Student from Libya: Switching from University to IT Ausbildung (Application Development) – Need advice on solo rent, future Bachelor’s, and East vs West?
Hello everyone I am a high school student from Libya, currently in my second year of secondary school. Initially, my long-term plan was to pursue a university degree in Germany, and I have been researching and preparing for this path for about a year. However, due to certain financial pressures and the immense stress of managing university funds (like the blocked account) as an international student, I started looking into alternatives. I realized that doing an Ausbildung (Vocational Training) is a much better, more practical, and less stressful path for my current situation. Specifically, I am highly interested in the IT sector and want to pursue an Ausbildung as a Fachinformatiker für Anwendungsentwicklung (Application Development). Since I am planning ahead, I would highly appreciate your detailed, honest insights on these specific topics: Rent & Living Costs (Solo Apartment): I highly prefer living alone rather than in a shared apartment (WG). How much does a small, private 1-room studio apartment (around 30m² - Warmmiete) typically cost? I am comparing North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) versus Eastern Germany (like Dresden or Leipzig). Is a solo apartment realistic on an average IT Ausbildung salary, or will it consume most of my income? IT Ausbildung Salary & Expenses: For a Fachinformatiker in Application Development, what is the average net monthly salary (after taxes and health insurance) during the 3 years? Can this salary fully cover a solo apartment, food, utilities, and daily life without needing extra financial support from home? Continuing to a Bachelor's Degree: If I complete my IT Ausbildung successfully, is it possible and common in Germany to transition into a University or University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) to get a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/IT later? Will my vocational training help with university admission or waive any requirements? Language Barrier & Exams: What is the realistic German language level required to secure an IT contract and survive the vocational school (Berufsschule) exams? Is a B2 certificate enough to understand technical programming concepts in German, or is C1 practically necessary? Social Climate & Discrimination in the East: As an Arab international student, what is the actual social atmosphere like in student/university cities in Eastern Germany (like Dresden) compared to the West (NRW)? I’ve read very mixed opinions online about friendliness, safety, and discrimination. What is the reality on the ground for a young student? Visa & Blocked Account: Since the IT Ausbildung generally pays a decent monthly salary, do German embassies typically still demand a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for the visa, or does the contract itself suffice? Diploma Recognition: What is the general process for recognizing a non-EU (specifically Libyan) high school diploma for an IT Ausbildung application? Does it take a long time? Thank you so much in advance for your time, tips, and shared experiences!