In recent months Germany has been in the international spotlight for its unwavering commitment to providing asylum to refugees escaping war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.
In October 2015, German authorities estimated that 1.5 million refugees would arrive at its borders in 2015 alone… As Germans scramble to provide food, housing and support to this burgeoning population, what is life really like for the nearly 83 million citizens who were already there? In terms of schooling, all German children are grouped together until the age of 10. After that it gets a little complicated. If you are a child in Germany, you will typically be placed into one of three educational tracks, depending on your academic ability. The elite track, Gymnasium, is geared for children who are headed to university, with a focus on language studies, maths and science. The second track, Realschule, is the most populous and is reported to rival the quality of most American schools.
The bottom tier is called Hauptschule, which is geared for children who will be taught a trade and will likely go into blue collar work as an adult. What’s interesting is that the decision of what track you're on, is made for you by your school, meaning that at age 10 your life’s course may have already been pre-determined. After graduating you would be faced with the choice of finding employment or pursuing a higher education.
There used to be a military conscription but as of 2011 it was suspended and today, people can only be drafted in an instance of war. So without conscription and if university isn’t in the cards, young people will likely go into one of Germany’s thriving industries.
Germany has the strongest economy in the EU and one of the lowest unemployment rates so finding work shouldn’t be hard. But these aren't the only choices the average German has. The arts, for example, is huge. Today, Germany has the largest music market in the EU, competing with the UK as third in the world after the US and Japan. The country boasts 130 orchestra's that are in part supported by public money. Unlike America where going to the opera and symphony is seen as a pastime reserved for those who can afford it, in Germany people of all incomes enjoy these productions. Germany also supports their artists, even providing a 50% reduction in health insurance through an artist specific insurance system.
Germany's rich history and commitment to the arts continues to be passed down from generation to generation but you might be surprised at how little of that history you see walking down the street. Germany’s cities were decimated during World War II so the average person in Germany is likely to live in a dwelling built after 1950. And they are probably living in an apartment.
Unlike the US, there are zero tax incentives for homeowners and many laws are written in favor of renters. 6) With the sudden changes in 2015, Germany's citizenry and daily life will no doubt evolve along with it, Germany’s generosity however, hasn't come without criticism.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, accuses Berlin of “moral imperialism” and he is not alone. But with a history like Germany’s there is a sense of guilt that hangs over the population to this day, even coining a term for it: Vee-gong-un-heights-bee-vell-dee-goong or the culture of coming to terms with the past, continuing to atone for the atrocities committed during WWII may not come as much of a surprise. If you’d like to watch an episode that explores why exactly Germany has let in so many refugees, check out this video here. Thanks for watching and please subscribe.
