From Cars to Code: My Student Journey in Germany

The Housing Struggle

When I first arrived in Germany from Uganda, I was excited to begin my Bachelor’s in Autonomous Vehicle Engineering at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt. Germany, the home of legendary car manufacturers and engineering innovation, felt like the perfect place for this dream.

However, even before my first lecture, I faced a big challenge: housing. After weeks of sleepless nights sending applications through WG-Gesucht and Facebook groups, I finally secured accommodation in Denkendorf (85095), a small village outside Ingolstadt.

At first, I was relieved. Nevertheless, the location soon became a struggle. My daily commute to Ingolstadt took more than one hour with two transfers. Since buses were often delayed, I sometimes missed classes.

Searching for Work

Like many international students, I needed a part-time job to support myself. But in Denkendorf, opportunities were scarce. The few available jobs required fluent German, which I did not yet have.

I applied to hundreds of companies in Ingolstadt and Munich using platforms like Indeed and Xing. Most replies started with the same word: “leider” (“unfortunately”).

Sometimes I was invited for interviews. However, my lack of German quickly became an obstacle. The repeated rejections left me discouraged and, at times, depressed.

The few student jobs I found through Zenjob required commuting three to four hours. As a result, I sometimes arrived late or even had to sleep at train stations on my way back home.

Rethinking My Future

These experiences forced me to reflect. Was Autonomous Vehicle Engineering truly the right path? Or was I holding on only because it was my first choice?

To find answers, I started researching other programs and cities. I considered Mobility and Logistics at Hochschule Rhein-Waal and International Information Systems at Hochschule Augsburg.

After months of evaluation, I realized that International Information Systems was a better fit. It combined technology, business, and global perspectives — areas I am passionate about. In addition, Augsburg seemed far more student-friendly, with better job opportunities and stronger community life.

A New Start in Augsburg

In January 2025, I began searching for accommodation in Augsburg. By March 2025, I received an offer and finally moved. Life here felt like a fresh start.

Augsburg has a vibrant student community, more reliable transport, and better part-time job opportunities. Soon after moving, I got my first student job. The pay was modest, but it gave me independence and hope.

Lessons Learned

Looking back, I learned important lessons:

•Flexibility matters. Changing your study program, city, or university is not failure — it is growth.

•Housing is crucial. The right location can shape your whole student life.

•Language is power. Every “leider” motivated me to keep improving my German.

•Persistence pays off. Even after rejections, opportunities eventually appear.

Looking Ahead

Now, as I begin my studies in International Information Systems at Hochschule Augsburg, I feel more aligned with my goals and passions.

The road here was not easy — from long commutes to job rejections — but each challenge has made me stronger.

In future blog posts, I will share practical tips about finding housing, navigating German bureaucracy, balancing work and study, and learning German.

If there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is this: your first plan does not have to be your final plan — and that is completely okay.