The Cost of a Dream: Indian Students in Germany
March 20, 2026
Chirag Esrani had thought it would be easier. The Indian student came to Berlin to pursue a master's degree in International Management. After a promotional video online gave him the idea, an agency secured him a spot at a large private university. But the cost of tuition is significantly higher than at public universities.
To pay off his loan, Chirag works as a delivery driver, like many other Indian students. There are currently over 50,000 of them in Germany, making Indians the largest international group at German universities. Many of them have to contend with a vicious cycle of debt, exploitation, and burnout. Will Chirag manage to earn his master's degree despite all the difficulties?
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