I was having a conversation with a friend who wants to move to Germany and I decided I would ask here because I am also interested in knowing, even though I already know German and this doesn't apply to me.
My friend thinks that learning German would be better in Germany and not online. She needs structure and thinks that if it is done online and she can take it whenever she wants that she will never get it done. She is Canadian also. I told her that she could get a visa to go to Germany and learn it but according to the visa requirements she would not be allowed to work while being in language classes. I told her if she went to university that she could learn German and she could work, but she doesn't think that is a good idea because she has to have a full course load in order to go to university which would mean taking other classes and she can't take those classes unless she knows German. The same goes with working, no point in working unless she knows German. I agree with her.
My question is:
How hard is it to find a place to rent in Germany with no income, assuming she has enough saved up to cover rent. I have been looking on ebay classifieds and it looks like a lot of places want copies of your last 3 paychecks. She can't work there on a language visa. Has anyone gone to Germany to be a student either in university or just taking language and not have had a job? Have you been a student and decided not to get student housing, but went for an apartment instead? Was this difficult? Would showing proof that you have money to cover your stay for a whole year be sufficient? or is that going to be pretty impossible for her?
I am interested in your input,
Carolyn