Go Germany! The language barrier does exist, although most Germans are quite understanding

Career Center
Le 24 janvier 2025

Audencia's Career Center and Alumni teams are delighted to to bring you “Go Germany!”, the guide to working in Germany.

This guide holds special significance as we celebrate the remarkable career of one of our esteemed professors, Uwe Supper, German Professor at Audencia and the Careers Adviser for Germany. Throughout his tenure, Uwe has adeptly crafted valuable connections between Audencia and Germany.

Building on the positive outcomes of our previous guides, including Go France and Go Netherlands, it is now time for Germany to take center stage as a
welcoming destination for our diverse community of students and alumni. As the economic powerhouse of Europe, known for placing a strong emphasis on
efficiency, environmental awareness and a good work-life balance, Germany stands out as a compelling choice for all those in pursuit of an international
career, and we are excited to help you discover the opportunities it offers.

“Go Germany!” is a valuable resource for students and recent graduates wishing to head to Germany after their studies at Audencia.

This week, discover what Didier Louis from France has to say.

About Didier:

GRADUATED FROM THE MASTER IN MANAGEMENT (GRANDE ECOLE) PROGRAMME IN 2017
FROM FRANCE
CURRENT POSITION: TEAM LEAD SALES PLANNER AT PORSCHE AG IN STUTTGART
NATIVE LANGUAGE: FRENCH
DAILY WORKING LANGUAGES: GERMAN
OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN: ENGLISH
GERMAN LEVEL: EXPERT
BEEN LIVING IN GERMANY FOR: 7 YEARS

Didier's key message: “The language barrier does exist, although most Germans are quite understanding"

My biggest challenge
Being an expat in a country that is not that far from France makes it convenient to come back frequently but it can also be a challenge in this context to make good, long-term friendships if you’re often in France. Stuttgart is only 3 hours from Paris by train, yet this proximity has a downside: you don’t get the 100% full-expat experience.

Myths and realities
MYTH The Germans work more than the French.
REALITY Integration at work is not always easy due to the language barrier. Salaries are slightly higher than in France, especially in the car industry.

My advice & top tips
There are many opportunities for internships and jobs in Germany. At Porsche, for example, we're always looking for new interns and we're ready to hire good people. You just need to be able to express yourself in German and to give your best.

Quirky & cultural
“Weißwurstfrühstück” at work. A very special way to kickstart a day…

And finally...
Try your luck, it's worth it.