Contrary to many other countries where international students are expected to pay full and sometimes higher tuition than domestic students, Germany offers university enrollment for free. Free education for international students is "seen as generating goodwill for Germany globally. 'The idea of Germany being part of an international community is valued very highly,' said Wahlers. 'Of course, we invest a certain amount of money [in their education], but what we get back is worth so much more. The international students, when they graduate, will be partners for Germany in the world; this kind of international network building is of immense importance to us.'"
The diplomacy and business partner rationale is important but two other issues are central to Germany's strategy. First, with German nationals rapidly aging, international students who stay after graduation (approximately 50%) will fill a talent gap for the country. Second, when a plan to charge fees for all students was introduced in 2006, a quick negative reaction caused Germany to scrap the idea; charging international students fees would contradict its stance regarding domestic students.
The diplomacy and business partner rationale is important but two other issues are central to Germany's strategy. First, with German nationals rapidly aging, international students who stay after graduation (approximately 50%) will fill a talent gap for the country. Second, when a plan to charge fees for all students was introduced in 2006, a quick negative reaction caused Germany to scrap the idea; charging international students fees would contradict its stance regarding domestic students.
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