At the beginning of each semester, we hold a series of small and informal EAGLE coffee meetings—a moment for new (and old) students to meet with our EAGLE admin and EORC staff members (also former international EAGLEs) in a relaxed atmosphere and ease into the rhythm of the program. This semester’s gathering followed the same modest tradition: a few tables pushed together, warm drinks, and plenty of open conversation.
The idea behind the meeting is simple. Starting life in Germany, especially for international students, comes with questions that rarely fit into official orientations. So we use this space to talk about the practical side of settling in. Topics like housing and rents, health insurance, or navigating everyday life often come up naturally around the table. This semester was no different: students exchanged tips, shared recent experiences, and compared first impressions of German habits and daily routines.
Beyond the practical discussions, the meeting also offered room for honest questions—anything from how long bureaucratic processes take to where to find affordable groceries or how to read a rental contract. Having students from different cohorts present helped create a supportive atmosphere where answers came from lived experience rather than manuals.
Our EAGLE coffee meeting remains a simple but valuable start-of-semester tradition. It helps new students feel grounded, opens the door to discussions that matter, and strengthens the sense of community that carries us through the months ahead.