Daily Life in Ausbildung — What to Expect as a Kenyan

What does a typical week in Ausbildung look like?

Ausbildung follows a dual system: you split your time between a vocational school (Berufsschule) and your training company (Betrieb). The exact split varies by field and region, but here is what a typical week looks like.

Common schedule patterns

Pattern 1: Block model

• 3-4 weeks at the company
• 1-2 weeks at school
• Repeat

Pattern 2: Weekly split

• Monday-Wednesday: Company
• Thursday-Friday: School
• Or 3 days school, 2 days company

Sample week (weekly split — nursing Ausbildung)

Your exact schedule depends on your field, company, and Bundesland (state). Your company will give you the schedule before you start.

What is Berufsschule like during Ausbildung?

The classroom experience

• Classes of 20-30 students, often mixed nationalities
• Taught entirely in German (this is where strong German skills matter)
• Mix of theory specific to your field and general subjects
• Regular tests and exams — you must pass to complete your Ausbildung
• German classmates are usually 16-20 years old (younger than most Kenyan Azubis)

Subjects you will study

Every Ausbildung includes:

• Field-specific theory — The technical knowledge for your profession
• Sozialkunde — Social studies and German civic education
• Deutsch — German language (helpful for international students)
• Some fields add — Mathematics, English, religion/ethics

Exam structure

• Zwischenprufung — Mid-term exam (after ~18 months)
• Abschlussprufung — Final exam (written + practical)
• Both exams are administered by the IHK or HWK, not your school

What is working at the company (Betrieb) like?

Your role as an Azubi

You are a trainee (Azubi = Auszubildende/r), not a full employee. This means:

• You have a designated mentor (Ausbilder) who guides your learning
• Tasks are designed to teach, not just to get work done
• You start with basic tasks and progress to complex ones over 3 years
• You are protected by labour law — limited overtime, guaranteed breaks

The training plan

Every company must follow an official training plan (Ausbildungsrahmenplan) that specifies what you should learn in each year. This is regulated and standardised across Germany.

• Year 1: Fundamentals — learning the basics, observing, assisting
• Year 2: Building skills — more independent work, taking on responsibilities
• Year 3: Specialisation — working nearly independently, preparing for final exam

What is German workplace culture like for Kenyans?

Understanding German workplace culture will make your Ausbildung experience much smoother. Here are the key things Kenyans should know.

Punctuality (Punktlichkeit)

This is not a suggestion. Arriving at 8:01 when work starts at 8:00 is considered late. Many Kenyans find this the biggest cultural adjustment. Set your alarm early and plan for transport delays.

Directness

Germans are direct in communication. If your mentor says "This is not correct," they are helping you, not attacking you. It takes getting used to, but this directness actually helps you learn faster.

Feierabend

Feierabend means the end of the work day. Germans generally respect work-life boundaries. When the day is over, it is over. This is different from Kenyan work culture where working late is sometimes expected or praised.

Asking questions

In German workplaces, asking questions is encouraged. Not asking when you do not understand is seen as worse than asking a "stupid" question. Your mentor expects you to ask.

What is the dress code for Ausbildung in Germany?

Your dress code depends entirely on your field:

Most companies provide work clothing for practical professions. You are responsible for keeping it clean.

How is social life for Kenyans in Germany?

Finding community

• Join the Kenyan community in your city — Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, church communities
• Many cities have African food shops and restaurants
• Student/Azubi organisations often hold social events

Homesickness is real

Almost every Kenyan in Germany experiences it, especially in the first few months. The weather, the food, the language — everything is different. This is normal. It gets better.

Tips from Kenyans who have been there

• Learn to cook — German food is fine, but nothing replaces ugali and sukuma wiki
• Stay connected — Regular video calls home help enormously
• Make German friends — Join a Verein (club) for sports, music, or hobbies
• Exercise — Helps with the dark winters and keeps your energy up
• Explore — Germany has excellent public transport; use weekends to discover your region

What does nobody tell you about Ausbildung?

• Winter is hard. Darkness at 4pm, cold that Nairobi never prepared you for. Buy a good jacket.
• Bureaucracy is real. You will visit the Auslanderamt (foreigners' office) multiple times. Bring every document.
• The first 3 months are the hardest. After that, you find your rhythm.
• Your German will explode. Daily immersion does what years of classes cannot.
• Germans warm up slowly. They may seem cold at first, but once you build a friendship, it is deep and lasting.

Your next step

Ready to start preparing?

1. Take your Readiness Score — See where you stand
2. Use the Timeline Simulator — Plan your journey from today to Germany
3. Read about Ausbildung — The complete guide
4. Get your documents ready — When it is time, Zahara helps with your letter and CV