Germany isn’t just a country — it’s a gateway to possibility. For years, it has opened its doors to young dreamers who want to work, study, and build a meaningful life in one of the world’s most forward-thinking nations.
Even as it faces its own challenges, Germany continues to believe in the power of young people — in your ideas, your drive, and your ability to make a difference. It’s a country that doesn’t just welcome you; it invests in you.
If you come from a developing nation, this is more than an opportunity — it’s a life-changing invitation. A chance to reshape your future, to gain skills that travel with you, and to become part of a community that sees potential where others see limits.
Your journey doesn’t have to wait. The world is calling — and Germany might just be where your story begins.
🤝 Volunteering: Make a Difference, One Act at a Time
Volunteering in Germany is your chance to give back while growing personally. Through programs like the FSJ (Voluntary Social Year) or BFD (Federal Volunteer Service), young people from all over the world serve in schools, hospitals, NGOs, and community projects.
You’ll work alongside locals, improve your German, and gain practical experience that shapes your worldview. Most placements cover your accommodation, meals, and pocket money, allowing you to focus on what really matters — making an impact.
Volunteering isn’t just service; it’s a journey of purpose, discovery, and connection.
- Visa support – the organisation helps with the visa process and provides the necessary invitation documents.
- Accommodation – you get a place to live (shared flat, host family, or volunteer housing).
- Food – meals are provided or money for food is given.
- Monthly allowance pocket money for personal expenses.
- Insurance – health, accident, and liability coverage.
- Seminars & mentoring – support before, during, and after the stay.
👩👧 Au Pairing: Live, Learn & Belong
Being an au pair is more than just childcare — it’s about becoming part of a family. You’ll live with a host family, help with their children, and in return receive free accommodation, meals, pocket money, and language course support.
It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in daily German life, learn the language naturally, and build confidence abroad. With plenty of free time to explore, make friends, and travel, au pairing gives you the best of both worlds — cultural exchange and personal freedom.
For many young people, this is their first step into Europe — a year filled with growth, laughter, and unforgettable experiences.
Category 2: Au Pairing
✨ What You’ll Get as an Au Pair in Germany
- Stay with your host family and get your own cozy room — your personal chill zone after a fun day!
- Your Own Room — for Free! 🏡
- Free Meals (Yes, Even on Days Off!) 🍽️
- Enjoy home-cooked meals with your family — and don’t worry, you’ll still eat for free on weekends and holidays.
- Monthly Pocket Money 💶
- Earn €280–350 per month to spend on whatever you like — from exploring cafés to weekend adventures!
- Insurance Sorted 💪
- Your host family covers your health, accident, and liability insurance, so you can focus on living your best life in Germany.
- Learn German (and Get Paid for It!) 🇩🇪
- Most families chip in around €70/month toward your language course. Perfect for improving your skills while having fun!
- Transport Made Easy 🚲🚆
- You might get a public transport ticket or even a bike — so exploring your new city is super easy.
- Plenty of Free Time ⏰
- You’ll work up to 30 hours per week, with 1.5+ days off, free evenings, and about 4 weeks of paid vacation if you stay a year. Time to travel, meet friends, and make memories!
- Real Cultural Exchange 🌍
- Join in on family outings, traditions, and everyday life — experience Germany from the inside, not just as a tourist.
- Help with All the Paperwork 📝
- Your host family helps you sort out your visa, residence permit, and other formalities — no stress!
- A Safe & Supportive Home Base 🛏️
- Feel at home while discovering a new country — your host family’s there to support you every step of the way.
- Live, Learn & Explore for 6–12 Months 🇩🇪
- With the Au Pair Visa, non-EU citizens can live in Germany for up to a year — learning the language, the culture, and a ton about themselves!
10 steps to become an au pair in Germany:
Check eligibility
- Age 18–26, basic German (A1), unmarried, healthy.
- Find a host family
Use trusted sites (e.g. AuPairWorld). - Sign an au pair contract
- Must include working hours, pocket money, duration.
- Prepare documents
- Passport, contract, A1 certificate, motivation letter, insurance.
- Apply for visa
- At the German embassy in your country.
- Wait for approval
- Usually takes 6–8 weeks.
- Book your flight
- Inform the host family of arrival.
- Register your address
- Do the Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt.
- Apply for residence permit
- If staying longer than your visa allows.
- Start language course
- Your host family should support this.
⚙️ Apprenticeships: Build Skills for a Lifetime
Germany is famous for its dual education system, where learning happens both in the classroom and on the job. Apprenticeships (known as “Ausbildung”) allow you to earn, learn, and gain a qualification recognized across Europe.
Whether it’s nursing, engineering, IT, hospitality, or crafts, apprenticeships combine theory and practice — preparing you for a solid, respected career. Many programs even lead to permanent job offers, making it a smart and sustainable way to build a future in Germany.
If you’re ready to invest in your skills, Germany’s apprenticeship pathway is a launchpad to long-term success — a place where your effort truly pays off.
Here are some good reasons why doing a nursing program in Germany is worth considering:
- High demand & job security → Germany has a big shortage of nurses, so graduates have excellent chances of employment.
- Paid Ausbildung → Unlike in many countries, you earn a salary (usually €1,200–1,400/month) while studying.
- No tuition fees → The Ausbildung is free of charge, which reduces financial pressure.
- International recognition → A German nursing diploma is highly respected and opens opportunities in other EU countries.
- Language & culture → You gain strong German skills and experience living in one of Europe’s most influential countries.
- Career growth → You can later specialize (e.g., pediatric, ICU, oncology) or pursue further studies (e.g., nursing management, advanced practice).
- Stability & benefits → Working in Germany means good contracts, social security, and pension systems.
We’ve created a working directory to help you explore exciting opportunities available to German speakers living in South Africa and across Africa. Everything is organized alphabetically, making it easy to find what suits you best — from Au Pairing, Nursing and Volunteering to other career and cultural exchange opportunities designed just for you.
A
Agapelsion Bethesda Krankenhaus (Nursing)
APM (Nursing)
Asklepios (Nursing)
Ataklinik Wünnenberg (Nursing)
Algemeines Krankenhaus Celle (Nursing)
Auf der Bult (Nursing)
AuPair World Connect (Au Pair)
Azubi Plus (Au Pair)
B
Barmherzige Brüder (Nursing)
Biz Bildungszentrum (Nursing)
Bezirkregierung Arnsberg (Nursing)
C
Caritas (Volunteering)
Caritas Verband Freiberg Stadt e.V. (Nursing and Volunteering)
D
Das Rauhe Haus (Nursing)
Deutches Rot Kreuz (Nursing)
DHZB Akademie (Nursing)
Diakonie Ruhr (Nursing)
Diakonie Deutschland (Nursing)
Diakovere (Nursing)
DRK-Landesverband Baden-Württemberg e.V. (Volunteering)
DRK-Kreisverband Aalen e.V. (Volunteering)
DRK-Schwesternschaft Marburg e.V. (Volunteering)
DRK-Kreisverband Köln e.V. (Volunteering)
DRK-Kreisverband Münster e.V. (Volunteering)
DRK-Landesverband Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. Betriebsteil Freiwilligendienste (Volunteering)
E
F
Franziskus Stiftung (Volunteering)
Freiwilligendienst in Kirche und Diakonie Niedersachsen https://drk-freiwilligendienste-st.de/bewerben.html#no-back
Freiwillig Ja (Volunteering)
Freunde Waldorf (Volunteering)
G
H
Helios (Nursing)
I
J
K
klinikum Ingolstad (Nursing)
Klinikum Magdeburg (Nursing)
Klinikum Wilhelmshaven (Nursing)
Klinikum Peine (Nursing)
Klinikum Stuttgart (Nursing)
Klinikum Nürnberg (Nursing)
L
M
München Klinik (Nursing)
N
Niedersachsen Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdientse
O
P
Plege Diakonie (Nursing)
Q
R
Rheinland Wesfalen Lippe (Nursing)
Rheinische Akademie für Pflege und Gesundheit (Nursing)
S
Schön Klinik Gruppe (Nursing)
T
U
Uniklinikum Würzburg (Nursing)
V
VIA. e.V. Verein für internationalen Freiwilligendienst im und interkulturellen Austauch (Nursing)
Vivantes Hauptstadflege (Nursing)
W
Wahrendorff (Nursing)
Weltwärts (Volunteering)
X
Y
Z
🌍 Your Next Step
Each path — whether volunteering, au pairing, or apprenticeship — is a stepping stone toward a global future. You’ll not only gain experience but also grow in confidence, independence, and cultural awareness.
So take the leap. Germany is ready for you — are you ready for Germany?
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