The person behind Mike Journey
From Vietnam to Germany
A Vietnamese master’s student sharing honest experiences of studying in Germany, learning the language, and adjusting to life in Europe.
Hi, I’m Mike
After almost 30 years in Hanoi, I moved to Germany with 40 kilograms of luggage and a quiet curiosity about life abroad.
I’m now a master’s student in Communication and Media Management, learning how to navigate studying, working, language, bureaucracy, and everyday life in a new country.
Why Germany?
When I was choosing where to pursue my higher education, Germany felt like the most realistic option for me. It is one of Europe’s strongest economies, and yes, the tuition-free education mattered too.
But more than that, I wanted to know how far I could go if I put myself in a completely new environment. A new country, a new language, a new system, and a new version of myself that I had not met yet.
Personal experience, not a curriculum vitae
Before Germany
Before moving here, I spent nearly five years working in marketing, mostly with startups in the F&B industry, education, and communication-related projects.
I learned how to build things from scratch, create content that actually reaches people, and figure things out when there is no clear playbook to follow. That experience still shapes how I see things today. Germany has given me a new context to apply what I know, adapt to a different way of working, and keep learning from the beginning.
Why I started Mike Journey
I started this blog because I wished someone had told me the real story before I came. Not only the polished version, but also the difficult parts of living abroad that people do not always talk about.
If you are thinking about studying abroad, especially in Germany, or you are already on your way, I hope my notes help you feel a little more prepared and a little less alone.
Where this comes from
How I actually got here
Every date below is a date I lived through, not a rule copied from an official page.
Late 2024
Started preparing the APS certificate, the first step for any Vietnamese applicant.
Nov 2025
Submitted my application through uni-assist.
Jan 2026
Received my Zulassung, the letter of admission.
Feb 2026
Received my student visa.
18 Mar 2026
Landed in Germany and settled in Ulm.
Aug 2026
Moved to Augsburg, where I write from now.
A note to the reader
This blog is for you if…
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
Start where you are
Whether you are preparing your application or already finding your way in Germany, I hope you can find something useful here to explore life abroad with a little less pressure.