Lost in Translation

From "Wie heißt du?" to grading scale shock at 1.7 - here’s how studying abroad in Germany got hilariously lost in translation.

Studying abroad is exciting - new country, new language, new friends… and a whole lot of awkward moments you never see coming. I moved from India to Germany to pursue my master’s, and just when I thought I was getting the hang of German life, I went on an exchange semester to Japan. Fast forward a few months, I returned to Stuttgart, feeling worldly and adaptable only to find myself confusing "Danke schön" with "Arigato gozaimasu" and replying to “What’s your name?” with “I’m fine.” So, yeah - I was thriving.

Here’s a collection of my funniest (and slightly embarrassing) cultural and language misunderstandings during university life in Germany.If you're studying abroad, you’ll likely nod in agreement. If not, brace yourself for some hilarious insight.

Danke Schön or Arigato Gozaimasu? My Brain Glitched

After my semester in Japan, Japanese phrases were burned into my brain. So when I returned to Germany and thanked the cashier at Rewe with a cheerful: “Arigato gozaimasu!”, She stared. I stared. I blinked back to reality and quickly corrected myself: “Oh! I mean danke schön!”It was in that moment I realized: My language settings were still stuck in Tokyo.

Wie heißt du? — Instant Panic

A friendly classmate asked me: “Wie heißt du?” (What’s your name?) And for some reason, I had a full-on brain freeze. I thought he was asking how I was. So I confidently answered: “Es geht!” (I’m okay.)
He gave me the most confused look. And then I realized. I just told someone “I’m okay” when they asked for my name. Peak awkward. Still one of the most unintentionally funny introductions I’ve ever had.

The Mensa Mystery

Another time, a classmate asked: “Wollen wir zusammen in die Mensa?” And I was like, “Wow, what is Mensa? Some elite student club?” I agreed enthusiastically - only to realize “Mensa" just means cafeteria. I played it cool like I knew all along. But inside, I was frantically Googling. Pro tip: Always clarify before you assume you’re joining a secret society.

The Grading System Plot Twist

When I got my first exam result in Germany, it said: 1.7 And I nearly had a breakdown.
Coming from India, where the higher the number, the better - I thought I’d failed miserably. Back home, a 1.7 out of 10 or even out of 100 would mean disaster. But in Germany? It’s actually a really good grade!
Turns out, the German grading scale goes from 1.0 (the best) to 4.0 (the lowest passing grade) — and anything above 4.0 is a fail. So yeah: I almost changed career paths over a very solid 1.7.

So, How Do You Survive These “Lost in Translation” Moments?

Laugh at Yourself
Seriously. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re missing out on half the fun of studying abroad.
Ask & Learn
Don’t be shy to ask what something means. Germans may seem reserved, but they’re super helpful if you show genuine interest.
Join Language Meetups
Stuttgart has loads of language cafés, Sprachtandems, and international student events. You’ll make friends and learn how not to mix up “heißt” and “geht”.
Keep a Journal
Write down your funny mix-ups. Someday, they’ll make for great blog material (just like this 😉).
Whether you're confusing your "Danke" with "Arigato," replying to “What’s your name?” with “I’m fine,” or silently panicking over a 1.7 grade - you're not alone. These moments are part of the beautiful chaos of being an international student.
So the next time you have a cultural hiccup or language fail, take a deep breath and just laugh it off. You're learning, you're growing - and you’re collecting amazing stories that you’ll laugh about for years.
Got your own "lost in translation" moment? Share it below - let’s normalize the chaos! 

Ankita