In today’s episode of Plus Forty Nine, we welcome Rufruf, an international student from Pakistan who has been living and studying in Berlin for over six months. Rufruf shares candid insights into her experience navigating German bureaucracy, overcoming language barriers, and discovering what Berlin truly has to offer. We also delve into cultural differences around friendship and social life—why making friends in Germany can sometimes feel more challenging than expected. As always, we start with this week’s top headlines: Germany’s schools have reopened across the country, and Oktoberfest is about to kick off in Munich—the world’s biggest folk festival. We explore how cities like Frankfurt and Rostock are pioneering solutions to Germany’s skilled worker shortage, and the federal government’s plans to streamline deportations to Afghanistan. Plus, a closer look at Germany’s international students, and the challenge of retaining talent after graduation. Don’t miss our “Ask a German” segment, where we tackle why Germany has so many public holidays — yet many people aren’t quite sure what they evene celebrate.