All German universities are now free, not just to German citizens, but to American and British citizens. The last German state to charge tuition at its universities recently struck down fees.

Why are they offering such a generous plan? In explaining why Germany made this move, Dorothee Stapelfeldt, a Hamburg senator, called tuition fees “unjust” and added that “they discourage young people who do not have a traditional academic family background from taking up study. It is a core task of politics to ensure that young women and men can study to a high quality standard, free of charge in Germany.”

The perks don’t end at free tuition. Even before Germany abolished college tuition for all students, the price was a steal. Typically semester fees were around $630. What’s more, German students receive many perks including discounts for food, clothing and events, as well as inexpensive or even free transportation. Considering the average student loan debt in the U.S. is $29,400, a lot of U.S. high school students would do well to start learning German. (Adapted from an article in Daily Cos).

I had the priviledge of having my own university fees paid by the taxpayer. This is what Germany is now offering, whether they can afford it or not. I believe that people like me should give back to the generous society that generously nurtured me and my friends, and thus I believe in a rate of taxation that pays for it. Were he alive today Epicurus would advocate following the German lead and scrapping student fees altogether. He would do so on the principle of pursuing the “pleasant life” – acquiring the habit of lifelong learning and critical thinking is something that every young person should be allowed to develop, for the benefit of all.