If I want to study abroad in Europe, what do I need to be aware of?

I'd like to study in Germany, at a university or something similiar. I don't speak German currently. What would you recommend? I am interested in medicine.

If I want to study abroad in Europe, what do I need to be aware of?
all i can say is have a strong sense of smell, i don't mean to be mean, but americans standard of hygiene is more lavish , then other country's, but after a while you will get used to it, but at 1st, it will overwhelm you. its always a good idea to term basic german, and total immersion is very helpful in picking up conversational german as oppossed to learning the school version.
Reply:You need to be aware of those weird creepy european hipster kids with their scarves...


and their tight pants...


and their converse sneakers...


and their t-shirts-with-an-indie-band-from-the-199...


and their zip-up jackets with unnecessarily small front pockets...


and their fashionably-disheveled hair and their...
Reply:keep an open mind :) especially in Germany, i thought i was open minded being from Australia man was i wrong