I am originally from Germany, my husband and myself went to school in Germany.
The school system is different from the US and kids who go on to University usually go right into their major. Unlike a BS program there is no “general” education. If somebody decides to study mathematics (like my husband) all your classes are related to that. The minor was computer science but no classes related to humanities or such.
There are student dorms but there is no campus life like in the US. University is really a place to go and study and get your education, there is not much sports or clubs. Students go out together but it is not comparable to the US.
Living off campus is not unusual.
Although my children have the German citizenship they will go to college/university here in the US. They may do some studies abroad but their degree will be here in the US. It is not as easy to get admitted to a full program because the US HS diploma is not comparable to the German Abitur.