In German, there are a few ways to respond to German conversations, without knowing German. This has gotten me quite far when strangers talk to me and expect me to know what they are talking about. These small phrases continue the conversation, and make it sound like you know what is going on ;)
The short answer is yes - to live in Germany and function normally you need to know at least the basics in German. The German basics are how to use public transit, ask & understand directions, ordering food in a Cafe or Restaurant and have basic social interactions. However, there are plenty of job opportunities where you don’t need to be fluent in German, especially in the bigger cities. Watch my video below - where I explain!
The short answer is yes - to live in Germany and function normally you need to know at least the basics in German. The German basics are how to use public transit, ask & understand directions, ordering food in a Cafe or Restaurant and have basic social interactions. However, there are plenty of job opportunities where you don’t need to be fluent in German, especially in the bigger cities. Watch my video below - where I explain!
Ever wonder why German people obsessively open the windows? I found it strange when I moved to Germany, but learned how necessary it is to ventilate rooms regularly by opening all the windows for at least 5 minutes. Fresh air is important to reduce mould, and moisture built up in rooms. It is also healthy to get fresh air in the room. I actually love Lüften now - Lüften 4 life! Watch the video below to find out what a German thinks about Lüften.
In 2015, I wrote ‘100 weird things about Living in Germany’. And now, my friends it is 2020! These things below which I found weird, and had trouble getting used to are now, in fact, kinda normal to me? Many of them have explanations, so as an anniversary to 5 years since writing this article, I will now go through each point and provide reasoning and explanation. Let’s see if any of these make more sense. I can’t say I still agree with them all, though.
Maddie is an expat in Hamburg, who has made a big impact on the English Yoga & Spiritual Community by starting her own brand ‘The Vegan Yogi Traveller’. She teaches English Yoga Classes in Hamburg and create spiritual & mindfulness workshops which not only activate the soul but bring like-minded international humans from Hamburg together. Yoga and mindfulness has been something that has been very important in my life these pasts months, and Maddie has made her living in Hamburg with these two themes and truly helping people discover new parts of themselves. Read more below on how she started her brand, battled being an expat, and created a life for herself which she loves!
When I first saw the title of this book, I really had to laugh because I had a conversation once with some of my North-American friends here about how we all thought it was so strange that German men sit down to pee, and how we all found it very feminine. However, just like many other things I find weird about living in Germany, there are great explanations in this book about many of the things I am used to now, but still had questions about. I’ve lived in Germany for almost 6 years, worked here and even dated a German for some time, and I still found the insights in this book helpful. I’ve had many experiences with these cultural ‘differences’ and it was funny to read the explanations provided by a real German (Niklas Frank) and a fellow expat living in Berlin (James Cave). I think if I would have had a book like this when I first moved to Germany, things would have been a lot clearer! I’ve gone through the book and picked my top 10 ‘unwritten rules’ of living in Germany which resonate with me the most, and provided my own experiences, recommendations and comments for these.
You take the leap, you move away, and sooner than you know it you start to feel at home in a new country. You have a place to live, a job, friends, you can make your way around in the local language, you’re happy. The years pass, and where you’re from is still a part of your soul, but you can feel it further away. Home is where your heart is, and that can be in many places. This week marks my 5 year anniversary of being an expat, and these are the top five most important things I’ve learned…
This weeks post showcases Jackie, a Canadian originally from Hong Kong who is currently an expat in Hamburg. I met Jackie at a local Hamburg art community called Creative Nights which she founded 2 years ago. Not only did she start a thriving art community, but she is also rocking an international career in marketing and has made an outstanding life for her self abroad. She is one of the most driven female expats I know, which is why I've included her in the series.
The goal of this series is to showcase women who have made successful lives for themselves abroad and how they managed this, so we can inspire others to consider moving abroad, or help ones who have taken the leap, and are already here.
This weeks interview is with a fellow Hamburg expat, Caroline from Detroit, Michigan who has lived in Germany on and off for 8 years. She started a successful 'Escape Game' business called Big Break Hamburg. If you want to know how she started a business abroad, became fluent in German and battles the daily hardships of being an Expat, read on.
Being an expat is challenging, however with challenge comes reward. I am often asked by new female expats the same questions, “How did you find a job?” “ Do you know German?” “ How do you have so many friends?” etc. Trust me, this doesn't come easy and is one of my motivations for writing this post. The goal of this series is to showcase women who have made successful lives for themselves abroad and how they managed this, so I can inspire others to consider moving abroad, or help ones who have taken the leap, and are already here. As I take pride in what I have achieved in my life in Germany, I will start with my experience :) Let's discuss some common questions that I've been asked...
Living as an expat in a new country, you often feel weird, out of place and like everyone is looking at you funny. You try to make yourself fit in, but you end up just standing out even more. So, if you're reading this you probably want some kind of insight of daily life as an expat in Germany, so my friends - I will describe this you in memes.
