The Germany Experience
Shaun Behrens
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Life in Germany, as seen through the eyes of outsiders. Featuring the stories of foreigners who moved to Germany - either temporarily or permanently - and tips and advice for life in Germany. Get an inside view of the joys, the frustrations, and the quirks of adapting to the culture and learning German. New episodes every second Wednesday.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
May 21, 2023
Dating, toxic relationships, and making friends in Germany (Lulu from Ireland)
Dating can be a minefield at the best of times. But what happens when you move to a city like Berlin? Lulu Johnson discovered just this when she moved from Ireland to Berlin - and then wrote a book about it! It's called Dating in Berlin and covers her hilarious - and some not so hilarious - misadventures as a foreigner in the German dating scene. Lulu to discusses dating in Berlin, toxic relationships, making friends, and learning the German language.
Get the book here: Dating in Berlin: Tales of Modern Love and Relationships
Subscribe to my other podcast: Everyday Germany
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Apr 8, 2023
The diversity trend, Misfit Models, and German bureaucracy when starting a company (Del from the UK)
Just do a Google search for Del Keens, and you will see that he's someone with a unique story. After moving to Germany, he started a character modeling agency called Misfit Models. He joins me as a guest in this episode to discuss why he came to Germany, how he faced German bureaucracy when he started Misfit Models, how he feels that the current diversity focus is a trend, and he talks about the impact Brexit has had on his life.
Find Del online:
* Misfit Models official website
* Instagram
* Twitter
* TikTok
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
Del Keens Bio:
When Del moved from London to Berlin in 2006, he was already well-booked model. Del Keens had been in front of the lens for Diesel Jeans, Levi's and Calvin Klein. Without a washboard stomach, but as a face full of character.
In Germany, however, he realised that there was no use for character models like himself on the local market. Instead of real personalities, advertising relied and still relies on the same perfect faces and flawless bodies. Identification potential equals zero.
That's why Del founded Misfit Models in 2012 - the modelling agency for character faces like himself.
Goggle Del Keens for more information.
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Mar 31, 2023
Financing property in Germany (with Kerstin Brunner)
Kerstin Brunner is a finance coach, and she comes on the podcast to discuss what goes into buying property in Germany. First we look at how to decide if purchasing a property is right for you. Then we consider the additional costs (notary fee, agent fee, etc.). And she walks us through all the steps, from deciding you want to buy through to getting the keys.
If you have questions for Kerstin, you can find her on LinkedIn.
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Mar 8, 2023
Life in Germany as a gay woman (Kim from the UK)
Kim from the UK explains what life is like in Germany for her as a gay woman. She also discusses the difficulties of finding a community in smaller cities and towns. Plus: Kim gives some advice!
Kim has created a self-paced online course called Thrive In Germany - get a discount on it by using the code 'GermanyXP' at checkout: Thrive in Germany Course
Kim and Suzanne have started a podcast! Subscribe to it:
* Thriving in Germany podcast website
* Thriving in Germany podcast on Spotify
Connect with Kim:
* Instagram
* Facebook Group
* LinkedIn
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Mar 1, 2023
How German are you? (Nina from Germany)
The Germany Experience is back with a repost from Shaun's other podcast, Everyday Germany. Nina joins Shaun to see which one of them is more German.
Subscribe to Everyday Germany where Shaun and Nina discuss their observations of German life, culture and language: *EVERYDAY GERMANY*
The book we used as a basis for this episode: Ze Germans: An expat's guide to living in Germany by Fadi Gaziri
The Germany Experience podcast episodes featuring Fadi: Apologizing in Germany, sauna surprises, and making friends and Writing a Eurovision song, and traveling to the Arctic and Antarctic
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jan 4, 2023
4GEPADFO charity drive update, and when The Germany Experience will be back
Shaun gives an update on 4GEPADFO (spoiler: we made our 500€ goal!). But you can still donate to this great cause (a hotline providing psychosocial support for Ukrainian children and youths:
Donate to krisenchat
Listen to Shaun's new English podcast with Nina about life in Germany:
EVERYDAY GERMANY
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Dec 22, 2022
Getting ready to leave Germany (Nicole from The Expat Cast)
Nicole joins me this week to discuss some big changes in her life – she's leaving Germany. In this episode, she explains what's happening and why she's making the move.
We also talk about our charity drive for 2022 - AND WE NEED YOU TO DONATE!
*4GEPADFO time: charity drive 2022*
As we do every year, Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are raising money for a charity - but this time, instead of a competition, we're doing it together! The project we're supporting this year: krisenchat, which provides psychosocial support for young Ukranians.
DONATE TO KRISENCHAT, PROVIDING HELP FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS
*Shaun's new podcast with Nina
*Shaun has started a new podcast with Nina to discuss their observations of German life, culture and language: *EVERYDAY GERMANY*
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Dec 2, 2022
House hunting, finding day care, and handling rough starts (Wafeeqa from Saudi Arabia)
When Wafeeqa and her family moved to Germany, they thought things would be easier: her husband had a job, and his employer was arranging accommodation for them. Plus, they both had experience with learning languages, so they thought maybe German wouldn't be too much of a challenge. But as is so often the case, things didn't go according to plan...
Wafeeqa discusses finding a place to live, finding daycare for her twins, trying not to disturb neighbors, and more.
*4GEPADFO time: charity drive 2022*
As we do every year, Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are raising money for a charity - but this time, instead of a competition, we're doing it together! The project we're supporting this year: krisenchat, which provides psychosocial support for young Ukranians.
DONATE TO KRISENCHAT, PROVIDING HELP FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Nov 9, 2022
Using hypnosis to help foreigners in Germany (Suzanne Dinter from the UK)
Suzanne Dinter joins me this week to explain what hypnotherapy is, and how it can help foreigners adjust to life in Germany - among other issues. Suzanne is a Brit who has been living in Germany since 1994, and she specializes in helping overwhelmed international, high-achieving women feel calm, confident, and like themselves again after moving abroad. She does this quickly, effectively, and with long-lasting results using hypnosis.
At the end of our discussion, she demonstrates her techniques by hypnotizing me. Take a listen to discover if it worked or not!
*IMPORTANT*: Do not listen to the hypnotic part at the end of the podcast recording whilst driving, operating machinery or doing something else that requires your full attention. While you're listening, if your attention is needed elsewhere, for any reason, you open your eyes and are fully aware and active immediately.
Get in touch with Suzanne:
* Suzanne Dinter Hypnosis Coaching
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
Get this *free 12 minute audio* by Suzanne to quickly and easily release worry & stress, feel grounded & calm, boost your confidence, and feel like you can handle whatever comes your way while living and working abroad:
*Learn how to calmly & confidently handle any situation*
*Send me your questions for last week's guest, Katie Rössler:
*If you have questions for Katie after listening to our episode about hidden grief and foreigners or reading her book, then send them to *info@thegermanyexperience.de*! We will be doing a follow-up episode where she answers your questions.
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Oct 19, 2022
Hidden grief, loss of identity, and getting to know the German version of a loved one (Katie Rössler from the USA)
Katie Rössler, author of The New Face of Grief, comes on the podcast to discuss the role that hidden grief might play in the lives of foreigners in a new country. She also discusses the toll a move to a new country can take on a couple. And of course, she offers advice of how to navigate these difficult issues.
Buy Katie's book: The New Face of Grief
Get a free audio sample of the book: Free Audio Chapter of The New Face of Grief
Katie on social media:
* Instagram: katie.rossler
* Facebook: Katie Rossler
* YouTube: Katie Rossler, LPC
* LinkedIn: Katie Rossler
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Oct 12, 2022
Advice for adapting and integrating in Germany, from discussions with 100+ foreigners
At the end of September 2022, I gave a talk at the Welcome To Germany Summit. This is the rehearsal that I recorded a few days before.
But mine was only one of many great talks on the day from multiple speakers! To access over 6 hours of advice from experts about life in Germany, go and watch the video feed on one of these platforms:
* YouTube
* LinkedIn
* Facebook
The topics that were covered:
* The main steps of your relocation in Germany
* Learning German for your career in Germany
* What I wish I knew when I was you: stories from an intercultural trainer
* How business English gives you an upper hand in the German market
* Transitioning from student visa to job seeker visa to work permit
* Movement is key when working from home
* The Actual Job Search - How to search for a Job in Germany
* Navigating German work culture(s)
* Financial Education: Guidance on your "German" journey
* The Emotional Journey of the Expat: How to recognize when grief hits and…
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Oct 5, 2022
Convincing a company to take a chance on you (Veronica from Mexico)
“I feel like a lot of people feel this - this feeling of Germany crushing your soul, like killing you from the inside.” This is how Veronica from Mexico describes her first years in Germany. One of the biggest reasons for this was that her academic qualification was not valid in Germany, causing her to feel that she wasn't valued for who she is. That all changed when Veronica fell in love with a German startup and made it her mission to convince them to hire her.
Here is Veronica's LinkedIn post that we discuss.
Veronica on LinkedIn: Veronica Huitzil
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite…
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Sep 28, 2022
Recovering from a car accident while abroad (Sadaf from Pakistan)
Many foreigners do a lot of traveling around Europe while they are here. But have you ever considered what would happen if you had a medical emergency in another country? This happened to Sadaf, when she was involved in a car accident while she was in Milan. She discusses the ordeal, and then her recovery, starting from Italian hospitals and ending back in Germany. She also discusses how her university assisted her during her recovery.
Follow Sadaf on Instagram: @itssadafsaeed
*Welcome To Germany Summit 2022*:
A group of experts (including me!) has come together to organize a free online event for everyone interested in moving to and living in Germany - expats, internationals, immigrants, repats...you name it.
29th September 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The topics that will be covered:
* The main steps of your Relocation in Germany
* Learning German for your career in Germany
* What I wish I knew when I was you: stories from an intercultural trainer
* How Business English Gi…
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Sep 25, 2022
The Welcome To Germany Summit on 29th September 2022
A group of experts (including me!) has come together to organize a* **free online event* for everyone interested in moving to and living in Germany - expats, internationals, immigrants, repats...you name it.
In this special episode, I talk about the summit and also bring on its organizers to go through the list of topics that will be covered.
*SIGN UP FOR THE WELCOME TO GERMANY SUMMIT 2022 HERE*
*29th September 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.*
The topics that will be covered:
* The main steps of your relocation in Germany
* Learning German for your career in Germany
* What I wish I knew when I was you: stories from an intercultural trainer
* How business English gives you an upper hand in the German market
* Transitioning from student visa to job seeker visa to work permit
* Movement is key when working from home
* The Actual Job Search - How to search for a Job in Germany
* Navigating German work culture(s)
* Financial Education: Guidance on your "German" journey
*…
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Sep 13, 2022
A German returning to Germany after a decade (Cathrin from Germany)
Cathrin, originally from Germany, has been living in the States for more than 10 years, but she recently made the decision to return. She discusses the reasons for wanting to come back, how she needs to say goodbye to her old life, and how she faces similar culture shocks to other foreigners moving to Germany. She also discusses customer service in Germany, German coffee, and what it's like looking for a job months in advance.
*Welcome To Germany Summit 2022*:
A group of experts (including me!) has come together to organize a free online event for everyone interested in moving to and living in Germany - expats, internationals, immigrants, repats...you name it.
29th September 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The topics that will be covered:
* The main steps of your Relocation in Germany
* Learning German for your career in Germany
* What I wish I knew when I was you: stories from an intercultural trainer
* How Business English Gives You an Upper Hand in the German Market
* Trans…
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Aug 24, 2022
RERUN: Wurst/arsch/schwein idioms, why “Der/Die/Das” is weird, and sitting down to pee in Germany (Ricardo from Brazil & Ivan from Bulgaria)
Originally released on October 19th, 2020.
View the original show notes here.
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of).
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Su…
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Aug 17, 2022
RERUN: Q&A - Making long-term German friends, reverse parking, and origins of German idioms
Originally released March 8th, 2021
View the original show notes here.
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of).
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe…
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Aug 10, 2022
RERUN: Antoinette Emily from New Zealand
Originally released November 23rd, 2020.
View the original show notes here.
Antoinette's YouTube channel: Antoinette Emily
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of).
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast…
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Aug 3, 2022
RERUN: Ask a German - Bureaucracy, German pillows, standing in line, and recruitment through fruit
Original release: November 2nd, 2020
View the original show notes here.
Featuring the hosts of the Ach podcast.
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of).
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *h…
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Jul 27, 2022
RERUN: Advice for foreigners in Germany, taken from two years of The Germany Experience
Original release: June 2, 2021
View the original show notes here.
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
* *SPREAD THE WORD* – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
* *WRITE A REVIEW* – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of).
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to t…
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Jul 20, 2022
The Berlin episode (recorded live @ PodFest Berlin 2022)
I've always felt a special connection to Berlin. But what is it like to live there? I am joined by three foreigners living in Berlin who discuss their stories, what they love about living in Berlin, and various other aspects of life in the city.
My guests:
* Olivera, who hosts a YouTube and Instagram channel
* Alex and Geoff from the Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey podcast
Some things we mentioned:
* The story of Tempelhofer Field: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempelhofer_Feld
* The Tempelhof Sounds festival
* The donut place Olivera mentioned: Brammibal's Donuts
* Previous episode featuring AGDW: How Germany changes your identity
Recorded live at PodFest Berlin 2022 on July 16th, 2022.
*The Germany Experience will be on a summer break until later this year. In the meantime, reruns of 2021 episodes will be posted regularly.
*
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a…
playlist_add
Jul 6, 2022
Q&A: Self-learning B2, dealing with language barrier frustrations, and is there foolproof advice for making friends in Germany?
You sent in some questions about life in Germany, and I try and answer them in this episode.
*THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE AT PODFEST BERLIN
*I will be recording a live episode at Podfest Berlin on *Saturday July 16th @ 16:15*. It will be a Berlin-focused episode, and I will have a panel of four guests who all live in the city. Come and join and be part of the live recording!
The venue:
Noisy Rooms @ House of Music,
Revaler Str. 99,
10245 Berlin,
Germany
Currently, tickets for the entire event are on sale, but soon day tickets will be available. If you want to buy tickets, contact me before you buy to get a 20% discount code: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
WELCOME TO GERMANY SUMMIT
*I'm excited to announce that I will be a speaker at the Welcome to Germany Summit, an online event for foreigners in Germany!
Welcome to Germany Summit
📅 29th September 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ⏰
A group of experts has come together to organize an online event for everyone interested in moving to and…
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Jun 29, 2022
Probezeit: The first six months in a German job (Lisa Janz, Job Coach Germany)
The first six months in a new job is important. In Germany, it is usually a trial period - or "Probezeit" - and it is a chance for you to get to know your team, company, and more. Lisa Janz, who runs Job Coach Germany, joins me to discuss what you should look out for, what you should be asking yourself and your employer, and other advice about the Probezeit.
Lisa Janz's website: Lisa Janz, Job Coach Germany
Find Lisa:
* Instagram
* YouTube
* Facebook
* LinkedIn
Lisa's past episodes: Lisa on The Germany Experience
*THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE AT PODFEST BERLIN
*I will be recording a live episode at Podfest Berlin on *Saturday July 16th*. It will be a Berlin-focused episode, and I will have a panel of four guests who all live in the city. Come and join and be part of the live recording!
If you want to buy tickets, contact me before you buy to get a 20% discount code: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
*
I*F YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY…
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Jun 22, 2022
Lessons from changing jobs in Germany (Alexandrea from the USA)
Alexandrea from the USA (and former guest on the podcast) left her job in Hamburg for one in Frankfurt. However, she realized almost immediately that the new job was not a good fit. She left during her trial period and found her way to her current job in Berlin. After moving cities and jobs several times, Alex has learnt a few valuable lessons, and she joins me to share them. She has a list of what you should ask prospective employers, she gives some tips about what you should know about jobs in Germany, and she discusses why you need to have the courage to walk away from a job that is not a good fit. She also drops some airtight advice for working in a German workplace.
Alex's current project: She Transforms IT
Alex on Twitter: Deutsch_af
Alex on Instagram: @Deutschaf
Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandreapaigeswanson
*IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
*You can support the show in various ways:
* *BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE* – there are a lot of costs…
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Jun 15, 2022
Helping families to meet like-minded families (Dzhangar from MatchFamilies)
During Dzhangar's first years in Germany, he noticed what many foreigners notice: how difficult it was for his family to meet other like-minded families. And making friends is crucial. It helps to make you feel more at home, and it gives you a support system for when you need help.
So Dzhangar quit his job and started working on an app that would help families connect with each other. That app is MatchFamilies. He joins me in this episode to discuss his initial troubles in Germany, what it was like quitting his job to start a new company, and he explains how the app works.
Download the MatchFamilies app
The episode with Amaia from Expat & Spouses Monitor: The Expat Spouses Report - the results are in
*BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE** *
If you like this podcast, donate! There are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping T…
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Jun 8, 2022
German traditions or superstitions? (Nina from Germany)
If you've ever wished a German "Happy birthday" before their actual birthday, you will no doubt have quickly learnt that it's just not done. It's just a tradition based on superstition, but many Germans abide by it. So, is it tradition, or actually superstition? Shaun has his opinion, and he talks with Nina, a German, about it. They also cover the "Eisheilige" belief that you shouldn't sow certain plants before middle of May, drinking traditions, and more.
We also cover what the daddy long legs spider is called in German.
*Show notes: *
* Shaun and Nina's other podcast: Die Deutsche und der Ausländer
* Nina's other episodes on The Germany Experience
* German news report about a spider in the car
*DONATE TO SUPPORT THE SHOW*
If you like this podcast, donate! There are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experie…
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May 17, 2022
Eurovision Song Contest 2022 recap, the importance of community, and redefining your identity (Beth from the USA)
Beth comes back on the podcast to discuss how she recently found herself post-pandemic in a world that had shrunk to just her job and her family. While this isn't a bad thing, Beth was lacking a feeling of community. She also discovered that she needs to redefine her identity now that she no longer does the activities that used to define her: volleyball and fencing. Beth also helps me recap the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Previous episodes with Beth:
* The 5 phases of culture shock
* Feeling weighed down by the pandemic, and making the trip back home
* Foreigner friendships, moving back home, and “F**k it” moments (Beth & Amy from the USA)
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegerma…
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May 12, 2022
Using your own culture to integrate in Germany (Saehee from the USA)
When Saehee, a Korean American, first moved from the States to Germany, she struggled to adjust for many different reasons. This led to her feeling depressed and lonely. But that would all change once she started getting back to what she loves. Listen to the story of how Saehee was able to move herself beyond difficult times with the help of therapy, embracing her culture, and focusing on her love for cooking and food.
Saehee's websites:*
*Korea Konnect
Kosari Kimchi
Saehee on Instagram: @saeheechang
Saehee on Facebook: Kosari Kimchi
I contributed to The Expat Cast episode about having children abroad: Deciding to Have Kids or Not When Living Abroad*
**
JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@theger…
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Apr 20, 2022
States of Liberation: gay rights and discrimination in Cold War Germany (Samuel Clowes Huneke)
It's conventional knowledge that West Germany was more liberal and progressive than East Germany. Then it stands to reason that West Germany was more accepting of gay rights. But was this really the case?
Of course, these things are always very nuanced, and Samuel Clowes Huneke joins me to discuss it in detail. He's written a book called "States of Liberation", and we discuss it in our interview. We also discuss the similarities and differences between East and West Germany in terms of gay rights, we talk about some of the interesting characters that Samuel discovered during his research, and we consider the current situation in Germany.
Get the book on Amazon: States of Liberation
Samuel on Twitter: @schuneke
Samuel's Website: http://samuelcloweshuneke.com
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/…
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Apr 6, 2022
Language barrier problems, and overcoming the challenges involved with reporting sexual assault (Mei Chi from Hong Kong)
When Mei Chi arrived in Germany, she faced several challenges caused by the language and cultural barrier. Not understanding German can result in some minor inconveniences that make funny stories later on, but other misunderstandings can be more serious. All this highlighted how important it is to have help at the right time, and Mei Chi started a platform called BookaLocal.
In this episode she discusses her own hardships, and also explains the purpose behind BookaLocal. BookaLocal also offers pro bono support for victims of sexual assaults in Germany, and Mei Chi shares her own experiences of this with us.
*BookaLocal Website*
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deSupport t…
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Mar 2, 2022
Writing a Eurovision song, and traveling to the Arctic and Antarctic (Fadi from the UK)
Fadi Gaziri returns to the show to talk about writing a song for the Eurovision song contest. We talk about why we love the Eurovision song contest so much, what makes a good Eurovision song, and how countries select their entries. Listen to the end of the episode to hear Fadi's Eurovision song entry.
Fadi also talks about scoring music for German TV shows and working as a musician on cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic.
The book Fadi wrote: ZE GERMANS: An expat's guide to living in Germany
The video for Fadi's Eurovision song entry: Rettermädchen ESC2022 Germany
Fadi's Website: http://fadigaziri.com/
The NDR documentary that Fadi scored: Was ist damals passiert? Meine Kinderverschickung
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperie…
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Feb 23, 2022
Choosing a rural life, coming to Germany as a lawyer, and a giant tea cup (Rachel from South Africa)
It only took 106 episodes, but Shaun finally has a South African guest on the podcast! Rachel is a lawyer (also a first) who has only been in Germany for a few weeks. She discusses her first impressions of Germany, choosing between a corporate and a startup when she was looking for a job, and why she is leaning towards a more rural life in Germany. She also explains why winter jackets are such foreign things to people from the southern hemisphere and we marvel over her very large tea cup.
Rachel on Instagram: @RachInBerlin
Some links from the episode:
* Smile at Amazon (donate to charity with your purchases)
* Clarkson's Farm
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Supp…
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Feb 16, 2022
Visa struggles, escaping the pandemic on an organic farm, and being a musician in Germany (Laura Osburn from Canada)
Laura Osburn is a singer/songwriter from Canada who came to Germany in January 2020 to work on her album and play live shows – and both those plans have been derailed by COVID. We talk about her struggles to get a long-term visa for Germany, how she spent the beginning of the pandemic on an organic farm, and the difficulties she's faced with getting her album recorded.
Get in touch with Laura on Instagram: @lauraosburnsongstress
Listen to her music on Spotify: Laura Osburn on Spotify
Her Website: Laura Osburn
Laura in concert: Laura Osburn live from DIE LUKE in Ludwigsburg
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deSupport the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official…
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Feb 9, 2022
How to be a good dinner guest in a German home (Nina from Germany)
Getting invited to a German's home for dinner is difficult enough, but if it happens, you're probably nearing the German's "inner circle". But how do you behave? What is good etiquette? Are there unwritten rules you need to know about? For foreigners, being a dinner guest in a German's home can feel like daunting minefield.
But actually, it's really not. Allegedly German Nina joins me for this episode to take us step-by-step through being a dinner guest in a German's home, starting from getting a small gift through to how to signal that you're done eating your food.
Listen to my German podcast with Nina: Die Deutsche und der Ausländer
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deS…
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Feb 2, 2022
Podcasts, why we love them, and how they help foreigners (Marina and Greta from Buongiorno Bitch)
Marina is from Spain and Greta is from Italy, and together they host a podcast called Buongiorno Bitch. They join me to discuss our love for podcasts, and how they can help foreigners. We also talk about how both of them ended up in Germany, and how they made friends in an old-school 2010 way.
Follow Buongiorno Bitch on Instagram: @Buongiorno Bitch
Some of the podcasts we mentioned in the show:
* Just Break Up
* Glücklich Verkopft
* Greta's favorite Zeit Online podcast: Ist das normal?
* Spanish podcasts that Marina listens to: Estirando el Chicle and Deforme Semanal Ideal Total
* Conan Needs a Friend
* Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
* Stuff You Should Know
* Italian podcast by former guest Carmen Romano: Crucchi o Terroni siamo tutti Fannulloni
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.…
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Dec 29, 2021
Charity challenge wrap-up, and when The Germany Experience will be back
The 2021 charity challenge between Nicole of The Expat Cast and I is done, and we have a winner! We were able to raise a combined total of 1065€ for Kinderlachen, a charity that helps children in need. Thank you to everyone who donated for your kindness and generosity.
To find out who won, take a listen to the wrap-up :)
The Germany Experience will now be taking a break over the next few weeks, and will return in the last week of January. Wishing you a "guten Rutsch ins neues Jahr", and a very healthy and happy 2022!
*FOLLOW MY NEW PODCAST, **5 GERMAN SONGS**, ON SPOTIFY:*
Get to know Germany through its music! In each episode, listen to five songs that define a certain aspect of Germany, along with explanations and deeper insights into the music: 5 German Songs
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.…
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Dec 22, 2021
2021 lows and highs and a charity challenge update with Nicole of the Expat Cast
Recorded as an Instagram Live on 21 December 2021. Nicole of The Expat Cast joins me to discuss our low and high points of 2021, and to give an update on our annual charity challenge, this year called ThrEGEPADFO. I also read out the low and high points of some listeners and Instagram followers.
We're also joined at one point by Lawin, host of the Pop Your Cultural Cherry podcast.
*GO AND DONATE IN THE **GERMANY PODCASTERS' ADVENT CHARITY CHALLENGE*:
Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are once again competing in our annual charity challenge to see which podcast can raise the most money for our chosen cause. This year, it's Kinderlachen, which helps children across Germany who are in need or ill. The project I am supporting on focuses on helping children who face unexpected difficulties due to serious illness, an accident or other personal circumstances.
In this episode, I recite my THREGEPADFO poem as a response to Nicole's challenge!
*Learn more and donate here!*
*FOLLOW MY NEW PODCA…
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Dec 15, 2021
Making German easier with “-chen” endings, a PhD as a job, and Germans take long to say goodbye (Jeanette from the USA)
Jeanette from the USA moved to Germany to continue her studies, and ended up in a PhD program in Aachen. She discusses her experiences making friends while studying, learning German, and her life as a PhD student in Germany.
The children's book author Jeanette mentioned in her discussion: Janosch
+++*Send me your highs and lows of 2021!* I'd love to read them on the show with a special guest next week! Send to: info@thegermanyexperience.de, or leave me a voice message on The Germany Experience (click on the microphone icon on the bottom right of your screen and follow the instructions to leave a voice mail).+++
*GO AND DONATE IN THE **GERMANY PODCASTERS' ADVENT CHARITY CHALLENGE*:
Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are once again competing in our annual charity challenge to see which podcast can raise the most money for our chosen cause. This year, it's Kinderlachen, which helps children across Germany who are in need or ill. The project I am supporting on focuses on helping children wh…
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Dec 7, 2021
Episode 100: Funny and memorable The Germany Experience moments
DONATE in the ThrEGEPADFO CHARITY CHALLENGE!
It's the 100th episode of The Germany Experience! To celebrate, I take a look at just a few of the many memorable moments I've had on the show.
Including clips from the following previous episodes:
* Church bells and bicycles (Shannon from the USA)
* Bonus Episode - A German experiences the Ausländerbehörde (Nina from Germany)
* Leaving Germany after a decade (Natalie from the UK)
* Feeling weighed down by the pandemic, and making the trip back home (Beth from the USA)
* Ask a German (Dominik, Jürgen & Philipp from Ach?)
* Sparkling wine receptions, digitization, WG living, and coming to Germany on a scholarship (Alex from the USA
* "Was guckst du?": A 20 year love/hate relationship with Germany (Elizabeth from the USA)
Do you have a favorite moment of The Germany Experience? I would love to hear it! Get in touch on social media (links below) or mail me: info@thegermanyexperience.de
*It's THREGEPADFO time!*
Nicole of Th…
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Dec 1, 2021
The leaving Germany episode
Not every Germany experience ends with permanent residency or German citizenship. For some, the plan was never to stay for longer than a few years, or things change during the stay, or some other unforeseen occurrence (cough COVID) makes it necessary to leave. This episode focuses on the stories of three previous guests who have since left the country. I talk to them about their time in Germany, why they left, what they miss about Germany, and what their life is like now.
My guests are all Canadian, and their stories are all tied together by Toronto. Here are the episodes they previously appeared on:
Sarah S: Through the Eyes of a Newly-Arrived Expat
Sarah C: The attraction of Munich, the versatility of “Doch!”, and environmentalism in Germany
Amy: A serial expat in Germany
Check out the Common Ground podcast: https://commongroundberlin.com/
*It's THREGEPADFO time!*
Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are once again competing in our annual charity challenge to see which podcast c…
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Nov 24, 2021
Anatomy of a German job interview (Lisa Janz from Job Coach Germany)
What can you expect in a German job interview? What's expected of you? Lisa Janz, the woman behind Job Coach Germany, joins me to explain what the five phases of a typical job interview are, and gives some insights into what interviewers are looking for. She even has some psychological tricks to boost your chances of making a positive impression.
Lisa was formerly in HR , so knows the process from the inside. Nowadays, she focuses on helping people find the job that is right for them in Germany.
Lisa's Website: https://www.lisajanz.com/
Lisa was a previously a guest on the episode called, What do you want from a job in Germany?
*It's THREGEPADFO time! *
Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are once again competing in our annual charity challenge to see which podcast can raise the most money for our chosen cause. This year, it's Kinderlachen, which helps children across Germany who are in need or ill. The project I am supporting on focuses on helping children who face unexpected difficult…
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Nov 17, 2021
Health insurance in Germany Q&A, with Techniker Krankenkasse
You sent in your questions about health insurance in Germany, and this week a representative from Techniker Krankenkasse, Nina, is here to answer them. You can also get an idea of what to expect from a health insurance fund by hearing how TK does things and what they offer.
*If you are considering signing up for health insurance with TK, use my link:*
https://thegermanyexperience.de/tk
It is an affiliate link, so if you sign up with it, you'll be helping out the podcast.
The questions that Nina answers:
* How does health insurance work in Germany?
* What do I have to do if I get ill?
* What are the differences between Gesetzlich (statutory) and Privat (private) health insurance?
* Why is it so difficult to get an appointment with a specialist?
* Can I apply for health insurance without a German address?
* What are IGEL treatments?
* Do couples go onto the same insurance?
* What should foreigners expect from a health insurance provider?
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERI…
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Nov 10, 2021
"Was guckst du?": A 20 year love/hate relationship with Germany (Elizabeth from the USA)
Elizabeth first spent time in Germany as a student, and she fell in love with the place. But, by the time her year was up, she was ready to return back home to the States. However, when she got home, she immediately started missing Germany. This began a pattern that would persist for years: Elizabeth would move to Germany, but would eventually move back to the USA again. In more recent years, though, she has wanted to make the move more permanent and has been actively searching for jobs in Germany.
Elizabeth joins me to explain her 20+ years relationship with Germany, the reasons that she kept leaving Germany, the habit Germans have of staring, and bringing her dog, Fritz, with her to Germany.
Find Elizabeth on Instagram: @hello.there.deutschland
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexp…
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Nov 3, 2021
The Expat Spouses Report - the results are in (Amaia from Expats & Spouses Monitor)
How educated are expat spouses? How do they feel about life in Germany? What word would they use to describe Germany? A new study by Expats & Spouses Monitor answers these questions, and more.
Back in February 2021, Amaia, originally from Spain, joined me to talk about the study that the Expats & Spouses Monitor was doing. Essentially, they wanted to look at the situation and feelings of expats and their spouses living in Germany. And now, the results are in. Amaia returns to the show to go through the results with me. One of the biggest conclusions is no surprise: Expat spouses are highly educated and have previous work experience, and they remain an untapped goldmine for Germany. Amaia also explains what they will do with this data now that they have it.
The Feb 2021 episode that Amaia was on: The gender expatriation gap, trailing spouses, and the expat skill pool in Germany (Amaia from Spain)
Download the report: https://www.expatsmonitor.de/the-report/
To contact Expat & Spouse…
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Oct 27, 2021
Shopping habits, my German nemesis, problems with dialects, and more: Q&A episode
From new shopping habits through to being scolded by Germans, here are the answers to the questions you asked about life in Germany!
The Instagram users who asked me questions:
* @Lilo_hlt06
* @Sscomstoc
* @Alyssa.savs
* @Soundinglustig
* @Iamgermanexpat
* @Theexpatcast
* @Beagle_Vanlife
* @Theadventuresofsteffi
* @lisa_janz_jobcoachgermany
* @almondsandsunset
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deSupport the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Oct 20, 2021
Working in tech in Germany (Yotzín from Mexico)
What's it like working in tech in Germany? What do foreigners need to know about finding a tech job in Germany? Yotzín, from Mexico, joins me to answer these questions and discuss his experiences working in the tech field in Germany. We cover the Blue Card visa, changing tech jobs, and understanding the job market.
Yotzin on Instagram: @yotzincortez
My recent guest podcast appearances:
* The Expat Cast: A South African, a Filipino,& an American Walk into a Bakery... with Shaun & Lawin
* The Canadian Wants To Know: Chat with a South African
*SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS!
*I need your questions about Germany, or me and my experiences here, for a live Q&A session I will be doing next week. Send them to info@thegermanyexperience.de, or go to thegermanyexperience.de/contact
I'm also looking for any questions you might have about German health insurance for a future episode.
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the offi…
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Oct 6, 2021
German culture: Der Struwwelpeter and other horrifying children's stories (Nina from Germany)
After watching the Calvin & Habs duo do a reenactment of a German children's story called "Paulinchen", I decided to buy the collection of stories it appears in. It's called Der Struwwelpeter, named after one of the characters.
Written in 1845 by Heinrich Hoffman, the book contains a set of cautionary tales for children. Sometimes horrific, sometimes bizarre, and always entertaining, the book offers a great view into German culture of the time, including parenting insights and the view on racism.
Nina, a German who has already been a guest on the podcast several times, joins me to discuss Struwwelpeter and some of the works of the Brothers Grimm.
My German podcast with Nina: Die Deutsche und der Ausländer
Nina on Instagram: @nmw1802
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Re…
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Sep 29, 2021
Foreigner friendships, moving back home, and “F**k it” moments (Beth & Amy from the USA)
Both Beth and Amy have appeared on The Germany Experience before, and now they come back on together after having forged a friendship here in Germany. But, as often happens with foreigner friendships, Amy moved back home. We discuss making friends in Germany, what it's like losing foreigner friends, reaching a point of acceptance with life in Germany, and their related tattoos.
Beth and Amy also help me answer a question from a listener who is constantly excluded from discussions at work because one of her colleagues doesn't switch to English when she's around.
Beth's appearances on The Germany Experience:
The 5 phases of culture shock (Beth from the USA)
Feeling weighed down by the pandemic, and making the trip back home (Beth from the USA)
Amy's The Germany Experience episode:
Sandals and socks, making friends with Germans, and "selfishly" staying in Germany (Amy from the USA)
Beth on Instagram: @bethingermany
Amy on Instagram: @amyholt11
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOO…
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Sep 2, 2021
RERUN: Seven months as an exchange student in Germany (Montana Showalter from the USA)
//This episode was originally released on 18th May 2020//
Montana Showalter was an American high school student who went on an exchange program to Germany (called CBYX). At around the same time, she started a YouTube channel intended to document her experiences in Germany. Little did she know that her channel was about to blow up. In our interview, Montana discusses the differences in culture between the US and Germany, how coronavirus cut her Germany stay short, how Germany changed her, and of course, her YouTube success.
Watch her videos: Montana Showalter's YouTube channel
Two of her videos we mention in the interview:
* "Who am I?" - A Personal Essay From My Exchange Year
* Forced To Leave Germany (Statement Of Departure)
Montana on Instagram: Montana.Showalter
The exchange program Montana was on: CBYX CIEE
The festival in Passau that Montana mentioned: Passauer Dult
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media*: thegermanyexperienc…
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Aug 25, 2021
RERUN: You go me on the cookie! (Dana Newman from Wanted Adventure)
//This interview originally aired on 25th May 2020//
Dana Newman from the Wanted Adventure YouTube channel joins me to discuss her book, "You go me on the cookie!". The book (written in German) describes Dana's adventures (and misadventures) learning German, and also highlights the quirks and beauty of the German language. It was written for German native speakers, but it is definitely relatable for anyone who has learnt German at any level. So I got Dana on the podcast to discuss her book, the German language, and her YouTube channel.
To see the postcard that Dana refers to in the interview about how German is not orderly, click here.
"You go me on the cookie!" is available in bookstores in Germany as well as online (also on Amazon) - as paperback and Ebook: https://www.randomhouse.de/Taschenbuch/You-go-me-on-the-cookie/Dana-Newman/Goldmann-TB/e536279.rhd
Wanted Adventure YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/wantedadventure
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wantedadventure/…
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Aug 18, 2021
RERUN: Sandals and socks, making friends with Germans, and "selfishly" staying in Germany (Amy from the USA)
//This episode originally aired on 20th July 2020//
Original Show Notes:
Amy always had a dream of living in Germany, and even happened to marry someone who felt the same way. So living here has kind of been a dream come true. And generally, Amy is really happy here -- she admits that she was "right" about wanting to live here.
But making friends with Germans is one aspect that has been a challenge. Amy is sociable and outgoing, and has done everything you're supposed to do to integrate yourself: take part in local events, be open, and seek out social situations. Add to this the fact the American friends she meets here always end up leaving, and it's easy to see why she feels that building a community is difficult.
We discuss these difficulties with making real connections with Germans. Amy also talks about how she sometimes feels a bit "selfish" having made the decision to stay in Germany, and we cover her very controversial views on sandals and socks.
Amy's blog post about thing…
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Aug 11, 2021
RERUN: Germany chose me (Sneha from India)
//This episode was originally aired on 16th November 2020//
Sneha from India moved to Germany in 2011. A professional Indian classical dancer, she was expecting something similar to New York, where people knew about the artform of Indian classical dance. Instead, she found herself constantly having to explain to Germans that it wasn't Bollywood dancing that she does...
Sneha explains how she quickly started establishing herself in her artform in Germany by putting on shows, and then later teaching young girls the art of Bharatanatyam. She also takes us through the story of how, when her personal life began falling apart, Munich showed her love and gave her life. And, we discuss the uncertainty that artists face when they choose to dedicate their life to their passion.
Sneha on Instagram: snetanz
Sneha's dance institute: abhinayaindischertanz
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https:…
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Jul 15, 2021
The German dream, mental health as a content creator, and toxic positivity (Aspen from the USA)
Aspen is originally from the USA and has been living in Germany for 7 years now. She runs the Aspen Abroad YouTube channel. She joins me to discuss the topic of mental health as a foreigner in Germany, as well as the expectations on her as content creator. We also cover the dangers of toxic positivity.
The video with Claudio we discuss: Running, Sports, and Mental Health Motivation
Aspen's YouTube channel: Aspen Abroad
Aspen on Instagram: @aspen.abroad
The episode of The Expat Cast I heard Aspen on: Moving Abroad or Running Away?
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deSupport the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience…
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Jun 30, 2021
From a big city to a small German town, and freelancing in Germany (Lara from Slovenia)
Lara is from Slovenia, and you might know her from her Instagram or TikTok channels, where she posts short, informative and funny videos about life in Germany. She made the move from Chicago, where she was living at the time, to a small town in Germany, and we discuss what that was like for her. We also talk about freelancing in Germany, as well as her Instagram and TikTok videos.
Lara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larcipetek/
Lara on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@larapetek
Lara's blog: https://www.livingexpatlife.com/
Lara's company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nusen_studio/
The Stuttgart library: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQoHEAtl9Z5/
*Other Notes:
*The Expat Cast episode that I contributed a story to: https://www.theexpatcast.com/your-stories/
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://y…
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Jun 23, 2021
From long distance relationship to locked down together (Kaleena from the USA and Jan from Germany)
Kaleena is from the USA, and Jan is from Germany, and together they host the YouTube channel, Kaleena and Jan. Shortly after meeting each other, their relationship was forced to go through two phases by the pandemic: first, they had to conduct a long distance relationship, and then, when Kaleena was able to return to Germany, they were locked down together. We discuss how they managed to keep their relationship going through both of those phases, as well as their YouTube channel.
Kaleena and Jan YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBotSQ4rK309QkqRKUCPGRA
The hidden camera video: https://youtu.be/RlZ-E4m8LaM
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Review the podcast: *https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate
* Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.deSupport the show…
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Jun 16, 2021
Coping with depression in Germany, seeking help, and online therapy (Steffi from the UK)
Steffi is from the UK, and she describes herself as an "unexpected expat". In fact, as someone who experiences anxiety and who is a planner, life in a foreign country was not something she considered. When Steffi moved to Germany, she experienced depression after the honeymoon phase was over, and to deal with it, she turned to therapy. Steffi and I discuss the effects of expat life on mental health, the difficulties with finding a therapist, and the effectiveness of online therapy. Plus we check in to see how Steffi's New Year's Resolutions for 2021 are going (that's what happens when you put stuff on the Internet).
Steffi on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/theadventuresofsteffi/
Steffi's Blog: https://adventuresofsteffi.com/
Her New Year's Resolutions post: https://adventuresofsteffi.com/2021/01/02/personal-2021-goals/
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: *https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience
* Visit the official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperi…
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Jun 9, 2021
Apologizing in Germany, sauna surprises, and making friends: an expat's guide to living in Germany (Fadi Gaziri from the UK)
Fadi Gaziri has written a book about life in Germany for foreigners called, "Ze Germans: An Expat's Guide to Living in Germany", and he joins me to discuss the book and some of his insights from his experiences in the country. We cover apologizing in Germany, sauna surprises, making friends, and why Fadi actually likes it here. Plus, we do the "How German Are You?" quiz from his book to see which one of us is the most Germanized.
"Ze Germans: An exapt's guide to living in Germany" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Fadi-Gaziri/dp/3754112139/
Fadi's website: http://fadigaziri.com/
*Try out Wunderbla together with Shaun
*Wunderbla by Gymglish is an online German course for non-beginners (levels A2-C1). You get daily lessons that take around 20 minutes to complete, with immediate corrections.
Try it out for one month for free, with no obligations:
https://thegermanyexperience.de/german
I'd love to hear your thoughts about the course!
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GRO…
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Jun 2, 2021
Advice for foreigners in Germany, taken from two years of The Germany Experience
The Germany Experience podcast is 2 years old and to celebrate, here is a compilation of some of the advice that guests have offered about everything from making friends through to preparing for bureaucracy. Thank you for listening the past 2 years!
The advice givers, and the episodes they were featured in:
* Dwight
* Audrey
* Jenna
* Natalie
* Emma
* Amy
* Sarah
* Greg & Brigida
* Liliana
* Vlad
* Thomas
* Lori
* Mari (author of The God Queen)
* Ceri
* Tim
* Beth
* Anna
* Tania
* Alicia (https://www.aliciacibolamusic.com/)
* Amy H
* Shaked
* Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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May 26, 2021
Three amazing women from German history (Jasmin from HerStory)
Jasmin is the host of a podcast called Herstory, which tells the stories of strong women from history. Her podcast inspired this week's episode: a look back at incredible (and underappreciated) women from Germany's history. And to tell these stories, I'm joined by Jasmin herself.
The women we'll focus on all faced adversity of some kind, but went on to do monumental things that still impact Germany and the world today:
* *Elisabeth Selbert *(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_Selbert), who was responsible for Article 3 in the German Grundgesetz: "Männer und Frauen sind gleichberechtigt" ("Men and women are equal"). She is called one of the "mothers of the Grundgesetz".
* *Margarete Steiff *(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarete_Steiff), who founded the Steiff toy company. It is famous for its toys and the teddy bear, and still exists to this day.
* *Gerda Taro *(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerda_Taro), who was the first female war photographer. She photographed the Sp…
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May 19, 2021
Beer, digitization, security, and education: our preconceived notions of Europe (Lawin from the Philippines)
Before you move to a foreign country, you inevitably have a picture of what it's like in your mind. Maybe you got it from TV and books, or perhaps you've met tourists from that country. Lawin, host of the Pop Your Cultural Cherry podcast, joins me to discuss our preconceived notions of Germany and Europe, and what the reality was for us.
Pop Your Cultural Cherry podcast: https://linktr.ee/popyourculturalcherry
Pop Your Cultural Cherry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popyourculturalcherry/
The Germany Experience episode about beer I referenced: https://www.thegermanyexperience.de/from-usa-to-germany-california-style-greg-from-usa-and-brigida-from-germany/
*Try out Wunderbla together with Shaun
*Wunderbla by Gymglish is an online German course for non-beginners (levels A2-C1). You get daily lessons that take around 20 minutes to complete, with immediate corrections.
Try it out for one month for free, with no obligations:
https://thegermanyexperience.de/german
I'd love to he…
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May 12, 2021
Planning a summer trip to the mountains (Ceri from the UK)
If things in Germany continue easing up, vacation will again be possible this summer. A very popular tourist destination is the mountainous region of Bavaria. Ceri, originally from the UK, runs a mountain tour and trekking company there called Four Elements.
She joins me to discuss how to avoid tourist hot spots in the mountains this summer, how to prepare for a trip, and also how her love for the outdoors has shaped her time in Germany.
*Ceri's mountain tour company*: https://www.4elements.eu/
*Karwendel, the hiking region she mentioned*: https://www.alpenwelt-karwendel.de/
*German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein)*: https://www.alpenverein.de/
*Ceri on Instagram:* @4elements.eu and @ceri_temple
*Ceri on Facebook*: @4elements.eu (https://www.facebook.com/4elements.eu)
*Ceri's podcast, The Grow Zone - Real Time Adventurers*: https://anchor.fm/thegrowzone
*Try out Wunderbla together with Shaun
*Wunderbla by Gymglish is an online German course for non-beginners (levels A2-C1). You g…
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May 5, 2021
Three key factors for making friends in Germany (Nadja from Germany)
Nadja Todt was born and raised in Germany, but spent 11 years abroad. She describes herself as a global citizen, change-maker, international experience expert, community connector and mentor, and a German and English language consultant.
Nadja offers a program called "45 Days to Meaningful Friendships and Connections", and so I asked her to come on the podcast and discuss her insights. Her discussion centers around the what she sees as three central topics of making friendships: *knowing yourself*, being aware of your *communication style*, and *making deeper connections*.
*Nadja's links:*
* 45 Days to Meaningful Friendships and Connections program
* Survival German with Nadja
* Nadja on Facebook
* Nadja on Instagram
* Nadja on LinkedIn
*Try out Wunderbla together with Shaun
*Wunderbla by Gymglish is an online German course for non-beginners (levels A2-C1). You get daily lessons that take around 20 minutes to complete, with immediate corrections.
Try it out for one month…
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Apr 20, 2021
Feeling weighed down by the pandemic, and making the trip back home (Beth from the USA)
How are foreigners in Germany feeling right now? Do they feel like they want to pack up and return to their home countries? And what is it like to make the trip back home? These are all questions we look at in this episode.
Back in 2020, Germany was doing great with its handling of the pandemic: cases were down in summer, and there was even a degree of normality creeping back into every day life. The rest of the world envied Germany. However, in winter of 2020, things took a drastic turn. Since then, Germany has endured seemingly never-ending lockdowns, a failed vaccination roll-out, and inconsistent government response to the pandemic. Meanwhile, some countries – like the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand – are all doing better than Germany and life is beginning to get back to "normal".
Coping with the current situation in Germany, seeing things improve in other countries, and not having seen family back home for an unusually long period of time have all led foreigners here…
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Apr 18, 2021
BONUS - My experiences searching for jobs and working in Germany (Lisa Janz interviews me)
Lisa Janz, who is a job coach for internationals in Germany, recently interviewed me in a live Q&A on her Facebook page. This is the audio of that video. She asked me about my experiences looking for jobs and working in Germany. We also discuss workplace culture shocks, interviews while wearing ripped trousers, and more.
Watch the interview on Facebook here.
Lisa's Website: lisajanz.com
Lisa on Facebook: Lisa Janz - Job Coach Germany
Lisa on Instagram: @lisa_janz_jobcoachgermany
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Apr 12, 2021
What do you want from a job in Germany? (with Lisa Janz from Job Coach Germany)
Lisa Janz is a career coach for international professionals in Germany. She joins me to discuss the big question of how to figure out what you want from a job in Germany. New foreigners in Germany often just want to get a foot in the door, and foreigners that have been here longer might feel like it's not possible to make a move. But it's important for your happiness that you consider what you really want - and that might even be something that you haven't realized yet.
Lisa recently interviewed me on her Facebook channel, and I will be posting that interview as a bonus episode later this week.
Lisa's Website: lisajanz.com
Lisa on Facebook: Lisa Janz - Job Coach Germany
Lisa on Instagram: @lisa_janz_jobcoachgermany
Other things Lisa mentioned:
* YouTube video: Simon Sinek - Start With Why
* Book recommendation: The Big Five for Life by John Strelecky
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Subscribe to the YouT…
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Apr 6, 2021
RERUN: Being far from family when losing someone, making friends through team sports, and security in Germany (Rafael from Brazil)
Originally release on 3rd November, 2019 (episode #21)
One of my best friends in Germany, Rafael from Brazil, experienced loss when his father passed away, and talks about how he coped dealing with that being far from his family.
He's also a handball player, and he had the chance to make German friends through his love of the sport.
We also discuss learning languages, Bulgarian wedding dance traditions, and more.
UPDATE: Rafael still has not had the Bulgarian wedding he discusses due to coronavirus.
Majestic handball Rafael:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSvnfjflJgR0f4nq-mjwHYcNRVdXQFuVk7MqKA0/?igshid=uouuiaedbbd3
World Index tweet: most dangerous countries
Bulgarian wedding dance: https://youtu.be/Bv8BRPO-EyU?t=37
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Subscribe to the YouTube channel: **The Germany Experience**
**Review the podcast*
* Contact me: info@thegermanyexperience.de
**I'm looking for guests for The…
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Mar 29, 2021
Finding an apartment in Germany: tips, advice, etiquette, and other things you need to know (Madalina from Relosophy)
Madalina, originally from Romania, is a relocation agent who helps foreigners find accommodation in Munich. And as she says, if you can make it in Munich, you can make it anywhere in Germany.
Madalina joins me to discuss getting an apartment in Germany - a process that starts before you even start your search. From doing your initial research and establishing your criteria, through writing a cover letter and putting together your portfolio, Madalina takes us through the steps and gives helpful advice along the way. We also talk about etiquette around the apartment search.
Madalina's relocation agency in Munich: Relosophy
Relosophy on Instagram: @relosophy
Madalina on Instagram: @madalina_dragalina
The accommodation search website Madalina mentioned: ImmoScout24
*OTHER SHOW NOTES:*
* Guest appearance on Americans In Germany Drinking Whisky: Raising Children in Germany
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Sub…
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Mar 21, 2021
Job search and working in Germany: expectations vs. reality, work contracts, and corporates vs. start-ups (Jana from Meetra)
Many foreigners have a picture in their minds of what it will be like finding a job and working in Germany. For example, it seems that the perception is that there are many opportunities in Germany, that salaries are good, and that German companies are efficient. However, this is not necessarily the case.
Jana from Meetra joins me to discuss what foreigners can actually expect regarding jobs and the workplace. We also discuss typical German work contracts ("Arbeitsverträge"), the importance of reference letters, and the differences between corporates and startups.
The platform Jana co-founded to assist internationals to start their career in Germany: Meetra
Meetra on Instagram: @askmeetra
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
**Review the podcast*
* Contact me: info@thegermanyexperience.de
*I'm looking for guests for The Germany Experience. If you'd like to come on the show, send me your details!Support the sho…
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Mar 15, 2021
Common things Germans say and do, and what they mean (Nina from Germany)
The Germans have certain words, sayings, and gestures that they do very often, often without even thinking about it. And some of these things can be very confusing to people new in Germany. For example: you'll often hear "Oh je" or "So!" in a conversation.
Previous guest and resident German Nina joins me to try and explain some of these mannerisms to help us understand what they mean.
*Watch this interview on YouTube to see all the gestures.*
The German podcast that Nina and I host together is called Die Deutsche und der Ausländer: Listen to the show or watch on YouTube
We discuss:
* Pech gehabt/selber Schuld
* Oh je!
* Tja!
* So!
* Na?
* Two different "Hmmm" sounds
* Boah!
* Drücken die Daumen and "Toi toi toi!"
* The windshield wiper gesture ("Bist du bescheuert?")
* Rubbing fingers together
* Pulling on the eye
* Jein
* Knocking on the table to applaud
*OTHER SHOW NOTES: *
* On Saturday 20th March 2021 at 11am, Lisa Janz will interview me in a Fa…
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Mar 8, 2021
Making long-term German friends, reverse parking, and origins of German idioms (Q&A session)
I answer your questions about life in Germany, and also some personal questions. Plus, I read some insightful YouTube comments. This was recorded during a Facebook live stream.
*Watch the full video on my YouTube channel**
*
Some of the questions I answer:
* How can you develop close friendships with Germans?
* What are the reasons foreigners from developed countries decide to stay in Germany for the long-term?
* Why is cash such a prominent form of payment?
* What's up with all the reversing into parking spaces
Antoinette Emily's YouTube channel
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website*
* Contact me: info@thegermanyexperience.de*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Mar 1, 2021
Sparkling wine receptions, digitization, WG living, and coming to Germany on a scholarship (Alex from the USA)
Alex is originally from Nebraska, USA, but is now living in Hamburg. She joins me with a glass of sparkling wine to discuss, among other things, her love for "zu verschenken" culture, how scholarships offer a world of opportunity for coming to and staying in Germany, and how living in a WG has given her an insight into German life that she might not have had otherwise.
She also talks about the German things that fascinate her: the lack of digitization, strange opening hours, and Kirchensteuer (church tax). And I discover that there is something called "Kinderlosenbeitrag", or "childless fee", which she has to pay because she has no children.
Links to scholarship information that Alex mentioned:
* Fulbright programs
* German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
* Goethe Institute, which Alex to decide what she would be interested in
* International Parliamentary Scholarships, to work at the Bundestag
* The Instagram account Alex finds useful: @Deustschland_de
Follow Alex on In…
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Feb 22, 2021
How German changes your identity (Geoff and Alex from Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey)
When you move to Germany, like with other countries, you might find yourself needing to re-invent yourself due to the language and the culture. For example: if you were funny and outgoing in your home country, you might suddenly feel like you're introverted and "boring" in social situations in Germany. And how do you deal with feeling that you can't show Germans the real "you"?
I discuss this issue with the two hosts of Americans In Germany Drinking Whiskey, Geoff and Alex. We also hear about how they came to be in Germany, and just how much whiskey they actually drink every week.
* *
*OTHER SHOW NOTES:*
* Contribute to the Expats & Spouses Monitor research project by completing their survey: Expat and Spouses Monitor 2021
* *
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
* Visit the official **The Germany Experience website*
* Contact me: info@thegermanyexperience.de*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperi…
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Feb 15, 2021
The job application process in Germany: Misconceptions, insights and tips (Ivan from Bulgaria)
What are common misconceptions that foreigners have about the job application process in Germany? What makes a good CV? What are assessment centers? We try to answer some of these questions in this episode.
To do it, I'm joined by Ivan from Bulgaria (and previous guest on the show), who has extensive experience working as an HR consultant in Germany - and has also applied for jobs in Germany himself. He shares his insights gathered from several years of experience.
If you have specific questions for Ivan about the job application process in Germany, send them to *info@thegermanyexperience.de*, and we'll get him back on a later episode to answer them.
Also, listen to a 2019 episode I did about finding a job in Germany: Finding and getting a job in Germany
Find Ivan on Instagram: @Ivan.og.vasilev
Also, follow Can You German?, the Instagram page Ivan runs together with Ricardo from Brazil.
The episode about Can You German? that featured Ivan: Wurst/arsch/schwein idioms, why “Der/D…
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Feb 8, 2021
The gender expatriation gap, trailing spouses, and the expat skill pool in Germany (Amaia from Spain)
Amaia, originally from Spain but now living in Düsseldorf, Germany, started the Expats and Spouses Monitor with Dr. Carlos Morales. Their goal: it is a research project that aims to understand the living and working conditions of expatriates and their spouses or partners living in Germany. With this data, they hope to help stakeholders, such as German employers, implement policies and measures to improve integration of expats.
The Expat and Spouses monitor is running a survey until *8th March 2021*. If you are an expat living in Germany and want to share your experiences, *complete the survey anonymously here: **https://www.research.net/r/CNY959Y** *
To get more information about why they started the project and what it's all about, Amaia joins me on the podcast. We also discuss the gender expatriation gap, what we know about expat spouses, and how better information can help German employers understand the benefits expats can bring to their organizations.
Visit the Expats and Spou…
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Feb 1, 2021
Cost of living in Germany in 2021 (Jen from Simple Germany)
What are the standard costs of living you can expect in Germany? Do you really need so much insurance in Germany? And why pay the Rundfunkbeitrag if you don't watch German TV?
Jen is from Guatemala and is the co-founder of Simple Germany. She joins me to discuss her story, and the cost of living in Germany. As a basis for our discussion, we use her blog post, The Cost of Living in Germany in 2021 (Real-Life Case Study). We cover everything from rent, mobile phone contracts, insurance, taxes, and much more.
But it's not just a discussion about costs; it's also a peek into Jen's life here in Germany with her wife, and her story.
Also, be sure to check out the Simple Germany YouTube Channel.
Other notes:
* Cost of living numbers for Germany on Numbeo
* Urban Sports Club
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official…
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Dec 28, 2020
SEGEPADFO charity challenge wrap-up, and when The Germany Experience will be back
The SEGEPADFO charity challenge, where I went up against Nicole of The Expat Cast to see who could raise the most money for a project by Über den Tellerrand, is over.
Who won the challenge, and how much we raised, is all in this update episode. Plus: I'll tell you when I'll be back with new episodes.
Thank you to everyone who donated!
See our video promo outtakes: SEGEPADFO video promo outtakes
The project we were supporting: Portable kitchen for Über den Tellerrand FreiburgSupport the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Dec 14, 2020
Learning assertiveness from Germans, and growing to love a city (Jenna from Canada)
Jenna is from Canada who is living in Düsseldorf. She is the creator of Life in Duesseldorf, has just started the Life in Germany YouTube channel. We discuss why she moved to Germany, her recent bout of COVID-19, and why she loves German barbecue culture.
Jenna on Instagram: @lifeindus
*SEGEPADFO UPDATE:
*Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are going head-to-head to raise money for Über den Tellerrand - in specific, we're supporting a project of theirs to build a mobile kitchen. To find out more and to donate, visit our SEGEPADFO page:
https://thegermanyexperience.de/charity2020
Be sure to type "The Germany Experience" in the public comments field when you donate so that we know which show you're donating on behalf of!
At the beginning of the drive, Nicole challenged me to write a jingle for SEGEPADFO. Then I counter-challenged her to sing backing vocals on it. Listen to the episode to hear the result :)
*OTHER SHOW NOTES:*
* Google Trends top searches of 2020 for Germany
*JOIN…
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Dec 7, 2020
Coming to Germany during a pandemic (Cassie from Australia)
Cassie from Australia wanted to continue her music studies in Germany, and her plans were already underway when the pandemic struck. It put her plans on hold, but Cassie was still able to push through and move to Weimar. I discuss with her what it was like to move to Germany during a pandemic, and what her first impressions of Germany are.
Cassie on Instagram: @cassie_slater
*SEGEPADFO Charity Challenge*
Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are going head-to-head to raise money for Über den Tellerrand - in specific, we're supporting a project of theirs to build a mobile kitchen. To find out more and to donate, visit our SEGEPADFO page:
https://thegermanyexperience.de/charity2020
We're also doing challenges along the way, so stay tuned to both our shows for updates along the way.
*POSTCARDS FROM 2020:
*What was 2020 like for you? What did you learn? And most importantly, what message do you want to give to others? I want to compile your responses and put together an episode called Postc…
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Nov 30, 2020
Singing soul in Germany, and BLM from a distance (Alicia from the USA)
Alicia is a soul and blues singer currently living in Germany. She moved from Texas, USA to Germany complete her studies just over a year ago. I discuss with Alicia what her mindset is after moving countries in such a turbulent year, what her feelings on Germany are, and how she was able to speak out for Black Lives Matter from Germany.
Watch Alicia's BLM speech in Hannover
Visit Alicia's website to watch videos of her performing and to learn more about her: Alicia Cibola Music
Follow her on Instagram: aliciacibola
Alicia on YouTube: Alicia Cibola
*SEGEPADFO:
*Advent time is also time for me to face off with my sworn rival, Nicole of The Expat Cast, to see who can raise the most money for charity. This year, the cause is funding a mobile kitchen in Freiburg for Über den Tellerrand. Über den Tellerrand aims to * *create opportunities for people of different cultures to meet and and to integrate.
For more information, visit TheGermanyExperience.de/Charity2020
*POSTCARDS FROM 2020:…
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Nov 23, 2020
Antoinette Emily from New Zealand
You probably know Antoinette Emily from her YouTube channel. Originally from New Zealand, she moved to Germany to be with her then-boyfriend (now-husband) over 10 years ago. We discuss the story of how she came to Germany, the importance of having international friends in Germany, raising bilingual children, why you probably shouldn't build a house in Germany, and, of course, her YouTube channel.
Antoinette's YouTube channel: Antoinette Emily
Antoinette on Instagram: @antoinette_nz
*GERMAN UNCOVERED COURSE - BLACK FRIDAY DISCOUNT!*
The German Uncovered language course, plus bonsues, is *discounted by $200 until 30th November 2020*! You get the story-based language course, PLUS access to the German Grammar for Beginners and the German Accent and Pronunciation Masterclass courses. The discount code is BLKCM2020 . Use this link:
German Uncovered Course - Black Friday Discount
(I am an affiliate partner of Fluent Language, so if you sign up for that course using my link, you will be he…
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Nov 16, 2020
"Germany chose me" (Sneha from India)
Sneha from India moved to Germany in 2011. A professional Indian classical dancer, she was expecting something similar to New York, where people knew about the artform of Indian classical dance. Instead, she found herself constantly having to explain to Germans that it wasn't Bollywood dancing that she does...
Sneha explains how she quickly started establishing herself in her artform in Germany by putting on shows, and then later teaching young girls the art of Bharatanatyam. She also takes us through the story of how, when her personal life began falling apart, Munich showed her love and gave her life. And, we discuss the uncertainty that artists face when they choose to dedicate their life to their passion.
Sneha on Instagram: snetanz
Sneha's dance institute: abhinayaindischertanz
*GERMAN UNCOVERED COURSE - BLACK FRIDAY DISCOUNT!*
The German Uncovered language course, plus bonsues, is *discounted by $200 until 30th November 2020*! You get the story-based language course, PLUS acce…
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Nov 9, 2020
Teenagers' perspective: Life in Germany & traveling with family (Anna & Alex from the USA)
Back in May 2020, I had Linda of the Travelteening blog on the podcast to talk about moving to Germany and traveling around with teenagers. Now, I have the teenagers on! Anna and Alex talk about their move to Germany, their lives here, and about traveling with family.
*OTHER SHOW NOTES*
* Lockdown ignored: Munich police shut down child's birthday party with 100+ guests
* My "Warteschlangenungeduldigkeit" post on Instagram
* Bavarian Infection Protocol Ordinance in German: Infektionsschutzmaßnahmenverordnung
*GERMAN UNCOVERED STORY-BASED LANGUAGE COURSE
*German Uncovered is a comprehensive German course for beginners, where you learn German through an exciting story. After each chapter, you learn vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation based on what you read in the story. Disclaimer: I am an affiliate partner of German Uncovered, and I will earn a commission if you sign up using the links below).
Try out the course for free: Experience Story-Based German Learning for Free
And…
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Nov 2, 2020
Ask a German: Bureaucracy, German pillows, standing in line, and recruitment through fruit (Dominik, Jürgen & Philipp from Ach?)
You sent in your questions, and I put them to Germans to get the answers. It's Ask A German time!
The three German guests are the always funny and entertaining hosts of the German podcast, Ach! They answer the questions that listeners sent in over the past few months, and in the process shed some light on some issues foreigners in Germany know all too well. We even come up with a new crime in Germany: Warteschlangeungeduldigkeit (waiting line impatience).
Their website: das-a.ch
Follow Ach! on Twitter: das_ach
The questions that we covered:
* Are Germans obsessed with fruit?
* What's up with German pillows?
* What are the best onomatopoeic German words?
* What things would they change about Germany?
* Why are credit cards still not the preferred payment method in Germany?
* What should foreigners in Germany do less of?
* Why do some German toilets have a shelf or platform?
Some things we mentioned:
* Dominik's previous The Germany Experience guest appearance: The…
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Oct 26, 2020
Learning about "Mittagsruhe", integrating through a "Kinderladen", and the impact of Brexit (Fiona from the UK)
Fiona and her husband are opera singers from the UK who moved to Germany for work. I first met her when she appeared on the episode about Parkrun in Germany, and I wanted to find out more about her path to journey and experiences here...so I invited her back on the show. In our chat, she talks about how she learnt about the "Mittagsruhe" rule in Germany, what a "Kinderladen" is and why it's a help for integrating, the effects or Brexit on her life, and "Geisterfahrers" (wrong-way drivers).
Fiona on Instagram: @volbeat_flo
Fiona on Twitter: hoppersgirl
You can watch videos of her singing opera here and here.
SHOW NOTES:
* In the episode I referred to the Spiegel report, but here is a full article on the coronavirus survey: Umfrage: Fast ein Drittel für härtere Corona-Maßnahmen
* The Danish band Fiona loves: Volbeat
* Number of UK citizens emigrating to EU has risen by 30% since Brexit vote
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany E…
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Oct 19, 2020
Wurst/arsch/schwein idioms, why “Der/Die/Das” is weird, and sitting down to pee in Germany (Ricardo from Brazil & Ivan from Bulgaria)
Ricardo from Brazil and Ivan from Bulgaria are the people behind the Can You German? Instagram account. They met by chance in Germany, where they became friends. Later, when Ivan was stuck in Brazil due to COVID-19, they spent a lot of time together, and it was during this time that Can You German? was born.
We discuss their Instagram page, why German is obsessed with idioms that have to do with sausage, ass, and pigs, and the culture shock for men when they learn that sitting down to pee in German is the norm.
Follow Can You German? on Instagram: @canyougerman
*OTHER SHOW NOTES:*
* The Langenscheidt youth word of 2020 is "Lost"
* The Germany Experience was featured in Almonds + Sunset's 7 Inspiring Expat Podcasts to Listen to Right Now list
* German signs for sitting down to pee
* The Dark series website: https://dark.netflix.io/
*ASK A GERMAN: SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS*
I have lined up three "qualified" Germans (i.e. they're German) to answer your questions! So if you have…
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Oct 12, 2020
Things to know before learning German (Elysse from Elysse Speaks)
Elysse is the host of Elysse Speaks, a YouTube channel about her experiences learning multiple languages (including sign language). One of the languages she speaks is German, and I invited her on the podcast to talk about German, what would have been good to know before learning German, and why learning German is like being in a complicated but cool relationship.
Elysse's video that we base our discussion on: What I wish I knew BEFORE learning German
Subscribe to Elysse's YouTube channel: Elysse Speaks
Follow her on Instagram: @elyssespeaks
Elysse's German learning resources:
* The Easy German podcast
* italki: Learn a language online
* German Grammar Drills by Ed Swick
* Learn German on Lingolia
*ASK A GERMAN: SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS*
I have lined up three "qualified" Germans (i.e. they're German) to answer your questions! So if you have a question (or questions) that you have been wanting to ask Germans but never have, now's the time! Get in touch and send me your questio…
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Oct 5, 2020
The attraction of Munich, the versatility of “Doch!”, and environmentalism in Germany (Sarah from Canada)
Sarah from Canada came to Munich 4 years ago to get her Masters degree. At first the plan was to stay two years (which at the time she felt was too long). But soon she fell in love with Munich and found many reasons to stay. Sarah discusses those reasons with me, as well as how she went about learning German, the magic of the word, "Doch", and her observations of environmentalism in Germany.
Sarah also hosts a podcast about international life with a focus on relationships called Falling Hard, and she has a blog about environmentalism and the economy called Circular Not Infinite. Her Instagram is @Sar.Cotter. You should also follow her podcast on Instagram: @fallinghardpodcast
Later in the episode, I also talk to Kerstin, creator of the German Uncovered story-based language course.
Try out the course for free: Experience Story-Based German Learning for Free
And sign up for German Uncovered: German Uncovered
Note: I am an affiliate partner with Fluent Language (because I like the co…
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Sep 28, 2020
German youth words of 2020 (Nina from Germany)
Every year, the Langenscheidt publishing house searches for the youth word of that year. It's happening again, and Nina from Germany (who previously appeared in the Fasching episode back in February) helps me explain the words and the memes behind them. We also try and figure out if the youth actually uses these words...
The words we discuss: Schabernack, Mittwoch, Sauftrag, Wild, Lost, Köftespiess, Digga, Cringe, and Mashallah
Some links to things we mention in the discussion:
* Langenscheidt's search for 2020's youth word
* Rezo's "Der Zerstörung der CDU" video
* Phillip Amthor's reply to Rezo
* It's Wednesday my dudes viral meme
* Xatar only wants a Köftespiess when he's out of prison
* Lil Lightzkins - Köftespiess
* Can You German? Instagram account
* Alman Memes Instagram account
Follow Nina on Instragram.
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de Lear…
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Sep 21, 2020
Germany and climate change (Patrick Niedermayer from Germany)
For foreigners living in Germany, you might be thinking that you live in a country that is doing a lot to combat global warming. After all, Germany signed the Paris Agreement, and it put together the Klimapaket (climate package). But according to my guest this week, Patrick Niedermayer, Germany isn't doing enough.
This episode is a deep dive into what climate change is, what Germany has done (and why it isn't sufficient), and what foreigners living in Germany can do about the situation.
Patrick’s blog (German): https://patrick-niedermayer.de/blog
Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickndmr/
Get involved on 25th September 2020 and join a Fridays for Future demonstration near you!
*Key take-aways from my discussion with Patrick:*
* The CO2 in our atmosphere has increased exponentially since the industrial revolution: the increase in the last 100 years is the same as the increase in the previous 10.000 years.
* It’s not too late to limit the increase in avera…
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Sep 18, 2020
BONUS - Recent German history, and escaping East Berlin by pretending to be a swan (Emma from the USA)
In this outtake from my interview with Emma from the USA, we discuss recent German history, and how to win freedom by pretending to be a swan.
Follow Emma on Instagram
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Sep 14, 2020
Emma dances here (Emma from the USA)
Emma is a dancer who moved from New York City to Berlin. Even though Berlin is a big city, she still has to adjust to the slower pace of life here. She also discusses why there is more freedom to be adventurous with your career in Germany, why Germany is attractive to performing artists, the Visa that allows her to be here, and what you gain when you open yourself up to learning a new language.
Follow Emma on Instagram.
The 639 year organ musical composition: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/05/slowly-does-it-chord-changes-in-639-year-long-organ-piece
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de Learn German with German Uncovered
A comprehensive German course for beginners, where you learn German through an exciting story.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
*Instag…
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Sep 7, 2020
Everything changes all the time: finding your place in Germany (Shaked from Israel)
Shaked moved from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Germany to take the next step in her dance career: a move to dance management or production. But does she want to leave the actual dancing aspect behind? And how can she adapt when the German city she lives in doesn't necessarily give her the career opportunities she is looking for?
Shaked talks us through the crossroads that she finds herself at now. We also discuss having a German partner as a portal into German culture, and how the Israeli culture might be even more direct than the German culture...
Find Shaked on Facebook
Read about the dance concept Shaked mentioned: Gaga
Website for the classes Shaked gives in Karlsruhe: https://www.gimor.net/
The article on English Post about me: Life Out Loud
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegerman…
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Sep 1, 2020
RERUN: Living abroad teaches us the power of connections (Anna from Canada)
Originally released on September 4th, 2019 (episode #14).
Anna Noakes Schulze from Canada presented a TEDx talk called “Living Abroad Teaches Us the Power of Connections”, and in it she tells her own expat story to demonstrate how those that we make connections with shape our lives and who we are, even if we don't live near them. This will resonate with many expats, and so I invited her to come on the show.
In this interview, she expands on the TEDx talk to reveal her wisdom and insights that describe the expat experience. She discusses the question of identity, learning German too fast, raising special needs children in Germany, and of course, the talk itself.
Anna’s Website: https://www.sunflowerux.com/
Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanoakesschulze/
JOIN THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP
Visit the official The Germany Experience website.
Mail me: info(at)thegermanyexperience.de
Contact me on my website: https://www.thegermanyexperience.de/contact/S…
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Aug 24, 2020
RERUN: Discussing German stereotypes with Nicole from The Expat Cast
Originally released on October 20th, 2019 (episode #20).
Are Germans really efficient? Do they like order? Are they as punctual as everyone says they are? Nicole, a US expat living in Germany and the host of The Expat Cast, helps me confirm or bust common stereotypes and cliches about Germans.
Find Nicole:
The Expat Cast podcast
The Expat Cast on Instagram
Mail Nicole: theexpatcast@gmail.com
JOIN THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP
Visit the official The Germany Experience website.
Mail me: info(at)thegermanyexperience.de
Contact me on my website: https://www.thegermanyexperience.de/contact/https://www.thegermanyexperience.de/contact/Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Aug 17, 2020
RERUN: Teaching English, Learning Languages, and Raising Bilingual Children in Germany (Lori from USA)
Originally released on July 2nd, 2019 (episode #6).
Lori from USA has been teaching English in Germany for almost 40 years, so it’s not surprising that she has a thing or two to say about learning new languages. In fact, her language pedigree goes back to even before she moved to Germany, when she was a German high school teacher in the States.
In this interview, Lori’s wisdom and wit shine through as she discusses how she got started teaching in Germany at a Volkshochschule, how speaking a language doesn’t necessarily mean you understand the culture, the importance of good pronunciation when learning a second language, and raising children in a bilingual household.
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Mail me: info(at)thegermanyexperience.de
Contact me on my website: https://www.thegermanyexperience.de/contact/Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://theger…
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Aug 12, 2020
An update on my hospital visit, and audio logs from my hospital room
I spent two nights in hospital recently, and during my stay, I recorded several audio logs about my experience. You can hear them in this bonus episode.
Since I won't be able to edit the podcast while I recover, I will be putting out some 2019 episodes over the next few weeks.
Thank you to everyone who has messaged me well-wishes!
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Aug 3, 2020
German culture: The top 10 selling musical artists in Germany (Craig from Scotland)
In order to better understand the music tastes of Germans, Craig from Scotland joins me to look at the top 10 selling musical artists in Germany. This includes German and international acts who have sold the most albums since the BVMI started certifying albums back in 1975.
You can find the list on Wikipedia. To better get to know the German acts on this list, I put together a YouTube and Spotify playlist:
* Top German acts playlist on YouTube
* Top German acts playlist on Spotify
The bands and artists we discuss:
* Helene Fischer
* Marius Müller-Westernhagen
* Madonna
* Queen
* Die Toten Hosen
* Rolf Zuckowski
* Phil Collins
* Peter Maffay
* Herbert Grönemeyer
We also discuss Craig's path to Germany, and he gives us some of his own recommendations of German bands you should check out:
* Raindance Kid
* Jonas Künner
* Children of Boredom
* M and the Congregation
Subscribe to Craig's podcast:
* On Apple
* On Spotify
Follow Craig on Instagram…
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Jul 27, 2020
African abroad (Tania from Kenya)
Tania was born in Kenya and has lived in five different African countries. After a short time in Thailand, she’s landed up in Germany, and she feels like this is somewhere she can stay for a longer time.
Some of the reasons for this include feeling safer in Germany than in Kenya, and having the safety net of social help that is available in Germany. And yet, despite her contentment in Germany, her heart still belongs to Kenya. Talking with Tania, it’s clear that Kenya is still very much a part of her identity.
She explains how, in her early times in Germany, she realized that she was in danger of losing her own identity as she integrated into the culture, and that she looked for ways to stay true to her roots. One way she does this on a daily basis is by giving back to Africa as much as possible.
She does it through several projects: Swahili Secrets is a travel service where you can book tours and safaris in Kenya. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has just about stopped tourism, and so T…
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Jul 20, 2020
Sandals and socks, making friends with Germans, and "selfishly" staying in Germany (Amy from the USA)
Amy always had a dream of living in Germany, and even happened to marry someone who felt the same way. So living here has kind of been a dream come true. And generally, Amy is really happy here -- she admits that she was "right" about wanting to live here.
But making friends with Germans is one aspect that has been a challenge. Amy is sociable and outgoing, and has done everything you're supposed to do to integrate yourself: take part in local events, be open, and seek out social situations. Add to this the fact the American friends she meets here always end up leaving, and it's easy to see why she feels that building a community is difficult.
We discuss these difficulties with making real connections with Germans. Amy also talks about how she sometimes feels a bit "selfish" having made the decision to stay in Germany, and we cover her very controversial views on sandals and socks.
Amy's blog post about things she prefers in Germany: The Ways: Part Zwei
Follow Amy on Instagram: htt…
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Jul 13, 2020
Just a diplomatic spouse (Alexandra from Romania)
Being the spouse of a diplomat comes with a very specific lifestyle: you move around a lot, you don't stay in a country for long, and you never know where you'll be moved to next.
Alexandra Paucescu is a Romanian married to a diplomat, and she has been based in Germany for several years. We discuss what a day in her life is like, whether or not she regrets giving up a management career for her current role, how she suffered from mild depression in her early time in Germany, and also gives some advice that doesn't just apply to diplomats, but to any foreigner moving from country to country.
We also discuss her self-published book, "Just a Diplomatic Spouse", that is, in her words, "a diary, a book on diplomatic etiquette, lifestyle and travel blog, ALL IN ONE".
Purchase the book from Amazon: Just a Diplomatic Spouse
Find Alexandra on social media:
* Instagram
* Facebook
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: **https://thegermanyexper…
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Jul 6, 2020
Singing schlager music in Germany, and misogyny in the music industry (Sarah Jane Scott from the USA)
Sarah Jane Scott is an American who has had success as a Schlager singer in Germany. But how does an English-speaking "Ausländer" become a Schlager star?
Sarah Jane explains her path to Germany and her Schlager success, talks about what it’s like to be a Schlager singer, and about how she is currently evaluating her next steps. We go into the unhealthy record label/artist relationship, and talk about systemic misogyny and exploitation in the music industry.
Sarah Jane Scott's Instagram: Sarah Jane Scott
Sarah Jane Scott's Wikipedia page (German): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Jane_Scott
Some Sarah Jane Scott songs we mentioned in the interview:
Sarah Jane Scott - I Love You (I'll Tell You In a Song)
Sarah Jane Scott - Was War Los Gestern Nacht?
Heino, Sarah Jane Scott - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Sarah Jane Scott's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsgDkhwCUwy2Qiz2Dwbj4Qg
Heino: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heino
Some big Schlager artists:
Helene…
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Jun 29, 2020
A southern liberal in Germany, running a coffee shop, and casual German racism (Christy from the USA)
Christy is a southern liberal who opened a coffee shop in Germany. Over a Pfälzer Weinschorle, she discusses how she tried to integrate herself the “right” way, how Germany is not the best country for special needs children, not going back to the States for 10 years, and how Germans are racist in a “I didn’t mean anything by it” kind of way. We also talk about her coffee shop.
Find Christy on Instagram: ChristyTheExpat and ChristysCoffee.de
Durian fruit causes evacuation of a post office: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/23/smelly-durian-fruit-evacuation-bavarian-post-office
Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: https://thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de…
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Jun 22, 2020
Trilingualism, switching between languages, and Italian words adopted by German (Carmen from Italy)
Carmen is a trilingual Italian living in Munich, Germany. She speaks Italian, German and English fluently, and joins me to discuss her path to becoming trilingual, how she balances three languages, and the effects of learning multiple languages on her native language. We also talk about Italian words that German has adopted - and subsequently used in different ways to the original Italian meanings.
Carmen also hosts two podcasts. She has an Italian one called Crucchi o Terroni siamo tutti Fannulloni, and a German one called Farbe der Nation. Farbe der Nation focuses on topics of identity, discrimination and racism in Germany.
The list of German podcasts that discuss issues of race and discrimination:
https://neleheise.de/2020/06/06/listening-in/?fbclid=IwAR0fbHLFzPEhA1GUGCoTY6TdeY0GlKyuKClxRQyfuLQxzHMsdP5vhtgs880
Follow Carmen's podcasts on Instagram:
Farbe der Nation
Crucchi o Terroni siamo tutti Fannulloni
Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my socia…
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Jun 15, 2020
The 5 phases of culture shock (Beth from the USA)
Beth from the USA moved to Germany to be with her husband, and she found that her adjustment period resembled the 5 stages of culture shock very closely. We talk about how she dealt with each stage, and where she is now on the curve. We also talk about how fencing is actually the perfect coronavirus sport. And, her cat makes an appearance.
Read the blog post that we reference in the interview:* *The 5 phases of culture shock and how to go through smoothly* *
Follow Beth on Instagram.
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: **thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe*
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jun 9, 2020
Broken systems, turning points, and racism in Germany (Jessica from Germany)
Jessica is a German African American who has lived in Germany since she was in kindergarten. She joins me for this episode to discuss the recent events that started with George Floyd, and the racism that she deals with on a regular basis here in Germany.
Follow Jessica on Instagram.
The Trevor Noah video I mention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media*: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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May 30, 2020
One year anniversary live stream - recorded 29th May 2020
Recorded from a Facebook live stream to celebrate one year of The Germany Experience podcast. I answer listener questions, list my top 5 highlights of having a podcast, and talk to previous guests on the show.
Dwight's YouTube show: I, Skylab
Follow Nina on Instagram.
Follow Sisy the Hamster on Instagram.
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media*: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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May 25, 2020
You go me on the cookie! (Dana Newman from Wanted Adventure)
Dana Newman from the Wanted Adventure YouTube channel joins me to discuss her book, "You go me on the cookie!". The book (written in German) describes Dana's adventures (and misadventures) learning German, and also highlights the quirks and beauty of the German language. It was written for German native speakers, but it is definitely relatable for anyone who has learnt German at any level. So I got Dana on the podcast to discuss her book, the German language, and her YouTube channel.
To see the postcard that Dana refers to in the interview about how German is not orderly, click here.
"You go me on the cookie!" is available in bookstores in Germany as well as online (also on Amazon) - as paperback and Ebook: https://www.randomhouse.de/Taschenbuch/You-go-me-on-the-cookie/Dana-Newman/Goldmann-TB/e536279.rhd
Wanted Adventure YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/wantedadventure
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wantedadventure/
Website: https://www.dananewman.de/
*Links to more Th…
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May 18, 2020
Seven months as an exchange student in Germany (Montana Showalter from the USA)
Montana Showalter was an American high school student who went on an exchange program to Germany (called CBYX). At around the same time, she started a YouTube channel intended to document her experiences in Germany. Little did she know that her channel was about to blow up. In our interview, Montana discusses the differences in culture between the US and Germany, how coronavirus cut her Germany stay short, how Germany changed her, and of course, her YouTube success.
Watch her videos: Montana Showalter's YouTube channel
Two of her videos we mention in the interview:
* "Who am I?" - A Personal Essay From My Exchange Year
* Forced To Leave Germany (Statement Of Departure)
Montana on Instagram: Montana.Showalter
The exchange program Montana was on: CBYX CIEE
The festival in Passau that Montana mentioned: Passauer Dult
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media*: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
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May 10, 2020
Learning German with apps, and working in the video games industry (Thomas from the UK)
Thomas Cartwright is originally from the UK, and landed up in Hamburg working for a video games developer called InnoGames. He explains why a company like InnoGames is a good fit for foreigners looking for opportunities in Germany. He also discusses his path to Germany, learning German through Memrise, and receiving angry letters from German neighbors.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Xing.
Look at opportunities at InnoGames: https://www.innogames.com/career/
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media*: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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May 4, 2020
Traveling with teenagers, and interrupted travel plans (Linda from the USA)
Travelteening is a blog that gives travel advice for traveling with teens. The blogger behind it, Linda from the USA, joins me to discuss the value her family sees in traveling, their three-year-plan to give their children the chance to experience travel in Europe, some insights into traveling with teens, and how they're dealing with the loss of travel freedom that the coronavirus has caused.
Linda's blog: Travelteening
Practical tips for traveling with teens: How to (Nearly) Master Traveling with Teens
Follow Linda on Instagram and Facebook.
*Other notes:*
* Hairdressers are open again: https://m.dw.com/en/germanys-hair-salons-set-to-open-for-business/a-53297699
* Thousands march in Stuttgart in protest with coronavirus measures: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/corona-beschraenkungen-grossdemonstration-in-stuttgart-a-da9b207a-7018-4c9a-9219-b8930fce158d
* The coronavirus post: https://thegermanyexperience.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/corona-freedom.jpg
Links to m…
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Apr 28, 2020
German culture: The top 10 grossing German movies (Dominik from the Ach! podcast)
A good way to explore Germany's culture is through its movies. And what better way to do that than to look at the German movies that have had the most success in Germany?
But you'll be surprised at the movies that the Germans have flocked to see at the cinemas! In fact, think of the most famous German movie you know. I can almost guarantee that whatever movie you're thinking of is not in the top 10.
Dominik, one of the hosts of the German podcast Ach!, joins me to discuss the list, to explain how the top 4 movies are all related, and to speculate about what the top 10 reveals about German culture. See the full list of movies on the Inside Kino site.
Here are the notes from our discussion with links to the celebrities and movies we mentioned:
* Ach! podcast: https://das-a.ch/
* Otto Waalkes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Waalkes
* Loriot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loriot
* Top 10 domestic films: https://www.insidekino.com/DJahr/DAlltimeDeutsch50.htm
* Schulmädche…
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Apr 23, 2020
Homebrewing beer (Greg & Brigida)
The guest in the previous episode, Greg, is a homebrewing enthusiast, and he talks about his adventures and misadventures brewing beer. He also discusses his website, Brew Wizard, that helps you create recipes and gives detailed instructions on how to brew beer.
https://www.brew-wizard.com/
*Connect with Greg on Twitter: **https://twitter.com/cainde9**
*Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Apr 21, 2020
From USA to Germany, California style (Greg from USA and Brigida from Germany)
When Greg and Brigida decided to move from California to Germany, they did it with just a small amount of money and two dogs. And they were met with adversity from almost the moment they arrived. This is their story of how they made their time in Germany work. We also talk about life with small kids, what it's like to move to another country when you suffer from anxiety, and German beer.
*Connect with Greg on Twitter: **https://twitter.com/cainde9**
Greg's brewing recipe site: **https://www.brew-wizard.com/*
*Other notes:*
* Spargel (asparagus) drive-through in Brandenburg: https://twitter.com/rbb24/status/1249718683330633731?s=20
* My guest appearance on the Desi In Wonderland YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/7-fSWHmF3tE
Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the…
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Apr 13, 2020
BONUS - Poetry in Berlin, feminism, and diversity (Deenara from Russia)
Deenara from Russia appeared in episode 38, about mental health in Germany. However, her original interview with Berlin-based journalist Daria Sukharchuk also included her talking about her time in Germany. Here is the rest of that interview.
Interview recorded and edited by Daria Sukharchuk.
Deenara's Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/snumri
Daria also has her own podcast: Crafts and People Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Apr 6, 2020
Some German idioms (Steph Fuccio from USA)
Steph Fuccio, host of the Geopats podcast, is new to Germany and to the German language. So as a new learner, I thought it would be fun to throw some German idioms at her and see if she could figure them out. If you're new to the German language (or even if you are not), it's fun to listen along and see if you can guess them, too.
*STEPH'S NOTES:*
* Visit Steph's website for all her projects: stephfuccio.com
* Steph's Podcast Review Day initiative: #PodRevDay
* The Geopats episode about Steph queuing outside the Ausländeramt at 1am: Episode 115
* If you're looking for other expat podcasts, here's Steph's curated list on Podchaster: Expat Podcasts
*OTHER NOTES:*
* Portal for providing or getting services helpful to foreigners in Germany: My Help Buddy
* Nicole of The Expat Cast's initiative to help foreigners understand local coronavirus news and announcements: Translation help during the coronavirus crisis
* Link to the review of my show on Podchaser: https://www.pod…
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Mar 30, 2020
Dealing with depression in Germany (Deenara from Russia)
How do you recognize that you are depressed? How do you seek out therapy and other help for depression in Germany? And what if you are from a culture that has a stigma towards mental health issues and therapy?
Deenara, who is from Republic of Tatarstan in Russia, is a tech professional and poet living in Berlin. In an interview with journalist Daria Sukharchuk, she gives some insights into these questions and more as she describes her experiences dealing with depression after arriving in Germany.
In the second part of the episode, we hear from Marita Helkimo, a Frankfurt-based therapist whose focus is immigrants living in Germany.
*Show Notes
*The interview with Deenara was recorded and edited by Daria Sukharchuk, a journalist in Berlin. Connect with Daria on Twitter and Facebook.
* Deenara's Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/snumri
* The antidepressant drug Deenara mentioned: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citalopram
* The health insurance Deenara is on: https://www.tk.d…
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Mar 23, 2020
Being a TV anchor, online weirdos, and stereotypes about Russian women (Daria from Russia)
Daria, originally from Moscow, Russia, is working as a freelance journalist in Germany. She helped me put an upcoming episode about mental health together, and I wanted to introduce her first.
We discuss her role as a TV anchor for OstWest TV, online critics, stalker problems, and stereotypes some people have about Russian women.
Connect with Daria on Facebook. She is also on Twitter.
Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Mar 16, 2020
Coronavirus and COVID-19 in Germany (with Nicole from The Expat Cast and Steph from Geopats)
Since COVID-19 in Germany got "real" on Friday 13th March, I felt I had to discuss it. And who better than to discuss it with than two other podcasters: Nicole from The Expat Cast and Steph from Geopats.
We cover our personal situations, fake news, coping with the heaviness of a pandemic, how people should stay home, and just our general feelings about what is happening.
Things are changing pretty fast right now, so this discussion was recorded just before Germany ordered a lot of institutions to shut down.
Stay home and wash your hands!
Find Nicole on Instagram and Twitter.
Find Steph at https://www.stephfuccio.com/, on Instagram and on Twitter.
Links to more The Germany Experience episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
Y…
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Mar 9, 2020
Leaving Germany after a decade (Natalie from the UK)
What is it that makes someone who has lived in Germany for over a decade decide that it's time to go back "home"? Natalie is originally from the UK, and is now making the decision to leave Germany after 11 years. She explains how she got to this point.
She also discusses the importance of using meetups to learn German and meet people, the things she won't miss, why people have to give way to the right on the roads here in Germany, and...jousting.
Natalie is Prattilicious (!!!) on Instagram and Eat With Your Belly on Facebook. Read her old blog posts on Eat With Your Belly.
Coronavirus: Edeka has a survival pack and an ice cream dealer in Munich has a novel new flavor.
Links to episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTub…
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Mar 2, 2020
Finding yourself in a second language: language and identity (Steph from Germany)
Steph is from Bavaria, and moved to the UK when she was in her 20s before ending up in Austin, Texas. She learned to speak English at a native-speaker level, and found that it just suited her.
Because she's got a fantastic command of both German and English, she has a lot of insights about being bilingual and about expressing one's self in different languages. In my chat with her, we discuss how it's possible to have different personalities in the different languages we speak, how German isn't as harsh as many people think it is, and how moving abroad influences our identity.
Steph has also just launched a podcast based on her blog Transcontinental Overload: https://transcontinentaloverload.com/podcast/
The blog post that we discuss in our chat: Multiple Languages - Multiple Personalities?
Links to episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.…
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Feb 22, 2020
Moving after 40, sensationalist media, and loneliness in Germany (Klaus from Brazil)
Klaus was born in Brazil before spending the first 12 years of his life in Germany. After returning to Brazil, he remained in touch with the German language and the culture.
By the time he decided to move back to Germany in his early 40s, he was still fluent in German and understood what made the Germans tick. He thought this would make integration easy, but in fact, it did not. Klaus discusses finding a job in Germany, photoshopping CV photos, losing a job, why you should avoid German sensationalist media, and experiencing loneliness.
You can connect with Klaus on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Give me a 5-star review to balance out the angry 1-star review: The Germany Experience on Apple Podcasts
Links to episodes, my newsletter, and my social media: thegermanyexperience.de/subscribe
Listen to my guest appearance on The Expat Experience podcast.
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.ge…
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Feb 20, 2020
A German experiences the Ausländerbehörde (Nina from Germany)
While recording the episode about Carnival in Germany, Nina told a story about the time she had to deal with the same office that foreigners know all too well: the Auslanderbehörde Amt (foreigner's office).
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Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Feb 16, 2020
Carnival/Fasching in Germany: "pomp and splendor" (Nina from Germany)
It's the middle of Carnival (also known as Fasching or Fastnacht, depending on where in Germany you are). I am not a big fan of it, and so I got a real live German who IS a fan of it to come on the show and explain to me why she loves it.
We brush up on the origins of Carnival, we discuss some of the traditions around it, and Nina tells me of her memories of Carnival. Oh, and I rant about why I hate Carnival so much...
You'll also probably want to stick around for Nina's Döner story...
Here is Nina's Snow Queen outfit from her childhood.
The article about Fasching we referenced: What is Fasching?
An article from Deutsche Welle: The Historical Roots of Carnival in Germany
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Feb 9, 2020
A serial expat in Germany (Amy from Canada)
Amy is the host of The Expat Experience podcast. She has landed up in Germany after spending time in Vietnam and China, and in our interview she discusses how she's learning German, what it's like making German friends, and if she regards Germany as her final destination.
The Elbphilharmonie building in Hamburg: https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/de/
Find Amy on Instagram and Facebook. Visit her website: https://www.theexpatexperience.org/
Vlad's Romanian expat podast: Diasporacast
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Feb 2, 2020
Motivated to adapt by painful social moments (Sindy from Hong Kong)
(This is the podcast previously known as Expat Life Germany.
In the first few years in Germany, things weren't always easy for Sindy from Hong Kong. As is the experience of many foreigners living abroad, she faced painful and difficult moments. And it was exactly these moments that drove her to not only adapt and learn the language, but also to thrive.
Sindy's Blog: My Life In Germany
Find her on:
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Instagram
*JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **The Germany Experience website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jan 27, 2020
Announcement: Renaming the show to The Germany Experience from 1 February 2020
The podcast will have a new name from 1 February 2020! Not much is going to change other than the name, so it'll still be the same show you subscribed to. Here's the announcement about why I'm renaming, and what the show will be focusing on in the future.Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jan 20, 2020
Classic German movies: Loriot's Pappa Ante Portas
You can learn a lot about a culture by watching its movies, which is why I've decided to start watching some classic German movies. I'll discuss why the movie I have chosen is important to German culture, whether it's a good movie for learning German from, and whether or not it's worth your time.
The first movie I am covering is Loriot's Pappa Ante Portas. Loriot was a cartoonist, a sketch comedian, and a movie maker, and he was a giant in German comedy.
Show notes:
* Dominik's history podcast (Deutsch): Ach?
* The 40 Percent German blog post: The German Society of Auto-Correction
* Wikipedia entry for Loriot: Loriot
* Wikipedia entry for the movie: Pappa Ante Portas
* A few of my favorite YouTube sketches from Loriot that I have seen:
* Sie Haben Da Was
* Kosakenzipfel mit Zitronencremebällchen
* Loriot: Eheberatung, Paartherapie
* The movie on Netflix: Pappa Ante Portas
Have you watched the movie? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook group:
*JOIN THE EXPA…
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Jan 12, 2020
SOFA status, growing a thicker skin, and tracking a stolen phone with the Polizei (Audrey & Zach from USA)
Audrey and Zach met while in the USA. When Zach, a cartographer, moved to Germany on a SOFA status (Status of Forces Agreement), they first attempted a long-distance relationship before Audrey joined him later in Germany. Take a listen to their story, which involves cuckoo clocks, a ride in the back of a German police car, and how to watch a TV show together on different continents.
We also discuss a blog post that Audrey wrote called "Growing a Thicker Skin", and she opens up about fitting into German culture as a bubbly, open person.
The app Audrey and Zach used while living apart: Couple
The therapy service Audrey uses: BetterHelp
Website for organizing meet-ups with people: https://www.meetup.com/
Audrey's blog: https://www.a-broad.com/
Zach's blog: https://zachsyearingermany.wordpress.com/
*JOIN THE EXPAT LIFE GERMANY FACEBOOK GROUP**
Visit the official **Expat Life Germany website**.*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://theg…
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Jan 4, 2020
Making German candy, learning German history, and growing up as a third culture kid in Bavaria (Travis J. Dow)
Travis J. Dow is a host of the History of Germany podcast (and several other podcasts, too). Originally from Oregon, USA, he spent his formative years in Bavaria, Germany. Later he moved to Prague, Czech Republic for 10 years, before moving back to USA. He's a third culture kid, history nerd, and has an affinity for Germany. I caught up with him in Hamburg to discuss his plan of learning how to make candy in Germany, as well as what it was like growing up as a third culture kid.
Discover all of Travis' podcasts and projects on the Podcastnik website and subscribe to the Podcastnik Productions YouTube channel. Follow Travis on Twitter.
If you want to help Travis with his plan to make candy, donate to his GoFundMe campaign.
*Show notes:*
* The podcast about Toby's trans-gender journey: What's In Your Pants podcast
* Past Access, a show about exploring tourist sites in a wheelchair
* Learning about German history through podcasts:
* The Eastern Border
* The History of WWII…
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Jan 3, 2020
FEGEPADFO Charity Challenge - Final Wrap-Up
Nicole from The Expat Cast and I went head-to-head in December 2019 to see who could raise the most donations for our chosen charities.
Together we raised 350 euros...140 euros went to Nicole's charity of choice, Women's Worth Inc., while 210 euros went to my chosen charity, Lebenshilfe in Bad Windsheim.
I'll let you do the math (*cough* I won!) :)
Thanks to everyone who donated, and thanks to Nicole for being such a great sport. Let's do it again in December 2020!Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Dec 23, 2019
Missing holiday traditions from home, making new traditions, and fireworks on New Year's Eve
For foreigners living in Germany, the holidays are a time that we recreate traditions from our home countries, adopt German traditions, and start new ones. I take a look at how my Christmas experience in Germany has been, and compare it to my summer South African Christmases.
Luminaria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminaria
Wherever you might be, and whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, something else, or nothing at all, may your holiday season be peaceful.
Thanks for listening in 2019 and stay tuned for more guests and stories in 2020.
*JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Dec 15, 2019
Unhappy in Germany (S from India)
*Donate to my cause in the expat podcasters charity challenge (aka #FEGEPADFO): **Donate to Lebenshilfe Bad Windsheim**
*Germany offers a lot of opportunities, but it's also known as a difficult country to integrate into. What happens when the German dream becomes a nightmare? My guest this week (who asked to remain anonymous) is from India, and he has experienced rude government officials, losing a job because he wasn't a native speaker, difficult neighbors, and even blatant racism. Because of these experiences, his views on Germany are not positive. In our interview, we discuss his experiences and opinions of the country and its people.*
*Greta Thunberg's "feud" with Deutsche Bahn: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/15/greta-thunberg-in-twitter-spat-with-german-rail-firm
*Join the **Expat Life Germany mailing list**.*
*Discuss your opinions on this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**!
Visit the official podcast website: **Expat Life Germany**
*
Sup…
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Dec 7, 2019
The German Freelance Visa (James from LiveWorkGermany.com)
*Donate to my cause in the expat podcasters charity challenge (aka #FEGEPADFO): **Donate to Lebenshilfe Bad Windsheim**
*
For many people who are planning to come to Germany, the Freelance Visa might be the way to go. It allows you to provide freelance services in Germany, and you don't need an official job offer to get it. But how do you get it? And is it suitable for your goals?
I am joined by the very knowledgeable James Meads of LiveWorkGermany.com, who explains what the German Freelance Visa is, who can get it, how to apply, and what you need to know about it.
Live Work Germany is also offering an online Freelance Visa course. You can also find LiveWorkGermany on Facebook and YouTube.
*Join the **Expat Life Germany mailing list**.*
*Discuss your opinions on this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**!
Visit the official podcast website: **Expat Life Germany*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperi…
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Dec 2, 2019
How Germany changed us (Jibran from Pakistan)
Jibran runs the Desi in Wonderland YouTube channel. He's originally from Pakistan and has been living in Germany for 5 years, so we decided to discuss how Germany has changed us. In the process, I learned a lot more than I expected about Pakistani culture. Find Jibran on Instagram and Facebook.
Also in this episode: Introducing FEGEPADFO (First Ever German Expat Podcast Advent Donation Face-Off), where I go up against my sworn rival, Nicole from The Expat Cast, in a battle to see who can raise the most money for charity. To see our selected charities and find out more information, go to the FEGEPADFO page.
*Discuss your opinions on this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**!
Visit the official podcast website: **Expat Life Germany*Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music b…
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Nov 18, 2019
A Berliner, a Hamburger, a Neapolitan, and a world citizen (Liliana from Italy)
Liliana is from Naples, Italy, and has lived in Germany for 7 years. She recently got her citizenship, and discusses how that happened. We also cover her reason for choosing Germany, why she'd struggle to return to Italy, and she compares Hamburg and Berlin with Naples.
Subscribe to Liliana's YouTube channel: Lils Around
Liliana on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
*Discuss your opinions on this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**!
Visit the official podcast website: **Expat Life Germany**
*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Nov 3, 2019
Being far from family when losing someone, making friends through team sports, and security in Germany (Rafael from Brazil)
One of my best friends in Germany, Rafael from Brazil, experienced loss when his father passed away, and talks about how he coped dealing with that being far from his family.
He's also a handball player, and he had the chance to make German friends through his love of the sport.
We also discuss learning languages, Bulgarian wedding dance traditions, and more.
Majestic handball Rafael:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSvnfjflJgR0f4nq-mjwHYcNRVdXQFuVk7MqKA0/?igshid=uouuiaedbbd3
World Index tweet: most dangerous countries
Bulgarian wedding dance: https://youtu.be/Bv8BRPO-EyU?t=37
*Discuss your opinions on this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**! *Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Oct 20, 2019
Discussing German stereotypes with Nicole from The Expat Cast
Are Germans really efficient? Do they like order? Are they as punctual as everyone says they are? Nicole Palazzo, a US expat living in Germany and the host of The Expat Cast, helps me confirm or bust common stereotypes and cliches about Germans.
*Discuss your opinions on these stereotypes in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**! *And also: let us know of any we missed, or ones that might be common in your area of Germany.*
*The cult British show that Germans watch every year on New Year's Eve: Dinner for One
*Find Nicole:*
The Expat Cast podcast
The Expat Cast on Instagram
Mail Nicole: theexpatcast@gmail.com
*Expat Life Germany:*
Facebook page
Facebook group
Website
Instagram
Twitter
*
*
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Oct 12, 2019
Being an English-Speaking Writer in Germany, Bringing a Pet to Germany, and "The God Queen" (Mari from USA)
Mari is a US expat living in Germany. She's also a writer and an avid pug fan. She discusses what it's like being an English-speaking writer in Germany, her book "The God Queen", and how to bring a dog from USA into Germany.
To win a signed copy of "The God Queen", find the episode post on one of the Expat Life Germany social media channels and follow the instructions:
Expat Life Germany Facebook (share the episode post and message the Expat Life Germany account to let me know)
Expat Life Germany Instragram (tag a friend or friends on the episode post)
Expat Life Germany Twitter (retweet the episode post)
Doing the above will enter you into the draw to win the book. You can be entered once for each platform, so that means you can be entered a maximum of three times. I'll do the draw on 22 October and announce the winner on the show on 28 October.
Find Mari:* *
The Adventures of La Mari on YouTube
M.L Tishner blog (her writing site)
Advetures of La Mari blog (her travel adventures)…
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Oct 6, 2019
The "Why" Has to be Right (Vlad from Romania)
*Discuss this episode in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**! *
Vlad from Romania was tired of the political situation in Romania, and made the choice to move to Germany. But, unlike many Romanians who emigrate to western Europe, integration is easier for him since he's highly educated and already knows German. But is integration always a choice? We talk about why Romanians have a bad reputation in Germany and how Germany offers a better life for many eastern Europeans.
We also look into the latest Internations Expat Insider Report and find that Germany is not in the Top 10 of the top expat destinations in 2019.
Listen to my guest appearance on the Geopats podcast with Steph Fuccio: Geopats #66
Visit expatlifegermany.de for more episodes and blog posts. Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcas…
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Sep 29, 2019
Article 116 (Michael from USA)
Michael Silberman lives in the USA, but Germany is certainly intertwined with his life over there. His parents left Nazi Germany (and were stripped of their German citizenship) to start a new life in the States, and this heritage led to a fascination with Germany. Michael spent some time in Murnau am Staffelsee and Augsburg back in the 80s, when he studied German at the Goethe Institute. More recently, he became a German when he got his dual citizenship through Article 116, which restores German citizenship to families of those who had their citizenship revoked during the Third Reich.
Michael has also founded a few companies, was once a professional bepop jazz guitarist (he played with jazz legend Joe Pass), and gets tattoos with famous basketball players. In our interview we discuss what 80s Germany was like, the differences to modern Germany, and how making mistakes in German can lead to trouble.
Michael Silberman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldsilberman/
Michael'…
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Sep 22, 2019
parkrun Germany
The parkrun concept is simple: you turn up on a Saturday morning and you walk, jog, or run 5km. The best thing? It's free. Since it started in 2004, it has become a global phenomenon. And it's a great thing for expats, too: get out and exercise, and meet new people!
In this episode, I talk to the organizers of the Wöhrder See parkrun in Nürnberg about the concept.
The parkrun website: https://www.parkrun.com/
The parkrun Germany website (in German): https://www.parkrun.com.de/
The Wöhrder See parkrun website (in German): https://www.parkrun.com.de/woehrdersee/
See the blog post and photos here: https://expatlifegermany.de/parkrun-germany
Listen to my guest appearance on The Expat Cast: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-rx6y4-c004f8Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Sep 15, 2019
Defining "Expat"
What exactly is an "expat"? Turns out this question is not as straight forward as Shaun used to think. He goes into some of the problems surrounding the terminology, and also defines his interpretation of it for the podcast.
He also reads out Apple Podcast reviews for the show, talks about some blog posts on the Expat Life Germany website (5 Cultural Things to Expect in a German Workplace and Germans Are Weird About Birthdays), and discusses the traditions around the first day of school in Germany.
The Schultüte: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schult%C3%BCte
Expatriate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate
Steph Fuccio's article about Geopats: https://medium.com/@stephfuccio/geopat-not-expat-df5e229210b7
Steph Fuccio's website: https://www.stephfuccio.com/
The Settle In Berlin article: "Expat" or "Immigrant"?
*Shaun will be appearing on **The Expat Cast** this week!
*Visit Expat Life Germany for more episodes and blog posts.Support the show
*Instagram: *the.ger…
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Sep 10, 2019
BONUS: Social Media and Expats, Charity Work as an Expat, and Friends Moving On
In the last episode, Anna Noakes Schulze dropped so many insights about expat life that I had to edit some of it out. Since it'd be a shame for it to go to waste, I decided to put it in a bonus episode.
Here is more Anna, and we go into detail about social media, how to help others by first taking care of yourself, and why she is not afraid to make connections with people who might be moving on in the future.
Visit Anna's website: https://www.sunflowerux.com/
Ask Anna questions in the Expat Life Germany Facebook group.Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Sep 4, 2019
Living Abroad Teaches Us the Power of Connections (Anna from Canada)
Anna Noakes Schulze from Canada presented a TEDx talk called “Living Abroad Teaches Us the Power of Connections”, and in it she tells her own expat story to demonstrate how those that we make connections with shape our lives and who we are, even if we don't live near them. This will resonate with many expats, and so I invited her to come on the show.
In this interview, she expands on the TEDx talk to reveal her wisdom and insights that describe the expat experience. She discusses the question of identity, learning German too fast, raising special needs children in Germany, and of course, the talk itself.
*Anna Noakes Schulz is in the **Expat Life Germany Facebook group**, so if you have questions about her TEDx talk or her interview on the podcast, you can ask her there!
*Anna’s Website: https://www.sunflowerux.com/
Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanoakesschulze/
The Chrome plugin Anna mentioned for managing your social media feed: Social Fixer
Visit my web…
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Aug 27, 2019
Finding and Getting a Job In Germany
For all the links mentioned in the episode (there are a few!), go to the Finding and Getting a Job in Germany blog post.
I go through some of the ins and outs of getting a job in Germany. To help me, I got Cheryl Howard of cherylhoward.com to discuss her experiences as a job seeker in Berlin (she's interviewed for dozens of jobs). Then Abi from IamExpat.de joins me to discuss what goes in a German Curriculum Vitae, as well as some general tips for writing the document.
I also give you some advice from my own experiences looking for jobs in Germany. And I go through some questions and advice from listeners of the show.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter, and join the Facebook Group to discuss the episode. Visit expatlifegermany.de for other episodes.
Music used in this episode: Until the End by Ryan Anderson, Laid Back Fuzz by Podington Bear, Daybreak by Chad Crouch, and the theme song is “Devil In My Head” by 10 Cent Janes. Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience…
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Aug 12, 2019
Through the Eyes of a Newly-Arrived Expat (Sarah From Syria, Canada, et al)
I first interviewed Sarah back in July for a bonus episode, because she'd almost been caught by a scam. We had such a great discussion that I wanted to have her back on the show, and here she is.
Although Sarah is new in Berlin, she is by no means new to the expat way of life: she has lived in Syria, Canada, Dubai, Malaysia, Japan, and now, Germany. She discusses how her international background has made adapting to new cultures easier, and how she views her identity.
She also gives her initial feelings on Berlin, Germany, Germans, and contrasts life here to life in Japan.
Follow Sarah on Instagram: @slikko
For the blog post about the episode: https://expatlifegermany.de/12
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Aug 6, 2019
Tim From France - Not So Far From Home
Tim Bourguignon is a French citizen who moved to Germany to be with his wife. He describes himself as coming in four flavors: Agile Coach, Chief Learning Officer, Mentoring Advocate, and Public Speaker. He also hosts a podcast called Software Developer’s Journey.
After bad experiences learning German in school, Tim picked up German again years later when he actually moved to the country. In our interview, we discuss how his learning was aided by his colleagues, the Volkshochschule (adult education centers in Germany), and...the Wise Guys. We also cover how he handles three languages at home, some advice for making friends (care of the Holstee manifesto), and keeping in touch with friends and family back home.
Tim's Website: https://www.timbourguignon.fr/
Tim's Podcast (Software Developer's Journey): http://podcast.devjourney.info/Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c…
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Jul 29, 2019
The E-Scooterpocalypse & Feeling Dumb in Germany
There are a lot of people—expats and Germans alike—who are not pleased about the e-scooter situation in big cities since it became legal for them to share bicycle paths and roads. E-scooter riders are apparently fast, reckless, and they just leave them parked anywhere and everywhere. But surely it can't be that bad? I decided to ask around in forums to get a feeling for the zeitgeist at the moment, and it turns out most people are, in fact, annoyed. Very annoyed.
I also discuss how communicating in German with Germans can leave you feeling like they're not experiencing the real "you" (as well as maybe a little stupid).
Plus: I announce the winners of the copies of "From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom" books I was giving away.
Visit the episode blog: https://expatlifegermany.de/10Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegerman…
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Jul 24, 2019
Natalie from Australia - From the Outback to Europe
When learning a new language, it takes a long time before you're able to express yourself and articulate your thoughts, and so it's easy to feel like you're coming across as dumb. This is just one of the topics that Natalie, a stay-at-home mum from Australia, discusses about her time in Germany.
She also discusses her approach to her toddler's language learning, who is a child with an Australian mother and an Italian/German father, and who is growing up in German culture. Plus, Natalie has always needed to be creative, and that's something she needs to align with being a parent and living as an expat in a country where it might not be that easy to move into a creative career.
Visit the official podcast page: expatlifegermany.de
And listen to the show next week when the winners of the "From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom" book will be announced! Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://…
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Jul 16, 2019
Shannon from USA - Church Bells and Bicycles
Meet Shannon from the USA, whose family were expats in Germany from 2009 until 2013. When they returned to the States, they realized their hearts were still in Germany, and so they immediately started making plans to go back.
Shannon talks about falling in love with the German way of life, making compromises for the greater good, and getting out of the expat bubble.
Follow Shannon on Instagram: @churchbellsandbicycles
If you're a woman and an expat living abroad, Shannon would love to hear from you!
Visit the blog post for this episode: Ep.8: Shannon from USA - Church Bells and Bicycles
Join the discussion in the podcast’s Facebook group! Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jul 9, 2019
Arvi From India - Founding a Startup in Germany
Arvi is from India and moved to Germany 5 years ago to complete his studies as an engineer. He did this, but instead of returning home, he moved to Berlin and founded a startup with two other entrepreneurs. His company, MyHelpBuddy, puts expats who need a service or who have a problem in contact with "buddies", who are expats or locals who are able to help.
Arvi discusses the platform and also how to start a company in Germany. He explains the support available—even for foreigners—from institutions such as startup incubators. In his case, Startup Incubator Berlin (from the Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht, or Berlin School of Economics and Law) helped him and his co-founders get the company off the ground.
Try out the platform: MyHelpBuddy.com
Arvi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aravinth-palaniswamy/
Arvi is also the founder of INK Network of Knowledge: https://ink-connect.com/
Join the discussion in the podcast's Facebook group!
*And you can still win a copy of…
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Jul 1, 2019
Lori From USA - Teaching English, Learning Languages, and Raising Bilingual Children in Germany
Lori from USA has been teaching English in Germany for almost 40 years, so it’s not surprising that she has a thing or two to say about learning new languages. In fact, her language pedigree goes back to even before she moved to Germany, when she was a German high school teacher in the States.
In this interview, Lori’s wisdom and wit shine through as she discusses how she got started teaching in Germany at a Volkshochschule, how speaking a language doesn’t necessarily mean you understand the culture, the importance of good pronunciation when learning a second language, and raising children in a bilingual household.
I’d love to have Lori back on a future episode, so if you have questions related to language or culture, we can try benefit from Lori’s wisdom! Send them here: expatlifegermany@gmail.com
Want to discuss this episode? Join the Facebook group and give us your opinion: Expat Life Germany Facebook Group
If you’d like to be on the show yourself: https://expatlife…
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Jul 1, 2019
BONUS: How Sarah Almost Got Scammed
In episode 5, I discussed potential scams aimed at expats. Well, Sarah is a new expat in Berlin who very nearly got caught by an apartment scam. In this bonus episode, she describes her story and explains just how one of these scams is run by the scammers. Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jun 25, 2019
Don't Get Scammed + IamExpat.de Round-Up With Abi
Every month end, I'll take a look at some of the most interesting topics of the previous month. This time, Abi from IamExpat.de joins me with her pick of stories from June 2019.
Also, Shaun runs through the top scams that expats need to be weary of, namely apartment scams, job scams, and financial scams. He also suggests two golden rules to help prevent getting scammed.
For the full show notes and other links: Episode 5: Don't Get Scammed + IamExpat.de Round-Up with Abi
You also still have until July 17th to* win one of two copies of From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom*: just sign up for my newsletter to get entered into the draw! Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jun 18, 2019
The Essential Book for New Expats in Germany
Click here for the full show notes
Buy the book on Amazon: From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom
From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom is a book aimed at new expats in Germany. It provides advice for common situations that expats will find themselves in, like going to the Bürgeramt, finding an apartment, or recycling garbage. It also features a useful vocabulary list for each situation.
Shaun interviews the writers learns why they wrote the book, the process of getting it published, why one of the writers was once the most hated person in Latvia, and how Germans really feel about their pillows.
Visit their website, or follow them on Twitter and on Facebook.
To win one of two copies of the book, sign up to the Expat Life Germany newsletter.
Here's the blog that got Linda O'Grady in trouble: Moving to Riga
And the video that redeemed her: You Want Me To Do What?Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube chan…
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Jun 11, 2019
Noor From Pakistan - Don't Forget Your 'Gungs
Get the show notes on Expat Life Germany: Episode 3 Show Notes
Noor has been in Germany on a student visa for around two and a half years. In this episode, he discusses his difficulties converting to a Blue Card, how it’s easier to make friends with younger Germans, experiencing snow for the first time in his underpants, and he tells the story of a chance meeting with some ultra-right wingers. He also talks about how you need to get the “Gungs” before you can adjust to life in Germany…Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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Jun 4, 2019
Dwight From Australia - Controlling the Transmission
Dwight Steven-Boniecki is an Australian transmission controller, writer, and film maker living in Cologne, Germany. He explains how he ended up in Germany and he shares his advice for expats (it has to do with dealing with the German authorities). He also has a tip for job seekers in Germany: request a straight vodka from the interviewers at the end. Plus: the world premier of a song Dwight co-wrote, called “Who Threw That Rock”, which may or may not be the greatest song ever written.
Shaun also rounds up some other topics that might be of interest to expats: there are proposals to increase the already-too-expensive Rundfunktbeitrag, the FIFA Women’s World Cup starts soon, and E-Scooters may now utilize bicycle paths and streets.
For detailed show notes, go to https://expatlifegermany.de/2
Join the discussion on the podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/699697987116101/?source_id=318414185502643
Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official…
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May 28, 2019
My Expat Story
In the first episode of the Expat Life Germany podcast, Shaun Behrens introduces himself and tells his own expat story. He also discusses the recent EU elections and Germany's strange aversion to credit cards (which might now be changing). See the show notes for more information: https://expatlifegermany.de/1Support the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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May 19, 2019
The Germany Experience Trailer
The Germany Experience is a podcast about experiencing Germany through the eyes of outsiders - like immigrants, expats, tourists, and more. Here is a trailer to give you a taste of the kinds of conversations and stories you'll hear.
Also featuring current topics and discussions about life in Germany as a foreigner, The Germany Experience should be in the podcast players of anyone with an interest in what it's like to live in Germany.
Visit the show's site: Expat Life Germany
Follow on Instagram
Follow the Facebook Page
Follow on TwitterSupport the show
*Instagram: *the.germany.experience
*Official podcast website: *https://thegermanyexperience.de*
YouTube channel: *https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience*
Contact me: *info@thegermanyexperience.de
Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran
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