Oh, Germany! Wohnwagen, Anhänger and Ameisenpulver
My name is Andrea Masini: it sounds very Italian and, indeed, I am Italian! Since September 2012 I have been living in Belgium, where I'm working as a researcher at…
A Franco-German mishmash as a positive side effect
My name is Carmen. I consider myself to be a Francophile German citizen, although apparently I've become more and more French. I cross deserted boulevards while traffic lights are red,…
Germany is more than cars, sausages and Angela Merkel
My name is Julia Henriette Bräuer. I'm born and raised in Germany. However, I moved to France right after leaving my parents' house six years ago and some of my French friends tell…
You can be whoever you want to be
In Berlin you are free, you can be whoever you want to be. There are clearly less barriers and you're at least given a chance to try out something new.…
“You have an (imaginary) emigration-ability-score of x…”
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a „successful“ immigrant? To achieve a decent standard of living even though your education might not be accepted? Is there a…
Building fences is not a solution
My name is Julia and, though I'm German, my husband keeps telling me that I'm more French since I was born on the "left side of Rhine river" in Palatinate.…
A French chef who fell in love with Berlin
Berlin is great! It was a great decision to come to live here. It's not stressful, people are more relaxed and free here. I was 17 years old when I…
The concept of nation state needs an overhaul
There are certain realities in the world we just have to deal with. I don't think there is any viable alternative to having pluralist diverse societies. 'Multiculturalism' is just a…
Less discipline and more creativity
The general rule for all aspects of German society – Ordnung muss sein – shouldn't be taken so seriously. Sometimes less discipline and more creativity ought to be considered. Just picture the life…
Finding a good mentor in a new environment
One of the biggest problems when starting in a new environment is the fact that you don’t have a network. Not having a network almost always means that you don’t…
The aftermath of Friday the 13th November
I woke up on Saturday morning with excitement and high expectations…it was the day I was supposed to go shopping in Paris for my wedding dress. I took a shower,…
Diversity has made me to the person I am
On my last birthday I received good wishes from Italy, Spain and Ireland. On the very same evening my friends who are from many different countries and cultures, who speak…
How to handle German love of paperwork without going crazy?
„I have never received as many letters in my life as now that I live in Germany“ – I have heard this so many times! I have heard that from…
Budge an inch and take an interest in Germany
How do the Germans see their multicultural society, especially in the light of current influx of migrants? I had an opportunity to sit down with my two good German friends…
We are outspoken
People should be open to new experiences, make the best out of life, go explore new countries, learn new languages... But it is also important to be open towards other…
How to find a new destination when life has happened to you?
Sometimes life just happens. You studied something but then the economy spirals down in your home country and there are no jobs. Or you fall in love with somebody and…
Cheering language learners
Have you ever experienced a culture shock? Actually, yes – in the US. I know the US is rather similar to Germany but despite that it is somehow different. The people…
So much to learn from
Living in a multicultural society can be amazing if one is open to it. Different traditions, customs, beliefs, understandings, taboos – so much to learn from and so many ways…
Right to live and think
My name is Mare. I'm from Estonia and I moved abroad about four years ago. If I think back, I even didn't know then why I had to move –…
How to deal with inappropriate questions regarding your intercultural relationship
The other day it happened again... I was sitting in my Portuguese class when one of the classmates started – for some reason or other – talking about her Brazilian…
How to switch to German in your intercultural relationship?
Learning German is a challenge – it can be a damn hard challenge. Even though I’m German, I know. I have been through the learning phase with other people. As…
I love Germany
I find Germany incredibly beautiful! Old town of Bonn, Potsdam, Berlin, Lübeck, Cologne, Hamburg... these places are amazing! It all started many years ago thanks to my friends who lived…
Being a part of different cultures
To me multicultural means numerous cultures being able to live together in a somewhat peaceful and accepting manner. Being a part of different cultures and being able to accept other…
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