Moving away
Since the eastern border was opened, the situation has gotten worse not only in Germany but in Europe generally. People search for jobs anywhere they can, and some people from Eastern Europe are willing to work for less money. Of course, for them it’s good, because the 100 euros they...
Little free time
I work a lot and don’t actually have much free time. The little free time I have, I spend on vacations and not only in Greece. I like to travel to Spain as well.
We aren’t all that different
Canadians and Germans just aren’t all that different and I don’t feel that any differences are big enough to cause a memorable moment of embarrassment. Danielle Griffin
The place to be
I am half Ethiopian, half Filipino. I find the life in Cologne good! This is the place to be! People here are open and friendly. They live here with their hearts. I would never move away from Cologne – not even a slightest chance.
It’s ok
I can answer the questions, but I don’t want my face to be on the picture. I have lived here 15-16 years and it’s ok. Nothing bad has happened to my family. I come from Somalia.
A typical feature of Berlin
I come from Paris, France. Now I live in Berlin since more than six years already. How would you describe your life in Germany? Pleasant, comfortable. Maybe it is a typical feature of Berlin, but everybody finds their place here, everybody can follow their own path. The everyday life is...
Nothing against
I have lived in this neighbourhood already for 40 years. My husband passed away, but I don’t want to move away, because I have all my doctors here, my daughter-in-law works near by and sometimes I have this little friend to take care of. What do you think of multicultural...
A labour of love in Germany
There is too much negative coverage of migrants, either as criminals or people who only depend on the social system. With this kind of perception, it is hard to find people who take you seriously. Rachel Mwakazi
Very American moment
My name is Richard and I am an American from New York City. I met a lovely German woman in New York and in 2006 we moved to Cologne. What did you do to integrate when you moved here? I made a choice to do so. If you move to...
Not so conservative as one might think
I would say Germany is not that conservative as one might think. Why? I am from Colombia, but have lived in many different countries – Japan, USA, Spain and Brazil – and I think people are more relaxed over here. For example, you would think Spanish people are open, but...
I gladly give my love to women
I am from Turkey. I don’t smoke or drink, but on Sundays I go dancing. I have many girlfriends over here – Dutch and German ladies. My wife left me in 1983, but I am enjoying my life despite of that. You know, I always tell my girlfriends I love...
Our office buddy
Our office dog named “Buddy” wishes all the multicoolties out there a happy New Year! Actually, he is a real world traveler and a true multicoolty. He was born in Italy, but has traveled the world with us: he has been to Russia, France, Switzerland, Croatia, Belgium and many more...
Only the best for Christmas
We have been working here every year since the first Christmas market was organised in Neumarkt. It has been over 40 years! We are very happy to do this every year. It has become our tradition: our parents started it and now we have our children working with us. I always stay here the whole...
Christmas market selection procedure
You have to submit an application and go through strict selection procedure to get a stand on a Christmas market. You present your product to a marketing team and then they choose, which products suite their market concept the best. This trademark got selected because it is all handcraft and it has a great design. It is...
Christmas atmosphere
We have many people visiting from France, Italy, Iran, Switzerland and other countries. I think people like to buy presents on Christmas markets because here you can find products that you don’t find elsewhere during the year. I like it very much – all the lights and nice stands. I enjoy this atmosphere...
Everybody here is dancing all the time
There are so many different language mistakes that I made when I first moved over here. It is not easy to learn a foreign language when you are 35 years old. I did my best, but one of the things that kept coming up, I kept hearing this word “diskutieren”....
Not really a big culture shock
My name is Zia, I am a student in Bremen, and I originally come from Indonesia. I learned German at school and had a couple of German friends when I was an exchange student in the US. I have always wanted to come to Germany, so when I finished high...
American who loves to live abroad
I am Christine from the United States, Vice President of AIWCC. I have been in Germany for two years. Before coming to Cologne, I studied and worked in China where I met my future German husband. I have an insider to German culture at home. I am learning so much...
A world citizen
I consider myself a world citizen. I am Indian because I carry an Indian passport and because my geographical region is called India, but I have multiple identities. If there was a possibility of a global passport, I’d be the first to apply. Do you feel integrated into the German...
The more the better
What do you think about multicultural Germany? I find it good. The more the better.
The dressmaker
In Turkey men are the dressmakers. I’m making wedding dresses and evening dresses. I’m doing this job already for 30 years. It’s always interesting and it never gets boring: there are new people, new characters and new designs all the time. I simply love my job! What do you find difficult in...
Environmentally responsible
I am American, an East Coast girl, but was actually born in Rome. We moved to Germany three years ago because of my husband’s new assignment. I was not sure how to make it all work, changes are not always easy for me, but I integrated very quickly. I liked...
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