Rachel Stern from The Local joins us to talk about having kids and raising a family in Berlin, Germany's working culture, life as a journalist, cash vs. cards, learning German, and the best and worst aspects of being an expat.

Show Notes

• The Local - Germany's News in English
• International Families Berlin (Facebook Group)
• SuperMamas Berlin
• Iranians and Israelis find an unlikely musical detente in Germany
• Explained: How Germany plans to make immigration easier for skilled workers

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In this short solo episode, Manuel shares how to avoid getting scammed when looking for an apartment in Berlin, and explains how teaching English can be a way to legally stay and work in the city.

Show Notes

• Hunderte Betroffene klagen über Abzocke auf Wohnungsplattform (rbb24)
• What is a Mietkautionskonto? (All About Berlin)
• How to move to Germany and become a freelancer (All About Berlin)
• How to find an English-speaking job in Berlin (All About Berlin)

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Jae talks about his first trips in Germany outside of Berlin (they didn't go as smoothly as planned). We then methodically go through some of the other major cities and "Bundesländer" (federal states) and compare them to Berlin — while Jae can't help but draw comparisons to certain US states and cities.

Show Notes

• Klaas bringt DICH in den exklusivsten Club der Welt (Late Night Berlin)
• Map of all German States (Wikimedia Commons)
• German federalism: How does it work? (DW)
• Easy German Podcast episodes about all German states:
  • 85: Die deutschen Bundesländer (Teil 1) - Schaffe schaffe, Häusle baue
  • 86: Die deutschen Bundesländer (Teil 2) - Lokalrivalitäten
  • 87: Die deutschen Bundesländer (Teil 3) - Der "Meck-Pomm" Pommesburger

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Berlin is a special place, especially for artists. In this episode, Jae explains how Berlin's art scene was a big inspiration for him to come here and how the art scene might compare to some other cities he's previously lived in. He provides personal insight and recommendations for the different types of art one can engage with in Berlin. In addition, he discusses Berlin's famous street art scene and a few of his favourite graffiti artists.

Show Notes

• Berlin Music Video Awards

• Night Art Club For writers, poets, rappers, comedians, and more. Night Art Club meets every Monday at Frankfurter Allee 91. Check out the Instagram for the weekly schedule.

• 1UP

• Urban Nation Museum

• Kodak Ektar H35 Half Format Film Camera

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How does Berlin change you? We touch upon intercultural competence, Berlin's roughness, privilige, party life, safe spaces and boundaries while tackling this question.

Show Notes

• Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki (YouTube)

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In this solo-episode, Manuel explains how to register after you move into an apartment in Berlin and how to sign up for electricity, gas and internet contracts. Also: Reflections on the first 8 months of this show and some fun listener emails.

Show Notes

• Urban Sports Club

• How to move into an apartment in Germany (All About Berlin)

• How do electric bills work in Germany? (All About Berlin)

• Verivox

• Check24

• Fiber internet via PYUR

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Sunlamps, thick clothes & hot water bags: How we prepare for the infamous Berlin winter — and how the general energy in the city changes during the dark months. Also: Our stances on Christmas and gifts.

Show Notes

• How to pay (or avoid paying) a BVG fine (All About Berlin)
• 29-Euro-Abo-Aktion (BVG)
• 9-Euro-Fonds
• Manuels Sunlamp (Tageslichtlampe) (Amazon)
• Wärmflasche (Wikipedia)
• Wichteln (Wikipedia)

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In this solo episode, Jae provides an update on his mental health and how he has been managing since he’s been living here. He discusses the effects of burnout and a few strategies on how to compassionately encourage yourself as you go through some of your challenges.

Show Notes

• Previously on this podcast: Mental Health (Episode 9)

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Manuel is joined by Chris and Stephanie, both from the United States, each married to a German spouse. They share how easy/difficult it was for them to get their Aufenthaltsgenehmigung in Germany and how the visa application process compares to getting a Greecard in the U.S. We also discuss Berlin Fashion, rules at social gatherings, verbal formality and the words "expat" and "immigrant".

Show Notes

• Du vs. Sie - How to address someone in German (Easy German 382)
• Du oder Sie? (Easy German Podcast 24)
• Exberliner - Berlin in English since 2002
• 90 Day Fiancé (Wikipedia)

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Why grocery shopping in Germany is "like the Hunger Games" (Jae), which supermarkets you should know about, how much groceries will cost you each month, and how to order them online.

Show Notes

• Jae Creates A Vice Radio (Spotify)
• Lail Arad - Everyone is Moving to Berlin (YouTube)
• "fortnightly" (vocabulary.com)
• Stiftung Warentest
• POV: du gehst bei Dm einkaufen (Karim Jamal auf YouTube)
• Restaurant Pass (Sodexo)
• Ticket Restaurant (Edenred)
• You Need A Budget*
• Berliner Tafel e.V.

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