"When you start from scratch, you can become anyone."Welcome to another episode of Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals in Germany.In this episode, co-host Anne sits down with Mary, a mother of three originally from Russia, who shares her journey of rebuilding life across three countries before finally settling in Germany.What began as a departure from home became a profound lesson in resilience, identity, motherhood, and self-leadership. Together, Anne and Mary explore the realities of immigration beyond the practicalities: the emotional challenge of letting go of "temporary living," finding belonging, learning new languages, and creating a life from a blank canvas.In this honest and inspiring conversation, we explore:✅ Moving from Russia to Turkey, Hungary, and finally Germany✅ The emotional shift from "living abroad" to truly building a life somewhere✅ Raising children through multiple international moves✅ Language, identity, and feeling like a different person in different languages✅ German culture, rules, and adapting to a new way of life✅ Self-leadership, personal responsibility, and finding yourself again after motherhood✅ Why starting over can be one of life's greatest opportunitiesWhether you're newly arrived in Germany, navigating life between cultures, raising children abroad, or wondering who you are in this next chapter of life, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that rebuilding is possible.🎧 Tune in and join us for another honest conversation about life abroad.📢 Subscribe for more international stories, reflections, and conversations from life in Germany.

Connect with Mary:https://www.instagram.com/maryblinkova/

Explore the complex realities of migration in Germany with Lina Mansour, a project manager at the International Organization for Migration. Discover who the migrants are, why they come, and the challenges they face. From integration hurdles to political impacts, this episode uncovers the hidden stories behind the statistics. Perfect for anyone interested in Europe's migrant landscape and the future of Germany's diverse society. Follow Lina on Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/debriefwithlina ) and TikTok ( https://www.tiktok.com/@debriefwithlina ) for more insights.| 0:01 | Intro — Mohamed's opening questions about immigration in Germany | 1:41 | Interview begins with Lina | 2:14 | How many immigrants are in Germany?| 3:24 | Who counts as having a migration background in German statistics? | 5:04 | Top foreign national groups| 6:12 | First vs. second generation: why Germany doesn't distinguish them | 7:23 | Different challenges across immigrant groups | 9:33 | Historical context: immigrants from the 70s–90s and integration || 10:37 | How long do immigrants stay?| 12:18 | Why 40% want to leave — politics, taxes, bureaucracy | 13:25 | Second generation and connection to their homeland | 15:01 | Organizations that publish migration data | 16:36 | Politics section begins | 17:42 | Bundestag seat breakdown — CDU, AfD, SPD, Greens | 20:02 | Immigration stances of the mainstream parties | 22:56 | AfD's anti-immigration position and remigration policy | 25:10 | Future political outlook — Germany moving rightward | 28:05 | Direct implications for immigrants if the far right gains control | 32:51 | The contradiction: skilled worker demand vs. anti-immigration rhetoric | 37:16 | Economic section — German economy post-COVID | 38:34 | Do Germans blame immigrants for the economic decline? | 40:49 | Closing exchange and wrap-up

What does it really take to succeed as an immigrant in Germany? In this inspiring episode, Mutinta, a Zambian-born neonatal nurse in Berlin, shares her real-life journey of adapting to a new culture, navigating the German healthcare system as a professional, and overcoming stereotypes in the workplace.From language barriers to moments of discrimination, Mutinta opens up about the challenges many immigrants face, but also the powerful mindset shifts that helped her grow. She explains how simple, practical habits like gratitude, open yet kind communication, personal evolution, and cultural awareness can make a lasting difference in both personal and professional life.This episode dives into intercultural communication, diversity in healthcare, and why integration should be a two-way process between locals and newcomers. Mutinta also shares how staying connected to your roots, through food, language, and identity, can actually strengthen your confidence abroad.Whether you’re an immigrant, expat, healthcare professional, or someone working in a multicultural environment, this conversation offers practical advice and powerful insights on building inclusion, breaking stereotypes, and thriving in a new country.#immigrantlife #kakigermany #lifeabroad #lifeingermany, #culturalcelebration #workingingermanhealthcare, #overcomingstereotypes, #interculturalcommunication #immigration #pflegekräfte #nurseingermany 00:13 Introduction02:03 Moving to Germany: Love and Challenges04:45 Navigating the Nursing Recognition System07:46 Cultural Adaptation in the Medical Field09:18 Nursing in Zambia vs in Germany15:19 Gratitude for Simple Things in Healthcare17:17 Cultural Awareness and Integration in Healthcare27:22 The Need for Mutual Understanding in Integration27:47 Cultural Sensitivity and Integration Challenges29:15 The Importance of Communication in New Environments30:11 Navigating Stereotypes and Self-Esteem38:16 Addressing Stereotypes and Speaking Up 42:47 Balancing Cultural Roots and New Traditions 50:21 Empathy & Kindness

“Do not settle for something that is not worth it - because maybe you are the prize.”Trigger Warning!Before we start, a gentle content note: this episode includes personal experiences of domestic abuse, which may feel difficult or triggering for some listeners. Everything shared here is based on one person’s experience and has been shared intentionally and with consent. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you.Welcome to another episode of Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals in Germany! Today, co-host Anne sits down with Kavita, an HR professional and career coach, to share her story of rebuilding her life in Berlin after domestic abuse, divorce, and deep personal upheaval.What began as a move for her Master’s degree became something much bigger: a chance to step away from expectation, rediscover herself, and create a new life built on self-belief, purpose, and freedom.In this honest and heartfelt conversation, we explore:✅ Starting over in Germany while carrying trauma, grief, and uncertainty✅ Letting go of societal expectations and learning to live without a script✅ Rebuilding confidence, independence, and a sense of self after abuse✅ Finding purpose through helping others navigate careers and job searches in Germany✅ Curiosity, consistency, and community as tools for healing and growth✅ Choosing not to settle - and learning to see your own worth clearlyThis is a powerful conversation about survival, identity, and what can become possible when you begin to choose yourself. Whether you’re new to Germany, rebuilding after hardship, or searching for your next step, this episode offers honesty, strength, and hope.Here is a small note from Kavita: "This podcast reflects my personal experiences and perspective. No individuals, locations, or identifying details have been disclosed. Any resemblance to identifiable persons is unintentional. Opinions expressed are my own and do not represent any organisation or community."📢 Subscribe for more international stories and reflections from life abroad.🎧 Tune in and feel the power of story, connection, and shared experience.

In this episode of Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals, we share a beautiful conversation with Catalina from Colombia about moving to Germany and slowly, thoughtfully building a life here. She opens up about what it means to have home in two places, and how Germany came to feel like a place of safety.Her journey is full of change and courage: from being an architect, to being an au pair, to volunteering, and eventually beginning an apprenticeship in nursing in Germany. Along the way, she shares honest reflections on immigration, the importance of staying politically aware, and why patience matters so much when starting over in a new country.She also offers practical and encouraging tips for women who want to migrate safely to Germany, with clear steps and grounded advice. This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to build a new life.#Kakigermany #Germany #Women #lifeabroad #immigration #journey

“Don’t wait to start living the life you have now.”

Welcome to another episode of Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals in Germany!

Today, co-host Anne Lassé sits down with Carey, an American financial consultant living in Germany, whose journey abroad has taken her through Munich, Oxford, Hamburg, and now Schwerin. What began as an unexpected work opportunity turned into a life built over decades — and a deep understanding of what it really means to stop living out of a “packed bag” and begin fully living where you are.

In this honest and thoughtful conversation, we explore:

✅ How life abroad is shaped by much more than language alone

✅ The many puzzle pieces of settling in: finances, friendships, work, and mindset

✅ Why assumptions can make moving abroad harder — and curiosity can make it easier

✅ The difference between being somewhere temporarily and truly building a life there

✅ Why it matters to invest in friendships, hobbies, language, and long-term planning even when the future feels uncertain

✅ Carey's perspective on Germany as a place of structure, safety, and democratic stabilityWhether you’re new to Germany, unsure how long you’ll stay, or caught between living in the present and waiting for “what’s next,” this episode is a powerful reminder to start now. Build the life that supports you, even if the future is still unfolding.

👉 Connect with Carey for support around finances and settling into life in Germany:

Email: [email protected]://www.instagram.com/expat_helps_expats/

WhatsApp: +49 15561 519923

📢 Subscribe for more international stories & reflections from life abroad.

🎧 Tune in and feel the power of story, connection, and shared experience.

#KaKIGermany #MovingToGermany #LifeAbroad #Integration #Podcast #StorySharing #Belonging #InternationalLife #Germany #ExpatLife #StartLiving #BuildingAHomeAbroad

What does it mean to build a life, a home, and a sense of purpose in Germany as an international?In this episode of “Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals”, we sit down with Luardo (@berlinelsewhere ,  @gutentagpodcast ), a Berlin-based software engineer by day and podcaster by passion. His own show dives into the stories of people navigating identity, belonging, and real purpose in Germany. And this time, he’s on the other side of the mic.

We talk about:

➡️02:55 - His journey to Germany and what has kept him here

➡️06:04 - What “home” means when you live between cultures

➡️09:54 - Navigating identity and belonging as an international

➡️15:25 - How his podcast was born and why these conversations matter

➡️18:20 - Mental health and migration, and how to recognize internal vs external triggers

➡️23:08 - Culture shocks, and how he learned to deal with them

➡️28:32 - His message on integration and the pursuit of a good life in Germany

If you’re an international in Germany, a local curious about these experiences, or someone who has ever questioned where they belong, this conversation is for you.

🧁 New here?

Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals is a podcast about real stories from people living in Germany – the highs, lows, culture shocks, and everything in between.

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If this episode resonates, leave a comment with your own story of identity, belonging, or culture shock in Germany, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

[0:00] Introduction[1:28] Legislative Shift[3:28] Impact on Migrants[5:26] Broader Implications[9:13] Comparison with EU[12:45] ConclusionRachel Stern, an American journalist in Berlin, provides expert analysis on this significant policy change affecting internationals in Germany. Tune in for a concise breakdown of what this means for you and the broader implications for Germany's workforce needs.

Trigger warning: This reel includes discussion of racism and harassment.Welcome to another episode of Kaffee und Kuchen with Internationals in Germany.

In this episode, co-host Anne Lassé sits down with Pranitha, whose life has unfolded across India, the UK, and now Germany. Pranitha shares a deeply honest reflection on identity, belonging, and what it really means to build a sense of home after multiple cultural transitions.From navigating childhood moves and questions of “where are you from?”, to facing racism as an adult in Germany, Pranitha offers a powerful perspective on resilience, safety, and choosing not to let painful moments define who you are.In this honest and heartfelt conversation, we explore:✅ Growing up between cultures and living with a layered identity✅ Loneliness, belonging, and building new circles as an adult abroad✅ Experiencing racism — and reclaiming a sense of safety and strength✅ Dance as an anchor for identity, expression, and community✅ Seeing life abroad as a space for growth, courage, and reinventionWhether you’re new to Germany, living between cultures, or reflecting on who you’ve become through change, this episode offers comfort, validation, and a reminder that growth often comes through challenge.Connect with Pranitha:https://www.instagram.com/pransdiaryof/ https://www.instagram.com/prarang.dance/https://www.youtube.com/@prarangdance📢 Subscribe for more international stories & reflections from life abroad.🎧 Tune in and feel the power of story, connection, and shared experience.#KaKIGermany #LifeAbroad #Belonging #Identity #InternationalLife #Podcast #StorySharing #Resilience #Reinventing

Season 2 begins with an honest and thoughtful conversation about life, research, and identity across borders.In this episode, we sit down with Roudy, a PhD candidate from Lebanon to talk about what it’s really like to pursue a doctorate in Germany. He shares his journey of transitioning into PhD life, the realities of academic research, and everything that comes with working in a new system and culture.We explore his experiences in research, the cultural barriers he has had to navigate, and how he learned to adapt and embrace change along the way. He also offers practical advice for aspiring PhD students who are considering taking this path abroad.Beyond academia, the conversation turns deeply personal. We talk about homesickness, staying connected to home during times of conflict, and how to cope with global challenges while building a life far from family and familiarity. He reflects on the importance of finding community, creating support systems, and embracing the full experience of living abroad — both the struggles and the growth that come with it.This episode is about resilience, belonging, and the courage it takes to grow in a new place while carrying your roots with you.00:00 Introduction04:56 Transitioning to PhD Life in Germany10:01 Experiences and Challenges in Research14:36 Advice for Aspiring PhD Students19:37 Navigating Cultural Barriers in Academia24:03 Embracing Change and Cultural Integration30:49 Navigating Homesickness and Global Challenges41:08 Finding Community and Support in Difficult Times43:31 Embracing the Full Experience of Life Abroad#phdlife #lifeabroad #kakigermany #internationallife #immigration #germany