The Germany Experience

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/10

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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! 

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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! 

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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 From the Bürgeramt to the Bedroom by signing up for the podcast newsletter. Do it before July 17th!

Vist the episode blog post on Expat Life Germany, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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: [email protected]

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://expatlifegermany.de/be-on-the-show

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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. 

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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! 

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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?

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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…

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

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

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran