The Germany Experience

I've always felt a special connection to Berlin. But what is it like to live there? I am joined by three foreigners living in Berlin who discuss their stories, what they love about living in Berlin, and various other aspects of life in the city. 

My guests: 

• Olivera, who hosts a YouTube and Instagram channel
• Alex and Geoff from the Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey podcast 

Some things we mentioned: 

• The story of Tempelhofer Field: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempelhofer_Feld
• The Tempelhof Sounds festival
• The donut place Olivera mentioned: Brammibal's Donuts
• Previous episode featuring AGDW: How Germany changes your identity

Recorded live at PodFest Berlin 2022 on July 16th, 2022.

The Germany Experience will be on a summer break until later this year. In the meantime, reruns of 2021 episodes will be posted regularly.

IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
You can support the show in various ways: 

• BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
• SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
• WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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

You sent in some questions about life in Germany, and I try and answer them in this episode.

THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE AT PODFEST BERLIN
I will be recording a live episode at Podfest Berlin on Saturday July 16th @ 16:15. It will be a Berlin-focused episode, and I will have a panel of four guests who all live in the city. Come and join and be part of the live recording!

The venue: 

Noisy Rooms @ House of Music,
Revaler Str. 99,
10245 Berlin,
Germany

Currently, tickets for the entire event are on sale, but soon day tickets will be available. If you want to buy tickets, contact me before you buy to get a 20% discount code: [email protected]


WELCOME TO GERMANY SUMMIT
I'm excited to announce that I will be a speaker at the Welcome to Germany Summit, an online event for foreigners in Germany!

Welcome to Germany Summit
📅 29th September 2022 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ⏰

A group of experts has come together to organize an online event for everyone interested in moving to and living in Germany - expats, internationals, immigrants, repats - you name it.

You're interested in learning more about the summit and what you can learn at the event? These are the topics that will be presented:

➡️ Your first steps in Germany
➡️ Relocation Services
➡️ Intercultural training
➡️ Learning German
➡️ Financial Education
➡️ Hypno-Coaching
➡️ Hidden Grief
➡️ Finding a job in Germany
➡️ Networking & volunteering
➡️ Podcasts & blogs for internationals in Germany
➡️ Staying fit when working from home
➡️Visa types

It is an interactive event with lots of interesting talks, workshops, physical activity, time for your questions and answers from the experts.

✅ Sign-up for free here: https://lnkd.in/eew2chRe

IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
You can support the show in various ways: 

• BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
• SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
• WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 

Send me your questions: [email protected]


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: ht

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

The first six months in a new job is important. In Germany, it is usually a trial period - or "Probezeit" - and it is a chance for you to get to know your team, company, and more. Lisa Janz, who runs Job Coach Germany, joins me to discuss what you should look out for, what you should be asking yourself and your employer, and other advice about the Probezeit.

Lisa Janz's website: Lisa Janz, Job Coach Germany

Find Lisa:

• Instagram
• YouTube
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Lisa's past episodes: Lisa on The Germany Experience

THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE AT PODFEST BERLIN
I will be recording a live episode at Podfest Berlin on Saturday July 16th. It will be a Berlin-focused episode, and I will have a panel of four guests who all live in the city. Come and join and be part of the live recording!

If you want to buy tickets, contact me before you buy to get a 20% discount code: [email protected]


IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
You can support the show in various ways: 

• BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
• SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
• WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 

Send me your questions: [email protected]


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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

Alexandrea from the USA (and former guest on the podcast) left her job in Hamburg for one in Frankfurt. However, she realized almost immediately that the new job was not a good fit. She left during her trial period and found her way to her current job in Berlin. After moving cities and jobs several times, Alex has learnt a few valuable lessons, and she joins me to share them. She has a list of what you should ask prospective employers, she gives some tips about what you should know about jobs in Germany, and she discusses why you need to have the courage to walk away from a job that is not a good fit. She also drops some airtight advice for working in a German workplace.

Alex's current project: She Transforms IT
Alex on Twitter: Deutsch_af
Alex on Instagram: @Deutschaf
Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandreapaigeswanson

IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
You can support the show in various ways: 

• BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
• SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
• WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 

Get 30% off of Wunderbla
Wunderbla offers you short, personalized and fun online German lessons, along with a test of your current German level. If you purchase before June 28th, 2022, you will get a 30% discount. Purchase here.

Or sign up for a free trial to test it before you buy.


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

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

During Dzhangar's first years in Germany, he noticed what many foreigners notice: how difficult it was for his family to meet other like-minded families. And making friends is crucial. It helps to make you feel more at home, and it gives you a support system for when you need help.

So Dzhangar quit his job and started working on an app that would help families connect with each other. That app is MatchFamilies. He joins me in this episode to discuss his initial troubles in Germany, what it was like quitting his job to start a new company, and he explains how the app works.

Download the MatchFamilies app

The episode with Amaia from Expat & Spouses Monitor: The Expat Spouses Report - the results are in

BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE
If you like this podcast, donate! There are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!


Get 30% off of Wunderbla
Wunderbla offers you short, personalized and fun online German lessons, along with a test of your current German level. If you purchase before June 28th, 2022, you will get a 30% discount. Purchase here.

Or sign up for a free trial to test it before you buy.



JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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

If you've ever wished a German "Happy birthday" before their actual birthday, you will no doubt have quickly learnt that it's just not done. It's just a tradition based on superstition, but many Germans abide by it. So, is it tradition, or actually superstition? Shaun has his opinion, and he talks with Nina, a German, about it. They also cover the "Eisheilige" belief that you shouldn't sow certain plants before middle of May, drinking traditions, and more.

We also cover what the daddy long legs spider is called in German.

Show notes: 

• Shaun and Nina's other podcast: Die Deutsche und der Ausländer
• Nina's other episodes on The Germany Experience
• German news report about a spider in the car

DONATE TO SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you like this podcast, donate! There are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!



JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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

Beth comes back on the podcast to discuss how she recently found herself post-pandemic in a world that had shrunk to just her job and her family. While this isn't a bad thing, Beth was lacking a feeling of community. She also discovered that she needs to redefine her identity now that she no longer does the activities that used to define her: volleyball and fencing. Beth also helps me recap the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

Previous episodes with Beth: 

• The 5 phases of culture shock
• Feeling weighed down by the pandemic, and making the trip back home
• Foreigner friendships, moving back home, and “F**k it” moments (Beth & Amy from the USA)

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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 Saehee, a Korean American, first moved from the States to Germany, she struggled to adjust for many different reasons.  This led to her feeling depressed and lonely. But that would all change once she started getting back to what she loves. Listen to the story of how Saehee was able to move herself beyond difficult times with the help of therapy, embracing her culture, and focusing on her love for cooking and food.

Saehee's websites:
Korea Konnect
Kosari Kimchi

Saehee on Instagram: @saeheechang
Saehee on Facebook: Kosari Kimchi

I contributed to The Expat Cast episode about having children abroad: Deciding to Have Kids or Not When Living Abroad


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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

It's conventional knowledge that West Germany was more liberal and progressive than East Germany. Then it stands to reason that West Germany was more accepting of gay rights. But was this really the case?

Of course, these things are always very nuanced, and Samuel Clowes Huneke joins me to discuss it in detail. He's written a book called "States of Liberation", and we discuss it in our interview. We also discuss the similarities and differences between East and West Germany in terms of gay rights, we talk about some of the interesting characters that Samuel discovered during his research, and we consider the current situation in Germany.

Get the book on Amazon: States of Liberation

Samuel on Twitter: @schuneke

Samuel's Website: http://samuelcloweshuneke.com

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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 Mei Chi arrived in Germany, she faced several challenges caused by the language and cultural barrier. Not understanding German can result in some minor inconveniences that make funny stories later on, but other misunderstandings can be more serious. All this highlighted how important it is to have help at the right time, and Mei Chi started a platform called BookaLocal.

In this episode she discusses her own hardships, and also explains the purpose behind BookaLocal. BookaLocal also offers pro bono support for victims of sexual assaults in Germany, and Mei Chi shares her own experiences of this with us.

BookaLocal Website

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

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