Stories from my life and travels as an American immigrant in Germany!
Reverse culture shock is the experience of returning to your home country after living abroad for years, and feeling as though you no longer belong. In March, I finally went back to the USA to visit my family and friends. It had been over three years since the last time I’d been in America; so, needless to say, this trip…Continue Reading
Next week marks the 3 year anniversary of my arrival in Germany. They say life goes by quicker as you get older, but for me, it seems like time has slowed down. I feel like I’ve been here for six years, not three. During that time, I’ve written a few posts about the cultural differences I’ve noticed between Germany and…Continue Reading
Germany is widely believed to be one of the few countries with the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis under control. In contrast, the world has watched how America has handled the Coronavirus crisis and collectively cringed. Of course, not all American states have responded to the pandemic in the same way. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of my home state of Michigan has shown strong…Continue Reading
Sunday in Germany is quiet. Too quiet, if you ask me. Of course, no one has; and, any time I’ve expressed this opinion on the Internet, every German online will suddenly appear to tell me I’m wrong. And a stupid consumerist American. Sometimes, they even throw in a “go back to America!” for good measure. I’ve learned to tolerate Sundays in…Continue Reading
Nuremberg, like many German cities, was destroyed by bombs towards the end of WWII. Instead of being completely modernized, many of the medieval buildings were restored or recreated, including parts of the old city wall. While these meticulously-restored buildings are spread throughout the city, the area with the highest concentration surrounds the Imperial Castle. This was our first stop after…Continue Reading
Over the holiday weekend last May, I went back to The Netherlands; this time, to The Hague and Rotterdam. While Americans were busy celebrating Memorial Day (if they’re lucky enough to even have it off), Germans celebrated Father’s Day. OK, technically the official holiday is Ascension Day, but everyone here knows the real holiday is Vatertag. Father’s Day in Germany is…interesting. If you’d like…Continue Reading
Pay toilets: like pay-to-play, but worse. Although peeing for free is a God-given right in ‘Muricah, you’ll find that’s not (usually) the case in Germany. Indeed, it’s not the case in most of Europe. You can expect to pay at least 50 cents every time nature calls while you’re out in public. Sometimes, even if you’re a paying customer in…Continue Reading
Frankenmuth, Michigan is a small town settled in 1845 by German immigrants from the Kingdom of Bavaria. To this day, Frankenmuth continues to pay homage to their roots, even though the Kingdom of Bavaria is long gone. This tiny town of 5,000 sees over 3 million visitors per year, and is the most popular vacation destination in Michigan. I loved…Continue Reading
Amsterdam: a city best-known for legal prostitution and pot. As a potential visitor, you might find yourself wondering: IS there much to do if I’m not part of a British stag party? As it turns out, yes! There’s so more to this legendary city than just the red light district. There are great restaurants, amazing breweries, beautiful parks, unique shops, and…Continue Reading
Restaurant service in Germany doesn’t have the best reputation. Is it as notoriously awful as French restaurant service? Of course not. Still, German restaurants aren’t exactly vying for the title of, “best service in Europe.” My husband and I are the couple that always talks about cooking at home more often. We succeed for a week or two, and then slowly…Continue Reading