Bhejl
American expat in Germany
Forum posts
50
About me
American
Speaks German and English
Registration: 04 July 2013
Cashing a US stimulus check in Germany by MNR-cgn
Hi guys, I got my stimulus check from the US Treasury in the mail but am having problems cashing it. Deutsche Bank tells me they don鈥檛 accept them any more. Any advice on how to get the money. I don鈥檛 own a US bank account... Would an ...
Quick side question if you don't mind... I've received a letter from "the White House" telling me am am receiving $1200 by check or debit card, but there was nothing else in the envelope. Tom and others who have received their ... Read More
Potential bank problems for Americans by TominStuttgart
Here is a heads up for Americans living or considering living abroad. Americans are one of only 2 countries that tax their citizens abroad. One has to file annual US tax returns even if one owes no tax and despite filing and paying tax in their ...
Beppi and Tom, can I agree with you both? :-) I suspect it was I he wanted a quibble with, since my inital comment from nearly 2 years ago had to do with wishing I could give up my US citizenship (I'd like to be able to vote where I live). But ... Read More
Just for fun: Food culture in Germany by Diksha
Hello everyone, We all know German food tastes great. Do you consider yourself a foodie? Share with us your unique food experience as an expat. 1. Name 3 best well-known German street foods according to you. 2. Which are some unusual dishes ...
I can't answer about street food because I don't do that except for fish-n-chips when I vacation in Scotland. Here in Swabia I have yet to try saure Kutteln (sour tripe), but I'd say that qualifies as unusual. My mother-in-law had to ... Read More
Do you feel at home in Germany as an expat? by snowtay
Hello, I'm currently living in Japan as an expat. I've always loved languages and took quite a few in college but stuck with Japanese because the program was really good. I took one semester of german but it was unfortunately during my final ...
I moved here permanently in 2012 and love it. I fit in here better than in my "home" country (USA) and no one has treated me badly, or like a foreigner. I could already speak German when I arrived and have never expected anyone to speak ... Read More
Telc B1 mundlich Teil - Typical Themas by stealth897
Hi All what could be the typical themas for the mundliche teil in B1-TELC ? not the introduction - but the other two sections thx
Search online for "Telc b1 test" and you will find plenty of practice tests with example topics. To get an idea of what types of topics might come up, look at German books for levels A1, A2 and B1 and what topics are covered in each ... Read More
Work Difficulties: What is expected from an ideal manager in Germany? by GuestPoster1514
Hello everyone, I am an experienced creative communications expert with almost a decade of experience up my sleeve. I come from the non-EU Eastern Mediterranean region and I moved to Berlin 3 years ago because of my German husband. From day one, I ...
I highly recommend you read the book "The Culture Map" by Erin Meyer. I just finished it last week. It is not just about Germans, but rather focused on how people from different countries face and handle typical business situations. It is ... Read More
Advice - Making Friends in Germany
I鈥檓 not sure if this is allowed here because I don鈥檛 have a question. I have some advice for expats in Germany who say they can鈥檛 find friends because Germans are cold and distant. I鈥檓 in several online expat communities, and ... Read More
German schools鈥攈elp needed by Saacnmama
My son would be a junior if we were in the US. When we got here, the Schulamt put him in a middle school, because he wasn鈥檛 16 yet. Now that school is saying they won鈥檛 let him take the MSA. He is very bright & clearly should go to ...
Hi folks, I'm late to the party here, but I wanted to toss in my two cents as a former teacher (German and English) in a US high school, living now in B-W. It is important to understand that the German Gymnasium is much more challenging in many ... Read More
Software Engineer moving to Germany by declan0872
Hi, I considering moving to Germany and I am looking for some information. I am a qualified software engineer with 3 years experience and was wondering where would be the best place in Germany to find a software job? If I move over to Germany ...
Ach - of course you're right! He's a dual citizen, I'm sure, and that makes the process easier. Indeed it's impressive for such a young pup, and he's very happy here, last I heard. How does it normally go for non-EU foreigners? ... Read More
Software Engineer moving to Germany by declan0872
Hi, I considering moving to Germany and I am looking for some information. I am a qualified software engineer with 3 years experience and was wondering where would be the best place in Germany to find a software job? If I move over to Germany ...
I don't disagree, Tom, but the son of a friend of mine from the US, fresh out of college (no experience), is working since June at a Software company in Regensburg. I have no idea how he pulled that off, but the company flew him to Germany for ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Germany by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Germany? Is the public ...
It鈥檚 easy to send and receive packages in Germany. There鈥檚 no guarantee they鈥檒l arrive, though. The postal system is efficient enough usually, though in our town a mail carrier was caught this past summer having thrown hundreds of ... Read More
Best Bank in Germany by tulug
Hello, Which bank would you say is the best bank for a newcomer expat in Germany to open up an account, based on # of branches, ATMs, service quality, online banking and money transfer opportunities to and from their home country? Cheers..
I just dealt with a German exchange student in the US whose German parents got her a credit card that the American host family said didn't work at their local bank. This exchange has been going on since 1970, and this was the first time the ... Read More
Ideas for visitor - Baden-W眉rttemberg by Bhejl
A relative of mine will be visiting me next spring, and I am out of ideas what to do with her while she鈥檚 here. I thought I鈥檇 ask you folks! She鈥檚 perfectly healthy, but 76 and an American. She prefers not to walk long distances ...
The Killesbergbahn - thank you! Excellent possibility, which I did not know about. She's been to the Mercedes Museum, and although she has zero interest in cars (same with me), the history side of it is very interesting and she liked it as well. ... Read More
Ideas for visitor - Baden-W眉rttemberg
A relative of mine will be visiting me next spring, and I am out of ideas what to do with her while she鈥檚 here. I thought I鈥檇 ask you folks! She鈥檚 perfectly healthy, but 76 and an American. She prefers not to walk long distances ... Read More
MAKING THE MOVE by Paulandsarah17
Good Evening, So in a couple of weeks my partner and i are making a journey to Leipzig to have a look around as we are looking to eventually settle here with the family, Quick notes: I lived in Osnabruck for 3 years when i was 18-21 with the armed ...
The answer to your first question is easy: No, nothing - especially involving bureaucracy - is easy in Germany. Yes, there are rules and immigration laws. Regarding job opportunities, if I were making this move I would search the internet for my ... Read More
US Absentee Voting by Bhejl
Here we go again... I just want to encourage all US expats here to make sure to register and obtain your absentee ballot for the upcoming mid-terms. Give yourself enough time, because letters I mail to the States commonly take a week to get there ...
After several back-and-forth messages, my contact in my former home town has confirmed with the election commission that an APO address IS valid for the witness signing the Wisconsin "ballot certification"! I wanted to set the record ... Read More
US Absentee Voting
Here we go again... I just want to encourage all US expats here to make sure to register and obtain your absentee ballot for the upcoming mid-terms. Give yourself enough time, because letters I mail to the States commonly take a week to get there ... Read More
Finding your bearings in Germany by Priscilla
Hello, While technology has definitely helped us navigate ourselves more easily in most countries, it's not the case everywhere. How do you get to your destinations and navigate yourself in Germany? Do you use gps systems such as google/apple ...
Driving in Germany is a pure nightmare for me. I take the train unless there is a very compelling reason not to (which there seldom is). There are serious accidents every few days on the Autobahn near us, and fatal accidents several times a month. ... Read More
Seeking American tutor for our 4th grader
If I were searching for such a person I would put an ad in the local newsletter (Wochenblatt) of the community where I will be living. I live in a small community with many smaller surrounding villages (total 25,000 inhabitants), and every household ... Read More
Would you like anything else? by 61484940
There are several phrases for 鈥榠s that all鈥� or 鈥榳ould you like anything else鈥� in German that I persistently fail to hear correctly...! Anyone know them? Thanks Mark
It's common in my area (small community, south of Stuttgart) to hear "Sonst noch 'was dazu?" or "Kommt noch 'was dazu?" Beppi, I think the OP is trying to say he knows what the German speaker is saying, but isn't ... Read More
Hard making new friends in Stuttgart by shiroh
Does anyone else find it hard to make friends in Stuttgart? I am an expat and would like to meet new people and make friends but somehow I've not been successful. I like going out, having good conversations, having a good time and i think i am ...
I cannot say often enough - if you are looking to make connections with friendly Germans, volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! I lived here for more than 3 years without making more than one friend (which was also fine with me), but I had acquaintances ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Germany by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to ...
I should preface this by saying I'm in a rotten mood and sick of dealing with my Landsleute/countryfolk...but I think I can do this without ranting. I can't relate to feeling lonely here, but I am a homebody and probably a borderline ... Read More
Job Opportunities in Germany by Madhushree Roy
I am Masters in Food Technology and Biochemical Engineering from Jadavpur University , India. I am a fresher with no prior experience in industry.However,i have done internships with beverage industry and also been trained in food testing ...
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=jobs+food+technology+m%C3%BCnchen Start learning German now - vocabulary, simple phrases, anything. Sign up for a class at the VHS or a language school as soon as you arrive (or, more likely, get onto a waiting list). Good luck! Read More
Cooking like a local in Germany by Priscilla
Hello, Enjoying the local food of your expat country is great, but learning to cook the dishes yourself is even better. Please share what it's like cooking like a local in Germany. What are some of the most popular local dishes that are easy ...
Ahh, food. One of my favorite topics! I live in in Swabia (southwestern Germany), and my husband and I enjoy cooking. There is a fabulous little restaurant in our tiny little town where the chef spoils us with Swabian and non-Swabian dishes. He has ... Read More
Moving from Chicago to Hamburg
I moved from Wisconsin to southern Germany 5 1/2 years ago and used Allied Van Lines. The move went smoothly. Read More
Potential bank problems for Americans by TominStuttgart
Here is a heads up for Americans living or considering living abroad. Americans are one of only 2 countries that tax their citizens abroad. One has to file annual US tax returns even if one owes no tax and despite filing and paying tax in their ...
I will be interested to see how this goes for you - the process, the costs! I wish I could give up my US citizenship...I have more reasons to be a German citizen than American. Thanks for the heads up; I'll check with my bank too. Read More
Traffic in Germany by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in Germany, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend people to ...
I live in a tiny village near a small town 60 km south of Stuttgart. My commute (you'll hate me for this) is 5 km and roughly 7 minutes. On days when there's a Stau (traffic jam) in town, my commute can take up to 10 minutes. And you should ... Read More
assistance by kudzanayi benjamin
anyone who knows Linda Matikiti in Germany
You folks do realize how creepy this all sounds, right? Read More
Keeping in touch while living in Germany by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the best ways you've found for keeping in touch with friends and family back home while living in Germany? How frequently do you stay in touch with loved ones? Are there local equivalents to common instant messaging ...
I mainly use email. I chat online with my daughter often via Facebook and sometimes with my son as well. I don't have any of those other tools and have never used Skype. I'm sure I would not like video-chatting, in part because I multi-task ... Read More
How has your life changed in Germany by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Germany? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
Has your life changed since you moved to Germany? If so, in what way? No more Wisconsin (USA) winters!!! I feel like I鈥檓 in heaven! Germans complain about German winters, but I never will. Tell us more about all the changes in your life ... Read More
Expat taxes (USA) by Bhejl
First of all, I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and I wish you a good slide into the New Year! I know this topic has been addressed many times, and I have googled, read postings here, etc. I get it that I have to report my income to the IRS ...
Thanks Beppi. That fits my husband's explanation: "Because they can." Lovely. I've been considering renouncing my citizenship for quite a while, and I just keep racking up the reasons. The only things holding me back are that the ... Read More
Expat taxes (USA)
First of all, I hope you are all enjoying the holidays and I wish you a good slide into the New Year! I know this topic has been addressed many times, and I have googled, read postings here, etc. I get it that I have to report my income to the IRS ... Read More
Planning to move to Germany - work advice by vir10986
Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here. Let me tell you my story, but first, I need to ask you something: try your best to keep an open mind and not judge me. In other websites (particularly Reddit), I am always met with criticism for not ...
Interesting! And I mistyped. I meant that my mother-in-law says "tuition" where I would say "class", "teaching" as a noun, or "Unterricht" in German. For instance: "You saw the students often, during your ... Read More
Planning to move to Germany - work advice by vir10986
Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here. Let me tell you my story, but first, I need to ask you something: try your best to keep an open mind and not judge me. In other websites (particularly Reddit), I am always met with criticism for not ...
Beppi and Tom - "Tuition" IS the proper word - for Brits! :-) My British mother-in-law uses that word all the time when I, as an American, would say "tutor". America and England - two countries separated by a common language! ... Read More
The work system by Foxybe
The work system sucks. I've been trying to find work mini job or part time because we have a daughter so working weekends is a no as we can not afford a babysitter and on top of that learning German can take up to a year to learn. I've ...
The work system doesn't suck for everyone (and I don't think that's a clich茅 anyway), but I'm sorry for the difficulties you've had. As Angelo said, learning the language is key. And I can assure you it takes much longer ... Read More
Are you happy in Germany?
I am truly happy here in Germany and grateful for every day. I am much more content here than I ever was in my home country (USA). My entire family (except for my husband and my dear friend - his mother!) is still in the USA, and _still_ I am ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Hi folks, the issue has indeed been resolved. Here's my new advice - bring all the forms and instructions with you, go to a crowded town, enjoy the sights, and listen for someone speaking American. I happened to be in Breisach this weekend and ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
It's now Friday evening again, and I still have no response from any American citizen near me who is willing to witness my absentee ballot (except, and I stress this - two American blogger acquaintances who live one and two hours from me; I will ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Oh Tom, I have been erasing all my comments about Scott Walker before posting my responses here! (For instance, "It is in the Wisconsin governor's best interest that educated people not vote") I kept telling myself not to go off on ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Hi Angelo, True, but I live nowhere near a consulate. The closest one is 2 hours away (one way). That's why I've been looking for an American in T眉bingen or Sindelfingen/B枚blingen. At least those towns are less than an hour away. ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Another good tip, thanks! I sent them an email on Friday and haven't received a response yet. I'm going somewhere this Friday - either to T眉bingen (1st stop DAI, and if they can't help I'll head to the university) or to ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Hi Tom - I didn't say I'm the only Wisconsinite living in Germany. I said I'm likely the only Wisconsinite in Germany who has no American friends here. ;-) Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Hi Tom, Thank you for the information. I don't know what to tell you (I agree it's strange and I have heard of no other states that require a witness for an absentee ballot), but I have my instructions right in front of me, which I printed ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA) by Bhejl
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ...
Thank you! I had no idea there were still American troops in Stuttgart. I think I have found a solution (with another blogger's help). She told me there's an international school in Sindelfingen, and I can get there via train and S-Bahn ... Read More
Absentee Voting (WI, USA)
Hello Folks! Seeking one American citizen living south of Stuttgart! I am a former Wisconsin resident, and I have my ballot for the upcoming election ready to fill out. However, Wisconsin requires me to have an adult US citizen witness me filling ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clich茅s about life in Germany by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clich茅s die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Germany can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Germany? What are the ...
From my experience I agree with the others鈥� comments (except about the court system only because I鈥檝e never heard any clich茅s about that) 鈥� especially about Neuschwanstein! I have enjoyed every other castle I鈥檝e ever ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Germany
I subscribe to the local newspaper, which I find very important for notices about various local events and announcements, and I read some news online. We watch the Morgenmagazin and the evening news when we're home. There's a Wochenblatt ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Germany by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Germany means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
Hi Priscilla, It's not easy to meet locals in Germany. Germans tend to be somewhat distant at first (which is why I fit in well here). However, my tips are to: 1. learn German (start anywhere, keep working, and don't give up) 2. ... Read More