American Living in Germany | My Experience, Likes, Dislikes, and More!

Hey everyone! Check out my video where I introduce myself: https://youtu.be/qh6s_JCDgbk Also, if you watched this whole video - thank you so much! I was very nervous, which resulted in me rambling for almost an hour. 😅 Edit: No more swivel chairs - I promise! 😅🤦

Hi, welcome to germany! When you talked about the food diversity you are missing i would like to explain: in most countries the "foreign" restaurants start to cater the immigrants living there. It was a way to make a living if you want to start a business because you had a loyal customer base (often the immigrats were men, until they were able to bring their family and they loved meals like at home , ordering in their language). In the us the wave of european immigrants was mostly in the 19. century and first half if 20. Century. Their food is now "solid american traditional food". Later chinese, mexican, indian and japanese immigrants came and brought their food. Thats the american food diversity. In germany these "waves" were different. It was french protestants (Hugenotten) centuries ago for example, some traditional dishes have their origin there (Böfflamott = Boeuf a la mode), in the 20. century we had the first "Gastarbeiter " from Italy, they brought italian restaurants, than the turkish Gastarbeiter came and the Döner was invented. The Chinese came, but mostly from different regions than the Chinese in the US, so the food in german chinese restaurants is different than in the US. There are very few mexican immigrants, so mexican restaurants are more a livestyle to cater young people than real mexican Restaurants. I learned that good authetic italian food apart from pizza chains is expensive in the us, while i can get it at every corner in germany. We have diversity, but another kind.

I was an exchange student in Kentucky for a year in 1995. As a former East German, I spoke English very poorly because we were forced to have Russian as our first foreign language. When I was in the US, I understood almost nothing at first. But since no one spoke German to me, I was forced to learn English. It actually happened pretty quickly until I understood almost everything. Old people were sometimes a problem because they mumbled so much, but eventually that worked too. Yes, speaking and understanding are two different things. You usually understand more than you can speak yourself at the beginning, because you just don't always think of the right words in the foreign language right away. But eventually it will work. I would therefore recommend that you speak as little English as possible in Germany, even if many here want to speak English with you politely. In addition, the phonetic in German is often different, especially in relation to American English. So the phonetics would be the second point that you should definitely learn. This not only helps in understanding, but also in your own pronunciation. So, for example, how letter combinations in a word, like "ei, ai, eu, äu, ch, sch", are pronounced. Greetings from Kiel, Germany.

Not much food variety? I have restaurants for Italian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Slavic (general eastern European cuisine), Spanish, French, American, African and more, just within 20 km of my place... and no I am not living in a big city - or a city at all. I mean, of course, you don't get (good) Mexican food here. We don't have many Mexican immigrants in Germany. But we do have many other immigrants, who brought their cuisine with them. The "breweries" you mentioned very much exist in Germany as well - they probably originate here as well, not sure - they are called "Brauhaus". They are way more common in the south though...

Hi there and welcome to Germany! Let me just say thank you for coming around on Germany and allowing that to happen by keeping an open mind. I loved your video and especially the parts where you said that you used to be a certain way but now that you have lived here for almost a year you have come to understand and enjoy the differences. Looking forward to seeing more of your content!

Ich habe selten so ein schönes Statement über Deutschland gehört. Ich war zu Tränen gerührt. Jetzt bin ich auch wieder ein bisschen stolz auf Deutschland. Danke. MfG

The German likes his own privacy and (usually) accepts the privacy of other people. This applies both in private and in business, e.g. in shops or restaurants. Especially in the latter, the waiter approaches to receive and take the order, but then usually does not disturb the social gathering of the guests, except perhaps to clear up, which can be combined with a question as to whether everything was ok. Instead, the waitress regularly scans the dining room to take signs as requests from the guests. This can be direct eye contact and a nod, or a hand raise whereupon the waitress comes to the table to take another order, your question about the bill, etc. Germans consider it downright impolite to be roughly and unnecessarily interrupted in their privacy or in a private conversation. These include, for example, pushy salespeople. Please don't take this as "rude", because in an "emergency" - here simply asking strangers for directions or the time is enough, especially if it's something more urgent - the immediate helpfulness of the Germans usually turns on . However, one should not overdo it after this and appear intrusive. All in all, however, the saying applies: „Wie man in den Wald ruft, so schallt es heraus.“, Literally, "As you call into the forest, so it echoes out." (As the question, so the answer. /As one calls into the canyon, so it echoes back.) So if you ask very friendly, you will usually be helped in a friendly way.

There are some local breweries with a bar or restaurant attached, but I think they are more common in big cities these days. Should you ever come to Düsseldorf, try the "Uerige". It's a wonderful Altbier Kneipe with the best beer ever (I am biased!) and the typical rude but efficient Rheinland waiters. Just don't order water! The waiter may well answer in the local dialect, "un en handooch?"/"and a towel with it?". This happened to me when I first went there once I turned 16 and was legally allowed to drink beer in public but wanted to start the night slow ;)

Hallo Jackie! I’m so happy to hear you are continuing to adjust to Germany. We miss you too but if you are happy then that means you made the correct decision. Keep up the good work and stay positive. I’m very proud of you!

Hi Jackie, I just got this video recommended so I watched it. First things first: ❤-ly Welcome in Germany. You were covering so many topics in this video that I'm unable to answer all of them as otherwise I'd have to write a whole book. As you obviously just started your Youtube Journey and it still seems to be uncomfortunable for you as an introvert, I just want to say: Be proud of yourself of doing those little first steps. It's definitely not easy but in the end it will help you finding and going your way. Regarding your sometimes "frustration" about your current situation, don't be scared. It's normal. There are several stages every expat, immigrant or however you want to call it is going through. Its common to go through the "4 phases" which are Honeymoon stage / Frustration or Rage stage / Understanding stage and Integration stage. You probably are somewhere between the second and third stage in this regard. I just want to encourage you to keep your positiv spirit. It may take some time but I'm pretty sure you will make your way. Maybe you can do another video about yourself, where (area, state or next bigger city) are you living and what are you interested in, in regards of your jobsearch (profession) or your hobbies? What would you like to do, what are you exited about, what would you dream of in your future? Knowing something about, one could give you specific advises or recommendations in order to make you more feel "arrived at home". As a first start, while searching for a job, take your time and maybe look for attending a language class at your next VHS (Volkshochschule) which is a nonprofit adult and continuing education institution. On one hand, language skills is key and on the other one it might be a way to become known to other people in the same situation to find some acquaintances or even friends.

Everywhere you go people do the things they do for a (mostly: good) reason - it's just that as a foreigner you are not accustomed to that, and you might not like it. And that makes traveling to and staying in other places soooo interesting - so much to see and learn ! Hope you get to like the "German Way" even more over time, it is nice to have you.

You can find local breweries in Germany too. Karlsruhe: Vogelbräu Ulm: Barfüsser Kressbronn: Max und Moritz (... and those are just the few ones where I've been to already) Often the bigger breweries operate one or more particular brewery pub/restaurants for example Rothaus (in the Black Forest) and Meckatzer (in Meckatz in the west of Allgäu).

The self check out thing is because it takes jobs away from people who need them, and sometimes they are not practical either

It´s really wonderful watching your video. Regarding places being more silent i think more and more people can not handle "silence" so they always "create" noise. But once you come to enjoy silence or the sounds of the nature (singing birds, wind playing with the leaves and alike) you will learn how good it is four your soul. Regarding Air conditioning, i would be sick all year if i come sweating into a room way to cold. There is a place which i avoid in the summer because they are insane, they put the ac so high it has a difference to the outside of 12 or more degrees and i am not talking fahrenheit here. Its like being hit in the face with a hammer when you enter that store

👋Hi there, I'm a new subscriber here. I have to say, I really enjoyed watching your wee video & I've learnt a lot regarding your new German experiences & learning more about German culture, etc;. I think you did very well & it sounds as though you're getting used to life in Germany, being surrounded by all things German & it's not so bad really, having to live life in a new & refreshing way. They say, change is good.😊 I'm a part German lassie & I've done much research regarding Germany, but to date, have never visited Germany. I'm sure some day I will. I'm learning German on/off, as I work full time & also study numerous other languages, so time's of the essence, but I know with language learning, consistency & no excuses is key! lol I think there's great truth to this, as I'm currently learning numerous languages & whilst I'm doing great, I remember all I've thus far learnt much better, when I practice daily. In ref to food, I do love German food & their sausages, potato dishes, roast pork/crackling & apple, schweinshaxe, sauerkraut, cakes, breads, beers, ciders, ales, schnapps, kirsch, etc;. If you don't mind me adding, it would be awesome to see you doing some vlogs visiting varying German regions, experiencing those regions & talking a bit about it. I'm very aware, that there are many beautiful regions around Germany, that are well worth a visit. Thanks for sharing with we curious viewers & I wish you well with your new life in Germany.

Welcome to Germany! Viewing this video about a year later, I will have to look through your channel a bit to get some details I will hit on below. It would be helpful to know a little bit more in detail where you are living in Germany and where exactly in Virginia you are from. Cultural things can be very different in Germany depending on state, proximity to foreigh borders, villages and small towns compared to large cities etc. I think you hit one thing straight on the nail: Germans and change are mortal enemies! This explains some strange things like, on the one hand, we have abandoned checks decades ago (rent is paid by direct bank deposit, i.e. electronic wiring), but self service checkouts still scare a lot of people. Germans aren't quick to talk to strangers. This will be a difficult thing for you as an introvert person. However, most people will be very helpful and friendly if you muster up your courage to talk to them. You mentioned correctly that most Germans know English rather well, so you might experience something like, "Können Sie mir bitte helfen? Ich suche ...", they may reply in English straight away; not because your German is bad but because they want to help and make it easy for you. Try it out and make some positive experiences!

😂 you're so cute. Love your "Brötchen"-story the most. Greetings from Berlin 👋

Hi Jackie, I can feel with you, as my wife and me have taken over a sponsorship for a student couple from abroad living here since 2 years. I think the key is the language. They have been on special trainings and are fluent now in German and that makes the difference. The second thing is travelling. You may buy the 49 Euro ticket. I live in Hamburg and in the city it is not quite at all. Its vibrating. For you nearby there is Cologne and Düsseldorf. There can be an amazing nightlife.

By the way, Action is a Dutch company. You'll note the difference when you compare the German "Sonderposten" chains with each other. The likes of Thomas Philipps, Zimmermann, Postenbörse and so on have a very similar assortment that often seems to come from the same manufacturers. Action has its own line of tools, for instance, also relatively much in the line of drawing and painting (not walls), or when it comes to small electronic gadgets that you otherwise only find online for a reasonable price, for instance, HDMI cables or certain adaptors. Unfortunately, the broken supply chains of the past few years have had their impact on the variety. But the most important assets you will find in the candy section. Toblerone for a very good price, and above all, Wilhelmina Pepermunt, Dutch peppermint. 🙂

For the iced-coffee, go to an "Eiskaffee" maybe even an italian one. They won't be serving you a Starbucks iced coffee, but maybe you will like theirs even more. For your sweet creamer, look out for "Milchmädchen". It comes usually in a tube, don't know if this is served in the US like that, but it's a sweet thick cream intended to be used for coffee.