April 21, 2021
We’ll be honest, neither of us are what you would call, “sports fanatics”, however we have had our fair share of experiences with sports while living in Germany. Some of the most popular sports here are football (soccer), handball, hockey and even basketball. Also, did you know there are even professional leagues in Germany that play American football? During this week’s episode we’ll cover - in a very generally way - German sports and even go beyond the professional realm and cover the fun games the average person plays in Berlin’s parks. The title says it all, “German Spots and Games”. Don’t worry, we have plenty of funny stories to keep all of you non-sport fans entertained!
April 14, 2021
AGDW fans know we love a good ol’ fashioned Q & A. You continued to send us questions, so how could we not give you answers? Once again, we asked you all to send in your questions about moving to Germany, living in Germany, and…basically everything related to being an expat in Germany. Do Germans do brunch? Is there a visible difference between East and West Berlin? How hard is it to move to Germany with a pet? We’ll answer all these questions and more, so come along for the ride!
April 7, 2021
Well, hello again, Mr.Shuffle! This is a series of episodes in which we focus not on one topic, but a wide variety of unrelated topics. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show! This week’s episode will cover: getting your bicycle stolen, the German Impfpass, weird clauses in apartment contracts, buying a home in Germany, and much more!
March 31, 2021
Before moving abroad to any new country there are some important things you need to take into consideration. We're not talking about physical tasks, such as submitting paperwork, apply for visas, or finding an apartment (we’ve covered these items in a different episode). Instead, we're referring to the questions every soon-to-be expat should ask themselves before moving abroad. What kind of expat do you want to be? Do you even have the motivation to learn a second language? Are you able to be away from your family for long stretches of time? And most importantly, will you be able to handle feeling like an outsider for an uncertain amount of days, weeks, or even months? We’ll talk about all this and more during this week’s episode. It’s time to get introspective!
March 24, 2021
This week we discuss what it’s like to raise a child in Germany and the specifically “German” things that set the experience apart. Did you know the government will send you a monthly payment to help you with the extra costs? What is it like for your child’s German language skills to be better than yours or to be required to have the government’s approval of your son or daughter’s name? You’re probably saying to yourselves, “wait, Alex and Geoff don’t have children” and we won’t lie, you’re absolutely correct. That’s why we’ve invited Shaun Behrens to help us shed light on the subject. He is the host of the “Germany Experience” podcast and perhaps more importantly, a confirmed parent of three kids in Germany.
March 17, 2021
This week we discuss some of the most useful German words and phrases that can help someone who has recently moved to Germany. In particular, we will cover the phrases we had to figure out on our own and were oddly not taught to us in our language classes. We’ll explain how we came upon these German gems and in what situations they are helpful. Some things you can’t learn in your German textbook and you won’t realize what they are until your physically “on the ground”, so to speak. However, don’t worry, this is not just a boring language lesson. Plenty of funny stories are included!
March 10, 2021
We finally have a sequel to one of our most popular episodes…after 53 episodes. This week we discuss some of the many ways the USA and Germany are different in every day life. Why are you locked out of your apartment in Germany if you simply close the door? Why is the average American toilet not equipped with a toilet brush? Why does everyone in a German doctor’s waiting room say “hello” as you walk in the room? We’ll cover these odd differences, and more!
March 3, 2021
Those who move abroad will have their own unique experience, however there are a few things all expats will share. For example, the set of questions they’ll inevitably be asked by all of their friends, family, and those they meet in their adopted homelands. This week we’ll be talking about the questions all expats are asked. How are you going to get a job? When are you moving back home? Are you fluent in German yet? All questions you’ll hear constantly and soon become tired of answering.
February 24, 2021
When a person moves abroad for a long period of time, they sometimes begin to question their identity. There's a duality that comes with considering two different countries your home. What is the answer to, “where are you from?”. How has your adopted country changed your personality, who you are and what you believe? During this week’s episode we discuss our cultural identities and how they have changed after living for several years in Germany. We ask ourselves if we still believe ourselves to be American or if we are “becoming” German over time. Come along with us during this deep dive down the rabbit hole.
February 17, 2021
The “German Shuffle” is making another glorious appearance on the podcast! Love it or hate it, it’s here to stay. For the uninitiated, these are episodes in which we focus not on one topic, but several unrelated topics. Some go by quickly and some have much more “meat on the bone.” This week’s episode will cover: the maze of courtyards in German apartment buildings, the metric system, moving abroad and feeling lost due to not knowing the local language and more!
