Podcasts · Society & Culture

The Germany Experience

Shaun Behrens

159 episodes

Life in Germany, as seen through the eyes of outsiders. Featuring the stories of foreigners who moved to Germany - either temporarily or permanently - and tips and advice for life in Germany. Get an inside view of the joys, the frustrations, and the quirks of adapting to the culture and learning German. New episodes every second Wednesday.

Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. Dating, toxic relationships, and making friends in Germany (Lulu from Ireland)

    · 36 min · Episode 132

    Dating can be a minefield at the best of times. But what happens when you move to a city like Berlin? Lulu Johnson discovered just this when she moved from Ireland to Berlin - and then wrote a book about it! It's…

  2. The diversity trend, Misfit Models, and German bureaucracy when starting a company (Del from the UK)

    · 37 min · Episode 131

    Just do a Google search for Del Keens, and you will see that he's someone with a unique story. After moving to Germany, he started a character modeling agency called Misfit Models. He joins me as a guest in this…

  3. Financing property in Germany (with Kerstin Brunner)

    · 56 min · Episode 130

    Kerstin Brunner is a finance coach, and she comes on the podcast to discuss what goes into buying property in Germany. First we look at how to decide if purchasing a property is right for you. Then we consider the…

  4. Life in Germany as a gay woman (Kim from the UK)

    · 43 min · Episode 129

    Kim from the UK explains what life is like in Germany for her as a gay woman. She also discusses the difficulties of finding a community in smaller cities and towns. Plus: Kim gives some advice! Kim has created a…

  5. How German are you? (Nina from Germany)

    · 51 min · Episode 128

    The Germany Experience is back with a repost from Shaun's other podcast, Everyday Germany. Nina joins Shaun to see which one of them is more German. Subscribe to Everyday Germany where Shaun and Nina discuss their…

  6. 4GEPADFO charity drive update, and when The Germany Experience will be back

    · 4:38 · Bonus

    Shaun gives an update on 4GEPADFO (spoiler: we made our 500€ goal!). But you can still donate to this great cause (a hotline providing psychosocial support for Ukrainian children and youths: Donate to krisenchat Listen…

  7. Getting ready to leave Germany (Nicole from The Expat Cast)

    · 48 min · Episode 125

    Nicole joins me this week to discuss some big changes in her life – she's leaving Germany. In this episode, she explains what's happening and why she's making the move. We also talk about our charity drive for 2022 -…

  8. House hunting, finding day care, and handling rough starts (Wafeeqa from Saudi Arabia)

    · 48 min

    When Wafeeqa and her family moved to Germany, they thought things would be easier: her husband had a job, and his employer was arranging accommodation for them. Plus, they both had experience with learning languages,…

  9. Using hypnosis to help foreigners in Germany (Suzanne Dinter from the UK)

    · 52 min · Episode 123

    Suzanne Dinter joins me this week to explain what hypnotherapy is, and how it can help foreigners adjust to life in Germany - among other issues. Suzanne is a Brit who has been living in Germany since 1994, and she…

  10. Hidden grief, loss of identity, and getting to know the German version of a loved one (Katie Rössler from the USA)

    · 48 min · Episode 122

    Katie Rössler, author of The New Face of Grief, comes on the podcast to discuss the role that hidden grief might play in the lives of foreigners in a new country. She also discusses the toll a move to a new country can…

  11. Advice for adapting and integrating in Germany, from discussions with 100+ foreigners

    · 22 min · Episode 121

    At the end of September 2022, I gave a talk at the Welcome To Germany Summit. This is the rehearsal that I recorded a few days before. But mine was only one of many great talks on the day from multiple speakers! To…

  12. Convincing a company to take a chance on you (Veronica from Mexico)

    · 49 min · Episode 120

    “I feel like a lot of people feel this - this feeling of Germany crushing your soul, like killing you from the inside.” This is how Veronica from Mexico describes her first years in Germany. One of the biggest reasons…

  13. Recovering from a car accident while abroad (Sadaf from Pakistan)

    · 40 min · Episode 119

    Many foreigners do a lot of traveling around Europe while they are here. But have you ever considered what would happen if you had a medical emergency in another country? This happened to Sadaf, when she was involved…

  14. The Welcome To Germany Summit on 29th September 2022

    · 20 min · Bonus

    A group of experts (including me!) has come together to organize a free online event for everyone interested in moving to and living in Germany - expats, internationals, immigrants, repats...you name it. In this…

  15. A German returning to Germany after a decade (Cathrin from Germany)

    · 50 min · Episode 118

    Cathrin, originally from Germany, has been living in the States for more than 10 years, but she recently made the decision to return. She discusses the reasons for wanting to come back, how she needs to say goodbye to…

  16. RERUN: Wurst/arsch/schwein idioms, why “Der/Die/Das” is weird, and sitting down to pee in Germany (Ricardo from Brazil & Ivan from Bulgaria)

    · 53 min

    Originally released on October 19th, 2020. View the original show notes here. 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…

  17. RERUN: Q&A - Making long-term German friends, reverse parking, and origins of German idioms

    · 30 min

    Originally released March 8th, 2021 View the original show notes here. 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…

  18. RERUN: Antoinette Emily from New Zealand

    · 41 min

    Originally released November 23rd, 2020. View the original show notes here. Antoinette's YouTube channel: Antoinette Emily IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST You can support the show in various ways: • BUY THE GERMANY…

  19. RERUN: Ask a German - Bureaucracy, German pillows, standing in line, and recruitment through fruit

    · 56 min

    Original release: November 2nd, 2020 View the original show notes here. Featuring the hosts of the Ach podcast. IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST You can support the show in various ways: • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST…

  20. RERUN: Advice for foreigners in Germany, taken from two years of The Germany Experience

    · 34 min

    Original release: June 2, 2021 View the original show notes here. 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…

  21. The Berlin episode (recorded live @ PodFest Berlin 2022)

    · 1 h 09 min · Episode 117

    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…

  22. Q&A: Self-learning B2, dealing with language barrier frustrations, and is there foolproof advice for making friends in Germany?

    · 21 min · Episode 116

    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.…

  23. Probezeit: The first six months in a German job (Lisa Janz, Job Coach Germany)

    · 41 min · Episode 115

    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,…

  24. Lessons from changing jobs in Germany (Alexandrea from the USA)

    · 50 min · Episode 114

    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…

  25. Helping families to meet like-minded families (Dzhangar from MatchFamilies)

    · 36 min · Episode 113

    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…

  26. German traditions or superstitions? (Nina from Germany)

    · 30 min · Episode 112

    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.…

  27. Eurovision Song Contest 2022 recap, the importance of community, and redefining your identity (Beth from the USA)

    · 36 min · Episode 111

    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.…

  28. Using your own culture to integrate in Germany (Saehee from the USA)

    · 42 min · Episode 110

    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…

  29. States of Liberation: gay rights and discrimination in Cold War Germany (Samuel Clowes Huneke)

    · 40 min · Episode 109

    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,…

  30. Language barrier problems, and overcoming the challenges involved with reporting sexual assault (Mei Chi from Hong Kong)

    · 43 min · Episode 108

    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…

  31. Writing a Eurovision song, and traveling to the Arctic and Antarctic (Fadi from the UK)

    · 39 min · Episode 107

    Fadi Gaziri returns to the show to talk about writing a song for the Eurovision song contest. We talk about why we love the Eurovision song contest so much, what makes a good Eurovision song, and how countries select…

  32. Choosing a rural life, coming to Germany as a lawyer, and a giant tea cup (Rachel from South Africa)

    · 45 min · Episode 106

    It only took 106 episodes, but Shaun finally has a South African guest on the podcast! Rachel is a lawyer (also a first) who has only been in Germany for a few weeks. She discusses her first impressions of Germany,…

  33. Visa struggles, escaping the pandemic on an organic farm, and being a musician in Germany (Laura Osburn from Canada)

    · 41 min · Episode 105

    Laura Osburn is a singer/songwriter from Canada who came to Germany in January 2020 to work on her album and play live shows – and both those plans have been derailed by COVID. We talk about her struggles to get a…

  34. How to be a good dinner guest in a German home (Nina from Germany)

    · 41 min · Episode 104

    Getting invited to a German's home for dinner is difficult enough, but if it happens, you're probably nearing the German's "inner circle". But how do you behave? What is good etiquette? Are there unwritten rules you…

  35. Podcasts, why we love them, and how they help foreigners (Marina and Greta from Buongiorno Bitch)

    · 53 min · Episode 103

    Marina is from Spain and Greta is from Italy, and together they host a podcast called Buongiorno Bitch. They join me to discuss our love for podcasts, and how they can help foreigners. We also talk about how both of…

  36. Charity challenge wrap-up, and when The Germany Experience will be back

    · 3:19 · Bonus

    The 2021 charity challenge between Nicole of The Expat Cast and I is done, and we have a winner! We were able to raise a combined total of 1065€ for Kinderlachen, a charity that helps children in need. Thank you to…

  37. 2021 lows and highs and a charity challenge update with Nicole of the Expat Cast

    · 37 min · Episode 102

    Recorded as an Instagram Live on 21 December 2021. Nicole of The Expat Cast joins me to discuss our low and high points of 2021, and to give an update on our annual charity challenge, this year called ThrEGEPADFO. I…

  38. Making German easier with “-chen” endings, a PhD as a job, and Germans take long to say goodbye (Jeanette from the USA)

    · 42 min · Episode 101

    Jeanette from the USA moved to Germany to continue her studies, and ended up in a PhD program in Aachen. She discusses her experiences making friends while studying, learning German, and her life as a PhD student in…

  39. Episode 100: Funny and memorable The Germany Experience moments

    · 31 min · Episode 100

    DONATE in the ThrEGEPADFO CHARITY CHALLENGE! It's the 100th episode of The Germany Experience! To celebrate, I take a look at just a few of the many memorable moments I've had on the show. Including clips from the…

  40. The leaving Germany episode

    · 50 min · Episode 99

    Not every Germany experience ends with permanent residency or German citizenship. For some, the plan was never to stay for longer than a few years, or things change during the stay, or some other unforeseen occurrence…

  41. Anatomy of a German job interview (Lisa Janz from Job Coach Germany)

    · 47 min · Episode 98

    What can you expect in a German job interview? What's expected of you? Lisa Janz, the woman behind Job Coach Germany, joins me to explain what the five phases of a typical job interview are, and gives some insights…

  42. Health insurance in Germany Q&A, with Techniker Krankenkasse

    · 23 min · Episode 97

    You sent in your questions about health insurance in Germany, and this week a representative from Techniker Krankenkasse, Nina, is here to answer them. You can also get an idea of what to expect from a health insurance…

  43. "Was guckst du?": A 20 year love/hate relationship with Germany (Elizabeth from the USA)

    · 42 min · Episode 96

    Elizabeth first spent time in Germany as a student, and she fell in love with the place. But, by the time her year was up, she was ready to return back home to the States. However, when she got home, she immediately…

  44. The Expat Spouses Report - the results are in (Amaia from Expats & Spouses Monitor)

    · 24 min · Episode 95

    How educated are expat spouses? How do they feel about life in Germany? What word would they use to describe Germany? A new study by Expats & Spouses Monitor answers these questions, and more. Back in February 2021,…

  45. Shopping habits, my German nemesis, problems with dialects, and more: Q&A episode

    · 34 min · Episode 94

    From new shopping habits through to being scolded by Germans, here are the answers to the questions you asked about life in Germany! The Instagram users who asked me questions: • @Lilo_hlt06 • @Sscomstoc •…

  46. Working in tech in Germany (Yotzín from Mexico)

    · 45 min · Episode 93

    What's it like working in tech in Germany? What do foreigners need to know about finding a tech job in Germany? Yotzín, from Mexico, joins me to answer these questions and discuss his experiences working in the tech…

  47. German culture: Der Struwwelpeter and other horrifying children's stories (Nina from Germany)

    · 29 min · Episode 92

    After watching the Calvin & Habs duo do a reenactment of a German children's story called "Paulinchen", I decided to buy the collection of stories it appears in. It's called Der Struwwelpeter, named after one of the…

  48. Foreigner friendships, moving back home, and “F**k it” moments (Beth & Amy from the USA)

    · 47 min · Episode 91

    Both Beth and Amy have appeared on The Germany Experience before, and now they come back on together after having forged a friendship here in Germany. But, as often happens with foreigner friendships, Amy moved back…

  49. RERUN: Seven months as an exchange student in Germany (Montana Showalter from the USA)

    · 37 min

    //This episode was originally released on 18th May 2020// Montana Showalter was an American high school student who went on an exchange program to Germany (called CBYX). At around the same time, she started a YouTube…

  50. RERUN: You go me on the cookie! (Dana Newman from Wanted Adventure)

    · 52 min

    //This interview originally aired on 25th May 2020// Dana Newman from the Wanted Adventure YouTube channel joins me to discuss her book, "You go me on the cookie!". The book (written in German) describes Dana's…

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