Life in Germany

You have questions. 

Maybe you're worried about the culture in Germany. Maybe you're questioning your ability to speak German. Maybe you worry everything will be different from what you know (it will, but in the best way). This is a place meant to answer those questions. If you have a question that isn't answered here or in FAQ's, I'd be happy to answer it for you!

The Language

A large barrier for most people is being worried about your language skills. You will need it in grocery stores, restaurants, work, and school. You will need it to sign contracts and handle your immigration paperwork. I have two bits of good news: most Germans can speak English very well, and there are many tools that can help you when you're struggling. 

Germans are very kind to people taking the time to learn the language. Even if your German sounds horrendous, a German normally will be patient, perhaps correct your German (they always do it with the intention of being kind and helpful), and sometimes just start speaking English with you. The only thing is, you have to try to speak German first. Don't be the person immediately asking to speak English in every interaction. It robs you from the learning opportunity, and it is not very respectful to them. I made this mistake on my first day, and it went poorly. 

Point two. You have a rectangle of infinite knowledge in your hands. If there is something that you are struggling to understand or communicate, the help is right there. It is difficult learning the language, but living in Germany will help you learn German very quickly. It's on the signs, you use it everyday, and you will hear it everyday (except for music, most Germans listen to music in English). You will learn much faster than you realize.  

Public Transportation

You can have access to all of this except for ICE trains with the Deutschland ticket for €63 per month. You can also get this ticket for free with a German student ID card or with certain jobs. You could pay by trip, but if you commute a lot the Deutschland ticket is worth the price. You can buy it from your cities travel authority. If you do not yet have a German bank account and you are having difficulty paying with your US debit card, try to set up a Paypal account while in Germany, connect it to your US card, and it should work.

A few tips:

• When you get on public transport in Germany, you don't have to scan your ticket. However, workers will sometimes come through and ask for your Fahrkarte (travel ticket). If you don't have it, you will be issued a €60 fine. So, always make sure you have your ticket with you.

• If you have not used public transport before, you can use Google maps to figure out which bus or train you need to use.

• Each route is assigned its own numbers or letters, which you can then match to the transport before you get on. There will be two of the same routes going in opposite directions, so you need to check the direction you are going. In Google maps, it will tell you the end station of the route, which you will also need to match up before you get on. You will get on the wrong bus at some point. It happens to everyone. Just get off at the next stop and try again. 

• For busses, when your stop is next, press the red or blue "STOP" buttons near seats and on poles to let the driver know that you will need to get off. Trains and trams will stop automatically at each stop.

• To get on or off of a train, press the circular green button on the doors once the train is at a complete stop. The button is both inside and outside of the train and will open the doors for you. 

Walking and Biking Culture

Diversity

It can be natural to worry that you will stick out in a new country. However, Germany is actually pretty culturally diverse. Here are a few statistics from the official Germany website:

• More than 25% of people in Germany come from a migrant background, with people from over 200 countries

• More than 10% of people in Germany are a part of the LGBT+ community

• Diversity is mandatory in Germany due to the General Equal Treatment Act

Germany does lack in diversity in terms of race. Official race statistics are not well tracked in Germany, but approximately 1 in 83 people are Black, and 3 of every 83 people come from Asian decent. 

Cultural Differences

If you have not traveled out of the US before, it can be natural to wonder what is different about the culture in Germany. Here are a few main differences that I have noticed:

• Germans are direct. It is not mean, but they do not like to waste time and instead get to the point of the conversation. They are very genuine in their opinions. 

• German small talk is different. Most of it is complaining about the trains.

• Children are trusted get themselves to school alone as young as 6 years old.

• Germans are very quiet people. Sundays are quiet days and most cities have quiet times each night.

• Most shops are closed on Sundays, including grocery stores. Make sure you have everything you need on Saturdays. If you need to buy something on a Sunday, try to find a Kiosk. 

• There are public holidays where all shops will close. If you have a calendar you may want to add these holidays to it. These will sneak up on you, so it is always good to have an extra meal in your pantry just in case. 

• Germans are rule followers. One in particular is that you should never cross a crosswalk when the light is red. You will get a lecture about it. 

• Germans love to Stoßlüften (shock ventilation). You may have heard this in America as "burping" your home. Twice a day for around 5 minutes at a time, they will open all windows to allow fresh airflow and combat mold. They will do this no matter how hot or cold it is outside. Some apartments have Stoßlüften written into their leasing agreement.

• It can be difficult to make friends, but friendships are much stronger. The kind of people who wouldn't mind taking you to the airport. Or talking you out of a €80 fine if you lose your tab card at the club. (Speaking from personal experience) 

Despite these few differences, you'll find that Germans are just people. They go to work, to school, and cheer for their local football team.

Currency

Weather

You may have heard that Germany has a lot of rain. As someone from the southern United States, the rain here is unlike any I have personally experienced. Although it rains quite often, the rain is typically light and short lasting. Real storms are less common, but often include light hail or sleet. It snows often during the winter and will stick to the ground for a few days at a time, but as you get further into spring the snow will only last for a few hours on the ground.

The general average lows in winter are between 25°F to 35°F (-3°C to -1°C). In the summers the highs are between 70°F to 80°F (22°C to 26°C). This is a pretty middle range - it doesn't get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. 

It is not common for apartments to have any type of air conditioning, but there are radiators (and towel warmers!) that come pre-built into almost all apartments. Despite there not being AC, the temperature is not unbearable and the high heat of summer is typically short lived. Typically, a fan is enough to feel comfortable in the summer.

Trash

Recycling is mandatory in Germany, which means that they are VERY particular about their trash. If you sort your trash incorrectly, you could get fined for it. In total, trash is separated into 7 sections:

• Verpackung. These are the yellow bins. Here you put packaging of all sorts, from food packaging to item packaging. The packaging does not need to be rinsed or cleaned. (EX. a yogurt cup with residue leftover is fine to go into the packaging bin). Your apartment should have this bin. 

• Papier. These are the blue or green bins depending on which city you are in. This is where all of your paper and cardboard goes. Your apartment should have this bin.

• Restmüll. These are the black bins. Here is where you put the trash that does not fit into the other categories, such as food leftovers. Your apartment should have this bin. 

• Glass. Glass is separated into clear and colored glass. To dispose of this, you will have to find a glass bin near your apartment, typically they're around a five minute walk away. Some glass is also able to be put into certain Pfand machines. (See below)

• Electronics. These must also be disposed of in a special bin, which should be near your glass bin.

• Sperrmüll. Bulk trash such as furniture can only be disposed of several times per year. The day before, people will start to place their items in the street for the city to pick up. You can look up the days for your street on the city website. It is technically illegal to pick up these items off of the street as it is still considered property of the owner until it is picked up. However, I have seen several people searching for treasures on sperrmüll days without any trouble. Use this information at your own risk.

Here is an helpful Easy German video about the process. Although it can be difficult to get used to, it is important to try your best. In addition to the fine, incorrectly sorting your trash is one of two ways to make enemies with your German neighbors. The other is being loud during quiet times. 

Laundry

Germany doesn't use dryers, and most of the washing machines are quite small. Laundry is done often in Germany, and to dry it most people use a drying rack. Some apartments have a communal washing machine station, but for most apartments you are expected to get your own.