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The Expat CastThe Grass Is Greenest Where You Water It with Steph Season 5, Episode 24. Steph is a fellow expat podcaster, host of the great show Transcontinental Overload. She was born and raised in Germany, but her love for and comfort with the English language made her certain she'd one day move to London. She did, and the classic thing happened: one year abroad turned into a lifetime. After years in England, Steph moved to Silicon Valley in California, USA. She was ready to return to her heart's home of England, but life had other plans, and it was off to Austin, Texas. Steph struggled to accept that move, and...
2021-06-1737 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTimes German Authority Figures Have Made Us Cry with Martina Season 5, Episode 21. Just about every expat in Germany can tell you a story of a time an interaction with a person of authority made them cry. While many if not most interactions go good or even well, there are unfortunately times when relating across cultures and languages goes awry and leaves you feeling disempowered, helpless, and demeaned. At worst, this might mean you don't get the medical help or the visa you need. At best, it's a negative experience that leaves you afraid of future interactions. Martina, an expat in Munich from Uruguay, has her o...
2021-05-2741 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastSeason 4 Finale: Expat Role ModelsSeason 4, Episode 25. It's episode 100! The end of season 4! So many reasons to celebrate! To wrap up a season that ended up being released starting at the onset of a pandemic and seeing us all the way through to September, we hear from a variety of former guests, listeners, and expat friends from around Freiburg about who their expat/immigrant/nomad role model is. Be it the people mentioned in this episode or the people who came on the show to mention them, there are examples you can aspire to - and who knows, maybe you're...
2020-09-1738 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastDating as a Foreigner in Germany with JustinSeason 4, Episode 24. Nicole and Justin are two single Americans who have both been in Germany for about three years, and they're here to exchange their stories and perspectives on dating. Is it more effective to date in German or in English? Is it easier to date Germans or fellow internationals? What dating apps are common in Germany, and what is it like to use them? Are the gender roles different in Germany versus the US, and if so, how does that affect dating? Plus, both share the story of their most embarrassing date.  
2020-09-1040 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastUS Americans: How to Vote from Abroad with Candice from Democrats AbroadSeason 4, Episode 23. If you are a US citizen, even if you live abroad, you ARE eligible to vote. And you SHOULD vote. Candice works with Democrats Abroad Germany and Vote from Abroad. She's here to tell us how to vote from abroad, why to vote from abroad, and what deadlines to keep in mind. The important information she shares in the episode can be found here.   FIND DEMOCRATS ABROAD On their website On Instagram @demsabroadgermany On Twitter @DemsAbroadDE Facebook @DAGermany On E...
2020-09-0339 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Downside of a Nomadic Life with MahdiaSeason 4, Episode 22. Mahdia left her hometown of Dhaka, Bangladesh when she was 19. Within a year, she'd settled into adulthood and expat life simultaneously in her new home of Wollongong, Australia. She loved her life, her friends, and most importantly, the person she'd become. When she moved back to Dhaka three years later, Mahdia quickly realized her new identity didn't quite fit in. As she'd wanted to get her master's degree in Germany, anyway, she sent off applications and within a year was back off to life as an expat. This time, she was living more of a...
2020-08-2739 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMy Coronavirus Test Experience (Minisode)Minisode. My summer vacation ended up consisting of me visiting friends in Cologne, Berlin, and Amsterdam. Because I was outside of German borders, I qualified for a free Coronavirus test upon my return. I share what my experience was like.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-08-2409 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTravel Germany: Nuremberg with ShannonSeason 4, Episode 21. In the Travel Germany series, different places across Germany are featured in interviews with expats who relocated there.  Today, we learn about Nuremberg! Shannon and her family have lived in Nuremberg twice now, and they have fallen in love with the city's charm. Through the years, she's gathered a slew of great travel tips, which you can find here.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-08-2039 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastStarted from the Bottom with MariSeason 4, Episode 20. Moving abroad means starting completely over from scratch. Career, friendships, belongings, culture, language - all of these things are gone or nearly gone when you move abroad. Yet somehow, at some point, expats/immigrants climb their way to the top and establish a life for themselves in all of these sectors. Mari is from Indiana, USA and moved to Germany. Not only does she have her own story of how she started from the bottom; she also shares the story of her mother, who moved from Peru to the USA. Mari's family offers...
2020-08-1340 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAll the Expat Ladies with Mari from The Expat Lady ExperienceSeason 4, Episode 19. Mari is here to talk all things related to the foreign female experience in Germany. Originally from Estonia, Mari has lived in three European countries. Along with Nicole's American perspective, the two discuss their experience of being a woman in Germany from an outsider's point of view. Can a woman feel safe to walk home alone at night? Is there a form of sisterhood among German women? How do expat friend groups manage group dynamics when cultural differences make conflict even worse? And, the ultimate question, can men and women be friends? So...
2020-08-0643 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastBeing Queer in Germany with MegSeason 4, Episode 18. Meg is a love expat - she moved to Freiburg, Germany from South Carolina, USA to be with her German then-girlfriend, now-wife. From the southern US to southern Germany, she shares what it's been like for her being queer.  What kinds of encounters has she had because of her queer identity? Can she and wife hold hands and kiss in public? What is the queer community like in Germany in comparison to the US? What's the deal with Christopher Street Day? We get into all that, plus queer history, minority solidarity, and media p...
2020-07-3046 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastGetting Cancer in Germany with NatalieSeason 4, Episode 17. Germany was supposed to be a temporary stop on a longer journey of living abroad for Natalie, from the UK, and her husband Conrad, from Germany. Then, months before their wedding, weeks before her birthday, and days before Christmas, Natalie got diagnosed with cancer. The cancer diagnosis changed her life dramatically, immediately, and, in some ways, permanently. Natalie went through various operations, treatments, and therapies - and she did it all in German, a language she was still in the process of learning. The good news: she recovered from the first round of...
2020-07-2342 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTravel Germany: Stuttgart with StefanieSeason 4, Episode 16. In the Travel Germany series, different places across Germany are featured in interviews with expats who relocated there.  In this episode, Stefanie from the episode Austria v Germany is back to tell us all about her new home city. Not only is Stuttgart the capital of Baden-Württemberg; it also is the center of Schwabian culture, responsible for such beloved things like Käsespätzle and Maultaschen. For all of her great travel ideas, read on here.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitt...
2020-07-1638 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastSolo Female Travel with ZoeSeason 4, Episode 15. Nicole recently discovered solo travel, and she chats about it with Zoe, a seasoned solo traveler who has done longer trips across Europe, South America, and southeast Asia all by herself. They discuss the benefits of traveling alone, but they also acknowledge the challenges, and they share their tips for things like loneliness and safety, especially as young female travelers.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-07-0943 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAmerica On FireBONUS CONTENT. After the George Floyd protests, the Carl Schurz Haus in Freiburg hosted an online panel discussion with five Americans living in Germany about the state of America and their experiences with racism. It was moderated by Nicole, the host of The Expat Cast. The audio version of the panel is being re-broadcast here on The Expat Cast on the 4th of July intentionally. As panelist Jorrell put it, "This stuff happened. And it's okay - you can still think America is great now, but you have to come to terms with the fact that these...
2020-07-041h 39The Expat Cast
The Expat CastDivorce as an Expat Living Abroad with KatiaSeason 4, Episode 14. Getting divorced abroad is complicated and challenging in just about every imaginable way, and Katia Vlachos is here to talk to us about it all. Katia, a longtime expat, got divorced from her Austrian husband in Switzerland. She shares what she learned through the challenging process. For more about Katia's experience and the resources she mentioned, head over to the blog.   FIND KATIA Visit her website Read her book, A Great Move Check out her coaching services On Facebook @KatiaVlachosCoach
2020-07-0235 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTravel Germany: Görlitz with Tessa and LaurenSeason 4, Episode 13. In the Travel Germany series, different places across Germany are featured in interviews with expats who relocated there.  Tessa and Lauren are two Americans who both moved to Görlitz, a small city where you can stroll on over a bridge and find yourself in Poland. Görlitz is small but mighty, because it's actually the largest city in Germany to not be bombed in World War 2. It's full of charm, history, architecture, and local culture, and it's captured the hearts of many a Hollywood director - so many movies have been filmed in Görlit...
2020-06-2534 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTalking about Racism with White Expat Podcasters in Germany with ShaunSeason 4, Episode 12. Nicole and Shaun are two white expat podcasters who live in Germany. Nicole is from the US, and Shaun is from South Africa. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the two come together to share their reactions and actions about racism, as white people, as podcasters, as expats in Germany, and as people from countries with significant racially unjust histories. For a list of resources mentioned in this episode, head over here.   FIND SHAUN On his website On Instagram @the.germany.experience
2020-06-1857 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Relocation Industry with SheanneSeason 4, Episode 11. For DIY expats like your host, Nicole, the world of the relocatoin industry is truly magical. For expats who move for jobs, this topic might be more familiar. Sheanne works in the relocation industry, and she gives insider information on how to maximize your relocation package.   FIND SHEANNE On her website On Instagram @MigrantMamaAU Listen to her podcast, Migrant Mama in Australia   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-06-1140 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTo Move or Not To Move: The Expat During a Pandemic Question with EmilySeason 4, Episode 10. When your extended family is split between two countries on two different continents, deciding where to root your own family is not easy. Throw in the complications brought to us by the Covid-19/Coronavirus pandemic, and the decision becomes nearly impossible to make. Our guest today, Emily, has a family split between the US and Germany. Emily, her husband, their young daughter, and their pets are based in the States now, but have considered a move to Germany several times. How has the pandemic impacted their ideas, plans, and dreams? How does Emily prioritize choosing...
2020-05-2839 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTravel Germany: Freiburg with JibranSeason 4, Episode 9. In the Travel Germany series, different places across Germany are featured in interviews with expats who relocated there.  To kick it off, we're featuring the home of The Expat Cast: Freiburg. Located in southwest Germany on the edge of the Black Forest, 30 minutes from the Alsace in France and from Switzerland, this corner of the world is full of culture, food, wine, and seemingly endless nature to enjoy. Get a full list of our recommendations here.   FIND JIBRAN On YouTube @DesiInWonderland   CONNECT th...
2020-05-2142 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastWhen Expat Life Doesn't Work Out with BrandiSeason 4, Episode 8. Brandi decided to move on from her life in California. She sold most of her things, packed up her cat, and moved to Germany in the heat of summer. It was a one-way-ticket kind of move, an open-ended relocation. She'd start with German courses and go from there. Nine months later, Brandi was back in the States. Life in Germany had become a struggle beyond what was acceptable. Brandi is here to share with us how she came to recognize that her expat journey wasn't the story she was hoping for. Her experience...
2020-05-1437 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCross-Cultural Creative Clarity with ArianeSeason 4, Episode 7. Ariane left Munich, Germany for Canada when she was a teenager, not realizing it would be a 30-year stay that would change her forever. Now back in Germany with her Canadian-German family, Ariane is a life coach specializing in cross-cultural creative clarity. Creativity doesn't just have to reference pursuit of an artistic project. Creativity can also be found in how we live our lives - and expats know that well. Because the experience of living in a new country is so far outside the norm, expats have to use their creativity to forge a life...
2020-05-0738 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastBecoming Bilingual with CaseySeason 4, Episode 6. Nicole and Casey share their highs and lows of language learning. Both gals are Americans who grew up monolingual and scoffed at their attempts to learn a language in high school or college, but moving abroad gave them the motivation to learn German, for real this time. They share their frustrations, freak-outs, failures, and even the occasional success. Highlights include Nicole inquiring how much it would cost to get her apartment petted, Casey exclaiming her excitement to go to the park to see the - er, male genitalia - and both of them delighting in...
2020-04-3037 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCreating Home with JuliaSeason 4, Episode 5. Expat & life coach Julia inspired me with her blog post, "How to feel at home while you're abroad." Although "home" can seem like it's something that just exists, separate from us, home is actually a feeling created actively by an individual. But how? Julia and I map out various strategies that have worked for us to make us feel at home, no matter where we are in the world.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-04-2340 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCommunity from a Distance with Aspen from AspenAbroadSeason 4, Episode 4. Coronavirus is a global pandemic that's got many of us trapped at home. Aspen and I team up to bring you a podcast/YouTube cross-over to help you find the good in this bad situation. Our status as expats in Germany has given us plenty of practice at maintaining relationships and creating a sense of community from afar, and we share our favorite tricks to feeling connected despite the distance.  Check out the video of this collaboration on Aspen's YouTube channel here. Read the blog post to find out more here.  ...
2020-04-1633 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCounseling for Cross-Cultural Relationships with KatieSeason 4, Episode 3. Being in a cross-cultural relationship comes with many strengths and many challenges, especially if one partner moved to a new country and learned a new language to make the relationship work. This week's guest has lots of experience with that, both personally and professionally. Katie Rössler is an expat couple's counselor. Working with couples in person and online, through sessions as well as online courses and guides, Katie helps her clients navigate the tricky waters of miscommunications, conflicting expectations, and more. We discuss common isuses in relationships involving two or more cultures, an...
2020-04-0943 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Introverted Expat with Austyn from Expat HourSeason 4, Episode 2. We dive into the topic of introversion with fellow introvert, fellow American living in Europe, and fellow podcaster Austyn from Expat Hour. Although Austyn and Nicole fall on different places on the extrovert/introvert spectrum, we share a love for nights in, the fulfillment of reading a book or watching TV alone, and the joy of missing out, aka JOMO, on social events. We reflect on whether these introverted qualities make expat life easier or harder.   REFERENCED THIS EPISODE The book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World T...
2020-04-0241 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAmerican Football in Germany with Nick from NALFSeason 4, Episode 1. We're back with season 4! And we're kicking it off by diving into the delightful world of American football in Germany. Did you know that American football is played in Germany? I didn't, and neither did today's guest, Nick Alfieri, until he got recruited by the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. Yes, you read that right, they're called the Unicorns. Yes, it's impossible to say that without smiling. Nick's from Oregon, and he jumped at the chance to continue his football career after his college football career ended. He brought his other passion w...
2020-03-2637 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTaxes for Expats in Germany with Agnese from Wundertax (Rebroadcast) REBROADCAST (Oct 2019). It's hard enough to be a responsible adult in your home country. When you move abroad, the weight of common adult tasks like filing taxes is compounded. Your oh-so-responsible host, Nicole, has lived in Germany for over 2 years and thusfar had done the oh-so-responsible thing and fully ignored her taxes. But fear not - Wundertax is here to save her! Nicole gave their German taxes tool a go. It's specifically built for expats in Germany, with a streamlined tool available in a range of languages. She was blown away by the company and their tool...
2020-03-1900 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCoronavirus and COVID-19 in Germany (with Nicole from The Expat Cast and Steph from Geopats)This is a rebroadcast of an episode of "The Germany Experience," hosted by Shaun near Nuremberg. I call in from Freiburg to chat with Shaun and Steph Fuccio in Berlin of Geopats about our experiences with the COVID-19 outbreak in Germany. Find The Germany Experience here, and on Instagram and Twitter. Discuss your opinions on this episode in the The Germany Experience Facebook group! Find Steph here, on Instagram and on Twitter.    CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2020-03-1846 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastFiling US Taxes as an American Expat with Nathalie from MyExpatTaxes (Rebroadcast) REBROADCAST (Nov 2019). Here at The Expat Cast, we're thankful for taxes. Or at least the services & programs that taxes provide. And we're thankful for people like Nathalie Goldstein, who founded MyExpatTaxes, a company whose software makes filing your US expat taxes fun and cute. "Fun" and "cute" and "taxes" all in one sentence? Hold your gasps! With the MyExpatTaxes software, it's actually totally true. Nathalie tells us her story about how her frustrating experience filing taxes as an American after she moved from Silicon Valley to Vienna, Austria inspired her to found the company, and...
2020-03-1200 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastWhatcha Up To?Season 3, Episode 25. It's the season 3 finale!!! Thanks to everyone who has made this season of The Expat Cast a smashing success. To celebrate the season wrapping up, I've invited guests from the last 3 seasons to give us an update on where they are now, how things have changed since they last were on the podcast, and what decisions they've been making lately about their expat life. We'll be back with season 4 at some point in the near(ish) future! Bis dann!   FIND THE GUESTS 1. James, from LiveWorkGermany, was on t...
2020-01-3052 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastGetting Married in Germany with NatalieSeason 3, Episode 24. Natalie left her home country of the UK and was backpacking in Australia when a handsome German man caught her eye in a hostel. Cue a whirlwind year of traveling together throughout Australia and Asia before moving together to Freiburg, Germany. When the two got engaged, Natalie had plenty of big dreams for how she wanted her wedding. But quickly, it became apparent that putting on her dream English wedding in Germany wasn't going to so easy. On top of that, a surprise cancer diagnoses landed Natalie in chemo around the time of the wedding...
2020-01-2338 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTranslating German Genealogical Documents with KatieSeason 3, Episode 23. After I had Katie on as a guest for the episode called Intercultural Relationships, I knew I had to have her on again to talk about her day job. Katie spends her days deciphering and translating old German handwriting from different genealogical documents.  Individuals researching their German ancestry - or individuals who just stumble across their great-great-grandma's diary - come to Katie to bring these original documents back to life. With her fluency in German, her knowledge of old German terms, and her specialization in reading the old handwriting, Katie's job lets her dive into t...
2020-01-1639 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAmerican Pride with ZoeSeason 3, Episode 22. There are an estimated 9 million Americans living abroad. If you asked each one of them how they feel about being American, you'd probably get 9 million unique answers. While we can't ask every single person how they feel, we can - and have! - asked two, and this week, we talk to Zoe, a native Philadelphian who returned to the city after various experiences living and traveling abroad. After her second year abroad in France, Zoe decided to move back to the US - not just temporarily, but permanently. She comes on the show to explain...
2020-01-0947 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAmerican Shame with GabeSeason 3, Episode 21. There are an estimated 9 million Americans living abroad. If you asked each one of them how they feel about being American, you'd probably get 9 million unique answers. While we can't ask every single person how they feel, we can - and have! - asked two, and this week, we talk to Gabe, a native South Carolinian living in Amsterdam. Gabe feels a deep sense of shame about being an American. Since moving to Europe, he's become disillusioned about numerous aspects of American history, culture, and identity. Gabe shares with us what his journey of moving...
2020-01-0240 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastFEGEPADFO Is Over!FEGEPADFO. Is that another one of those famous, long, confusing German words? Nein! It's short for the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The Expat Cast is competing against The Germany Experience to see who can get more donations to their charity of choice over this Advent season. You can participate by donating to either one of their charities - or both!   MORE INFORMATION thegermanyexperience.de/charity The Expat Cast's charity of choice: Women's Worth Inc Expat Life Germany's charity o...
2020-01-0104 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastChristmas in Germany v. Christmas in America with ChristinSeason 3, Episode 20. Nicole grew up in the US and moved to Germany in her mid-20s, and Christin grew up in Germany and moved to the US in her mid-20s. They both pull from their childhood as well as their years in their new home countries to swap stories about how the holidays are in both countries. Do you know about the Christmas Pickle? Have you ever accidentally set an advent wreath on fire? When you think about a nice hot, alcoholic beverage, do you think about eggnog or about Gluehwein? We discuss and giggle about...
2019-12-2638 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat Cast4. Advent: #FEGEPADFO UpdateFEGEPADFO. Is that another one of those famous, long, confusing German words? Nein! It's short for the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The Expat Cast is competing against The Germany Experience to see who can get more donations to their charity of choice over this Advent season. You can participate by donating to either one of their charities - or both!   MORE INFORMATION thegermanyexperience.de/charity The Expat Cast's charity of choice: Women's Worth Inc Expat Life Germany's charity o...
2019-12-2202 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Beauty of Community with Berly - RebroadcastSeason 3, Episode 19. This is a rebroadcast from March 2019. It’s being re-released in honor of FEGEPADFO, or the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The guest on the episode is Berly, one of the founders of Women’s Worth Inc., which is my charity of choice for FEGEPADFO. Listen to hear how Berly’s came to the idea to found Women’s Worth, as well as stories of who the people are that this charity helps. I hope that after listening, you’ll be inspired to take a couple minutes to donate to Women’s Worth in ce...
2019-12-1935 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat Cast3 Advent: #FEGEPADFO UpdateFEGEPADFO. Is that another one of those famous, long, confusing German words? Nein! It's short for the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The Expat Cast is competing against The Germany Experience to see who can get more donations to their charity of choice over this Advent season. You can participate by donating to either one of their charities - or both!   MORE INFORMATION thegermanyexperience.de/charity The Expat Cast's charity of choice: Women's Worth Inc Expat Life Germany's charity o...
2019-12-1503 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastApprenticeships in Germany with Shanon and MichaelSeason 3, Episode 18. Germany is famous around the globe for their apprenticeship program, or Ausbildung. Did you know that foreigners are also eligible to do an apprenticeship in Germany? We talk to two Americans doing apprenticeships in Germany, one in beer brewing and the other in pottery. The best part? During the whole three-year program, they get a salary! It’s not much, but it’s livable! They explain to us how they got their positions, what it’s like doing an apprenticeship as foreigners in their late 20s, and what opportunities will be available to them u...
2019-12-1234 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat Cast2 Advent: #FEGEPADFO UpdateFEGEPADFO. Is that another one of those famous, long, confusing German words? Nein! It's short for the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The Expat Cast is competing against The Germany Experience to see who can get more donations to their charity of choice over this Advent season. You can participate by donating to either one of their charities - or both!   MORE INFORMATION thegermanyexperience.de/charity The Expat Cast's charity of choice: Women's Worth Inc Expat Life Germany's charity o...
2019-12-0803 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAustria v. Germany with StefanieSeason 3, Episode 17. Austria and Germany have a sensitive relationship. Picture a sibling rivalry, but with countries and cultures that have coexisted in varying states of war and peace for centuries. Today's guest, Stefanie, grew up in Austria and, against all odds and cultural norms, married a German. *pause for gasps* The two live in Stuttgart, Germany, where Stefanie is experiencing a strange expatriation process after living in the UK for 16 years. Stefanie delights us with a chat that manages to be both laugh-out-loud hilarious and thought-provoking. Highlights include us bonding over our love for the...
2019-12-0538 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat Cast1 Advent: Announcing FEGEPADFOFEGEPADFO. Is that another one of those famous, long, confusing German words? Nein! It's short for the First Ever Germany Expat Podcasters Advent Donation Face Off. The Expat Cast is competing against The Germany Experience to see who can get more donations to their charity of choice over this Advent season. You can participate by donating to either one of their charities - or both!   MORE INFORMATION thegermanyexperience.de/charity The Expat Cast's charity of choice: Women's Worth Inc Expat Life Germany's charity o...
2019-12-0104 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastFiling US Taxes as an American Expat with Nathalie from MyExpatTaxesSeason 3, Episode 16. Happy Thanksgiving! Here at The Expat Cast, we're thankful for taxes. Or at least the services & programs that taxes provide. And we're thankful for people like Nathalie Goldstein, who founded MyExpatTaxes, a company whose software makes filing your US expat taxes fun and cute. "Fun" and "cute" and "taxes" all in one sentence? Hold your gasps! With the MyExpatTaxes software, it's actually totally true. Nathalie tells us about starting MyExpatTaxes and shares TONS of information that can help you avoid common tax filing mistakes among US expats. For all...
2019-11-2844 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastExpat Loneliness with GabrielaSeason 3, Episode 15. The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting colder, and we're all getting lonelier. The normal November blues are made that much more challenging when you're facing them in a foreign country. But fret not! You're not alone, even if you are lonely. Every expat has experienced a season of loneliness, and, dare I say, we'll all face them again at some point. This week's guest is fellow expat and life coach Gabriela Encina, who brings us stories from her own life as well as the experiences of her clients. Gabriela talks...
2019-11-2139 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastIntercultural Relationships with KatieSeason 3, Episode 14. "You're always going to have one set of parents or family who is sad because they're missing their son or daughter." Katie, an American, is married to an Austrian. Their relationship has been colored by what language they communicate in and where they live - in the US, in Austria, and now as digital nomads. Although sometimes it is as magical as taking twirling in the Austrian Alps, singing songs from The Sound of Music, there are numerous challenges that come up when you are in an intercultural relationship. Katie comes on the...
2019-11-1437 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastImposter Syndrome as an Expat with MelissaSeason 3, Episode 13. You know it's going to be a good episode if it references Brene Brown AND Maya Angelou! This week, we're diving into the nitty gritty of imposter syndrome, or the deep feeling and/or fear of being a fraud. Maybe you've heard of it before, maybe you've admitted to feeling it before, but MAN does expat life intensify the experience of imposter syndrome! Melissa, aka Intentional Expat, lived in Spain and the Netherlands for a decade before moving back to her home state, Washington in the US. Melissa has a PHD in Clinical and Health...
2019-11-0737 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMy Favorite Freiburg Murder with MeganSeason 3, Episode 12. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! What better way to celebrate Halloween abroad than by discussing true murder cases that happened in the town where you live? Inspired by the famous & well-loved true crime podcast, My Favorite Murder, your host Nicole and her guest Megan picked out two suspenseful cases that tie into their new home of Freiburg, Germany. First up, Megan (who loves murder!) tells us the story of The Woman Without a Face. Then Nicole tells us the story of the Frauenmörder, aka the Woman Murderer, aka the Beast of the Black Forest.
2019-10-3137 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastTaxes for Expats in Germany with Agnese from WundertaxSeason 3, Episode 11. After using and loving the WunderTax tool for expats in Germany to file German taxes, Nicole was so impressed that she invited them on the show. Fellow expat in Germany, Agnese, works with WunderTax, and she tell us everything we need to know to file our taxes on time, accurately, and painlessly. The episode focuses on general insights into filing taxes in Germany. For more about filing taxes in Germany, check out this blog post.   FIND WUNDERTAX On their website Their expat-specific page On Facebook @G...
2019-10-2438 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastSnacks & Toilets with Trash JennySeason 3, Episode 10. It's the episode no one wanted, that no one needed - yet here it is! It's Snacks & Toilets! In the first half of the episode, we discuss snacks - the snacks we love and hate in Germany, and the snacks we miss most from home. Then comes part two: toilets. Have you encountered the elusive German toilet phenomenon, the poop shelf? We dish out the pros and cons of the strange design, then we give some well-deserved hate to our home country, USA, for having public bathroom doors that have cracks large enough...
2019-10-1739 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastLiving Abroad in Your 20s with OliviaSeason 3, Episode 9. Moving abroad throws so many things into question - your sense of home, your relationships, your career, your comfort zone. In fact, all of these things are also typically thrown into question during another life period: your 20s.  Olivia is 26. She is half-Irish, half-Austrian and has lived in Australia and Sweden. Suffice it to say, she's had her fair share of opportunities to ask these tough questions! In our conversation, we discuss what it was like growing up split between two countries and cultures, family relations as an expat, and the push and pull between s...
2019-10-1036 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Expat Cast Live at the Carl Schurz Haus with JamesSeason 3, Episode 8. Look out - a wild podcast has escaped the cage of the basement studio and emerged into the real world! The Expat Cast went LIVE! In honor of International Podcast Day, we hosted an event at the Carl Schurz Haus, the German-American center in Freiburg. Following a quick crash course on podcasting, the audience enjoyed a panel discussion between The Expat Cast and local Freiburg podcast Jung & Freudlos about all things podcasting - how we make our shows, why we make the shows, for whom we make the shows, and who we are as hosts...
2019-10-0341 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMy Expat Story with Your Host, Nicole Season 3, Episode 7. It's time to get to know your host! This episode, there's no guest - just me, Nicole, the lady behind the podcast. I tell my expat story, from my first experience abroad to today. I discuss how I left my heart in Italy, my long-distance relationship, my career as a librarian, and how I made the move to Germany in terms of career, visa, and cultural adjustment.   RESOURCES Long-Distance Relationships The First Few Months Prepping for a Job Hunt in Germany Information about Bundesfreiwilligendienst
2019-09-2635 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastRaising a Son with Special Needs in Germany with Shaun of Expat Life Germany Season 3, Episode 6. Today, the expats in Germany podcast worlds collide - because Shaun from The Germany Experience is a guest on The Expat Cast! Shaun moved to Germany from South Africa years ago with his wife, in search of adventure and new experiences. They now have German citizenship and are raising two - soon to be three! - kiddos in their rural German village. Their oldest son has a special need called SYNGAP-1, and Shaun shares with us how they've navigated the situation as foreigners and second-language German speakers. From doctor's visits to learning what...
2019-09-1935 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMoving Abroad with Teenagers with Linda Season 3, Episode 5. Linda Kerr grew up as a Third Culture Kid and is now a "trailing spouse" or expat partner. That means she's experienced living abroad during various stages of life - but now, she's doing something totally new. She is living abroad in Germany with her husband and their two teenagers. Linda explains how she's made moving to Europe work with a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old. Although it's not always easy, Linda's family has embraced their 3-year stay in Germany as a chance to make history come to life by visiting the cities that their kids...
2019-09-1228 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastInternational Schools with Lauren Season 3, Episode 4. "For us, the number 1 priority was that they would thrive academically, that they would thrive socially, and that this experience would build them up, not suppress them and make them feel like introverts just because they're outsiders." When Lauren moved from the Jersey Shore in New Jersey, USA to Barcelona, Spain with her husband and three small children, she did her research and decided that international school was the right choice for her kids' schooling. She explains to me what that means, what varieties there are within international schools, and what it's like to be a...
2019-09-0539 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastPeople with a Backround of Migration with FraserSeason 3, Episode 3. Folks, we've got our first New Zealand expat in Germany on the show! Having lived in England during the Brexit vote, Fraser became keenly aware of how some foreigners are referred to as expats while others are immigrants. Expats are often seen in a positive light whereas immigrants are too often seen negatively. Not so coincidentally, "immigrants" are often people of color. We dig into this topic, including considering the German phrase "Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund," or "people with a background of migration." While more politically correct, the phrase is bulky and challenging for...
2019-08-2939 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMoving Back "Home" with Lindsey from The ExpatRepat PodcastSeason 3, Episode 2. "Expat" is short for expatriation, or living in a country other than one's native country, and "repat" is short for repatriation, or living back in one's native country after living abroad. Put them together, and you get Expat Repat, the name of Lindsey McLean's podcast. Lindsey herself is a repat, living back in the USA after years of life abroad in Switzerland. In the years since she's moved back, she's struggled but succeeded at building a life that she's happy with. We dive deeper into Lindsey's story - how she moved abroad, why she loved...
2019-08-2240 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMoving Abroad or Running Away? with Aspen from AspenAbroadSeason 3, Episode 1. We kick off season 3 with expat YouTuber Aspen, from AspenAbroad, in which we get a little deeper into Aspen's decision to move to Europe after growing up in Hawaii - and how she settled on Munich, Germany, as her new home. Released just in time to celebrate Aspen's 5th Gedeutschtag (Alles gute zum Gedeutschtag, Aspen!), we take a stroll down memory lane to look at the traumas and challenges that inspired Aspen to leave the US, followed by a discussion of how she's feeling now. Check out the blog about this episode.  
2019-08-1538 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAsk the Expat with StaceySeason 2, Episode 25. Welcome to the Season 2 finale episode! To celebrate 50 episodes, 10,000 downloads, and 1 year of podcasting, we've called up a good friend to answer listener questions and quandaries in a brand new format called Ask the Expat. We give our best go at answering questions sent to us from expats all over. For a full list of questions and resources mentioned in the episode, click here. We'll be back with season 3 soon. Keep your eyes on social media and stay subscribed to get updated about when the next season will hit your feeds.  ...
2019-07-1142 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastHow to Show Up with SundaeSeason 2, Episode 24. For many, one of the toughest things about living abroad is being far away from friends and family. It can feel like you're missing out on all the important moments, big and small - and sometimes, that's true. But sometimes, it's possible to move heaven and earth to be there, in person, for a big event. When that does happen, the moment becomes that much more important because of how far out of your way you went to be there. Showing up in those moments is, as Sundae explains in her podcast Expat Happy Hour, a...
2019-07-0441 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCelebrate Every Little Win with GyoSeason 2, Episode 23. Gyo moved from southern California to Nuremberg, Germany 9 months ago to close the distance on her relationship. Although she's always struggled with anxiety, Gyo has found ways to continue challenging herself as she adjusts to the new culture. Gyo and Nicole chat about the stresses of language learning, friend making, wellness and nutrition, and home building in Germany. Above all, the two share the belief that it is vital to celebrate your little wins along the way, like a trip to a grocery store or going to the gym on a cold winter evening.
2019-06-2738 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastPutting the Ex in Expat: Break-Ups Abroad with JessicaSeason 2, Episode 22. Many people move abroad for love, but what happens when that relationship doesn't work out? Germany wasn't anywhere on Jessica's radar when she started dating her German girlfriend. But eventually, she moved to her girlfriend's hometown of Erfurt, Germany. Jessica immersed herself in the German language and culture. Two years into life in Erfurt, the relationship ended, but Jessica stayed. Even when she later moved away to England, her heart stayed in Germany.    FIND JESSICA On her website Check out her book, How To Move Abroad (And Why...
2019-06-2037 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastStereotypes and Misconceptions with TatjanaSeason 2, Episode 21. Tatjana is a Berliner who chose a profession in tourism in order to enable her to live all over the world - which she has, with stints in The Netherlands, England, The United Arab Emirates, and India. Tatjana discusses what stereotypes and misconceptions she has encountered in her various experiences as an expat, including both ones that have been directed towards her as an expat and ones that have been directed toward the country she calls home. She also shares how she's incorporated her German culture into her life in India with her Chinese-Indian husband...
2019-06-1336 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastYou Are Where You Live with MarkSeason 2, Episode 20. Today's guest is celebrating three decades of life abroad! Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Mark Baker's studies in journalism and Eastern European international relations took him to Vienna, Austria in the late 1980s. Little did he know that the Iron Curtain would fall just as he was settling in, changing his life - and the world - forever. Mark's writing career took him to Prague, Czech Republic, and now, he's an accomplished travel writer. Mark's got years of hard-earned wisdom, and I'm glad he's shared them with us. Read them here.  
2019-06-0639 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastPreparing to Move Abroad with RianaSeason 2, Episode 19. Riana spoke to us when she had one month left in Canada before she, her partner, and their dog moved to Prague. As a Canadian under the age of 30, Riana was able to take advantage of the Youth Mobility Visa, which allows Canadians to life and work in 35 countries for one year. She talks us through how she decided that life abroad in Prague was the right choice for her. Riana shares what kind of preparation she's been able to do pre-move abroad, as well as what it's been like emotionally preparing for her year...
2019-05-3038 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMacaroon Moments with AraSeason 2, Episode 18. Have you ever had a macaroon moment? As a kid, Ara dreamed of eating a macaroon in Paris while gazing out on the Eifel Tower. But growing up in her hometown in Mexico, any kind of experience abroad seemed like an impossibly far away notion. Then: life and love happened, and before she knew it, there she was - eating a macaroon in Paris while gazing out on the Eifel Tower. For Ara, that's what life abroad is all about. Although her weekdays are filled with working from home in her small town i...
2019-05-2333 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastFrom Pils to Pints to Passport Stamps with SixtinaSeason 2, Episode 17. Four years is Sixtina's magical number. After growing up in Germany, she moved to the Netherlands for 4 years, followed by Ireland for 4 years. She's also lived in the United States, Mexico, and Spain. Mere days before she left Ireland to embark on her dream-turned-reality world trip, Sixtina told us what it's been like working for a big international company, learning just how German she is, and - of course! - that good ol' Irish pub culture.   RESOURCES Expat Focus's guide to taxes in Ireland Volunteer while you t...
2019-05-1637 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastMeet the Parents with Momsie & PopsicleSeason 2, Episode 16. Guess who this week's guests are? My parents! I power my Brene Brown and get vulnerable by asking my parents how they feel about my choice to live abroad. When my dad was a young adult and moved into an apartment 20 minutes from his childhood home, his mom was outraged he'd move so far away. My mom's extended family numbers around 40 people - of whom, only a handful live more than a 2 hour drive away. So what do they REALLY think about the fact that their daughter lives thousands of miles and several time zones a...
2019-05-0937 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastExpat Mama with AshleySeason 2, Episode 15. You last heard from friend of the show, Ashley, when she was pregnant with her son, and now she's back to share what it's like with her young son. Ashley is now 7 months into motherhood, and she shares with us what it's been like adjusting to her new role. What was it like for her to give birth in Germany? How has she handled being an ocean apart from her family in the US? And how is she planning on keeping her American identity alive with her son? Ashley's go-to book recommendation for n...
2019-05-0235 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe First Few Months with SamarSeason 2, Episode 14. Initially, moving abroad is insanely exciting. New scenery! New people! New language! New groceries! New new new! Wow wow wow! And thennnnn reality comes crashing down, in the form of paperwork, financial pressure, a language barrier, or social isolation. While some part of you might still be excited about the newness, another part of you starts to wonder how the heck this will all work out. Was this whole move the right choice? This week's guest is fresh out of that challenging phase, and she sits down with your host to chat about...
2019-04-2544 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastChoosing to Move Back with Aurora Season 2, Episode 13. Expats don't always stay expats forever. We sit down with Aurora, a Mexican-American living in Germany, to hear what made her decide to move back to the States. Aurora will move back to the US this summer, but where exactly will she move? Cue: A Very Well Built Excel Spreadsheet!    DUNCAN & AURORA'S DECISION MAKING SPREADSHEET Aurora and Duncan's formula as a Google Spreadsheet is here Listen to Duncan talk about voting rights   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitte...
2019-04-1818 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastHere & There, Then & Now with NicSeason 2, Episode 12. When Nic moved to Germany from England to be with his girlfriend, he committed himself mentally to the move. It would have taken something really huge and dramatic to make him consider moving back. But how does he manage keeping in touch with family, especially negotiating visits? And how does he still show up for his partner's family? We use the topic of family as a launching point for a fun conversation about British Christmas, cultural judgement, and way more.   FIND NIC Twitter @40PercentGerman Blog 40% German ...
2019-04-1134 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastUnemployment in Germany with JeremySeason 2, Episode 11. In this episode, we learn what it's been like for our guest, Jeremy, to be unemployed in Germany. Jeremy moved here for a two- to three-year work contract that recently ended. He tells us how he's been navigating the immigration and unemployment offices. Plus, we discuss how the social support he's been given in Germany has altered his approach to the job hunt in general.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2019-04-0439 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastClinging to Your Culture with JennySeason 2, Episode 10. When you moved abroad, did you find yourself suddenly caring an awful lot about dumb things from your home culture you never bothered with before? Likkkeeeee, I don't know, say, ABC's The Bachelor?  In fact, getting way too into the latest season of The Bachelor is what inspired this week's episode. It got us thinking about all the weird things we find ourselves interested in, especially those things we previously wanted nothing to do with, like football, touristy clothing, and chain restaurants.    CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  ...
2019-03-2835 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastBeing Bi-Cultural with GordonSeason 2, Episode 9. Gordon is half-German, half-American and grew up moving back and forth between both countries. He never stayed anywhere longer than 2 years since he was a little kid. Now, as an adult who is putting down roots of his own, Gordon shares with us how his bi-cultural identity as well has his frequent moving shaped him as a person. He tells us the good, the bad, and the ugly about being that weird German kid whenever he was in America and being that weird American kid whenever he was in Germany. Note: In the i...
2019-03-2136 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Beauty of Community with BerlySeason 2, Episode 8. Today's guest turned an existential crisis in Boston into a thriving non-profit in Nicaragua. How the heck did that happen? Welcome to the fascinating life of Berly. Now living in Freiburg, Germany while she completes her Masters degree in Global Studies, Berly has traveled the globe and lived in a variety of countries. Through her personal experience as well as her experience in her non-profit, Berly has learned that the most important thing is community. It was only after being inspired by people she'd met that Berly considered traveling the world, and it was thanks t...
2019-03-1434 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastAffording Iceland with AlexSeason 2, Episode 7. Iceland skyrocketed to the top of the Must Visit list of many eager travelers over the last 5 years, but what's it like to actually live there? We chat with American expat Alex Illes about how she ended up with Iceland, how she managed to move her cats with her, and what it's taken to make life there work.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2019-03-0737 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastRelationships with Loved Ones Back Home with SummerSeason 2, Episode 6. When one moves abroad, a lot gets left behind. Most importantly: people. Managing relationships with loved ones back home can be one of the hardest parts of the expat life. So today, two expats with totally different experiences sit down to chat about how they’ve managed.   FIND SUMMER Blog at Eat Something Go Somewhere Twitter @Summer Outside Instagram @Summer Outside   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2019-02-2835 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastStudy Abroad BFFs with Chad and Jared from Untranslatable PodcastSeason 2, Episode 5. By coincidence, Chad and Jared signed up for the same college study abroad program in Vienna, Austria. Although they knew each other from around campus back in Michigan, it wasn't until they were tossed together into an unfamiliar place that they became close friends. Now, 7 years later, Chad lives in the Czech Republic and Jared lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they keep their long-distance friendship alive as co-hosts of the Untranslatable Podcast, where they discuss an array of fascinating linguistic topics. The two come onto The Expat Cast to chat about how their e...
2019-02-2134 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastLong-Distance Relationships with MegSeason 2, Episode 4. It's Valentine's Day! We're celebrating with an episode about long-distance love. Host Nicole dated her boyfriend Gordon for 2 years, while she lived in Chicago and he lived in southern Germany. Guest Meg dated her boyfriend Lucas for 3.5 years, while she lived in Philadelphia and he lived in Zurich. The gals are old friends from theater camp who bonded over their long-distance relationships with German men, thus prompting a long-distance friendship. Now, the women are living two hours apart from one another with their partners. Reunited after 4 years, the two dish over how they survived long d...
2019-02-1439 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastBook Worms International with StephSeason 2, Episode 3. Your host Nicole is, as Leslie Knope so eloquently put it, a "punk ass book jockey" aka a librarian. Now having experienced librarianship in a handful of libraries across America and Germany, she's got a unique perspective on how different communities' reading habits look. Plus, she's a huge book worm herself! (Duh, you get rejected from library school if you aren't) (Just kidding) (But am I?) So it was great fun to have fellow expat book worm Steph Fuccio on the podcast to geek out over reading. The discussion explores our journey as r...
2019-02-0736 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastExtroverted Entrepreneurial American Expat with Joe Season 2, Episode 2. Does your identity as an introvert or an extrovert impact your experience as an expat? Can America be understood as a more extroverted culture and Germany a more introverted one? And if so, what does that mean for foreigners? This episode, we sit down with Joe, a fellow American in Germany, to discuss how his extroverted, outgoing friendliness has impacted his long-term happiness in Germany. Now in his seventh year living in Germany, Joe is slowly started to experience frustration when trying to interact with Germans, especially strangers in casual social situation. Check o...
2019-01-3135 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastLearning German with JennySeason 2, Episode 1. It's 2019! Is one of your goals for the new year to learn German? Super, then buckle up and brace yourself for some German-learning resources, tips, & venting. Of course, to learn German, or any language, a course is a great idea. But if you can't take a class due to money, access, or whatever, no fear. Our discussion focuses on free methods that are available to everyone. We explain why Tandem partnerships are so effective, advocate for labeling everything in your room/apartment/home/office/life auf Deutsch, vent about akkusative and dativ, and swap our f...
2019-01-2435 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastSeason Two - Coming Your Way Starting January 24, 2019! We're BAAAAACK. Almost. Starting in one week, on January 25, The Expat Cast will be back in your feeds every Thursday. We'll be bringing you new interviews with expats all over the globe, with a special focus on expats in or from Germany and the German-speaking world. You can look forward to more laughs, more resources, more commiseration, and more verbal eye rolling at whatever cultural difference I find annoying that day. Prost to Season 2!   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2019-01-1704 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastFrom Army to Expat with KrisSeason 1, Episode 25. "The things that I'm worried about now are more future tense." Floridian Kris enrolled in the US Army in part because he was eager to travel, and he was happy to find himself stationed in Germany between missions. After two years of getting to know the German culture, Kris decided to learn the language, too, and shortly after his time in the military ended, Kris decided to call Germany his home forever. He shares with us how he came to that decision and what it is about Germany that he loves so much. ...
2018-12-2038 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastThe Broke Expat with Jenny Season 1, Episode 24. Some people move abroad for a big, fancy job with an incredible relocation package. But many of us move abroad on our own, for love or in pursuit of a better life or whatever it may be. And for the DIY expats, there's no relocation package. There's sometimes even no job lined up and only limited savings. Jenny and Nicole both moved abroad for love, on tight, tight budgets. They share the life hacks they've learned, like where to get the cheapest but yummiest groceries, what kind of adventures might be possible on your local...
2018-12-1336 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastA Plethora of Resources for Living in Germany with JamesSeason 1, Episode 23. When host Nicole was preparing to move to Germany, one of the websites she frequented was Live Work Germany. It seems like they've got a resource guide for every bump in the road of moving to Germany, from registering your address to navigating a foreign qualification recognition process - all up-to-date, all in English. As a librarian who loves a good resource, Nicole has long been a huge fan. So it was an honor to sit down with the man behind it all, James! James moved to Germany from England 12 years ago for a job...
2018-12-0636 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastBeing an Asian Woman in Germany with April Season 1, Episode 22. What is it like to be an Asian woman in Germany? This week, we hear one woman's perspective. April is from China, and she's lived in Canada, Austria, the United States, and now Germany. Through her time in North America, Europe, and Asia, April has been able to compare people's reactions to her across cultures.  We discuss if/when it's acceptable to ask someone about their home country's politics, how to differentiate between a different cultural approach to getting to know someone and an offensive affront, and what to do when confronted by an act o...
2018-11-2932 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastExpat Partners with Katharina Season 1, Episode 21. What do you call someone who moves to a new country because the person they're in a relationship with got a job offer abroad? A trailing spouse? Bitte nicht! They're an expat partner. This nuance is vitally important, says our guest, Katharina, of the Share the Love blog. When Katharina agreed to move from Munich to Chicago for her husband's job, she was excited to continue her thriving career in a new country. She was shocked and devastated to realize that getting a job wasn't that easy. Worse still: she was hardly alone. ...
2018-11-2235 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastGermany, America, and German-American Centers with Friederike Season 1, Episode 20. It should be no surprise that our conversation with Friederike Schulte, the director of a German-American cultural institution, had us ping-ponging across the Atlantic. Pennsylvania Quakers! Stuttgart! Silicon Valley! Berlin in the '40s! The Midwest Goodbye! The trans-Atlantic dialogue doesn't hold back on geography. We chat over-assimilation, American heroism, and "that whole hanging out concept." (I'm still chuckling about that.) Plus, Friederike tells us what a German-American cultural center actually does, why these places exist, and where you can find them around Germany. GERMAN-AMERICAN CENTERS  Carl-Schurz-Haus in Freiburg Amerika Zentrum in H...
2018-11-1536 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastWeltschmerz and Culture Shock with Tanya Season 1, Episode 19. Have you ever felt completely fatigued, your energy fully spent, not because of anything in your personal life but rather because of the world at large? Welcome to the feeling of Weltschmerz, one of those wonderfully untranslatable German words, which combines the words Welt, or world, with schmerz, or pain, to create: worldpain. Many of us, expat or not, have felt this over the last couple of years, and in honor of recent violent attacks in America & the US Midterm Election 2018, The Expat Cast sits down with Tanya Dantus, fellow expat and therapist. We chat abo...
2018-11-0836 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastCulture Shock: USA v. Germany with Christin Season 1, Episode 18. Christin decided to take a break from her life in Germany to do a study abroad year in Charleston, South Carolina, in the hopes of improving her English. Little did she know, she'd meet the love of her life on her first day of classes, launching a whirlwind couple of years, including an engagement, a long-distance relationship, a wedding, and a permanent move to America. Now, she's settled into her life in US and runs the blog This German American Life. She joins host Nicole to swap impressions about her new home. The two share...
2018-11-0135 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastPrepping for a Job Hunt in Germany with Nicole Season 1, Episode 17. It's hard enough to find a job in Germany, but the process of getting all the paperwork needed to finalize a job offer can be an unexpected headache and financial strain. Nicole shares her experience with what paperwork she needed to get a full-time job in her field in Germany. For a full list of resources, check out the blog post here.   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  Twitter @theexpatcast 
2018-10-2538 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastHouse Hunting and House Hunters with Shanon Season 1, Episode 16. Finding an apartment or house in Germany can feel impossible, and it can be incredibly confusing. Some homes are listed without kitchens. What Germany calls a 3-room house is called a 2-bedroom house in America. You might need a resume to apply for an apartment. What?! No fear! Shanon and Nicole break it all down. You can get a full list of resources they recommend here. Plus, Nicole shares how she ended up on House Hunters International!   CONNECT theexpatcast.com Instagram @theexpatcast  T...
2018-10-1837 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastVoting Rights Abroad with Duncan Season 1, Episode 15. Did you know that American citizens, no matter where they are in the world, are eligible to vote? With the upcoming November 6 election in the United States in mind, The Expat Cast sits down with Duncan, an American voting rights enthusiast in Freiburg, Germany. We learn how register to vote and how to vote from abroad. Starting at  22:20, Duncan talks about the non-profit Wahlkreis 100%, which advocates for non-EU citizens' right to vote in local elections in Germany. Duncan shares why he's involved with this group and believes in their mission, how others can get involved, a...
2018-10-1136 minThe Expat Cast
The Expat CastSobriety and Mental Health in Germany with Rebecca Season 1, Episode 14. Five years ago, Rebecca decided to cut alcohol out of her life. Just weeks after embarking on a sober life, she and her husband moved to Germany, a country famous for their beer and drinking culture. Rebecca shares her experience as one of pleasant surprise, what with Germany's lesser-known strong love for non-alcoholic drinks and with the European cafe culture. The harder part of the move was dealing with the resurgence of her depression. Rebecca talks us through her process of admitting she needed help, realizing how common expat depression is, and navigating the therapy...
2018-10-0436 min