Today, on March the third (or in German, Dritten der Dritten) I am starting a blog about my life in Germany. I've been living for a month already in Germany, but I couldn't start because I did not have internet.
It is not the first time that I have been for long periods of time here, once I was for more than three months and several more for a few weeks or a few days. I am not unfamiliar at all with the country. However, it is the first time that I am planing to stay for a long period. We, as in my wife and myself, are planing to stay for at least two years. My wife is German, yes.
Before we were living in different European countries, and now we decided to settle down for some time in Hamburg, in the north of Germany. Yes, I know, the weather can be a problem. Just now started to rain while some minutes ago it was sunny.
But we wanted to live here as we want to have children and I must improve my German, I just know the basics. Let´s say that I am on my way to level B1. I will refer later to what I understand the levels of knowledge of the German language are.
We like Berlin a lot, but is one of the cities in Germany with the highest percentage of unemployment. The south is nice, but we were not interested. And we like big cities, and Hamburg is the second biggest city after Berlin. Besides, we are used to live near a river or the sea, and Hamburg has loads of water and a huge port.
Well, that's it for now. I will write more later.
Monday, March 3, 2008
The life of a foreigner in Germany
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3 comments:
Hello! I only wanted to leave a little note to say that i really enjoy your blog. I am also experiencing the same as you, I have been living in Germany for about 2 years now but only 7 moths in Hamburg and i love it! Kiel was too small and a bit boring for me.. anyhow, it seems you havent been around for a couple of months, probably job and now the holidays.. i know how it can get! Speaking of jobs, it was funny to notice the similarities, i found a job also around the same time that you did. Cool for us! and no, it was no easy task... but well... it came in the end. I am writing in enlgish but did i read correctly somewhere that you are actually mexican?? Yo también! But just in case i´m wrong... i will keep it in english. ok! so looking forward to reading your next entry! good 09 for you.
Hello,
This is the first time I am reading your blog and I really enjoy it! It is very informative indeed! I am Greek and I am considering moving to Hamburg, since my boyfriend lives there. My main concerns are two… the language (my German skills are not really …skills! But I am really willing to learn) and the job search which for the time being should be limited to international companies that would be willing to have English speaking employees. From your experience what would you advice me? Except internet, how else should I search for jobs? Is it easy or at least feasible for someone who does not speak German with university degree and multinational experience to find a job in Hamburg? In the daily life is it hard to communicate? Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to your reply!!
Greatings from Athens,
Chara
Hello everybody
Thanks for your comments.
Are, you are right. =)
Are you still in Hamburg? We can meet one day if you want.
Charoulita, German language skills are not "a most" at the beginning. But later you will need them for sure. There are loads of paperwork you must do (registration at the local office, work contract, declaration of taxes) that are very important.
Regarding looking for a job, there are agencies in downtown, who might be able to help you to find a job in the Hamburg Port. You can find these agencies easily, on newspapers (Hamburger Abendblatt on the weekend).
If you are not registered yet, try Xing.com. In the sections of Job Openings look for Jobs in Hamburg, and then filter by English or Greek. Last but not least, it might take a while to get a Job, as processes are a bit slow regarding candidates selection.
Let me know if you have further questions. =) And I hope my reply does not come too late.
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