Last month marked sixth months that we have been (and
survived!) in Deutschland. I think that we are finally starting to feel
completely settled in and have been more comfortable in our new surroundings.
As the six-month mark was approaching, I started to think about the things that
have been the most helpful in our transition and I came up with this list of
“must have” items. If you are thinking of uprooting your life and relocating in
Germany, I highly recommend putting the following things on your packing list:
1. Comfortable Shoes-
In the US, I considered myself a fairly active person. I wasn’t a gym rat,
but I still managed to get (what I thought was) a fair amount of walking in
each day. It was still a shock once I realized how much walking I would be
doing in Germany. Every day I walk about 15 minutes to and from the tram
station and usually for about an hour or two as I do errands after school.
There are two grocery stores within walking distance to our apartment, which
means a car is only necessary for big trips. The inner city of Cologne is still
comprised on narrow, cobble stone streets and it’s nearly impossible to find
reasonable parking options. This means that evening and weekend activities are
also zu Fuß. My go-to summer shoes
were my tried-and-true Tom’s, but in the winter I’ve transitioned to more
water-proof options.
 |
| From Guatemala to Thailand, these shoes have seen it all. |
 |
| Not a Stiletto in sight. |
2. A Quality
Dictionary- I first got a dictionary for my German class, but I was
surprised at how many times I found myself pulling it out in the bus, in a
store, etc. A lot of people rely on electronic or internet translators, but I
find that I can find things quicker myself. However, Google Translate is a
live-saver for translating larger amounts of text, like letters and websites.
3. Patience- PATIENCE,
PATIENCE, PATIENCE. Although there are many similarities between the US and
Germany as two westernized nations, there are still days when everything seems
completely different—like you’ve woken up and been transported to some kind of
alternate universe. The food is different. The language is different. People
have strange mannerisms or habits that you don’t understand. Things get lost in
translation and nothing makes sense. On
days like these, it’s important to take a deep breath and remember that each
day gets a little easier.
4. A Trusty Cellphone-
I’m outing myself as a millennial with this one, aren’t I? I really did not
get the most out of my iPhone until I got to Germany. With the map/GPS
functions, translation apps, and free iMessaging and FaceTime, my phone has
probably been the single most helpful thing that I brought with me. We’ve also
discovered how much cheaper cell phone service is in Germany compared to the
US.
5. Holiday
Decorations- When I was packing, I tried to be as practical as possible and
only ship the absolute necessities. As the holidays rolled around, we realized
that many of our holiday decorations had not made the cut. I wish that I had
had some things to decorate for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and
additional things for Christmas. Celebrating holidays from “back at home” is an
important way to combat homesickness and make a new place feel just as cozy.
 |
| Frohe Weihnachten! |
6. Ranch Dressing- Because
there is NO ranch dressing in Germany!
