Must-Have Survival Items for Germany

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 4^th 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!