One of the hardest things about moving abroad is leaving behind family and friends. So it’s a great idea to find ways to keep in touch and make sure you keep the support network back home with you in your new home. Communication is key!
Inform yourself on the time difference between your new home and ‘back home’ – let family and friends know when is a good time to reach you. There are some excellent ways to keep in touch such as a family blog, skype, WhatsApp calls, facetime and emails. Especially if you are on an assignment for a certain amount of time and will be returning back after a year or two, this will help keep the special people in your life close.
Moving abroad is a hugely exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also can lead to people feeling stressed and at times very lonely, especially if you move to a place where the language and culture are not familiar. Keeping your ties to family and friends back home can help alleviate these symptoms. Make sure you let them know how you are feeling and what you are experiencing, even if at times it isn’t all good news.
Hi there! My name is Juli Buchanan. I have German roots but I grew up in New Zealand and I have been living in Germany since 2004. I love sharing my passion for Berlin and all it has to offer with new ‚Berliners‘ and through my work as a freelance Relocation Consultant with IRC I have the opportunity to do so.
An English-speaking club can be a terrific way for newcomers to get into the social whirl – or maintain business contacts. There may be no better way for the English-speaking expatriate to get into the swing of German life than to join one of the many clubs and other organizations available to them. Making social contacts is a very important step in being able to call a new place home. It can be hard to gather the courage to go out and join a club but it is a very valuable endeavour.
Women’s clubs perform a large number of services, with sub-groups for all categories of women from “Empty Nesters” (single income, no kids) to working women.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN CLUBS
1. THE AMERICAN WOMENS CLUB OF BERLIN E.V. – the American Women’s Club of Berlin is open to women of ALL nationalities who “embrace the American spirit!”
If you want to get into contact with BAC or want further information on
the BAC, please send an email to: info@berlin-american-club.de
The Berlin-American Club e.V. was founded in 1990 by women as a
non-profit organization. The goal of the Club is to further friendship,
tolerance and understanding among women from the US, Germany and other
countries by undertaking projects that benefit people in need.
The Club brings together women of a wide range of nationalities, professions, interests and talents to contribute to the local and worldwide community. We seek to enhance the continuing special relationship between Berlin and the US, while also embracing the international community in Berlin.
The elected board of the BAC is composed of five women; in addition,
individual chairpersons are appointed for various committees. As such, the Club
is able to respond quickly to local and international needs.
The BAC takes an active approach to fundraising and hands-on projects in
support of handicapped and disadvantaged children, senior citizens,
international youth programs, schools, women’s shelters, programs for the
homeless and worldwide emergency relief, among others.
The American German BusinessClub Berlin e.V. (AGBC) is a not-for-profit organization, presently with nine chapters. Its aim is to support German and American commercial relations and act as a forum for social and business networking. Activities include informal leisure time get-togethers, networking evenings, dinners, charity fundraising, sponsorships and events with keynote speakers.
American German Business Club Berlin e.V.
P.O.Box 08 04 27
10004 Berlin
Germany
Amerian Chamber of Commerce in
Germany / Berlin Brandenburg Chapter
The Amerian Chamber of Commerce in Germany (AmCham Germany) was founded in 1903, making it one of the oldest bilateral economic organizations in Europe. It has some 3,000 German and American members. It’s mission is to promote unrestricted competition, trade and investment between Germany and the United States. Luncheons with speakers are held regularly in a number of German cities, and there is also a program of seminars, business conferences, New Year’s receptions and tours of member companies and other institutions of interest. For complete information on Chamber activities, visit its website at
TheJohn-F.-Kennedy Friendship Center is a non-profit organization established by parents and teachers of the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, though membership is open to the general public. It is dedicated to fostering the German-American community, sponsoring several bilingual daycare centres and offering various activities for the community, including language classes, playgroups, art, dance and drama courses, as well as holiday celebrations at Fasching, Halloween and Thanksgiving. The John F. Kennedy School, part of the Berlin public school system, provides a German-American bicultural, bilingual education.
“Chartered in November 2009, we are the only Rotary Club dedicated to
Berlin’s international community. Our 46 members represent 14 nations. All our
meetings are held in English, which makes us the ideal Rotary Club for
expatriates living in Berlin as well as visiting Rotarians from around the
world.”
Contact over the website: http://www.aspeninstitute.de/kontakt/?lang=en
www.aspeninstitute.de
The Aspen Institute Germany was founded in 1974 as the first
international Aspen affiliate. In keeping with the Aspen mission, Aspen Germany
seeks to promote an international dialog on the values, ideals and ideas that
are necessary to master the challenges of a globalized world. To this purpose,
Aspen Germany invites leading personalities from politics, business and society
to participate in conference programs and discussion groups. Aspen Germany is a
nonprofit organization financed by the Shepard Stone Foundation, public funding
and private donations. It is headquartered in Berlin; an increasing proportion
of its events, however, are carried out in key industrial states such as
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
The
American Academy in Berlin
The American Academy in Berlin GmbH
Am Sandwerder 17-19
14109 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (30) 804 83 118
Fax: +49 (30) 804 83 111
Email: mailbox@americanacademy.de
To register for an evening lecture:
program(at)americanacademy.de
The American Academy in Berlin was established
in 1994. Its primary goal is to foster greater understanding and dialogue
between the people of the United States and the people of Germany through its
presence in Berlin, a city with which the United States should maintain its
unique cultural, social, political, and historical links.
“Our
network enables you to connect with as many of them as possible, both online
and face to face. Starting from online forums and all the way to real-life
events going on in Berlin on a weekly basis, the opportunities for connecting
with global minds are more numerous than ever. You can also use InterNations to
join trips to famous German landmarks around Berlin, or simply organize them
yourself.”
Stand 10.2018
Author: Ariane Almerood – including edits by Juli Buchanan
“Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” – December is finally upon us, let the spirit fill your heart and enjoy what Berlin has to offer in the most wonderful and cheerful of seasons. (Quote from the motion Picture ‘Miracle on 34th Street’)
It is one of the most stunning times of the year in Germany, thus also in Berlin and surrounding areas. The 4 weeks before Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) are truly a magical time. Germany is famous for it’s Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte), Mulled wine (Glühwein), roasted Chestnuts (Heiße Maronen) and the many other treats available during the festive season. Take a break from the gloomy weather and indulge in some delicious treats with friends and family under twinkling lights.
Berlin has many Christmas markets to choose from, some of the most beautiful include the ones at the Gendarmenmarkt and at the Schloß Charlottenburg. However, there are many more Christmas markets to discover over the month of December including many internationally-themed markets such as the Swedish Christmas Bazaar or the very British Christmas Market at St Georges Church in Westend. It is even worth venturing out to Potsdam and visiting the Christmas market ‘Blauer Lichterglanz’ on Brandenburger Straße and/or the romantic Christmas village at the Krongut Bornstedt in all it’s glory.
One more tip, the Botanic Gardens in Dahlem have a Christmas Garden, a walk through a winter wonderland of lights.
Hi there! I’m Juli, German roots but I grew up in New Zealand and have been living in Germany since 2004. I love sharing my passion for Berlin and all it has to offer with new ‘Berliners’ and through my work as a freelance Relocation Consultant with IRC I have the opportunity to do so.
