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Getting Around

Bicycling after a night at the disco is NOT a good idea

Danielle Cosme

03 Dec 2009

Germany

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Sure, it may seem like a safe option to get home, but bicycling under the influence in Germany is far from safe. In addition to the obvious safety risks to yourself and others, if you're caught "drinking and riding" by a police officer, you can be fined huge sums (in some cases upwards of 1,000 Euros, depending on your income), and actually lose your driver's license! If you're apprehended with above 0.16% BAC, you have to undergo a psychological test and if you don't pass, then cruising on the autobahn is out of the question for you. Best advice: if you're drunk, ditch the bike and make use of the extremely efficient German public transportation.

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Culture Shock

Sundays = hungry days!

Bianca Walterspiel

26 Aug 2009

Germany

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In any little German town or village, Sunday is a very sleepy day. EVERYTHING is closed. Sundays are meant for sleeping in, having a mug of coffee and breakfast in bed, and enjoying the day with close family. Studying abroad, it was hard to get used to not being able to pick up a few groceries, or go out to a restaurant for food. Therefore, Sundays were often our hungry days. If you don't remember to go grocery shopping on a Saturday, you are pretty much screwed by the time Sunday rolls around ...

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Must Do

Turkish Market and Weihnachtsmarkt

Suzanne Wineke

02 Apr 2009

Germany

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If you’re in Berlin, you must make sure you make it to the Turkish Market in Kreuzberg. Twice a week for several hours, the canal is lined with vendors selling scarves, shoes, produce, and delicious Turkish dips, spreads, olives, cheeses, and pastas—all at cheap prices. And if you’re in Germany during the Christmas season, you must take a trip to a Weihnachtsmarkt—huge outdoor Christmas markets with gifts, lights, music, and most importantly, Glühwein—a delicious spiced Christmas wine served hot, for only a couple Euros per cup.

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Etiquette

They aren't as angry as you think

Helen Appleby

22 Jun 2009

Germany

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All too often when I am in Germany, I am quickly taken aback by the directness of the German people. In North America, we pride ourselves on skirting around issues of potential awkwardness. Germans don't. Keep in mind as you bite your tongue after being told off about anything from ordering wrong to using the wrong spoon, they probably aren't as angry as you think .They are just voicing their disapproval in a more direct way.

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Food

Pepperoni please!

Audrey Bergner

10 Oct 2009

Germany

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If schnitzel, spaetzle, or apfelstrudel just aren’t your thing, and all you’re craving is some good ol’ fashioned pepperoni pizza, beware, your order may get lost in translation. “Peperoni” is the German word for hot chili peppers, so unless you want a mouthful of spicy peppers, use the word “salami” when placing your order. Guten appetit!

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Film

Watch and learn about former East Germany

Audrey Bergner

16 Dec 2009

Germany

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Walking down the streets of Berlin, it’s difficult to imagine that up until 1989, a wall ran through the city dividing Germany into two nations: East Germany and West Germany. If you’re interested in seeing what life was like in socialist East Germany and how this changed after Germany’s reunification, the tragic-comedy, “Good Bye Lenin!” offers an accurate yet entertaining glimpse into the period.

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Slang

My new cell phone makes me horny.

Bianca Walterspiel

25 Mar 2009

Germany

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My favorite German slang word would have to be the word "geil." The literal translation is horny, randy, or sexually aroused, but young Germans use this word for EVERYTHING. It is literally THE adjective Germans use to express something being cool, awesome, amazing, or great. But be careful, because this word is NOT to be used with people you do not know, professors, or elderly family relatives. You could end up telling someone how turned on you are by the car you got for Christmas.

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Nightlife

Be a lone wolf (or a small pack)

Laurence Tooth

24 Jun 2009

Germany

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You don't have to invite all of your friends or roommates when you go out. A group of two or three is a good number if you want to find (and get into) some of the "cooler" bars and clubs in Berlin. While there isn't much of a door policy at most clubs here, a bouncer at Berghain or Watergate won't let a group of eight or ten Americans in all at once. Furthermore, you will find it easier to actually meet locals when you roll without the full entourage. (Plus, the story the next day will be much more interesting when your audience doesn't already know the ending!)

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