Christmas is right around the corner and everyone is busy preparing for that very special day. There are presents to be bought, apartments and houses to be decorated and food to be prepared. It's the same every year. However, a moment should be taken to reflect on the year and the people in our lives and to say "thank you" to your god for those people. Life is short, so don't waste time and not tell the people you cherish that you love them.
The holiday season is full of parties to attend and cards to be written and it's often difficult to take the time to let everyone know how you feel, but even a brief line would go a long way. Hugs and smiles also work wonders.
I want to take a minute now to wish all of my friends and family a very Merry Christmas, happiness, health and prosperity in 2014. May all of your hopes and dreams come true in the coming year.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Making the Decision to Become an Expat
There are a lot of things that happen when you move to a foreign country that make you wonder if you made the right decision. Every part of your being will be tested. Who are you? What do you believe? What is your culture? How much stress can you handle? All of these questions and more push you to your limits. It isn't easy, no matter what anyone tells you. If you have friends who are expats, take what they say with a grain of salt. Your experiences will be different because you have a different way of thinking about life.
One thing I really would like to urge everyone to think about before they take an assignment in a foreign country is what they expect to encounter there. If you expect it to be horrible, you're probably wrong. If you expect it to be wonderful, you are also probably wrong. I believe the best way to go about it is to not have any expectations about the country and people. Go, explore, ask questions when you can, but don't hold the people you meet to any standard. My experience has been if you go with an open mind and no expectations your experience will be awesome. On the other hand, going with a preconceived idea about how things are going to be will lead to let-downs and frustration. This is true for any foreign country. I love living in Germany but although I speak German it is still difficult. The other expats I have met here and the few Germans that have taken me in and made me part of their family is what makes it all worth it.
Go take a chance. If you do, you will be greatly rewarded. Yes, there will be days when you want to throw up your hands and leave, but stay. Do it because in the end you will look back at the time and realize that you have grown as a person and maybe also in your profession. You will have proven that you can handle stressful situations. And, maybe, you will meet awesome people who will make you part of their extended family. They will be part of your life no matter where you go in the world.
One thing I really would like to urge everyone to think about before they take an assignment in a foreign country is what they expect to encounter there. If you expect it to be horrible, you're probably wrong. If you expect it to be wonderful, you are also probably wrong. I believe the best way to go about it is to not have any expectations about the country and people. Go, explore, ask questions when you can, but don't hold the people you meet to any standard. My experience has been if you go with an open mind and no expectations your experience will be awesome. On the other hand, going with a preconceived idea about how things are going to be will lead to let-downs and frustration. This is true for any foreign country. I love living in Germany but although I speak German it is still difficult. The other expats I have met here and the few Germans that have taken me in and made me part of their family is what makes it all worth it.
Go take a chance. If you do, you will be greatly rewarded. Yes, there will be days when you want to throw up your hands and leave, but stay. Do it because in the end you will look back at the time and realize that you have grown as a person and maybe also in your profession. You will have proven that you can handle stressful situations. And, maybe, you will meet awesome people who will make you part of their extended family. They will be part of your life no matter where you go in the world.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Starting a business in Germany
I have lived in Germany for almost 5 years and I really love it, but sometimes it's so hard for me to understand the reasoning behind the laws here. For example, I've been teaching English since I got here and I really love teaching. The schools here don't pay anything and I think I can do a better job on my own without having to abide by their rules. My boyfriend asked me why I didn't teach privately and the idea to start my own school was born.
It's pretty easy to get started teaching but it's not easy to abide by all of the laws here. If you are a foreigner from a non-EU country you have a few hurtles to jump through first. Please keep in mind that I am one person and not a major multinational organization. First you have to apply for a visa then after getting your visa you have to get permission to open a business and you can only do this if it's economically beneficial to the area where you want to open it. Okay, so far, so good.
Then, let's say, you want to advertise online. That's a great idea, right? In theory, yes. The thing you have to be aware of is that there are lawyers in Germany that earn their money by surfing the net and finding websites that advertise to German customers. They are looking to see if you have everything the German law requires. If you don't have every I dotted and every t crossed, they will file suit against you and the fines are not small ones. I think this is absolutely absurd.
There isn't really any one place that will tell you everything you need to know to get started here. There is, however, a place to start.
http://www.existenzgruender.de/englisch/self_employment/start/law/index.php
Take a look at this link, hopefully it will provide a few answers to the slew of questions you will have about doing business in Germany. If that one doesn't help, here's another one that gives a lot of needed information. http://www.expatica.com/de/essentials_moving_to/essentials/setting-up-your-own-business-in-germany-27408.html
Good luck.
It's pretty easy to get started teaching but it's not easy to abide by all of the laws here. If you are a foreigner from a non-EU country you have a few hurtles to jump through first. Please keep in mind that I am one person and not a major multinational organization. First you have to apply for a visa then after getting your visa you have to get permission to open a business and you can only do this if it's economically beneficial to the area where you want to open it. Okay, so far, so good.
Then, let's say, you want to advertise online. That's a great idea, right? In theory, yes. The thing you have to be aware of is that there are lawyers in Germany that earn their money by surfing the net and finding websites that advertise to German customers. They are looking to see if you have everything the German law requires. If you don't have every I dotted and every t crossed, they will file suit against you and the fines are not small ones. I think this is absolutely absurd.
There isn't really any one place that will tell you everything you need to know to get started here. There is, however, a place to start.
http://www.existenzgruender.de/englisch/self_employment/start/law/index.php
Take a look at this link, hopefully it will provide a few answers to the slew of questions you will have about doing business in Germany. If that one doesn't help, here's another one that gives a lot of needed information. http://www.expatica.com/de/essentials_moving_to/essentials/setting-up-your-own-business-in-germany-27408.html
Good luck.
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