Between Coronavirus, racial injustice, protests, and the lack of clear leadership from the current administration, I think the last few weeks have left many Americans wondering how to make a difference from abroad. As my own answer to that question, I created an initiative—Stimulate Change. It calls on Americans abroad to donate their U.S. government…
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This is a travel blog. But it’s also a blog for expats—specifically (since it’s my own area of expertise), American expats. I don’t know about you, but over the past several weeks, I’ve been struggling with my identity as an American, the feeling of being (physically) distanced from issues I care about, and the helplessness…
Read MoreBack in January I presented Trace the Roots, a Creative Mornings talk exploring the benefits and challenges of working across cultures. How do you plan meetings in New York? Pitch ideas in Berlin? Pay for client dinners in Japan? I’ve learned quite a few lessons living abroad—but the most valuable was that different cultures have…
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If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re in the process of applying for a German EU Blue Card! Congratulations! Where you are in this process determines whether you should continue reading this post, or pop back to Part I. Part I covers the part of your German EU Blue Card application that happens in your…
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A German EU Blue Card is an amazing work and residence permit. It works as a kind of fast-track to permanent residency for non EU-nationals. If you’re moving to Germany, here’s what you need to know about applying for a German EU Blue Card. The first part of this post is just about the steps…
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If you want the Gods of Process and Bureaucracy to smile upon you as you submit for German settlement permit application (or really any application in Germany, ever), my advice is simple. The more organized your application, the easier your appointments will go. Have everything neatly ordered, clipped together, and marked so that the processor…
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Newsflash! On April 10, I became an official permanent resident of Germany! If you’re the holder of an EU Blue Card, you know that one of this visa’s top benefits is the early eligibility to switch from employment-dependent residence permit to permanent residency. So, here’s how to get your German settlement permit. Blue Card holders in Germany who…
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Like any aspect of an expat experience, working abroad comes with its own set of culture shock. German work culture, in general, is quite different from anything in the States, but what I found more surprising were more the differences in approach to work and employment between the U.S. and Germany. For those Americans considering…
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Today marks the start of my fourth year living in Germany: this bureaucracy-crazed, rule-abiding, frankly-opinionated country. I learned so much in my three years here—and, if the expat stats don’t lie, this year should kick off a phase of feeling more at home. I’ve collected the info I’m supposed to need, my language skills are…
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Today marks my 33rd month in Germany. It may seem a little odd to count time in months if you aren’t the parent of a toddler, but as an expat, tracking the time of your residency makes by months more sense. With my particular visa, I’m eligible to apply for German permanent residency with my…
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Up and Gone 