Job Discussion Forums

[poro]

[Hod]

[JZer]

[JZer]

[crashartist1]

I lived in Germany a few years ago and I dream of returning. Outside of politics directly dealing with American foreign policy issues, I find the level of intelligence among most Germans, especially ex-DDR's is extraordinary. They have the ability to speak on politics, if that is your cup of tea, of many different regions, primarily European, and have a wonderful view of life. Yes it is true that the German Industrial machine is slowing down and getting a little rusty, perhaps carrying the burden of the whole of Europe (minus France) on it�s back. The employment rate is very high, and the social welfare system is really good for those on it, but due to vast unemployment, (last I knew Berlin at 18.6%) and the Bundesrepublik is about a few billion Euros in debt, those benefits are going to change and perhaps a few people will have to work off their beer gut the developed! Due to these extreme circumstances life in Germany is diminishing for business extras such as corporate English classes, or even individuals spending extra money of luxuries like English courses. These events in the economy are making it harder for TEFLer�s and the like to make a decent living, even if some of us hold University jobs, the pay is not that great and the taxes, as we all know are extraordinary. For me, I believe in perception of quality of life and how I view myself as being successful or not. In Germany, I perhaps had one of the most intellectually stimulating years of my life in Berlin, with the material possession side being less then advantageous for what some people back in our countries would consider great. My fondest memories are still of being with a group of friends sitting in a bar called Lori on Neue Schonhauser Alle or any of the many bars in Kruezberg (I forgot how to spell it, my apologies) discussing god-knows-what drinking and smoking listening the DJ spin until about 3am. To me, this was Germany, this is what I was looking for when I finished University and that is exactly what I got. So I apologize for being long winded, I guess my answer to the original question posted in the survey is yes, my life is better having lived in Germany, I was taught to think about the world and see there is life outside of America and the University and no matter what I will always have fond memories of Berlin. Ich bin einer Berliner!

[scot47]

'Ich bin einer Berliner'

Clearly your German teacher only had limited success in conveying to you a knowledge of basic German grammar.

[poro]

[JZer]

I wrote on the discussion link "What Germans should not do in America"

[Madmaxola]

Germany blows