The Pod Abroad

Why Germans Leave Germany: Living in Germany vs. Life Abroad. Berlin native Jule shares 9 years expat life in Italy, Sweden, France, London. German culture, integration, why Germans return home. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Jule from Berlin who spent 9 years living abroad before returning to Germany. She shares the truth about why many Germans choose to move abroad and what b...

From pretzels to punctuality, a Latina in Munich puts 20+ German stereotypes to the test in this fun and honest episode. Beer, bureaucracy, humor (or lack of it), socks with sandals — are they true or just myths? In this episode of The Pod Abroad podcast, I sit down with my friend Regina, a Guatemalan Latina who has called Munich home for the last nine years, to put more than twenty German clichés...

American Dream vs German Dream 🇺🇸🇩🇪 Immigration stories, cultural differences & life abroad in Munich after 9 years abroad. In this episode of The Pod Abroad podcast, I share the incredible journey of my Guela Dolores Cásarez, who immigrated from Mexico to the United States in search of her American Dream. I reflect on how her sacrifices shaped my own path as I built a German Dream in Munich a...

An American’s first 72 hours in Munich, Germany 🇩🇪 | Oktoberfest culture shock, Bavarian food, German public transport & cultural differences! Childhood friends reunite as Luis visits from Texas for his first-ever trip abroad. In this episode of The Pod Abroad podcast, I welcome my childhood friend Luis for his very first trip to Germany. From Oktoberfest madness to exploring Munich, Luis shar...

Moving abroad means finding a city that feels like home, and for me, that city is Munich. After nine years of living here, I’m making my case for why Munich is the best city in Germany (sorry, Berlin).In this episode, I share my 5 big reasons why life in Munich is so special: from its endless nature and sporty lifestyle to the Alps just around the corner, the city’s beauty and safety, its “village...

Moving abroad is not for the weak! For Simran, it meant moving from the buzzing streets of Bangalore, India to Copenhagen and then to the quiet city of Munich, Germany. A journalist by training, she joined the Erasmus Mundus Journalism program and just graduated from LMU Munich. In this episode, we talk about the real challenges of studying abroad in Germany: culture shocks, language barriers, mak...

Moving abroad in your mid-30s isn’t easy, but Katy is always down for Type 2 fun. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, with many years spent in Alaska and California (even working in Silicon Valley), she left the U.S. at 36 to start over in Germany. In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like to move later in life, from culture shock to studying for a master’s in Erfurt, building a career in...

Living in Germany for 9 years changed everything about how I see Texas and the US. As an American immigrant/expat in Munich, I’m sharing why I won’t move back to Texas, covering the biggest differences in healthcare, safety, cost of living, politics, and culture between Germany vs USA. If you’re curious about moving abroad or what real expat life is like, this episode is for you. In today’s episod...

Planning your first Oktoberfest 2025 in Munich? Want to skip tourist mistakes and experience Wiesn like a true local? 🍺 After 9 years in Germany, I’m teaming up with my friend Paloma—a real Münchner Kindl who grew up at Oktoberfest—to bring you the ultimate insider Oktoberfest guide! From dirndl & lederhosen styling tips, to how to get into beer tents without a reservation, to the best Bavari...

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like living in Germany compared to the US? After 9 years in Munich, I’m breaking down 10 shocking differences between German apartments and American homes — from kitchens and closets to laundry, air conditioning, and neighborhood life. Whether you’re moving to Germany, curious about life in Germany as an American, or just love hearing about cultural differen...

I’m excited to share with you the incredible story of my friend Ali, a refugee from Iran who grew up in Germany, found his passion in golf, and went on to study in South Texas (puro pinche 956) on a scholarship. In this episode, Ali and I dive deep into the realities of fleeing a homeland, adapting to refugee life in Germany, and the resilience it takes to forge a new identity across continents. H...

Curious about the REAL culture shocks of moving to Germany from South Africa? What happens when you’re technically German, German not German lol but grew up halfway across the world—and suddenly start over as an adult in Leipzig? If you're looking for honest stories about navigating life abroad, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I chat with my partner's sister and friend Miche...

I left the U.S. and have been living in Munich for the last (almost) 9 years, and here's a bit of everything I wish I knew before moving! Though moving here at 21 years old and a bit green was fun too. No regrets 😉In this solo episode, I break down what makes life in Germany feel freeing, maybe frustrating, but ultimately worth it. I get into nature and public transport to food prices, safety, an...

Culture shocks, hospitality, and everyday life in Munich as two girls from Georgia and Texas Today I’m joined by my sweet friend Bailey — a Georgia peach with the biggest heart and the sweetest southern charm 🥹 She’s only lived in Munich for about 9 months and is sharing about life here so far!! We met this summer at a beer garden (shoutout Anika we love you!) and instantly clicked. This episode...

Today I’m joined by my younger brother Oscar (but I call him Kiko). He’s a born-and-raised Texan, a firefighter in San Antonio, and an overall amazing guy!! He doesn’t like cameras and it’s not his thing, and totally did this for me…. so if you’re reading this… THANK YOU Kiko I love you lots.  We recorded this episode in San Antonio last week while I was visiting, and it’s packed with real talk -...

Today I’m joined by my longtime friend Joss (yes, from the iconic Joss and Janik channel)!!! She grew up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and now lives between Germany and Mexico with her German husband, Janik. Fun fact: I was their wedding ceremony officiant and it went well so maybe I need a new career?? heheWe met in our master’s program nearly a decade ago, and this episode is full of stories — fro...

Omobolanle (AKA, Mo) moved from Nigeria to Germany in 2018 — while three months pregnant — and has since built a beautiful life in Berlin with her husband (shoutout Adedayo) and two kids (Deni and Rola). In this episode, she opens up about everything from growing up in Lagos, to navigating bureaucracy, racism, and identity as a black woman in Germany. We talk about the mental load of motherhood wi...

Ever dreamt of moving abroad in your 20s? I did it at 21 — packed my bags, moved from Texas to Germany, and had no idea what I was getting myself into. Now that I’ve just turned 30 (!!), I’m reflecting on what these past 9 years living abroad have taught me — from navigating identity, visas, and career changes to figuring out friendship, loneliness, and love in a totally new culture. This solo epi...

Today I'm joined by my former flatmate and longtime friend, Bibi , who moved from Kazakhstan to Germany nearly a decade ago. We chat about what brought her to Munich, what it was like studying at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), how she navigated German culture, and her journey to actually becoming a German citizen (!!). This one’s full of stories about adapting abroad, unexpected culture...

We’re diving into a very Texan episode of The Pod Abroad today: riding horses to school? Pew pew finger guns? 🇺🇸🇩🇪I’m joined by my friend Max, who moved from Texas to Munich less than a year ago—and we’re unpacking the wild (and sometimes true) stereotypes about Texans abroad, what Americans get wrong about Germany, and how it actually feels to start over in a new country. From Whataburger loyalty...

What's it like moving from Bulgaria to Germany? Join me, Paulina (an American in Munich!), as I chat with my friend Betina, a fellow long-term immigrant who has called Munich home for 12 years. We share our experiences navigating cultural differences and building a life abroad in Germany. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, you'll hear: Betina's story of moving to Munich for studies at...

🇺🇸🇩🇪 What's it like being an American (now also German 😎) immigrant making friends, navigating culture, and planning a wedding in Germany? In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I chat with my fellow American in Munich, fellow southerner, ex-coworker, sweet friend, the coolest, Jordan! We speak about his experiences moving from the U.S. to Germany, the cultural differences between the two countri...

🇺🇸🇩🇪🇧🇪 What's it like navigating life in Munich as an American-German with a upbringing in Belgium and the U.S., a love for travel, and going through pregnancy in Germany? In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I chat with my friend Anika! We dive into her unique multicultural identity, our shared passion for travel (including why Slovenia is a hidden gem!), and her initial experiences with the German...

🇹🇭✈️ Get ready for a deep dive into my incredible (and at times, almost deadly?!) trip to Thailand! In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I'm sharing all the must-knows for your Thailand adventure, from navigating the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene beaches of Koh Samui. Howdy und Servus!! I'm Paulina :-) Welcome to The Pod Abroad, your go-to podcast for stories from international friends l...

🇩🇪🇹🇭🇺🇸 Ever wondered what it's really like to experience life in Thailand, Germany, and the USA as an expat? In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I chat with my friend Ong, a Thai native who shares his insightful experiences navigating these different cultures. If you're interested in expat life across continents, definitely tune in! Howdy und Servus!! I'm Paulina :-) Welcome to The Pod Abroad, your...