What inspired you to go abroad?
I saw opportunities in Berlin that I didn't see in many other places. I thought I could start a life here that I couldn't start/find anywhere else.
Why did you choose Nomadin Berlin?
Nomaden Berlin isn't like any other program. Most programs let you visit a place for a few months and maybe give you a chance to work something short term, but Nomaden Berlin helps you move to Berlin and set up a life.
What was your favorite part about Berlin?
How accepting Berlin is of new people is amazing. The city is full of expats so its easy to move here and fit right in.
Lana and other people who have done the program
What made your experience abroad unique?
Working with Lana (who runs the program) made the whole experience amazing and unique. She knows everything about moving to Berlin and has set up a whole community of other people who have done the program.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Lana is incredible, she will help you every step of the way. Even after your month ends she is always there for you. With Lana's help moving to Berlin was a breeze.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I honestly can't think of one thing I would do differently or that I would change.
Urban exploration
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
The days were all a little bit different. For the first two weeks we went to a German class every morning for around 3 hours and then after that Lana would take us on a trip or we would go around the city. After the class ended we spent a good part of our days job searching/looking for apartments, and had a few other awesome trips.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
Exploring the city was my favorite thing to do. Berlin isn't like any other city there's always something new to discover or something to do.
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
The apartment was incredible. It was in a great spot in Berlin and it was easy to get to places from it.
During the light shows
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
Be prepared to do a lot of searching for an apartment. There's a lot of housing in Berlin, but there are also a lot of people moving here. If you do a lot of searching and go to a lot of viewings you'll find something good, but you need to put a lot of effort into it.
What was the hardest part about immersing in a new culture abroad?
Not knowing the native language can be a little difficult. Most people in Berlin know English, but it’s all to varying degrees and can still be difficult to communicate.
What surprised you most about Berlin?
There are a ton of other expats here which really surprised me. Because of all the opportunities Berlin presents, people from all over the world choose to move here even if it’s only for a short amount of time.
How difficult was it to communicate with locals?
It can be a little difficult. You can get by with only English, but it’s good to learn some German, especially situational German for things you do often like ordering coffee. The good thing is there are a ton of different ways to learn German. You can attend language school, there are apps that can teach you, and Germans that are willing to help you learn if you help teach them English.
What is one thing you wish you would have known before immersing in a new culture abroad in Germany?
I had actually lived in Germany before so I was pretty familiar with German culture. I wish I would have learned more about Berlin’s culture and everyday life before I came. Berlin isn’t like any other city and the first couple days it was easy to feel overwhelmed.
If you could go abroad again, where would you go?
I’d probably look to move to a place like Sweden or maybe even New Zealand. I would want to move to a country not a lot of people go to. But my main goal was to live abroad for an extended period of time and Nomaden Berlin was the only program I found that gave me that opportunity.
During one of the many celebrations around Berlin
What do you feel the biggest benefit of studying a different culture abroad is?
The best part is having the opportunity to experience new things and grow as a person. We’ve only been here for about a month and a half, but everyone in my group feels like they’ve grown and learned something about themselves.
Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to Berlin?
Don’t pack heavy because things in Berlin are pretty cheap compared to other major cities in Europe. But be prepared for cold German winters.
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
I'm calling Berlin home now and I couldn't be happier.
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Absolutely! At first I was kind of nervous about doing the program and almost backed out, but I'm so happy I made the decision to come here. Lana will ease any fears and answer any questions you may have. If you're looking for a new place to live and an adventure do Nomaden Berlin, it's the best decision I've ever made.
