Everyone Is Moving To Berlin – Details, episodes & analysis

Our listener Tatiana moved to Potsdam for her (second) master's degree and discovered that studying in Germany isn't just about grades and academic growth. From blocked accounts to culture shocks, she shares the lessons, surprises, and tips she wishes she'd known before making the leap.

Show Notes

• DAAD: International Programmes in Germany
• uni-assist
• German Blocked Account Amount: A Guide for International Students
• Fintiba
• WOLOHO – Help each other
• studierendenWERK BERLIN

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John Kampfner, journalist, author, and long-time Berliner, joins Manuel to talk about how the city has evolved over the decades. They also dive into Germany's current political challenges and what they mean for the future. Plus, John shares some hidden gems in Berlin that go beyond the usual guidebook recommendations.

Show Notes

• John Kampfner's Website
• John Kampfner's Books
• Newsletter: Citizen of Everywhere
• John Kampfner über Identität und Geschichte der Hauptstadt: »Berlin ist niemals fertig« (SPIEGEL)
• Ein bewundernder Blick auf Deutschland (Easy German Podcast 175)

Special Places in Berlin

• Bergmannkiez (Berlin.de)
  • Viktoriapark (Google Maps)
  • Tempelhofer Feld (Google Maps)
  • Hasenheide (Google Maps)
• Ausstellung "Enthüllt" at Zitadelle Spandau
• Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation at Anhalter Bahnhof

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In our first episode in 2024, we reflect on the growth of our podcast and the decision to release episodes on our own timeline. We express gratitude to our supporters and invite suggestions for topics and guests and talk about our personal goals for this year. For our main topic, we discuss the recent demonstrations against racism and the far-right AfD party in Germany.

Show Notes

• Jim Carrey's Wild New Year's Eve Celebration (YouTube)
• Buy us a coffee to support the show
• TED: The art of asking | Amanda Palmer
• Jae's Website
• Check Mag (No. 16 features Jae's art on the cover) 
• In the End, It Was All About Love (Goodreads)
• AfD (Wikipedia)
• Secret plan against Germany (Correctiv)
• Germans Push Back as Far Right's Influence Grows (New York Times)

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Kevin Alterfritz, historian and Potsdam aficionado, takes us beyond Berlin's shadow to reveal why many believe Potsdam is the real highlight. We explore the city's hidden gems, from the Dutch Quarter to the Russian Colony and the palatial parks that outshine even Sanssouci. Kevin shares his personal journey with Potsdam, tips for experiencing its compact beauty, and why it's known as Germany's Beverly Hills.

Berlin Welcome Package Ideas:

• 1 Year Free Membership for Therapy
• Set of Rose-Tinted Glasses
• Light Therapy Lamp
• Keychain Multitool

Potsdam

You can contact Kevin at kevin.alterfritz@gmail.com. He also gives private tours of Berlin and Potsdam but be aware that he is often booked-up months in advance.

A great way to get to know Potsdam is with the walking tours offered by the city tourism office, Potsdamer Service & Marketing GmbH.

Kevin's inside tips for the summer:

1. Pfingstberg Belvedere
2. Meierei brewery and beer garden (The brewery pub is open year-round)
3. Marble Palace (This palace is open year-round on weekends)
4. Swimming area at the Heiliger See
5. Culture Area Schiffbauergasse
6. Villa Colony Babelsberg (The city tourism office tours given here are only in German!)

At this time of year (November and December), Potsdam offers several Christmas Markets.

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Lony and Sean fell in love with Berlin on a summer tour and spontaneously decided to swap their life in North Carolina for a fresh start in Berlin. The couple not only navigated the maze of immigration laws and managed to secure a skilled worker's visa for Sean, who's a barber by trade, but also quickly scored work contracts and an apartment. In this episode, they reveal the steps that led to their seamless transition.

Show Notes

• Lony's Mindmap
• Make it in Germany
• Expats in Wonderland
• Rowdy Barber
• International Women in Berlin (Facebook)

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Geoff and Alex — better known as "Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey" — join us to discuss their decade-long experience of living in Berlin. We talk about quirky German traditions, what it's like when everyone switches to English for your benefit and the pros and cons of the German supermarket-experience. They also have quite a few tips for Berlin newcomers.

Show Notes

• Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey (Website & Podcast)
• AGDW - An Expat Channel (YouTube)

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Back from our summer break, Manuel speaks with three Berliners who all chose a plant-based lifestyle. We talk about Berlin's reputation as a vegan haven, animal rights activism in Berlin and how to survive as a vegan when traveling to smaller towns in Germany. And: So many restaurant recommendations (all linked below).

Show Notes

• olivethevegan_ (Instagram)
• Dominion (YouTube)
• Peter Singer: Animal Liberation (Goodreads)
• Ed Winters: This Vegan Propaganda (Goodreads)
• Animal Rights Square
• HappyCow
• Veganz
• Garden Gourmet Veggie Lovers Pizza
• Vegan Community Berlin (WhatsApp Group Invite)

Mentioned Cafés & Restaurants (Google Maps)

• Plant Base
• Kiez Falafel
• Tak Tak
• Nam Y
• La Stela Nera
• Milano Vice
• Försters
• Vaust
• Feel Seoul Good
• Vöner
• li.ke : serious||thai||vegan
• Swing Kitchen
• Vincent Vegan
• Vedang
• Veg'd
• Die Vetzgerei
• KIM999
• Emira Vegan Sushi Restaurant
• Secret Garden
• Cookies Cream
• Kopps
• Lucky Leek
• FREA

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We're about to take a summer break — but first, a glimpse into Jae's "toxic relationship" with Berlin: He's getting evicted, received an unexpected 1,900 euros hospital bill and has a knack for receiving all kinds of fines and fees. Despite all that, he's staying resolute and optimistic.

Show Notes

• Deutschlandticket vs. VBB-Umweltticket der BVG
• 9-Euro-Fonds

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Is there too much (or too little) stuff in your life? In this mini-episode, Manuel explains how to buy and sell used things in Berlin. Besides (not-eBay) Kleinanzeigen and Vinted, two popular online platforms, there's the hugely popular Mauerpark Flohmarkt, various other fleamarkets and the Berliner Fahrradmarkt. (And: Scammers!)

Show Notes

• George Carlin: Stuff (YouTube)
• Kleinanzeigen
• Best of Kleinanzeigen (Instagram)
• Vinted
• Flohmarkt im Mauerpark
• Flohmärkte in Berlin (Berlin.de)
• Berliner Fahrradmarkt

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Berlin is amazing in the summer! In this episode, Jae details his trip to a local nudist beach, and Manuel describes his experience at a Kings of Leon open-air show. We also recommend visiting Berlin's open-air swimming pools, and Jae shares his experience hosting a party at Tempelhofer Feld.

Show Notes

• Teufelssee (Berlin.de)
• Outdoor swimming pools (Visit Berlin)
• Parkbühne Wuhlheide
• Waldbühne Berlin
• Fusion Festival
• Hurricane Festival
• Rock am Ring Festival
• Whole Festival
• Songkick App
• Bandsintown App

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