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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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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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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Moving abroad is both exhilarating and also terrifying. What to take? What to leave? How long should you plan on staying? How can you meet people overseas? What will it be like? I figured there’s no one better to give advice on moving overseas that those of us who have already done it—so I asked…
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After a long break from regular blogging, I’m excited to share some huge news—as of March 2, I’ll be one-way bound for Hamburg, Germany. I’ve gotten a few questions as to why Deutschland, why now? And my main answer is, why not? A lot of things happened in 2015. I met some incredible people, I…
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