Finding an "expat sponsor" to help with relocation

Hi,

I am English(Living in England) and my Husband is German. He is under the impression that my transition to Germany will be smooth. I however have my doubts. I have lived in the States and adapted well, but my biggest worry is the language. I picked up a book the Expert expat by Melissa Brayer Hess and Patricia Linderman, which gives great advice. It has opened my eyes to what I am about to take on (I have burst in to tears twice whilst reading this book, I think this is because of the overwelming fear factor I have). The first thing they suggest is get a Expat sponsor to help you out when you move over. Is a sponsor a commen thing? It would help as my Hubbie will have a new job and I will be expected to just get on with it. We are looking to move to Usingen area. I think it is North-West of the centre of Frankfurt. Looks like a nice place anybody have any idea? I Just have to say if you are about to relocate to any country this expert expact book does give you a insight to what it will be like and advice on how to handle things, a good read (if you are not a cry baby like me!) Please let me know anything is should know, see you soon!

If you're living in or near (read U-bahn/S-bahn) distance away from Frankfurt, you shouldn't have (m)any problems getting by with only English initially. There's also a lot to do in and around the Frankfurt area.

Ok well if your husband is German then he should start helping you with your German - now, tonight, even if he only teaches you one word. He can be your stepping stone into learning the language.

Indeed there are many who survive and enjoy their life here without speaking German but I think it is essential if you have/are going to have children here.

I cannot say on the sponsor front but some sort of relocation agency could help you out. But then again your husband should be able to do most of the bureaucratic work for you.

Good luck with the move and keep in touch with TT when you get here.

I ditto PurpleMuffin's point about the language - you can get by without it but I think you will feel at home here much quicker when you have the foggiest what people are on about. The fact you are married to a native speaker is probably one of the quickest ways to learn the language - don't delay, start today!

I agree with the previous posts. Neither my husband nor I spoke ANY german before moving here. His company decided that language lessons were not necessary since we will only be here a year but, I really wish we had learned some german for day to day living. We have gotten by fine but it gets really annoying/lonely when you have know idea what people are saying to you or around you!
Will you be working? That seems to help if you can get some of the people you work with to help you during the day. Get your husband to start teaching you ASAP!
Don't worry about being a crybaby, I think lots of us have shed tears at some point and will continue too! We live near the center so if you have questions or are not working and would like to get together and talk send a message!

p.s. there are companies that will have a relocation consultant help you with governmental issues but they are expensive.

I'm confused.


After eight years of lessons you should probably be able to chuck around a word or three.

Language is key. I wished I had taken some classes of just the basics. Loneliness while your spouse works will increase with no language skills. Sponsers? Don't I wish. Good luck with that.

I've been in Frankfurt over two years but a ticket maschine for city transports still drives me crazy, so learning German is a must.

Hi,

I am not sure if I can help but I am willing to try. First off where exactly are you moving to? and when? Do you have kids?

I am not a "specialist" in moving to Germany or anything but I moved originally from Canada and then moved to Texas and then back to Germany again. I can probably answer a lot of your questions because of course I had to muddle through it all myself in the beginning.

With the language, what I did was I went around the house and put a sticky note on everything in the house with what it was called in German. I took one formal German language course before I came here ( and I could not speak the language when I came here). It is a difficult language to learn. Depending on what area you are moving too depends on how understanding people are. I got by for the first 6 months by listening and speaking a Germlish. After 6 months I started to trust myself enough to say simple sentences. I won't lie to you it is not an easy transition and of course the language barrier was the biggest problem in the beginning. But, you need to look at it as an adventure and what really helped me was finding friends right away. With German's it takes a long time to become "friends", you stay acquaintances for a very long time before you are a "friend". The best thing is at the beginning to find someone who speaks english and is willing to help you with the basics in Germany.

I am not sure what else to tell you... If you have any other questions let me know.

Take care,

Sherrie

Hi,

I do so know how you feel, I was a complete cry baby when I was relocated to London in 2005. I'm german and my english was reasonable but I just couldn't imagine living in a different country alone!! So I agree with all the other posts, having your hubby with you is going to help.

Let me know if I can help in anyway and if it only means that you can talk to a german girl let me know, okay?

Take care,

Steff