Okay, so we’ve already shared the super cool job that Alex Maxwell has placing interns in Berlin (check it out here if you missed it). Now we want to share with you Alex’s Berlin life advice – getting here and settling here.
We’re happy to hear that using Red Tape Translation during the immigration process was a big help. Alex was still living in the U.S. when she first got in touch, but ultimately she decided to seriously look into moving to Berlin permanently.
I knew it was going to be difficult or had the potential to be difficult. I started the research process just like I started anything else – chaotically googling – and it was unhelpful. Right about after you know the 15th blog that I read…I was like, okay, it’s time to seek a professional’s help.
And we are SO glad she did! Alex had coaching with Kathleen to get her paperwork in order. She also opted to take an interpreter with her to her visa appointment at the LEA (Ausländerbehörde).
I felt reassured after every single interaction with Red Tape, that things are going to be okay.
We’ve gotten this feedback from many clients and are so happy to hear it.
(Bookmark these pages if you want a coaching to prepare for an appointment or a skilled interpreter to join you on the day of your appointment.)
“That’s how I reached out and then from there on out it’s been a really smooth journey. It’s really easy to book an appointment. Folks at Red Tape are incredibly responsive over email, just very human.”
The aftermath: Life in Berlin
So that’s how she got here, but moving to Berlin is more than just getting your paperwork in order. Alex described Berlin as a “softer meat grinder than most cities, but a meat grinder nonetheless”. You have a lot of freedoms here and it’s easy to get lost or caught up in it all. A week or month during the summer isn’t necessarily enough experience to know you can get through the winter and still want to be here. But that being said, there’s SO MUCH TO LOVE, even when it’s grey outside.
Alex, in particular, is into the art and film scenes. She recommends keeping in touch with friends here and wherever else you’ve made them on your journey. Learning German is still ongoing, but she says it’s even more of a reason to connect with natives here. (We couldn’t agree more!) Find your people and connect through comment interests. Then you can experience the beauty that is truly Berlin! We love our city and our Berliners 💙
The art scene is very, very fascinating to me in Berlin. It’s got its own rough edge and I love experiencing that with my friends
What about you? Any assimilation advice from our readers? Write us in the comments below, we’d love to hear your perspectives!
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