By now you've settled into life in Germany and are starting to enjoy the experience. There are still a few odd situations that arise like the TV/Radio tax and getting all the necessary appliances for your new apartment. These are items I'll cover in future postings but for now, I'd like to talk business.
Now that you've started work, you're going to need to consider how to get home. This all sounds odd and unnecessary but believe me, you'll need it. Some day, you'll want to return to the USA and your company will have a posting ready...or it will not. My experience has shown me that most of the US entities don't really pay much attention or consideration to work performed overseas. Some companies like IBM, GE, and BP give lots of credit and promotions to executives who have done their time overseas. Most others do not.
In preparation for your eventual return to the USA, you want to find yourself a mentor. A senior level executive who will keep you apprised of changes in the USA and circulate your name and activities with the senior management team. Without that connection, few really know who you are and what you've done. Keeping in touch with the mentor can be just a set of monthly phone calls but it makes a difference. You'll eventually hit the 'wall' with your assignment and want to come home. Be prepared. I'd recommend you read a repatriation article.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
When No One Recognizes You Anymore
While I thought of nothing more enjoyable than staying in Europe for the holidays, my parents would ask that I make the pilgrimage to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holidays. There is nothing more challenging than to escape ones family traditions.
While I enjoy traveling on business, I dread the thought of all the items required for two children under 3 yrs of age. There is the stroller, the car seats, diaper bags, various gifts carried by hand, and luggage for a family of four. Let's not forget, I have to bring my laptop as I could not be disconnected from my office for more than a week.
The first thing the family sees when you arrive is your attire. Your coat is different, the kids have the funny hats with tassels and long strings, and I'm wearing shoes with squared toes. My wife has a copy of a German fashion magazine and I have a copy of International Herald Tribune under my arm.
On the drive from the airport, we talk about jobs, politicians, and travel. I mention the development of the EU as a governing body for currency and monitory policy. Family member had no idea what I was talking about.
During one of the dinners that week, I had mentioned a conflict that occurred between Chancellor Schroeder and US President George Bush on climate policy and I questioned why the USA would not join the Kyoto Accord or the ICBL- International Campaign to Ban Landmines. No one at the table had an answer and no one really was aware that the US was objecting. It never seemed to make the local news in Chicago.
At one point, I recognized that I was seeing the world as a European and the Americas (at my table and elsewhere) were opponents in a great debate on social equality, world peace and environmental protection. It was likely too deep a conversation for such an informal event as Thanksgiving, but I had expected to arrive home to see an family more informed. Alas, they were not.
From that point forward, I made the decision read up on sporting events and US news prior to each family visit. Your family sees you for who you were, not for necessarily for what you've become overseas.
Anyone else have similar stories?
While I enjoy traveling on business, I dread the thought of all the items required for two children under 3 yrs of age. There is the stroller, the car seats, diaper bags, various gifts carried by hand, and luggage for a family of four. Let's not forget, I have to bring my laptop as I could not be disconnected from my office for more than a week.
The first thing the family sees when you arrive is your attire. Your coat is different, the kids have the funny hats with tassels and long strings, and I'm wearing shoes with squared toes. My wife has a copy of a German fashion magazine and I have a copy of International Herald Tribune under my arm.
On the drive from the airport, we talk about jobs, politicians, and travel. I mention the development of the EU as a governing body for currency and monitory policy. Family member had no idea what I was talking about.
During one of the dinners that week, I had mentioned a conflict that occurred between Chancellor Schroeder and US President George Bush on climate policy and I questioned why the USA would not join the Kyoto Accord or the ICBL- International Campaign to Ban Landmines. No one at the table had an answer and no one really was aware that the US was objecting. It never seemed to make the local news in Chicago.
At one point, I recognized that I was seeing the world as a European and the Americas (at my table and elsewhere) were opponents in a great debate on social equality, world peace and environmental protection. It was likely too deep a conversation for such an informal event as Thanksgiving, but I had expected to arrive home to see an family more informed. Alas, they were not.
From that point forward, I made the decision read up on sporting events and US news prior to each family visit. Your family sees you for who you were, not for necessarily for what you've become overseas.
Anyone else have similar stories?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Managing Children Overseas
Treading into some difficult territory, parents should do a great amount of reflection and formal evaluation when bringing children overseas. This is not to say that the children themselves (where age is appropriate) don't have a role in the discussion. One must consider both the personality and psyche of the child to a new home, country, culture, and school. My son was only a year old when we arrived. If you consider moving overseas with children. Do it while they are young!!
Now I've listened to others, with older children, relocating overseas. They stated it was not all that bad. I've them come to find out that they attended International Schools (English only) and acquired a subscription 300+ channels from Sky Network. Not what I considered immersion into a new culture. Oh, did I mention that Heidelberg International School costs between 11.000 and 15.000 Euro per year!?
If you have aspirations of putting your children into the local school system, then you'd better plan on staying around for three or more years. Older children will have a slow adjustment to the new language, and that will hold them back in some classes and grades. If you pull them out of (host) German schools and rush back to home country of America, United Kingdom, or elsewhere kids will likely be held back a year.
In summary, if kids are young and under 6 years old, they will easily adjust to a new language and make rather smooth transition to local schools. If they are older than 7 and older, they will have trouble with the language and much of the standardized testing in schools. You should opt for International Schools to keep them on consistent curriculum. Read more about readiness of children here.
Now I've listened to others, with older children, relocating overseas. They stated it was not all that bad. I've them come to find out that they attended International Schools (English only) and acquired a subscription 300+ channels from Sky Network. Not what I considered immersion into a new culture. Oh, did I mention that Heidelberg International School costs between 11.000 and 15.000 Euro per year!?
In summary, if kids are young and under 6 years old, they will easily adjust to a new language and make rather smooth transition to local schools. If they are older than 7 and older, they will have trouble with the language and much of the standardized testing in schools. You should opt for International Schools to keep them on consistent curriculum. Read more about readiness of children here.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
German Culture 101: The Introduction
I'd often joked with my friends that Germans consider it polite to offer the traditional (Goodbye) term of Tschus or Auf Wiedersehen for their goodbye but they never do much to say "Hello" or smile at anyone. They are rather stoic in their personal and professional demeanor. This applies to meeting people on the street or walking down the hall at the office.
When you did meet up with someone that you are familiar with, we as Americans are accustom to saying things such as "How are you?" or "How have you been?" While in America, we discard this greeting as nothing but a formality with no real expectation to share details. In Germany, you can expect a different reply.
When you ask somebody "How are you?", Germans normally use this as a literal question that expects a literal answer, in contrast to the common English usage of "How's it going?" simply meaning "Hi". It might, therefore, be considered strange or superficial to ask the question and keep on moving without waiting for an answer. In Germany, many people, when asked, will, in fact, give you a very detailed answer, including why they are not doing well at that moment or, why they are doing very well -- which can end up in an even longer answer. Just be ready and be polite.
When you did meet up with someone that you are familiar with, we as Americans are accustom to saying things such as "How are you?" or "How have you been?" While in America, we discard this greeting as nothing but a formality with no real expectation to share details. In Germany, you can expect a different reply.
When you ask somebody "How are you?", Germans normally use this as a literal question that expects a literal answer, in contrast to the common English usage of "How's it going?" simply meaning "Hi". It might, therefore, be considered strange or superficial to ask the question and keep on moving without waiting for an answer. In Germany, many people, when asked, will, in fact, give you a very detailed answer, including why they are not doing well at that moment or, why they are doing very well -- which can end up in an even longer answer. Just be ready and be polite.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tax Man Cometh
For those of you with American Passports, you'll have to face the fact that we are one of the few (only?) countries that requires tax filing in the USA while living/working overseas. The Treasury Dept, in all its wisdom,has continued to push this tax code as a way to stop Americans from hiding income overseas.
If your company is about to relocate you overseas, be sure to request expatriate tax services as part of your package. Maybe just ask for an additional $250 per yr toward those fees. I don't think you'll get any support should you actually owe taxes in the USA for income earned overseas. I found the big accounting firms have specialists and there are many smaller firms if you spend time to search them out.
I had friends who said, "Hell with that, I'm not filing US Taxes" and they did not for several years. They never recieved letters or notices from the Treasury Dept. They did hear this rumor that the US Treasury Dept was working closely with the US State Dept. At some future date, if you decided to update your US Passport at an Embassy, you might denied due to failure to file. I've never seen this in print but seems doubtful. We cannot figure out who enters our airports or airplanes from terrorist watch-lists. How are two seperate US agencies going to collaborate on tax filings? Can this just be urban myth?
If your company is about to relocate you overseas, be sure to request expatriate tax services as part of your package. Maybe just ask for an additional $250 per yr toward those fees. I don't think you'll get any support should you actually owe taxes in the USA for income earned overseas. I found the big accounting firms have specialists and there are many smaller firms if you spend time to search them out.
I had friends who said, "Hell with that, I'm not filing US Taxes" and they did not for several years. They never recieved letters or notices from the Treasury Dept. They did hear this rumor that the US Treasury Dept was working closely with the US State Dept. At some future date, if you decided to update your US Passport at an Embassy, you might denied due to failure to file. I've never seen this in print but seems doubtful. We cannot figure out who enters our airports or airplanes from terrorist watch-lists. How are two seperate US agencies going to collaborate on tax filings? Can this just be urban myth?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Germany: Kindergarten with a Catch
When one moves overseas, to a country and culture, you start stages of acclimation. You begin at the arrival, everything seems like a tourist attraction. You move in/out of stores, neighbourhoods, and cafes with everything so new that you feel like it's a vacation. You stumble through a German order at the markt or ask for a coffee but transactions are simple and conversation is brief. Soon you discover that you'll actually have to understand all the terms of a car lease, an apartment rental or phone service that you really become confused and frustrated. You finally move to a state of acceptance. My time came when my son was signed up for Kindergarten.
After some weeks of research, we found a local Montessori school nearby. It was clean, modern, and plenty of play space. The teachers were very helpful in explanations of the schedule and parental commitment (in English) but made it clear our son would have to pick up German on his own. What I mean to say is they would not coddle him with English every day. That sounded just fine with us.
Upon signing the contract with the Montessori school, they requested a copy of my pay slip. I thought this to be peculiar but they informed me that monthly school payment is determined upon my monthly income!! I was really bothered by this approach as my success and subsequent income has nothing to do directly the needs/care of my son. Likewise, why should I pay more than some other schlep when our kids are using the same resources at the Kindergarten. It was a travesty; it was inequitable; it was socialism.
Welcome to Germany.
After some weeks of research, we found a local Montessori school nearby. It was clean, modern, and plenty of play space. The teachers were very helpful in explanations of the schedule and parental commitment (in English) but made it clear our son would have to pick up German on his own. What I mean to say is they would not coddle him with English every day. That sounded just fine with us.
Upon signing the contract with the Montessori school, they requested a copy of my pay slip. I thought this to be peculiar but they informed me that monthly school payment is determined upon my monthly income!! I was really bothered by this approach as my success and subsequent income has nothing to do directly the needs/care of my son. Likewise, why should I pay more than some other schlep when our kids are using the same resources at the Kindergarten. It was a travesty; it was inequitable; it was socialism.
Welcome to Germany.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Time for Eating- German Style
I expect this will be the first of many posts on the joys of eating in Germany. While Germany does not have all the tradition and elegance of the French, the cuisine is still pretty damn good! This first 'foodie' post covers the rich history and fascination with meat. If you want the quick insights into German diet of meat, I'd recommend the Jan, 2010 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. The article is called, "For German Butchers, A Wurst Case Scenario" The German butcher must work harder than ever to survive as the country shifts to vegan requirements during the last 20 years.
The German butcher has the unusual custom of offering free slices of bologna or salami to the children. Maybe this is the practice of 'get em hooked' when they are young but the kids really enjoy and expect the treat. The diversity of meat in a butcher is like nothing I've ever seen before. While my kids became very familiar with the sights, my visiting friends and family have never seen a full pig head, pig knuckle or cow tongue on display. It really makes one pause and stare for a moment.
During a Thanksgiving holiday in 2000, we invited my good friend Mike (an American) and his family over for dinner. Mike insisted on getting the turkey. He visited his local farmer, who raises turkey year round. At 9AM that morning, he selected his bird (while it was still grazing in the pen), the farmer pulled it out back for immediate slaughter. One hour later, Mike was at our front door with turkey and schnapps in hand.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you'd actually seen a turkey alive? Now, ask yourself, when was the last time you've seen one fresh...I mean really fresh! Most of us get a frozen turkey each year and it was slightly unnerving to touch one that had a pulse only an hour ago. Obviously, it made for some great conversation. How's that for eating like the Pilgrims?
The German butcher has the unusual custom of offering free slices of bologna or salami to the children. Maybe this is the practice of 'get em hooked' when they are young but the kids really enjoy and expect the treat. The diversity of meat in a butcher is like nothing I've ever seen before. While my kids became very familiar with the sights, my visiting friends and family have never seen a full pig head, pig knuckle or cow tongue on display. It really makes one pause and stare for a moment.
During a Thanksgiving holiday in 2000, we invited my good friend Mike (an American) and his family over for dinner. Mike insisted on getting the turkey. He visited his local farmer, who raises turkey year round. At 9AM that morning, he selected his bird (while it was still grazing in the pen), the farmer pulled it out back for immediate slaughter. One hour later, Mike was at our front door with turkey and schnapps in hand.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you'd actually seen a turkey alive? Now, ask yourself, when was the last time you've seen one fresh...I mean really fresh! Most of us get a frozen turkey each year and it was slightly unnerving to touch one that had a pulse only an hour ago. Obviously, it made for some great conversation. How's that for eating like the Pilgrims?
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