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Who's in Germany or planning to come over?

135

Comments

  • #102
    Empire o de Sun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 369 ✭✭Empire o de Sun


    I managed to get a job, so it is possible. and my german is not the best.


    register with the arbeitsamt.
    http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/

    jobs
    http://jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de/vamJB/startseite.html?kgr=as&aa=1&m=1

    you can change it to english


    you can transfer you jobseekers for 13 weeks to any eu country, and they can extend it too, if they see you are making a good effot to find a job.

    but bring savings (if you can) as this can take 4 weeks or more to transfer you benefit.

    Germany is crying out for engineers and the like, dive into you german, read books, news onlne, watch dvds you have with german dubbing.


  • #103
    Lawrence1895
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,627 ✭✭✭Lawrence1895


    jb-ski wrote: »
    I would definitely recommend Germany as a country to move to, my personal bias would be for Munich, but any of the bigger cities are worth trying.

    HOWEVER, it depends on what your expectations are; is it a short term move for 6-12 months or open-ended.

    To properly partake in German life you need to have a reasonable command of the language. I know all the ‘I have a mate who doesn’t speak German & is earning 20zillion per annum etc’ stories, but to PROPERLY enjoy the whole LIFE experience language skills are essential.
    (also unless you have very specific skills or education, this also affects career/job opportunities).

    ‘Good’ accommodation can be difficult to find, and generally comes unfurnished, with high broker commission & (often) hefty deposit required.
    This applies to longer term stay, obviously for shorter duration, you can be more flexible,less choosy.

    I would also suggest (controversially maybe), get out of the English Speaking
    (Irish Pub!) scene a bit, and try to fit into local life, (rather than craving Tayto crisps, Barry’s tea and such B….SH..T).
    Accept that some things are different, not better, not worse, just different!
    (your perception of better/worse will evolve the longer you’re there:) )

    And remember it’s only ever a 2 hour flight away, which allows for trips home & lots of friends visiting!

    About renting a place and deposits: It's usually not more than a 2 month rent, which you have to pay as a deposit, sometimes less, if you rent from the city council.

    And for people who only want to stay for a certain time, there are many websites offering short term apartments in almost every bigger city, and most of them come fully furnished, for example (western part of the country): http://www.zeitwohnen.de/?lang=en


  • #104
    Apanachi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 757 ✭✭✭Apanachi


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    only Dieter Bohlen (similar type of alpha male talent show jurior as yer man off x factor) gets away with using "du" to a cop.

    It was considered as unmanerly rather than a directed insult.
    http://de.wikinews.org/wiki/Gericht_erlaubt_Dieter_Bohlen_das_Duzen_von_Polizisten

    Leaving aside the fact that I think it's utterly stupid to be fined for saying "du" to a police officer, Dieter Bohlen's reasoning behind the whole "du" episode was that he was a religous person and when he prays to God at night he says "du" to him, and if he's can say "du" to God, why should he have to say "Sie" to a person ;)


  • #105
    Port Royale
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Port Royale


    Apanachi wrote: »
    ... if he's can say "du" to God, why should he have to say "Sie" to a person ;)

    ...because God is your friend?! :D


    well, joke aside he lives by the bible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieter_Bohlen

    well, NOT - his just a clever f*ckin' smart-arse

    .


  • #106
    scopper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 870 ✭✭✭scopper


    So I'm here in Freiburg for a few months now and wanted to register that I'm here for any other Irish people that might be here. I've been focusing on German, but would be interested in meeting up with people that have found themselves here (perhaps a drink in the Irish bar(s)!


  • #107
    liah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭liah


    I don't suppose there's anyone on here who's north of Hamburg who would want to meet up sometime?

    I miss the craic. :(


  • #108
    Amtmann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭Amtmann


    scopper wrote: »
    So I'm here in Freiburg for a few months now and wanted to register that I'm here for any other Irish people that might be here. I've been focusing on German, but would be interested in meeting up with people that have found themselves here (perhaps a drink in the Irish bar(s)!
    liah wrote: »
    I don't suppose there's anyone on here who's north of Hamburg who would want to meet up sometime?

    I miss the craic. :(

    Hi folks, I really recommend that you both try out www.toytowngermany.com for meeting people and getting to know expats from all over the world while in Germany. I found it a great way of getting to know people.

    I'll go out on a limb here and say that Irish people abroad tend to be extremely clannish and hang out way too much with only other Irish people they find. Often socialising then becomes all about drinking in the pub. Seek out people from all over (you'll find 'em on ToyTown, in the forums section), and you just might have a blast :)


  • #109
    Micamaca
    Registered Users Posts: 346 ✭✭Micamaca


    I would agree with Tremelo...lots of great people to meet from all over to open your horizons and to teach you new things and interests.

    Mind you, some of them do like to end the night in a pub or a bar...drinking cocktails it seems more than pints. But, well that might be something new!

    Freiburg is gorgeous...wish I was there. Enjoy!


  • #110
    1huge1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,174 ✭✭✭1huge1


    Toytown is great, go to it un Munich fairly often, 20 somethings meet up on a thursday night, I'd recommend it.

    Loving munich, im here till september


  • #111
    Tall Saint
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭Tall Saint


    Hey scopper, I'm also in Freiburg. If you posted already on toytowngermany about meeting up in freiburg there's a chance I replied to it, recently. Don't know if it's you or not but anyway. Send a pm if you're still looking to go for a few pints.


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  • #112
    scopper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 870 ✭✭✭scopper


    That is very likely me indeed. I don't check Toytown too much since replies are usually quite rare! PM being sent.


  • #113
    Orla_inka
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭Orla_inka


    Anyone planning on driving over to Germany for the summer? Just that you know: This is the ideal year to come over - the weather is fookin' freezin'. You will all feel at home.
    (Actually, it is usually too hot for me here, I am not complaining)

    Anyway, I am just bumping the request that I made 1 year ago. I would love if someone could bring over lots of Club Orange or Finches orange for me as I am not going to manage to come over this summer.

    Please send me a message if you will be able to help me quench my thirst.


  • #114
    scopper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 870 ✭✭✭scopper


    Orla I notice you are in Karlsruhe, if you make it to Freiburg drop me a line.


  • #115
    Orla_inka
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭Orla_inka


    Will do, although I am rarely in that neck of the woods. Same applies with Karlsruhe. Let me know via Toytown (I am using the same moniker) .. maybe we can get a group of people together.
    Freiburg must be a great place to live. I used to have friends living there.


  • #116
    Misty Moon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 294 ✭✭Misty Moon


    A new thread started on toytown the other day about a meet-up for people in Offenburg and I was quite surprised at the number of responses so quickly (probably because when I lived near there I don't think I met any English speakers apart from in work). Not all that far from Freiburg and might be worth checking out.


  • #117
    rmacm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭rmacm


    In Nürnberg since January originally on a short term assignment from Ericsson Ireland but I've decided to take a job with Ericsson Germany. Here's to a new adventure and me learning some German :)


  • #118
    CamperMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭CamperMan


    I'm a short drive (in Irish terms) from Meissen... stunning area :D


  • #119
    1huge1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,174 ✭✭✭1huge1


    CamperMan wrote: »
    I'm a short drive (in Irish terms) from Meissen... stunning area :D
    Think I was there when visiting Dresden one time. Nice place


  • #120
    DesertCreat_15
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭DesertCreat_15


    Summer 2012 I should be heading over to the GF to stay for a while. Depending if i like the place enough, i plan on enrolling in a sprachschule or a volkhochschule to learn some deutsch ! :p

    Heading over now in January for a break before i start into the final semester at college too by the way !
    Anyone on here live in the Bremen or the North East NRW area? :P


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  • #121
    livinginkorea
    Registered Users Posts: 5,438 ✭✭✭livinginkorea


    Moving over from Korea in three weeks time. Really looking forward to it. Going to live near Frankfurt in a small town. Beautiful area. Hopefully it won't be too cold over there at that time.


  • #122
    livinginkorea
    Registered Users Posts: 5,438 ✭✭✭livinginkorea


    Here in Bingen now. Love the food and the beer. Thank god for IKEA!


  • #123
    jester77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭jester77


    livinginkorea wrote: »
    Here in Bingen now. Love the food and the beer. Thank god for IKEA!

    It's nice around there. Rüdesheim is right beside you, beautiful there, check out their coffee:) Weisbaden and Heidelberg are not far away. And in the Summer there are plenty of winefests on in that area.


  • #124
    JimiWonderDoor 92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 271 ✭✭JimiWonderDoor 92


    moving to Munich soon enough,

    got feckal German, but got a job sorted

    been there before, some of you are painting it as conservative and I did find it 'orderly' which is fair enough but its surely alright for someone like myself early 20s?


  • #125
    yosser hughes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭yosser hughes


    JimiWonderDoor 92 wrote: »
    moving to Munich soon enough,

    got feckal German, but got a job sorted

    been there before, some of you are painting it as conservative and I did find it 'orderly' which is fair enough but its surely alright for someone like myself early 20s?

    What do you work at Jimi? How did you get the job? Presumably speaking German wasn't a requirement?


  • #126
    JimiWonderDoor 92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 271 ✭✭JimiWonderDoor 92


    yosser hughes wrote: »
    What do you work at Jimi? How did you get the job? Presumably speaking German wasn't a requirement?

    This is working in a bar, I know someone who worked there before and only very basic words of German required if any at all really.


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  • #127
    yosser hughes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭yosser hughes


    JimiWonderDoor 92 wrote: »
    This is working in a bar, I know someone who worked there before and only very basic words of German required if any at all really.

    Good luck with it.


  • #128
    Lawrence1895
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,627 ✭✭✭Lawrence1895


    JimiWonderDoor 92 wrote: »
    This is working in a bar, I know someone who worked there before and only very basic words of German required if any at all really.

    Should be alright, most Germans speak English anyway ;)


  • #129
    1huge1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,174 ✭✭✭1huge1


    You'll love Munich, its a great city and I really enjoyed living there,

    Just finishing up my degree back here in Ireland and heading over to start a job in Frankfurt in June, looking forward to it.


  • #130
    yosser hughes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭yosser hughes


    1huge1 wrote: »
    You'll love Munich, its a great city and I really enjoyed living there,

    Just finishing up my degree back here in Ireland and heading over to start a job in Frankfurt in June, looking forward to it.

    What area of work are you in 1huge1? I ask because I am contemplating Germany myself as a place to go. Do you speak German? How did you get the job sorted?
    Thanks.


  • #131
    Sykk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭Sykk


    It's official. The girlfriend got her Erasmus here for 10 months. So once she's finished, I'll be finished my degree also and I'll be moving to either Leipzig or Friedrichshafen/Konstanz (Depending on where she transfers back).

    Will start looking for work in about 12 months. Hopefully there's demand for Network Administrators/Engineers with B1/2 German... I'll make another post here closer to the time!


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  • #132
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Sykk wrote: »
    It's official. The girlfriend got her Erasmus here for 10 months. So once she's finished, I'll be finished my degree also and I'll be moving to either Leipzig or Friedrichshafen/Konstanz (Depending on where she transfers back).

    Will start looking for work in about 12 months. Hopefully there's demand for Network Administrators/Engineers with B1/2 German... I'll make another post here closer to the time!
    you'll have no probs getting a job.

    Theres a chronic lack of all types of IT staff in Germany.
    Nowadays they are a tad fussy that you can speak some german - at least on advertisments for jobs, but in the high tech/ engineering field an amount of experience and a willingness to learn the lingo would still get you a start.


  • #133
    Sykk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭Sykk


    munchkin_utd wrote: »
    you'll have no probs getting a job.

    Theres a chronic lack of all types of IT staff in Germany.
    Nowadays they are a tad fussy that you can speak some german - at least on advertisments for jobs, but in the high tech/ engineering field an amount of experience and a willingness to learn the lingo would still get you a start.

    That's great news. On other German forums people are very pessimistic about foreigners getting work there. I'll be doing the Goethe Institut from now until I move anyway with 2 of the intensive courses (3 days p/w) which should hopefully boost my chances :)

    Cheers!


  • #134
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Sykk wrote: »
    That's great news. On other German forums people are very pessimistic about foreigners getting work there. I'll be doing the Goethe Institut from now until I move anyway with 2 of the intensive courses (3 days p/w) which should hopefully boost my chances :)

    Cheers!
    well, I should mention that germany is very very regionalised and that the situation for IT jobs in high tech centres like Munich or Stuttgart is different than in a finance town like Frankfurt or a depopulated dying town in east germany that has shag all going for it.

    Maybe the pessimistic posters come from a place in the latter category(or similar)?


  • #135
    1huge1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,174 ✭✭✭1huge1


    yosser hughes wrote: »
    What area of work are you in 1huge1? I ask because I am contemplating Germany myself as a place to go. Do you speak German? How did you get the job sorted?
    Thanks.

    Hey

    I studied economics, finance and german at uni (just finishing up as I said), so I'm fairly fluent in german at this stage, plus at UL if you study a language, you have to spend a semester working abroad which I spent in Munich as well as erasmus in graz, austria.

    I will be working as a recruiter in the banking sector.
    As far as germany goes, I don't know if frankfurt would be quite my number one choice but it is what it is.

    But for the record having german was not entirely necessary for this role and that is also true with many other jobs in Germany.


  • #136
    St. Robbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41 ✭St. Robbie


    I'm living in Bad Kissingen in North Bayern. Moved last September. Only Irishman in the town


  • #137
    Structurally Sound Mentally Unstable
    Registered Users Posts: 53 ✭✭Structurally Sound Mentally Unstable


    Hello All :)

    I am moving to Munich on the 30th of this month, less than two weeks to go! I have no job lined up, but I hope to do a masters in Environmental Engineering in the LMU next semester.

    I am moving in with my boyfriend so all I have to do is get my ass over there and start living! Hopefully I will pick up a job fairly quickly. I am still level A2 German, but my masters will be through English!


  • #138
    janullrich
    Closed Accounts Posts: 409 ✭✭janullrich


    Guys, have been trying to sort myself out the last while, between going into self-employment, getting work here in Ireland and now I am thinking of going back to Germany. What are the best work websites at the moment for applying for jobs over there. I am fluent in English and German. I know of www.toytowngermany.com. Any others that anybody knows of? Cheers.


  • #139
    Sykk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭Sykk


    janullrich wrote: »
    Guys, have been trying to sort myself out the last while, between going into self-employment, getting work here in Ireland and now I am thinking of going back to Germany. What are the best work websites at the moment for applying for jobs over there. I am fluent in English and German. I know of www.toytowngermany.com. Any others that anybody knows of? Cheers.

    Monster.de has a monolith of jobs on it. Also, if you upload your CV, employers sometimes get in contact with you if you fit a criteria for the position they're looking to fill.

    Good luck!


  • #140
    Soldie
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭Soldie


    *bump*

    Just moved to Hamburg.


  • #141
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    Soldie wrote: »
    *bump*

    Just moved to Hamburg.

    Hi Soldie

    I'm planning to move to Hamburg early next year. Will you be working there? How is your German?

    Good luck


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  • #142
    Soldie
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭Soldie


    theroomisonfire wrote: »
    Hi Soldie

    I'm planning to move to Hamburg early next year. Will you be working there? How is your German?

    Good luck

    Hello there! :)

    My German isn't great. I completed the A1 level in Dublin earlier this year. I'll be continuing with A2.1 here in the coming weeks.

    I'm working here now and will be for the foreseeable future (I was fortunate enough to land a job that didn't require any German).

    So far I really like it here - it's a great city.

    Are you moving here for work?


  • #143
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    Hi Soldie

    Thanks for the reply.

    I plan on moving early in the new year. I will be looking for a job there and will be learning German as well. You were luck to get a job where you don't need to speak German. Did you have that arranged before you arrived out there?

    Also, what language school are you attending in Hamburg and how is it?


    Soldie wrote: »

    Hello there! :)

    My German isn't great. I completed the A1 level in Dublin earlier this year. I'll be continuing with A2.1 here in the coming weeks.

    I'm working here now and will be for the foreseeable future (I was fortunate enough to land a job that didn't require any German).

    So far I really like it here - it's a great city.

    Are you moving here for work?


  • #144
    Soldie
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭Soldie


    As I said in my previous post I have not yet started at any language school. At this stage I might have to wait until the new year to enroll in a course.

    I had a job arranged before I came out here, but I was planning to move regardless!


  • #145
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    Hi,

    Was it difficult to find a job before you arrived? Any tips? Also, I have been looking at language schools, Goethe is very expensive and it's hard to know about the others such as tandem which are a good bit cheaper. Think I might just attend a few for a days free trial and proceed from there.



    Soldie wrote: »
    As I said in my previous post I have not yet started at any language school. At this stage I might have to wait until the new year to enroll in a course.

    I had a job arranged before I came out here, but I was planning to move regardless!


  • #146
    DesertCreat_15
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭DesertCreat_15


    theroomisonfire wrote: »
    Hi,

    Was it difficult to find a job before you arrived? Any tips? Also, I have been looking at language schools, Goethe is very expensive and it's hard to know about the others such as tandem which are a good bit cheaper. Think I might just attend a few for a days free trial and proceed from there.

    You need to look for a Volkshochschule(equivalent to our VEC's) in the city/town you're moving too, they provide Deutsch Kurse alot cheaper than others !


  • #147
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

    You need to look for a Volkshochschule(equivalent to our VEC's) in the city/town you're moving too, they provide Deutsch Kurse alot cheaper than others !


    Thanks for that. I have heard of those. How are the classes? I suppose it depends a lot on the particular Volkshochschule. Are the class members motivated or can there sometimes be individuals that slow the progress of others?


  • #148
    Soldie
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭Soldie


    theroomisonfire wrote: »
    Hi,

    Was it difficult to find a job before you arrived? Any tips?

    It wasn't too hard for me, but I'm probably a bad yard stick. I know for some people it has been more difficult. One thing I've found - and many people seem to agree with me on this - is that German employers scrutinise your initial application a lot more. I think in Ireland you are often afforded the opportunity to sell/present yourself in an interview, even if your application wasn't perfect. Not so in Germany - if your application doesn't cut the mustard then you won't get an opportunity to redeem yourself in an interview. It's a more impersonal system, but the silver lining is that if you do land an interview, you probably have a very good chance of getting the job.

    Disclaimer: This is based on my (admittedly limited) experience and from speaking to other expatriates, who have agreed with me. Perhaps other people have had a radically different experience.
    Also, I have been looking at language schools, Goethe is very expensive and it's hard to know about the others such as tandem which are a good bit cheaper. Think I might just attend a few for a days free trial and proceed from there.

    If money is an issue you can do an integration course at most language schools. Such courses are subsidised by the federal government, and cost only €1 per lesson (they're free if you're a recipient of social welfare). The downsides: you have to pay for 100 hours up front, and the often-awkward class times.


  • #149
    DesertCreat_15
    Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭DesertCreat_15


    theroomisonfire wrote: »
    Thanks for that. I have heard of those. How are the classes? I suppose it depends a lot on the particular Volkshochschule. Are the class members motivated or can there sometimes be individuals that slow the progress of others?


    Class are grand, iv done two courses in Bremen and always good bunch of people so far !

    I suppose the bigger city you go to it wont be as easy as more arabs non english speaking people i imagine hinders progress a bit !


  • #150
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    Thanks for the tips. Do you have any recommendations as to where I can find jobs in Hamburg or any particular companies that might have English speaking jobs and would be worth targeting.

    As regards the integration language lessons, do any of the main language schools such as tandem and Goethe offer these? Also, do you have any indication as to how the integration language lessons compare to other non integration language lessons.

    Many thanks
    Soldie wrote: »

    It wasn't too hard for me, but I'm probably a bad yard stick. I know for some people it has been more difficult. One thing I've found - and many people seem to agree with me on this - is that German employers scrutinise your initial application a lot more. I think in Ireland you are often afforded the opportunity to sell/present yourself in an interview, even if your application wasn't perfect. Not so in Germany - if your application doesn't cut the mustard then you won't get an opportunity to redeem yourself in an interview. It's a more impersonal system, but the silver lining is that if you do land an interview, you probably have a very good chance of getting the job.

    Disclaimer: This is based on my (admittedly limited) experience and from speaking to other expatriates, who have agreed with me. Perhaps other people have had a radically different experience.



    If money is an issue you can do an integration course at most language schools. Such courses are subsidised by the federal government, and cost only €1 per lesson (they're free if you're a recipient of social welfare). The downsides: you have to pay for 100 hours up front, and the often-awkward class times.


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  • #151
    theroomisonfire
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭theroomisonfire


    DesertCreat_15 wrote: »


    Class are grand, iv done two courses in Bremen and always good bunch of people so far !

    I suppose the bigger city you go to it wont be as easy as more arabs non english speaking people i imagine hinders progress a bit !

    Thanks for your reply. It's interesting that you're in bremen as I studied German there for about 2 months in a language school called Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie. How do you like Bremen and do you often visit Hamburg?


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