Working Abroad: Hannover, Germany
Those that know me well, know that I love to travel. In knowing this, it came as no surprise when I informed those closest to me that I applied for a job that would allow me to travel not only within USA, but abroad as well. At the time of applying, I had no clue as to where my rotations would take me, I only knew that I had an open mind and was willing to embrace change. With the rotations requiring me to be away from home for 18 months total (6 months at a time in 3 different locations) and with having already experienced traveling to various countries for the purpose of studying abroad, I thought to myself, “this will be a piece of cake!” While my experience has been PHENOMENAL, it definitely hasn’t been a piece of cake as I initially imagined it to be.
First, I’ll start by saying that this international experience was different from my previous international experiences. In the past, I was always accompanied by friends or associates that were in the same educational program as I. This time, I was completely alone. Yes, others were present, but prior to arriving in Germany, I didn’t know who they were and due to being in different areas, daily interactions between us didn’t occur. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. Where I would normally have someone with me at all times to go to a restaurant or go to the mall, etc., this time I just had myself. At first, this was a bit intimidating, but in receiving suggestions for things to do from colleagues, google and the use of google maps, navigating new territory alone became easier and enjoyable.
The second challenge came in being immersed into a new working environment, one that I had no experience with. I was used to my team at home and the structure of our working style. When introduced to my team, I was made aware that I was the first international worker (in this particular department) they had ever hosted. For them, this meant that they would have to adjust to holding meetings in English, which would otherwise be held in German if I weren’t there. Now for some, this could possibly be a red flag and a reason to forget about taking this opportunity; however, I decided to embrace the opportunity and began to learn a new language. Of course, I knew I wouldn’t be fluent in German in just 6 months, but I figured I could at least attempt to meet them half way since they were being so accommodating of me. After they learned that I was using Duolingo to learn their language, they would come to me each week and provide a German word and I would provide them with the equivalent in English.
In this new working environment, there were also various cultural adjustments that had to be made. One example revolves around lunch. Each day at 11:45, our entire team would eat lunch together either in the canteen or in one of our meeting spaces in the office. For me, this was a bit of a challenge as I normally use my lunch time in a more personable way. This is the time during my work day that I take a minute to relax, maybe listen to some music, etc. That may seem minor to some, but for me it took some time to get used to it. Outside of those challenges, everything else seemed to flow. Connection with those closest to me continued by means of Face-Time, Whats App and text message. The only thing to remember regarding communication was the time difference. However, I still felt fully connected even though I was 7 hours ahead in time.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff like FOOD, transportation, attractions, etc. Hannover has much to offer in those areas. Below, I will talk about my experience and provide suggestions for some of the topics that may be of interest to you should you ever find yourself in Hannover, Germany.
Food
Food in Germany was different, however, I was able to make due and find various options. If you’re a lover of bread, you’re definitely in the right place as there’s a bakery on almost every corner. The train station also has a lot of options for food on the go (different from what we consider to be “fast food”) and the options were normally healthy.
When I felt like preparing my own food, I would go to either Lidl or Edeka for groceries. One thing I noticed immediately when shopping in the local markets was that food (even healthier choices) is much cheaper than that of the prices back home. Since the labels were in German, I would use the camera option in Google Translator, which helped a lot. The app immediately translates words into the language of your choice by holding your phone’s camera over the item. Another incentive that I enjoyed when shopping, was the fact that I could recycle bottles at either of the grocery stores and apply the amount to the cost of my groceries. For each bottle, you’re provided .25 euros. My highest return was 10.50 Keep in mind that when shopping in Germany, as in most European countries, bags are provided, but at a cost. To combat this, I would either carry a book bag or reuse bags from previous trips.
When cooking was at the bottom of my list, I took my pick from various restaurants. Take a look at some of my favorite options below.
Vietal-Kitchen Hannover
Restaurant Mikado
Kanibo Ramen Bar
L’Osteria Hannover
Seven Sundays
Pizza Haus Hannover
Asia Hung
China Restaurant Singapur
Hanoi Bun Pho
Siam Thai
Transportation
Hannover, Hauptbahnhof
During my stay, I used public transportation as a car was not provided. Initially, I was a bit nervous since I’m used to using a car to go everywhere back home. My initial concerns were, “How am I going to transport groceries, “What will I do when it’s raining?” and “What about those days when it’s freezing in the winter?” Nevertheless, I adapted and I adapted quickly. Honestly, the only time I longed for a vehicle were on rainy days. Outside of that, Germany’s public transportation system is very efficient and user friendly. I never had an issue and when traveling to other countries, it made the use of different public transit systems easier. With the help of the apps My Hannover (for use within the city of Hannover), Deutschebahn, Moovit and Omio (for use when traveling to other cities and countries), I was able to find the best routes for all of my travel needs.
Accommodations
While in Germany, my job provided me with accommodations. Since our headquarters is located here, there are often a lot of trainees and employees, if not all, that are assigned to Hannover for one of their rotations or for an assignment. With this in mind, there are designated apartments in most cases for this purpose. There were three noticeable differences initially when I arrived to my apartment with one being the fact that there wasn’t the luxury of having air conditioning in the apartment, there was a noticeable difference in the size of the apartment compared to what I’m used to in the US and there wasn’t an oven in the kitchen (this issue was resolved by obtaining a toaster oven). Even with those differences, I was able to manage just fine. Having managed to be comfortable in this space for 6 months, it really confirmed the statement, “less is more” for me.
To help you envision the size (pictures are below), think of a single dormitory room at a university/college. When you walk in, the restroom is to the left and there’s a small kitchenette. Thereafter, you’re in the living space, which contains a bed (a little bit bigger than a twin size bed, but not a full size), desk, closet space and a TV.
Attractions
Hannover offers various attractions that may be of interest. Whether you’re a lover of all things outdoor/nature or one who isn’t particularly fond of outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone. One of my favorite attractions in Hannover is the Herrenhäuser Gärten. If you love to view palaces, are intrigued by landscape design, and at some point maybe even envisioned what it would be like to live in a palace, then this should definitely be on your list of things to do. The entry cost is only 8.50 (euros), but this includes an entrance to the gardens, and a botanical garden and park, which are located directly across the street. Below, I have included some of my pictures and I have also provided a few suggestions for things to do should you find yourself in Hannover at some point.
Harz Mountains(located outside of Hannover)
Herrenhäuser Gärten
Hannover Zoo
Maschsee
New Town Hall
Lower Saxony State Museum
Marktkirche, Hanover
Kröpcke City Center- great place for shopping, coffee shops and restaurants
Hannover History Museum
Ernst-August-Galerie (shopping)
All in all, I had a wonderful experience during my time in Germany. I would definitely recommend this type of experience for anyone longing to fully experience the world outside of their home state/country should the opportunity present itself. Not only did this trip humble me, but I was also able to develop new perspectives, be immersed into a new culture and environment, start learning a new language (which I will continue going forward), able to meet new people and create more memorable experiences all while doing something that I love. Had I not taken this opportunity due to what others thought or due to fear of being by myself in a part of the world unknown to me, then I wouldn’t have been able to gain these experiences. I’m truly thankful for this opportunity. Aaron Lauritsen said it best “It’s in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth, people who make you feel right at home.” I truly felt at home in Germany.
