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Dreaming of Berlin...

Dreaming of Berlin...

Old Jul 25th 2007, 1:48 pm
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Default Dreaming of Berlin...

Hi folks,

I'm in the middle of dreaming about upping sticks and moving out to Berlin to start a fresh.

I've had a love affair with Germany since i did GCSE German there, went to Berlin in 2002 and loved the place, and have been to Germany a few times since then....

So now, at the ripe old age of 24, i'm toying with the idea of a life out there. It's vibrant, and has lots to offer for me. Life here in the UK is alright, but i've made my fair share of mistakes, and i feel that a fresh start is what the doctor ordered.

Only thing is... i've not a clue where to start. I know i can work there in terms of permits etc, it's the finer things i struggle to think of. Taxes, Accommodation... etc. I've tried googling for sites that deal in those things in English but have struggled thus far.

So i'm wondering, if anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally also, if anyone has any tips on do's and don'ts of moving to Germany... i'm all ears.

It's just a dream at the moment, but i'm moving into the planning stages to see just how possible it would be.

Thanks in advance, and the drinks are on me, noobie to the forums.

BerlinBrit

aka. Joe.
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Old Jul 25th 2007, 6:50 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Originally Posted by berlinbrit
Hi folks,

I'm in the middle of dreaming about upping sticks and moving out to Berlin to start a fresh.

I've had a love affair with Germany since i did GCSE German there, went to Berlin in 2002 and loved the place, and have been to Germany a few times since then....

So now, at the ripe old age of 24, i'm toying with the idea of a life out there. It's vibrant, and has lots to offer for me. Life here in the UK is alright, but i've made my fair share of mistakes, and i feel that a fresh start is what the doctor ordered.

Only thing is... i've not a clue where to start. I know i can work there in terms of permits etc, it's the finer things i struggle to think of. Taxes, Accommodation... etc. I've tried googling for sites that deal in those things in English but have struggled thus far.

So i'm wondering, if anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally also, if anyone has any tips on do's and don'ts of moving to Germany... i'm all ears.

It's just a dream at the moment, but i'm moving into the planning stages to see just how possible it would be.

Thanks in advance, and the drinks are on me, noobie to the forums.

BerlinBrit

aka. Joe.
Went a few years back to see Rammstein at the Wulheide stadium. Spent a few days there and really loved it. The transport system was unbelievable, buses timed to the minute. Architecture fabulous, and it really was buzzing. Will be going back for a break sometime

Got to say in my short visit I found the place to be incredibly expensive. My daughter said she would love to go and live there and on researching we found that the job situation is pretty difficult. We were also told that Berliners are pretty insular and will offer jobs to locals above anyone else.
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Old Jul 25th 2007, 7:34 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Originally Posted by berlinbrit
Hi folks,

I'm in the middle of dreaming about upping sticks and moving out to Berlin to start a fresh.

I've had a love affair with Germany since i did GCSE German there, went to Berlin in 2002 and loved the place, and have been to Germany a few times since then....

So now, at the ripe old age of 24, i'm toying with the idea of a life out there. It's vibrant, and has lots to offer for me. Life here in the UK is alright, but i've made my fair share of mistakes, and i feel that a fresh start is what the doctor ordered.

Only thing is... i've not a clue where to start. I know i can work there in terms of permits etc, it's the finer things i struggle to think of. Taxes, Accommodation... etc. I've tried googling for sites that deal in those things in English but have struggled thus far.

So i'm wondering, if anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally also, if anyone has any tips on do's and don'ts of moving to Germany... i'm all ears.

It's just a dream at the moment, but i'm moving into the planning stages to see just how possible it would be.

Thanks in advance, and the drinks are on me, noobie to the forums.

BerlinBrit

aka. Joe.
Hi there,lived in Germany for 4 years loved it but that was quite a few years ago.Had two of my kids there.Dont know how much it has changed but I think its worth a try,have you thought of approaching the Naafi they have jobs over there(then again I am not sure they still exist)but there must be something like that still over there.Welcome to the forum gOOD LUCK
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Old Aug 18th 2007, 10:21 am
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

apartment rentals are quite cheap by UK standards, getting a job seems to be the problem
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Old Aug 19th 2007, 11:59 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Hello, I'm actually in the same position as the OP (although 3 years younger). I visited Berlin last month, and instantly fell in love with the city. I have always liked Germany too, having visited a lot of the country on holidays. I do have quite a few German friends who studied at my university last year, so If I did move I'd have some support over there (socially I mean, not financially). My level of German was good at the end of school, but then dropped a bit due to lack of needing to use it. It's now picked right back up again thanks to Uni and visiting Germany last month. I am hoping to become good enough to move out there soon(ish).

I've been doing research and think I understand how flat renting works and about the different levels or furnishing found, also had it explained by my friends.

I do however have some other needs, such as registering with Doctors. I have a pre-existing condition that needs regular blood tests (every 6-8 weeks) and 6-monthly hospital appointments. Would the NHS transfer details to a German Surgery? Would I have to go home to get my Hospital check ups?
I had enough trouble moving within Scotland when I went to uni (nightmare trying to get my home surgery to transfer my records) so I'm not sure how it would work internationally.

I know I am able to get my medication abroad from a pharmacy, but have never had to do it, is this an easy thing to set up?

Like the OP, I am only in the Dreaming stage and still have another 11 months of Uni/House lease in Scotland before I would actually be able to move.

I aplogise to the OP for asking questions in your thread, but I didn't want to start a new thread on the same topic, especially since your one was so close to the top of the page and had recent replies. I hope it's okay.
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Old Aug 23rd 2007, 6:54 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

hey there
been in berlin studying my master's degree for nearly a year now, also spent a good part of my bachelor studies on placement here, so you're welcome to pm me with any questions.. not so sure i can be of much help with something so specific as medical care, though at worst i'd be able to point you in the right direction for answers, otherwise i'd certainly have some idea regarding other practicalities such as accomodation/work/university etc
best regards
 
Old Aug 24th 2007, 11:01 am
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

....
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Old Aug 24th 2007, 7:57 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Originally Posted by mum of two little girls
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Old Aug 29th 2007, 3:54 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Originally Posted by luxman
hey there
been in berlin studying my master's degree for nearly a year now, also spent a good part of my bachelor studies on placement here, so you're welcome to pm me with any questions.. not so sure i can be of much help with something so specific as medical care, though at worst i'd be able to point you in the right direction for answers, otherwise i'd certainly have some idea regarding other practicalities such as accomodation/work/university etc
best regards
Hello, thanks for the reply.

You mention you're currently studying in Berlin. I'd be interested in doing a year of my course in Germany, but I'm not sure if it's the right kind of course that is on offer in the country. I'm currently about to start my 3rd year of a Bsc Web Design and Devlopment. The German students who I met last year were all doing more traditional courses such as Business Managment, Law, Tourism and Biology related courses. I've been looking around but Web Design doesn't seem to be that common a course.

What do you study, also how did you go about applying and starting uni in Berlin, if you don't mind me asking?

If I did get closer to moving to Berlin I would seek the previously requested medical advice from my current doctor.

Thanks.
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Old Aug 31st 2007, 1:22 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

hi Donald
I'm studying Osteuropastudien at the FU in Berlin, as regards how I went about applying the process really isn't all that different from that in the UK, though applications occur on a direct basis here rather than centrally so requirements vary from institute to institute, only thing you would need to get hold of should you want to study on a full-time basis in Germany would be a standard German language certificate like TestDaF, though if I understand correctly & it's an exchange you're interested in then the key is rather which institutes in Germany your university runs an exchange programme with (get in touch with your Erasmus representative), provided you should then still find something relevant to your studies any application would proceed a lot less formally & you should be fine.. In any case the best place to get an overview of what's on offer in Germany is the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website, you'll find a database there for under- and postgraduate studies, you're right in that the range of subjects on offer is on the whole fairly stale, though with higher education here gradually becoming more commercialised I'd guess that's slowly changing, especially those institutes which have to make that bit more effort to attract students, by which I mean more specialised institutes & the major universities in the more economically-depressed East, are said to be a little more innovative, as such I'd recommend you try the Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt-Oder and the Universität Potsdam should you not find anything of interest in Berlin, both are only an hour's train ride away
As regards medical care, it's obviously very case-specific and I can only speculate, registering with a doctor is no problem at all & I find it very hard to imagine that you'd have to travel home for a hospital check-up, what you would need to inform yourself on though is which costs your insurance provider would be willing to cover, that & make sure your EHIC is valid for the duration of your studies.. and you also mention accommodation in your first post, finding a flat in Berlin is no problem at all
Well, I hope that helps, feel free to ask anything else & I apologise in advance for any ambiguities, I'm a little hung-over this morning & my brain isn't quite what it was
good luck
 
Old Sep 4th 2007, 2:10 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

i used to visit in there for only 3 days,

i still dreaming of there Berlin will one of the place that interested by me.
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Old Jun 29th 2008, 5:06 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Perhaps this isn't helpful but I can only tell you of my own experience and those of friends.

If you want to do it, just do it. I've known many people who've wanted to come to Germany or elsewhere and who over thought it. None of them ever came. If you want to do it, get all the money together you can, get on a plane, stay in a hostel or somewhere cheap when you arrive, you'll find other expats in the first couple of days, ask them about accommodation and go and get a job at McDonalds or Inlingua/Lingurama (if you have a degree).

You won't look back.

Just do it!

Mr Irresponsible/Andy
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Old Jul 17th 2008, 7:27 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Originally Posted by berlinbrit
Hi folks,

I'm in the middle of dreaming about upping sticks and moving out to Berlin to start a fresh.

I've had a love affair with Germany since i did GCSE German there, went to Berlin in 2002 and loved the place, and have been to Germany a few times since then....

So now, at the ripe old age of 24, i'm toying with the idea of a life out there. It's vibrant, and has lots to offer for me. Life here in the UK is alright, but i've made my fair share of mistakes, and i feel that a fresh start is what the doctor ordered.

Only thing is... i've not a clue where to start. I know i can work there in terms of permits etc, it's the finer things i struggle to think of. Taxes, Accommodation... etc. I've tried googling for sites that deal in those things in English but have struggled thus far.

So i'm wondering, if anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally also, if anyone has any tips on do's and don'ts of moving to Germany... i'm all ears.

It's just a dream at the moment, but i'm moving into the planning stages to see just how possible it would be.

Thanks in advance, and the drinks are on me, noobie to the forums.

BerlinBrit

aka. Joe.
I came across this website for expats in Berlin just the other day and it has a good classifieds section with several decent sounding jobs on offer at the moment.
http://www.exberliner.com/

I'd love to move to Berlin one day. I'm living near Stuttgart temporarily and lived near Duesseldorf before.

Good luck!
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Old Jul 17th 2008, 7:29 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

...and for taxes, get a Steuerberater because they are horribly complicated!
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Old Jul 31st 2008, 3:35 pm
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Default Re: Dreaming of Berlin...

Best of Luck with your Berlin Move.The german system is not exactly like the NHS. As far as I am aware e111 will cover you for a few(3) months so a reckie trip would be covered but your notes would not be forwarded, a summary can be prepaired by your Doc, you would be responsible for the translation and could be presented by you when accessing services. However in the long term you may be best to clairfy things with the German embassy as if your job contract is only short term your entitlements can differ, which may or may not effect you & your condition. I believe if you can get a job which is permanent it is better. If you move permanently your New Doc will write to request your notes.
I dont know how it works for students but I imagine they must have entitlements but best check it out with the unior embassy.Hopefully something suitable will come up for you there.
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