German Culture

All about Germany

Strange German Surnames

Surnames play a huge role in our life and you can expect any surname you can think of already exists. But it gets really bizarre when you start to browse through the German telephone book. Here are 9 of some of the weirdest German surnames and they are all real! First names have been altered though, to spare real people the ridicule. 1. Jens … [Read more...]

German Chicken Schnitzel

While veal is the traditional choice for authentic German Wiener Schnitzel, chicken or pork is an easy and delicious substitution. And this pan-seared schnitzel is a lightened up version of the favorite fried cutlets, yet is just as tender and yummy as its counterpart. Ingredients: 4 skinless, boneless, thinly sliced chicken breasts 1/4 … [Read more...]

15 false friends in German for English Learners

German and English belong to the group of West Germanic languages and have many words with common language roots. Sometimes you can guess the meaning of the German word because it sounds almost like an English word. This makes learning German language a bit easier for English speakers but it can also create some confusion when it comes to “false … [Read more...]

Sausage, Potato and Sauerkraut Soup

This creamy sausage, potato and sauerkraut soup is a little taste of Oktoberfest you can have any time of the year! Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, finely diced 1/4 cup flour 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 2 1/2 cups milk 400 g Bratwurst, halved and sliced 1 1/2 cups cooked diced potatoes 1 cup sauerkraut 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh … [Read more...]

How to Make German Quark

Quark is a traditional, creamy, unripened cheese tracing its origin to German-speaking and eastern European countries. Quark is said to be a cross between yogurt and cottage cheese. This fresh, soft, white cheese is prepared from pasteurised cow's milk with a small amount of acid added to achieve a good, firm curd. However, traditional quark is … [Read more...]

9 German Superstitions

Here are some superstitions – or Aberglauben – that you may come across in Germany. Knowing what these are might help explain any ‘unusual’ behavior you see in Germany, and help you to avoid making an embarrassing faux-pas yourself! 1. Chimney sweepsChimney sweeps are repositories of good luck everywhere. In Germany, they are particularly … [Read more...]

The Cost of Living in Germany for Foreign Students

The cost of living in Germany generally differs according to the city you are in, while Leipzig can be bizarrely cheap and affordable, Munich is nothing like that. Among the bigger metropolitan cities as Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and tiny yet cozy towns like Erfurt, Freiburg or Osnabrück, Berlin is caught somewhere in the middle as a common … [Read more...]

Simple Reasons Why Learning German Is Worth Your While

Many people arrive in Germany without speaking a word of the language. While some put months of their lives into mastering the language, others choose not to. There are lots of reasons for that: family life, jobs or just the sheer omnipresence of English can hold us back. But there are really good reasons to enlist in a Deutschkurs:   1. You won’t … [Read more...]

You Know You Speak German like a Native, if You Know These 10 Things

The key to learning German is to speak it. People love those who are learning their language. Imagine having the confidence to have a conversation with a native German speaker, practicing your language skills and experiencing German language and culture like you’ve always dreamed of. So you know how to say "Guten Morgen" and "Auf Wiedersehen" - … [Read more...]

Maternity Leave Law in Germany

Parental leave in Germany may seem amazing, but it is also complex and can be confusing, especially to a foreigner. Adjusting to motherhood is made a little easier if you happen to be an employed woman working for a German company. You will actually be provided mandatory time-off from work, before and after childbirth. Basically the … [Read more...]