Courtesy of Adriana Stein
- Adriana Stein moved to Hamburg, Germany in 2016 for a free master's degree.
- After her student visa was revoked, Stein launched a marketing business to stay in Germany.
- Stein said Germany has a better social support system and she'll never permanently leave.
After accumulating student loan debt for my bachelor's degree in the US, I took a solo backpacking trip to Hamburg and discovered that anyone can study for free in Germany. Choosing to pursue my master's degree in Hamburg, I moved there in 2016.
Long story short, things didn't work out as planned. I failed the mandatory language test to get into the university, lost my student visa, and almost got deported. Still, moving here has been a powerful financial decision, and led me to a cherished career in international marketing.
Despite facing immense difficulty with the bureaucratic systems and still struggling to fit in, I've remained in Germany for eight years, here are the main reasons why.
1. The German social support system actually supports individuals and families
While the US provides no federal mandate for parental leave, Germany offers loads of support for starting a family — even for those who are self-employed. I run my own international marketing agency in Germany, and I'm still entitled to parental benefits.
In Germany, all family-related social benefits are outlined by the Family Ministry, and include the following:
Families receive up to 12 months of paid parental leave (in total per family, per child) with 62 to 67% of the parent's last net salary, capped at a monthly net income that converts to around $1,900.
Families are provided a minimum that converts to about $270 a month in Kindergeld (financial aid for families with children) per child.
During your parental leave, your employer legally can't fire you.
You pay a reduced percentage of income tax.
Your Social Security contribution decreases.
All medical expenses related to the birth of your child, as well as midwife support afterward, are covered by health insurance.
If your child is sick, you are allowed 15 days of paid leave per parent, in addition to the EU minimum annual paid holidays of 20 days.
Although my husband and I may not stay in Germany forever, we're starting a family soon in order to benefit from the familial support system (which we deserve by now after paying so much into the tax system for many years).
2. I've established deep roots in the German and European business world
As an American and native English speaker, my unique expertise in international culture and my ability to speak multiple languages have enabled me to gain financial success in Germany. The international marketing agency I founded is based on that concept, as we specialize in helping international companies expand into Germany and the EU.
I've come to realize that regardless of where I live, I need to maintain a deep connection to Germany, in order to maintain my career path. I likely will never permanently leave here.
3. Traveling to new countries doesn't take ages
Traveling in Europe is so easy. The well-connected transport system makes exploring neighboring countries and even the UK a breeze. While not as budget-friendly as it used to be, the majority of people in Germany travel abroad every few months. I've traveled to 25 countries around the globe, because of how well-connected the flights and train systems are.
When I go home to visit my family in the US, it takes 30 hours and four flights (they live in the middle of nowhere in Oregon), but most destinations within Europe only take a couple of hours to reach.
4. I don't have suspicion about whether the police truly want to help me
Coming from the US, where concerns about gun violence are a part of everyday life, the increased levels of safety in Germany have been a breath of fresh air. Though violent crime still exists in large cities (and is a primary reason we plan to move to a smaller city soon), it's incomparable to the US.
Whereas in the US, I often feared the police due to corruption, shootings, and a for-profit mindset, in the eight years I've lived in Germany, I've had to call the police and ambulance multiple times for various reasons and they've always been incredibly helpful, even speaking English with me most of the time.
5. I've fallen in love with the Turkish culture in Germany
Integrating into German culture may be challenging due to its closed-off nature, but the expat community, particularly the Turkish community, has become my community anchor. There's a massive Turkish community in Germany, both expats and first-generation Germans.
I'm married to a Turkish man, who I met while living in Germany. I've also found incredible support within "The Turkwerk," a term I playfully coined that combines the words "Turkish" and "network." It describes the tight-knit Turkish community and their ability to come together and help one another, regardless of the location. Their emphasis on family and kindness has made me feel accepted from the beginning.
6. Insurance provides coverage, rather than trying to get out of payments with vague loopholes
In Germany, insurance is basically a way of life. If you live here long enough, you'll end up having insurance for almost everything. I've always been on private health insurance and it has covered all expenses, even when I was once in the hospital for a week.
No matter where I rent a car, I use my German insurance because it has absolutely stellar coverage. I was once on a road trip in South Africa with a friend and our tire popped, causing us to total the car. My German insurance covered everything and it was a really easy process to go through.
Unlike the US, German insurance companies genuinely aim to help if you've set up the correct terms in your contract — provided you keep your paperwork in order. If there's one tip I can give anyone about Germany, it would be to keep every paper from everything. I guarantee, one day you'll be asked to provide it.
7. Germany is more transparent about the ingredients in the food we buy
I recently visited my family for the first time in seven years and I noticed a huge difference in the amount of added sugar and preservatives in so many foods. The EU and Germany's stricter regulations regarding hidden sugars and organic labeling are a lot more transparent about what's actually in the food we buy.
Though German cuisine may not be inherently healthy (it's basically constant meat and potatoes), the main ingredients contribute to a more balanced diet because it's less processed. I now understand why my friends didn't really like it when I cooked American-style foods. We use so much more sugar and butter in the US.
8. I'm not constantly bombarded with TV commercials for antidepressants
In the US TV commercials are typically filled with pharma ads, but Germany has basically banned that entirely.
When I last visited the US that was another area that shocked me, as I remember watching commercials for additives to antidepressants that also helped with weight loss. It's really sad to see because it's a clear sign of the immense health issues many Americans face and the lack of regulations to cull the for-profit mind of Big Pharma. I'm so grateful for the EU regulations.
In Germany, the pharma industry is heavily regulated by the government and I trust the medications doctors prescribe me, as they're not incentivized by commissions.
Overall, my journey in Germany hasn't been anything like I thought it would be, but I've found a new family, established a successful career, have found financial stability, and have far less fear about the future when it comes to having children.