Before moving, I told myself that I’d live in Germany for a minimum of three years. I gathered that three years would give me enough time to really improve my language skills, become familiar with Frankfurt and build strong relationships with those around me. What I didn’t consider, is that after three years of giving…
Tag: Frankfurt am Main
Spending time alone vs socialising as an expat
An issue I’ve had as I’ve become more independent during my time abroad (and probably with age) is that enjoying my own company and happily making plans with myself can sometimes mean that I don’t socialise as much as I feel I could. I guess this isn’t the worst problem in the world as I…
A summer weekend in Frankfurt- Things to do
Whether you are new to Frankfurt, looking for something to do or are having guests for the weekend, it’s always good to get recommendations from a local. Here are my top suggestions for a summer weekend in Frankfurt. Enjoy! Friday Morning: Breakfast @ Elaine’s deli A scenic walk along the River Main – Start at Willy…
The four phases of culture shock
It creeps up on you when you least expect it and pushes you out of your depth as you try to comprehend these abnormalities that are actually now normalities. In fact, you’re the abnormal one now. Culture shock. Two and half years into my expat journey and as much as I have embraced the German…
Things to do in Frankfurt in the winter
The second half of winter is usually pretty quiet and if you’re anything like me you’ll almost hibernate until it finally begins to get warm again. But as much as I love being at home, I just can’t stay indoors all the time. So here’s 5 things to do in Frankfurt in the winter: 1….
Being a woman of colour in Frankfurt
After being asked about what it’s like to be a woman of colour in Frankfurt, specifically a black woman, and if I have experienced any racism, I’ve decided to share my experiences with you. I always start by saying that I don’t work in a strictly German environment, in fact, due to the nature of…
Frankfurt: a convenient city
No long commutes and no overcrowding are the two main things I love about living in Frankfurt. Life here is a bit slower than in my home city London, which does of course has many specialities, but I love I no longer feeling like a sardine when I walk around the city and I never…
Two years in Frankfurt and I’m not leaving any time soon
How often do you rely on other people? When at work, playing sports, or for some friendly advice? I reckon it’s more than we realise but for those times when we do actually need someone, whatever it may be for, we generally know exactly who to go to and why they’d be the best person…
Celebrating your birthday away from home
I love celebrating my birthday and even when I try to make it as small as possible, it always turns into a big celebration! I see my birthday not only as an opportunity to celebrate another year, but to bring friends together and enjoy the time with those closest to me. I’ve been living abroad…
When life abroad becomes home and home becomes life abroad
Spending some time back home after living abroad for nearly two years (and hardly visiting London) has made me realise that life abroad doesn’t always feel foreign. At some point the tables start to turn… It wasn’t Christmas, it wasn’t my birthday, it was just the first ‘normal’ week I’d spent working in London since…
Moving from London to Frankfurt
“Why would someone leave London for Frankfurt?” Is what you may be thinking. Truth is, it was more than just the city that brought me here, but although there are a few things I wish I could have brought with me, I just can’t justify moving back to London right now. Here’s why: Small fish…
A special visitor
I spent three years at home after finishing uni and venturing around Thailand for a month. It was just me and my mum, which was strange in itself, as I genuinely felt like an only child, but I eventually got used to my sister still being at uni. Eating dinner, watching crappy TV on a Sunday and…
How often should you visit (or not visit) home once you move abroad?
Every 3 months? Every 6 months? Or depending where you’ve moved to, maybe even every 18 months? There are of course no written rules but after living abroad just over a year, here’s a bit on how I went about visiting (and not visiting) home and why: “When are you first going to come back?” I…
I was evacuated because a British WW2 bomb was found near my flat
Yesterday, I was one of approx. 65,000 people in Frankfurt to evacuate their homes after a British-made bomb (1.4 tonnes of TNT) was found not far from my flat. Wednesday 30th August As my housemate and I scrolled through an online article after hearing the news on Tuesday, I finally accepted that this was happening…
What’s really on your mind before you move abroad?
How annoying is it when people talk loudly on public transport? I constantly think “Can you just shut up!?” and am always relieved when either I or the loud talker gets off. This time however, I just wanted to go over to the seats behind me and tell the loud talker that I know exactly…
One year since I moved abroad
Tears. A lot of tears. Waking up and being alone with my thoughts. Missing home comforts and no longer knowing the city that I live in like the back of my hand. Loneliness. This is exactly how I felt when I first moved out of my family home and went to university in 2009. It…
