How do other German's adjust to the American way of Living?

Question

How do you cope with being the Immigrant?

Answer 1

Sad to say, but I couldn't.  I ran away quickly (after 2 years) ;-).

Answer 2

Don't worry alot of immigrants come to the US from al over the world so your not alone. Once your hear you start to experience culture shock meaning your living in a new enviroment that your not use to..It takes time to adjust to the culture settings around you but you will feel comfortable in the end and wont stress so much as to adjusting takes time..Good Luck

Answer 3

I don't consider myself an immigrant, because we plan to go back to Germany. Therefore, I am more of a guest.

Also, I speak the language fluently (with a British accent of all things, nobody ever guesses that I am German), which helps a lot. I am well-educated (master's degree), have a good job, and my life is really not very different. There are a few things that I miss though:

- German neighborhood bakeries

- Ability to walk places

- Castle ruins that top the hills in my native Bavaria, and which can be explored by the daring or not so daring - depending on the state of the ruin

Answer 4

Pretty well, at least historically.  I'm not a German immigrant myself, but my father and my maternal grandparents all were, as were many of their friends.  They always seemed to strike the right balance of respect and adaptation to the US without losing sight of where they came from.  They all spoke German regularly, but never expected someone to learn their language.  To a one, they all tried hard to adapt and learn to live in the US culture, and seemed to be grateful for where

they were.   My father worked very, very hard to eliminate his accent and talk like an American, even when he was still in Germany.  (However, he "perfected" his English by hanging out with the American G.I.s stationed in his hometown-- many of whom were from the deep south.  When he came to the US, the cab driver at the airport mistook him for a Southerner-- after all, when the driver asked where Dad was going, Dad told him, "Pawrt Awthawrity" !  (i.e., Port Authority) Lol!!!)

Answer 5

I had any problems there. I love it. Right now I'm here overseas, but soon will be back in US again.

Answer 6

My inlaws are German, they live here legally and I believe they have adjusted well. They enjoy living here and are happy. They enjoy going back to Germany and visiting and seeing family.

Answer 7

I don't know how long you have lived here, how old you are, or where you live. I would definitely give it some time. I got my first wave of culture shock when I had lived here for half a year and realized just HOW different Americans are from Germans.

I now have lived here for 8 years and have adjusted pretty well. I do get homesick and have new waves of culture shock at times. Here is what helped me:

After my first year of living in the States I went back to Germany for two years. That was extremely helpful. First of all, it gave me a break, a time to recover ;) and to think about stuff. Also, all of the sudden I had culture shock in Germany, and that was a very good experience to go through. I finally realized that no matter where I go there will be things that I like and don't like, so I just got to make the best out of what I have and enjoy it.

What helps me now is that I was able to choose my friends more freely - it helps to have friends that are somewhat like-minded or people that are going through similar experiences. (I have often had friends who were immigrants or minorities, because all have to deal with two cultures and the problems that result from that).

Also, I live in a city where I can live in a more German way than I did in other places. I live pretty central, can walk to the grocery store, using bags to carry home my groceries, ride my bike to other places. There is a grocery store where I can buy German bread, etc. All that helps.

Also, see if you can locate other Germans in your area. Often there are already German groups that meet on a regular basis.

Anyways, hope all that helps. It is always difficult to live in a different country, and I think that every immigrant has to struggle in some ways or another.