So im might be moving to Germany. Im 16. What is there to do there?

Question

My dad is getting a job in Germany. I am a very social person, love music and photography. I have looked up online what there is to do but theres not very many good sources. Any help?

Answer 1

I visited Germany when I was 16.  I liked it so much, that I relocated there right out of high-school (19 years old) and never went back to the US.  As a teenager in Germany you really have a lot of freedom which you wouldn't have in the US (you can go out to clubs and stuff and drink when you are 16).

The person who commented on what kind of work your father will be doing brought up a valid point - it will make a difference.  The absolute best thing that you could do is go to a German school where there are no other students from your country.  That way you will blend in and learn German better.

Answer 2

You might be interested in asking people at http://www.toytowngermany.com The forum is a meeting place for expats living in Germany and has some great advice for immigrants from the USA, Australia or the UK. It would be the ideal place to find somebody of your age and background who had to go through what you are facing.

Answer 3

Like anywhere, it depends WHERE you are.  Just remember, unlike North America, everything is SO close together there, you wouldn't have far to go to experience another city or town.  Germany's big cities (Frankfurt, Munich, etc.) are just like any BIG city - there's LOTS to do.

Answer 4

This is an incredible opportunity.  I hope you have the chance.  Germany is an exciting, dynamic and evolving place.  The people are very nice, but very "German."  They tend to have strong opinions on things that Americans don't even think about.  An example would be the European Union or the Euro, eastern European and middle eastern peoples immigrating to Germany, and relations with the US.   These are European issues that you will become aware of.  

Their music is great.  It is highly charged with rythum and beat and heavy on repitition of the theme of the music.  Great to get involved with.  Classical music is highly respected, even by teens, but not necessarily listened to.  You will always hear the latest US and British music on the radio.  Music teachers are always available too, and at very reasonable prices, even with the lousy exchange rate, Euro vs. dollar.

German is a VERY easy language for English speakers to learn.  Many words sound very similar and have the same meaning.  LEARN the language.  You will never be sorry.   Don't enroll in an English langauge school, go to the city high school.  That will improve your German in a hurry.

You can get around Germany VERY easy.  They have great highways, well marked and easy to understand.  The trains are wonderful, although expensive I believe.  A very inexpensive way to learn about Germany would be to purchase a Eurorail ticket here in the States before you leave for Germany.  Tickets here are MUCH cheaper than if you were to buy the same ticket in Germany.  That is to help the tourist and encourage Americans to come to Europe.

Never be without your passport.  Just my advice.

Answer 5

That's nice. People I know they love Germany.You can do here so much, traveling in Europe so easy, because everything so close, and for your age here is so much things to do, sport, museums, you can make new friends, going here to school learn German language, learn about the history and culture. Buy some book about Germany or search on the Internet, you can see it's fun...

Answer 6

If you end up in a decent-sized town, you're bound to find friends to share your activities with. Otherwise, you may have to search a bit. A good starting point is the local Volkshochschule, a kind of community learning centre that offers evening courses of all sorts. They may have a photography group you can join. As for music, well, there are discos to go to, orchestras or choirs to join - just find out where you're headed than you can do a more thorough search.

Answer 7

You did not mention if your Dad's job is with the US Military or a private firm(it makes a BIG differance on how Americans live in Germany).

But, 16? Learn to speak and read German a bit to get started and you will find many, many things to do! There are lots of museums that often have exhibits on the art of photography. Love music? Well maybe you will be the only American visiting Salzburg because Mozart was born there, and NOT because Julie Andrews sang 'Do Re Mi' there.....

Also my dear despite our President, Germans still like Americans, so if you leave the US attitude behind(we won the war, blah, blah, blah) you will make many friends in your age group. Your parents may not approve, but at 16 you can drink beer and wine in Germany.

So my advice, have fun, learn a new langauge, a few new cultures, travel around Europe(as a teenager/student there are discounts on all kinds of tickets).

Have Fun and Good Luck!

P.S. Depending on which schools you attend(international, US Military, or German) they can help get active in a variety of things.

P.S.S. Be careful if you meet a blond blue eyed boy named Hans-Whatever..... You may never want to go back to the US. *smile*