Courtney Martin Archives

The Perks Of Being A Native English Speaker In Germany

My first column here on Expat Focus was titled “The Perils of the Native English Speaker in Germany.” In that article, I complained about being a native English speaker in Germany. Well, I am back here to say that now,

Home Country vs Host Country: Expat Problems During the World Cup

With the World Cup in full swing, there is one question that people now ask me quite regularly: Will you root for your home country or your host country? My home country is the U.S. My host country is Germany.

Deconstructing Denglisch

Most Germans begin learning English in school at just six years old. This means that by the time they reach their teenage years, many Germans are fluent. Add to this the popularity of American films and music throughout this country,

The Best American Foods You Won’t Find in Germany

It’s that time of year again. The time when little girls go door-to-door selling the most delicious cookies in the world. And while I am sitting over here in Germany, all I can think about is how amazing a Samoa

Top 5 German Reality TV Shows

Since I need to pass a German fluency test in exactly one month, I am trying to go on an all-German diet. This includes only watching German movies and TV shows. While there are several popular action, drama, and comedy

How To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Germany

For American expats, Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday. But just because nobody else stuffing their face with exorbitant amounts of food on the fourth Thursday of November, it doesn’t mean that you can’t. In Germany, there is actually a

The Perils of the Native English Speaker in Germany

The top tip for expats starting off in a new country is always to learn the native language. As an American expat living in Germany, I took this advice to heart. When I came to Germany for the first time