New to this site

Hello, I have just found this website. I have been here is the Germany for the last 5 years. My husband is German and we live in the Koln area. I have 2 kids. I was born in Alberta and I am a former BC resident (Victoria). I am interested in meeting other Canadians or English speaking people in the area or any information about Children playgroups etc. I will be in Canada for the summer but will return for the next school year.

Cheers

Hi from Stuttgart !

Hello Stuttgart,

I am back from spending a nice summer in Alberta and BC with family and friends. The kids are back in Kindergarten and school.

Marcia

Hello Marcia - I am attempting to expatriate to Germany Jan 2009 but understand that if one lives in Germany you need medical insurance. If you have a job, then the company will provide this; otherwise not. Two questions:
1) Marcia are you covered under your husband's medical insurance ?
2) How difficult is it to obtain medical insurance in Germany if one is
not married to a German - yet !

Cheers - Voom

Hello Voom,

I had no real trouble applying and receiving for medical insurance once I came to Germany, but I was already married and with a 2 and a half year old (it was also no problem getting coverage for him) when I came to Germany. And yes, I am covered over my husband. You are covered by your Canadian Health Insurance for one year abroad, just notify your Health Care Office before you go. Once in Germany you can ask if you can receive coverage over your partner if you are living common law. However, once you are married it becomes much easier. Let me know if you are moving into the Koln or the Leverkusen area and I can recommend you a good doctor.

Cheer Marcia

Hi Marcia

Thanks for the info on schools. I have discovered also that there are state run bilingual German /English Gymnasiums as well which are open all day about half the week. It could be difficult gaining admission though as I am sure many people try to get in.
How long did it take you to learn German to a level where you could work/write proficiently?

Hi Christi,

It may be wise to apply to number of schools that you are interested to increase your chances. Since I came to Germany with a 2 year old and became pregnant with my second child shorty after I moved here I didn´t have a good chance to learn German. I took 3 intensive courses at the VHS (Volkshochschule) and then quit after the baby was born. I have still not had the time to return. Most of my German I have learned is from living here day to day. So I am not a good example. That said if you have time to take courses I would recommend the VHS, it is a public organization and reasonably priced. You can also meet other students from around the world and in a similar situation. There are also many private language schools in Koln.

Cheers Marcia

Good to hear from you all.

Hey there Marcia,
I am a stay at home mom looking to move (back) to Germany with my German husband and child/ren (second is due in Jan 09)near the end of this coming year. I lived in Germany in 2005/2006 with my husband and came back to Canada to try start our family here. However, he finds that he is just too homesick and needs to go back. And thats fine with me haha, I loved Germany. Nevertheless, I am really going to need contact with other Canadians once I am there, I have a solid circle of family and friends here and its going to be tough for me to leave So anyway, would be nice to chat with you sometime, and maybe get some help on how to get settled with everything i.e. health insurance, schools etc. Hope to talk to you soon!
Jessica

Hey there Marcia,
I am a stay at home mom looking to move (back) to Germany with my German husband and child/ren (second is due in Jan 09)near the end of this coming year. I lived in Germany in 2005/2006 with my husband and came back to Canada to try start our family here. However, he finds that he is just too homesick and needs to go back. And thats fine with me haha, I loved Germany. Nevertheless, I am really going to need contact with other Canadians once I am there, I have a solid circle of family and friends here and its going to be tough for me to leave So anyway, would be nice to chat with you sometime, and maybe get some help on how to get settled with everything i.e. health insurance, schools etc. Hope to talk to you soon!
Jessica

Hello Jessica
I haved lived in the Stuttgart area for the last ten years. Freiburg is not TOO far away from Stuttgart as you probably know if you lived here before.
I am originally from the Toronto / Hamilton area.
Feel free to contact me whenever you get that "need to go home" feeling, I know what it is like. Even after 10 yrs it doesn't go away.

Ross
rosswag@hotmail.com