Thank You to My City — Europe

A few months ago, we asked you: if you could write a thank you letter to your city, what would it say?

Did you find a vibrant community in your host city that welcomed you with open arms? Maybe the atmosphere was the main reason you consider your town the perfect place for expats and global minds: the green spaces, the laidback lifestyle! Or maybe you and your host city even got off to a rocky start, but you have come to love and embrace its rough edges.

Many of you got in touch and submitted your letter to your city, telling us why you are grateful to live in your home abroad.

Vienna

“Over time and the more I travelled, I learnt to cherish what I have here. It has lots of green areas to hang around, one of best public transportation systems, excellent health care and in comparison, it is still a relatively safe city not to mention the various options in culture — theater, operas, music, museums, etc. They say Vienna is not Austria and that is true, but nowhere else is the history and culture of Austria more present than in its capital city.”

“With theaters and museums for every taste, you are never bored in Vienna! And the best part, its save! I am so grateful that I can walk freely at any time.Vienna makes you a better person! It brings organization into your life and planning for a better future. If you are willing to work hard, life is fun in Vienna!”

Darmstadt

“After a month of curfews at night and a lot of restrictions, Darmstadt finally came to life, and I saw what a lovely place it is and how nice the people are here. I like this city now and the vibe of it is unlike any other cities. Darmstadt has its own history and being a student of science, I love the fact that I am living here and I am a part of a renowned university in the world.”

Madrid

“I know you as being vibrant, full of life, exuberant, inclusive. When I think of our times together, I remember you so generously showing me a good time. I’ve visited your museums and art galleries. I’ve eaten at some of your amazing restaurants and stayed in your incredible hotels too. I’ve danced till the early light of morning in some wonderful venues. I’ve enjoyed your beautiful parks. You’ve given me a home and an income during our time together.”

Paris

“I am delighted with my decision to come work in Paris. I still have at least a couple of years living here, but I am sure that when I will return, and in general in my life, this experience will always be fundamental. I would like to, after this stage, retain a small part of “Parisien” in my personality.”

Belgrade

“You, Belgrade, are my home now. You are a serene old lady full of vibrant life! Nothing amazes me more than the mix of values I find in you — modern with a touch of conservativeness. Within you, progressive new buildings are standing shoulder to shoulder with communist era housing blocks and even beautiful older buildings. You have your feet deeply rooted in history, but your head is looking forward towards a bright future. And, of course, no one can compete with the big brave Serbian heart.”

Wroclaw

“So, my thanks goes to this city for being the fertile ground for creativity that it is, and for doing what it has to attract the friends I’ve made here, or who I will someday soon make. Wroclaw will always hold a special spot for me, no matter if I permanently settle here or someday, for whatever reason, move on to some other new and interesting place.”

Kiev

“When I arrived in Kiev, I said to myself, I have got myself another home. What attracted me to pay more attention to the city is seeing people of different culture living as one.If they can, why can’t I too? With a smile on my face, I said to myself, welcome to Ukraine.”

Lille

“Lille changed me, enlarged my life. And I love her. Yes, she has many lovers, but I am happy to share her beauty and her pleasures with others. How could I not? Most who get to know her cannot leave without longing to return to her embrace.”

 

We know that many of you are great writers and have a lot of fantastic stories to tell — from exciting adventures to funny mishaps. If you missed this writing opportunity or your letter didn’t get published, you should keep an eye out for upcoming writing opportunities all throughout the year 2022.

We are looking forward to learning how you see the world and feel about expat life!

 

Also check out:

Thank You to My City — Global

From Tyrol to Vienna

I arrived in Vienna at Schwechat airport on a cold, bleak, rainy afternoon. It was 22 November 2010. Walking down the stairs from the airplane, the first thing that hit me, was how cold it was followed by the realization that my open-toe sandals were not very practical. I pulled my thin cotton safari jacket tighter around me. I remember marveling at how clean and spotless everything looked — that fascination has stayed with me.

So, not only did my feet get a bad start, but my German language skills were also next to zero apart from a few swear words (don’t care to repeat!) that I picked up from my Tirolean husband. I was coming to start a new life with a two-year-old who spoke Swahili and English only. And things were about to get worse, I was dropped into the deep end. My first few months were spent in a tiny village in western Tirol at my in-law’s house. Talk about culture shock! They were welcoming and we had a good relationship probably because neither of us could understand or communicate with the other. In German they say Liebe geht durch den Magen (A way to a person’s heart is through their stomach), in my case it was, Integration geht durch den Magen! Luckily, my mother-in law was a great cook and, being a food aficionado myself, we hit it off. One of first dishes I learnt to make was Käsespätzle (spätzle with cheese and fried onions) and my favorite, Kartoffelrösti (grated potatoes formed to a pancake and fried in a big pan) with apple sauce. I was amazed at the amount of smoked meat that was eaten and have since become hooked on Speck (pork) cut into thin slivers … yum! And I wonder, how did I survive all those years without dark bread?

Everywhere in Austria is beautiful, but the mountains, they are special. Rugged, ancient, dignified, and untouchable, they stand majestically. Pulling the curtains away from the window always took my breath away, I had to pinch myself, it was so beautiful. As a child my parents would hang up wall calendars from Swiss Air in our kitchen and those photos looked just like what I was experiencing — it was so surreal!

Once I spoke German, a whole new world opened up to me. I moved to Vienna and discovered I loved the bigger city too. Over time and the more I travelled, I learnt to cherish what I have here. It has lots of green areas to hang around, one of best public transportation systems, excellent health care and in comparison, it is still a relatively safe city not to mention the various options in culture — theater, operas, music, museums, etc. They say Vienna is not Austria and that is true, but nowhere else is the history and culture of Austria more present than in its capital city.

Coming back from Italy this summer where I had a wonderful time, I had a cathartic moment and surprised myself thinking “It’s so nice to be back home!”.

Although I felt welcome at my in-laws and in the little village in Tirol where you were greeted by everyone, even strangers on the street with “Grias-enkk” (greetings to you), I was frustrated at not being able to communicate back. I had a lot of time then and took to watching afternoon talk shows on TV. Even if you didn’t quite understand everything, you got the gist of what was going on. So, I proudly thank Arrabella Kiesbauer for being my first teacher in German! This is tongue in cheek, but in Tirol you will not learn German, so I had to look for other sources. If you can say Oachkatzlschwoaf (squirrel), consider yourself halfway there.

Language paves the road to friendship and respect. I learnt that my initial opinion of the Austrians being cold and unfriendly wasn’t true and after a Glässchen (a small glass of wine) or Schnappserl (a shot) initial inhibitions dissolve and if you don’t watch out and continue with the drinking you may end up dancing the polka! Austrian punctuality and work ethic impressed me. They work hard but hey, they also know how to enjoy life — think Octoberfest, Fasching celebrations, Saturday mornings at a traditional coffee house, or enjoying the last warm rays of sunshine at Heuriger (traditional wine bars) sipping Jungwein (new wine) with friends.

Be open for new experiences and go with the flow, you’ll be surprised where you end up. It’s all about the journey and not the destination! And although difficult, learn the language of whatever country you’re living in. Only then can you truly immerse yourself in its uniqueness.

 

Tess Burmester was born in Kenya, has lived and worked in Tanzania, and is currently in Austria. She has a degree in Business Administration and International Travel Operations. Apart from working with the United Nations (U.N.) most of her life (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Atomic Energy Agency), she also worked as a dog-walker, in a car-hire company, and with an International Travel Company in Kenya. Tess is married and has a son and two dogs that require a fair amount of exercise — walking her dogs is one of her favorite ways to pass the time. She’s passionate about animal welfare and the environment and has done some voluntary work with the Neon Green Network (charity working to connect NGOs, business, public institutions and members of the public) during “Die ERDgespräche”.

 

Vienna Makes You a Better Person

I came to Vienna for the first time as a tourist in 2006. I loved it! It was the most efficient city that I had ever visited … beautiful and full of history! And not in my wildest dreams, could me, a countryside girl from Brazil, have even dreamed of such luck. But life has its own plans …

Working as a translator, I was a leave taken by the wind.

When it blew me to Vienna, it was mind-blowing! It’s a shiny gem right in the middle of Europe. Located as such that you can take the night train and wake up in Paris, Frankfurt, Venice, or Rome. A Magnificent collection of palaces from various eras makes the center of Vienna stunning. Parks and bike routes traverse central parts of the city and art is part of its everyday life. Everything works to perfection: the social integration AMS helps you with a German course. The education you have been wanting to pursue? That is also covered! The choices are many in English or German.

When you move to Vienna you quickly feel like part of a society that cares about everyone, expat or not.

It’s difficult to choose what to be grateful for… everything works on the clock. The metro and train systems make your life so easy that it’s silly to buy a car. The weather is great in summer, and winter comes with a charming white Christmas! The architecture of Vienna is so rich, a walk in the trendy part on the Danube Canal with its many paintings on the wall calms down your soul. Even taking the tram to work is such an enchanting ride. Parks are everywhere! And so is art. The former summer residence of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace and its garden with free access as well as Prater Park will make your weekends magical. With theaters and museums for every taste, you are never bored in Vienna! And the best part, its save! I am so grateful that I can walk freely at any time.

Vienna makes you a better person! It brings organization into your life and planning for a better future. If you are willing to work hard, life is fun in Vienna!

 

Cristina McAlpine is a mother of two, translator, and cancer survivor living in Vienna.

Dear Darmstadt,

In the past few months, you have been very nice to me, opening new doors for me.

Life is a rollercoaster and, just like that, there are ups and downs. We can’t blame the place or anyone for that. When I came to Darmstadt, it was a disaster. It was my first day, I landed in Frankfurt and my friend picked me up from the airport. Its a blessing to have a friend in an unknown place. I remember the day I took my first step in Darmstadt, and it was Luisenplatz where I took my stuff out of an AirLiner bus.

It was that time of COVID-19 in April 2021 when it was a complete lockdown and Luisen Center, a shopping center in the city, was haunted, I didn’t see a single person there. My friend assured me that it was unusual these days. Usually, this place was very lively and I would like it once things started to get better. I had no choice but to believe him and take the next tram to my private room. After a month of curfews at night and a lot of restrictions, Darmstadt finally came to life, and I saw what a lovely place it is and how nice the people are here. I like this city now and the vibe of it is unlike any other cities.

It is small city and yet you can have all the amenities here, the city center has all you need. Moreover, I can also get Halal food easily.

Darmstadt has its own history and being a student of science, I love the fact that I am living here and I am a part of a renowned university in the world.

Zeeshan Tariq is from Pakistan and currently lives in Darmstadt, Germany. He is a student of Masters in Materials Science at Technische Universität Darmstadt.

Dear Madrid,

I’ve heard you haven’t been well recently and just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you! My heart’s broken to know that a tiny virus has brought you to your knees; to see your beautiful streets empty; to see your people scared and isolated and your hospitals full.

I know you as being vibrant, full of life, exuberant, inclusive. When I think of our times together, I remember you so generously showing me a good time. I’ve visited your museums and art galleries. I’ve eaten at some of your amazing restaurants and stayed in your incredible hotels too. I’ve danced till the early light of morning in some wonderful venues. I’ve enjoyed your beautiful parks. You’ve given me a home and an income during our time together.

Yes, we’ve had our difficulties — traffic jams, pollution, strikes, and protests. There was even a time when I thought our relationship was over. I wondered whether I should leave you, but you called to me and won my heart back.

I am so happy to see that you’re slowly recovering. Your people are slowly venturing out again to enjoy each other’s company in your presence. Your businesses, big and small, are slowly opening again. People are now picking themselves up with your help. And together we’re returning to the joys and beauty that you originally gave us.

I’ll do my part to make sure that the world knows how wonderful you are.

Madrid, I love you!

Love Ali

 

About Ali Gordon:

I am a “Brit in Madrid” and have been living and working here for 14 years now! I live in the city centre with my two guinea pigs who also get out and about in the city with me from time to time! I am doing the best I can to share the wonderful city of Madrid with the world! Please do come and see for yourselves and do look me up when you come over!

Dear Paris,

even if I didn’t arrive in the best moment (November 2020), I feel at home. Cold city in winter (compared to Barcelona) but warm people around me! I love the culture in this city, and how easy it is to get along with people with the same interests. It is a very open country which receives other cultures with open arms.

A city where ancestral history converges with the most current novelty, sometimes with an ancient aspect, but always with a young heart.

I am also passionate about the great use of bicycles and the amount of people who move on foot. Public transport is also impressive, in just over half an hour you can be anywhere in Paris with the various metros and busses. My point of view is that the service is excellent.

But the most pleasant thing is the outdoors — only a bit of good weather and the streets and parks are full of people, a lot of people gathered in the various green zones along the city. What a beautiful way to enjoy the city!

I am delighted with my decision to come work in Paris. I still have at least a couple of years living here, but I am sure that when I will return, and in general in my life, this experience will always be fundamental.

I would like to, after this stage, retain a small part of “Parisien” in my personality.

 

“I am Juan M., from Barcelona, Spain. I am a Structures Engineer. Since a young age, I combined studies with workshop work; I believe it is essential to have a clear big picture, to know what you are really involved in. After that I started to travel for work to a lot of destinations, which has brought me to Paris.I have a lot of hobbies, but I don’t have time to carry them all out, at least I can go for a run a couple of times per week and every now and then I play the guitar. What really drives me is to learn, exchange impressions, and collect pleasant moments. And I expect to continue accumulating experience, and friends around the world.”

Dear Belgrade,

 

I met you first on a business trip. It was the first time I was travelling solo, without anyone from my team back at home. I was nervous, scared in fact. I knew so little about you. All Google said about you made me feel like I was going to some hippie town where everyone parties during the night and sleeps during the day. When I arrived, I was also intimidated by the people. I felt so tiny among the giants. But then they proved to be such gentle giants. Everyone smiled at my hesitant approach and my requests for help were met with enthusiasm! I still remember I had gone grocery shopping, didn’t know a word of Serbian, and couldn’t find salt. I asked for help from a gentleman shopping nearby. He not only helped me out with my entire shopping list but also through checkout.

I still remember my first morning with you. Jetlagged, I woke up very early and went out to see the sun rise. You looked so beautiful! That’s when I fell in love with you. I love the way you wake up. Slowly the sun spreads its rays, and the bustle starts. And at sundown, it’s time to have some fun. And contrary to popular belief, you are not just about nightlife and clubs and parties. You are about the hard-working people who love to live and know how to do it with a hearty laugh! I love the Serbian spirit: No matter what, do not give up. Today was bad but there is always tomorrow.

You are not about the places to visit — though your history is extensive and interesting. You are all about the super friendly, welcoming, lovely people.

Serbian is a tough language to master but once done, it is easy to understand most Slavic languages. I believe anyone who comes to Serbia, should learn some of it. The joy that I see on people’s faces every time I speak successfully in Serbian, makes my day!

I am grateful to you for accepting me with open arms. I cannot possibly count the number of “Welcome to Belgrade” gifts I got. Every new person I met welcomed me without hesitation. It just felt as if I have always belonged here. In no other city I could have had such a vast group of friends in such short time. A large part of the credit goes to the InterNations Community and the Ambassadors here. Everyone helped me out as best as they could, even in dire COVID-19 situations.

You are perfect for me. I can go out any time of day or night on my own and do not have to worry about my safety. Even if I don’t speak the language, people try their best to help. Anyone passing by would stop and offer to be my translator. Life is fast but relaxed. I love the café culture. It’s nice to go for long walks that end with some coffee or rakija, the national drink, at some café. 

And then there is history. Living in Belgrade is like living through history. Every street has some story to tell. You just need to know the right storyteller. Stories of different times, different era, different wars, different struggles but the same indomitable Serbian spirit. I am amazed how beautiful you are even after being destroyed 44 times throughout history.

Let’s not forget about the food and wine. Your food has many international influences. I like the clever use of available resources to bring out the best flavor. I love the fact that almost every country house brews rakija. There’s nothing like kuvana rakija — it is similar to mulled wine, to warm me up on a super cold Serbian evening. Closely linked to food and wine is the music. Almost all cafés and kafanas (local traditional old cafés) have live music, especially on weekends. One can pick one’s favorite spot based on food, drink, or music.

You, Belgrade, are my home now. You are a serene old lady full of vibrant life! Nothing amazes me more than the mix of values I find in you — modern with a touch of conservativeness. Within you, progressive new buildings are standing shoulder to shoulder with communist era housing blocks and even beautiful older buildings. You have your feet deeply rooted in history, but your head is looking forward towards a bright future. And, of course, no one can compete with the big brave Serbian heart.

You have completely won me over.

Yours truly,

Piyalee

 

Piyalee Das is originally from Kolkata, India. There, she mastered the art of cooking using elaborate aromatic spices while gathering proficiency as a software engineer. Being the global citizen she is, Piyalee recently relocated to Belgrade, Serbia. She now blends her Eastern philosophical attitude in life with pragmatism from the West, tempering with software project management principles for balance. You can always find her at InterNations Events in Belgrade — online or in person.

 

As a person who wants to see everything I could of the world, I’m grateful to a lot of cities. However, Wroclaw, the city in which I currently reside, will probably always hold a special place in my heart.

Discovering Wroclaw was rather a complete surprise to me. When I first came here in the 1990s, it wasn’t a particularly remarkable city. Perhaps this is why, when my family and I first considered moving here, I expected that its most endearing aspect would be its proximity to so many other towns with greater reputations — cosmopolitan Berlin was a short distance to the northwest, the fairy tale that everyone said Prague was sat an equally short distance to the southwest, ancient and beautiful Krakow overlooked the Vistula from a hill somewhere to the east, the college town of Poznan was just to the north, and the capital city of Warsaw was off in the northeast.

However, the timing of our move turned out to be just right. This was the period in which the city became a European Capital of Culture (an honor shared with San Sebastian, Spain, in 2016). It was also the period when high tech corporations began flocking here to tap into the growing number of skilled workers who were coming to this town anyway from so many places around the world. Restored ancient architecture poked its head out from under the changing cityscape and found itself in the midst of a growing cultural center, with literary giants publishing and winning Nobel Prizes, and creative folks of all stripes developing communities in which to share inspiration and ideas.

If I were to express appreciation for just one aspect of the city I am most thankful for, it would be for the chance to build my own creative community here. The expatriates who attended InterNations get-togethers in Wroclaw included many of the usual individuals who were simply trying to have a good time with new and interesting people, or who were perhaps networking for a variety of reasons with their fellow global minds. However, there were also those here who wanted to express their inspiration and share the products of their imagination with the world, and meeting these people added considerably to the atmosphere that I found came with living in Wroclaw.

So, my thanks goes to this city for being the fertile ground for creativity that it is, and for doing what it has to attract the friends I’ve made here, or who I will someday soon make. Wroclaw will always hold a special spot for me, no matter if I permanently settle here or someday, for whatever reason, move on to some other new and interesting place.

 

A nomad at heart, Ben Angel has circumnavigated the globe two times west-to-east, and one time east-to-west. Although currently a freelance writer, he’s worked as a civil engineer, a journalist, a brewery tour guide, and a consultant. He’s the proud dad of a son and daughter. Ben joined InterNations in Argentina in 2010, and continued with it through Chile and Belarus on his way to Wroclaw, Poland.

Dear Kiev,

The most mind-blowing event is to find a place like home even though there’s no place like home as people often say.

When I arrived in Kiev, I said to myself, I have got myself another home.

What attracted me to pay more attention to the city is seeing people of different culture living as one.

If they can, why can’t I too? With a smile on my face, I said to myself, welcome to Ukraine.

My advice is that every nation and city has its own flaws. But what you believe works for you.

Just like most interesting places I have been to, Kiev is a good place to be: easy access, great environment, and also friendly people.

Kiev is the most perfect place even though we all know nothing is perfect without the help of continuous development. The city offers good mobility, effective public transportation, and lots of opportunities for traveler who want to explore.

Life has its own challenges, but every lesson we learn is a teacher in itself.

I have learned a lot about connecting with people, getting to know how most people from different places around the world behave and do their thing, as well as different cultures and how most of them display on the street with their beautiful attire.

Kiev is a home for all!

 

Jeremiah Akpan Kenny was born in the West African country Nigeria. As a member of the Merchant Navy, he is a seafarer by profession. Beyond that, he is also a writer, artist, song writer, motivational speaker, and life coach.

Lille, a Love Story

We met at an academic conference in 2007, my first visit to the region. A few French colleagues back in Canada had cast doubt on her reputation, but I found her charming from the start. Sadly, the conference kept me too busy to spend much time with her, and my partner was always out of town, exploring World War I sites in the region. However, on our very last evening, walking back to the hotel after a fine meal at a local estaminet (tavern), we heard music coming from the Vielle Bourse, with its elegant Spanish-Flemish architecture — one of the few historic buildings I had already visited, built prior to the city’s becoming French in the late seventeenth century. A light rain was falling as we walked toward the open door, where a young woman grabbed me and said “voulez-vous dancer avec nous?” In the courtyard behind her, a large group of people was indeed dancing: men, women, young and old, in ballgowns and suits and in jeans and t-shirts, dancing a tango in the rain. No, we could not stay, we could not dance, we had to pack for an early departure… but I had just fallen in love with Lille.

My partner felt the same, it seemed, and as a francophone could communicate with her better than I. So, when the opportunity arose the following year for me to return to explore a new academic partnership initiative, we returned together. It was a short trip, yet we saw more of the city than we had before, which only deepened our relationship with Lille.

I gratefully accepted an invitation to return the following summer with a group of students from my home university, and again the summer after that. By the third summer I was both teaching and serving as guide on student trips to nearby WWI sites, relying largely on what I had learned from my partner. Then in 2012 I left home to run the new program that had emerged from those initial administrative meetings. My partner planned to retire early, sell the house in Canada, and move to France as soon as possible. However, the new program was cancelled almost before it began due to budget cuts at my home university, and I had to return to my old job, leaving Lille behind. Still, I vowed to return, if only for the summer; I even kept the lovely seventeenth-century apartment I had rented. I left a part of myself behind.

Back in Canada, my partner convinced me to leave the university, so that we could both return to Lille. I was in love, so it took little convincing. I left the university and what had been my job for a quarter century, left home once again, and moved back into that apartment. I could not know then that my partner would ultimately decide to remain in Canada, in the same house, with someone else.

I had abandoned everything I knew and found myself abandoned in a foreign country with a foreign language. But Lille took me in and gave me comfort, as did her friends. With their help, I worked on my French, and found part-time work both as administrator and as a university teacher. I found another place to live, free of the memory of my ex-partner — a house where Lille and I could be alone together.

Even throughout the enforced confinement of a global pandemic, when I could not travel far from that little house, she expanded my horizons. I have become an official guide-conférencier, giving guided tours of the city and the region — no longer just in English, and no longer just on behalf of the university and the summer program that first allowed me to get to know Lille better. She takes me on long walks, and tells me stories of her past, revealing her scars and wrinkles while becoming ever more alluring, more beautiful. A desire to capture that beauty and reveal it to others furthered my interest in photography, and Lille’s response was as always positive, gracious, and supportive. She introduced me to still other friends, and thanks to them some of my photos are now on display in her Palais des Beaux-Arts.

Lille changed me, enlarged my life. And I love her. Yes, she has many lovers, but I am happy to share her beauty and her pleasures with others. How could I not? Most who get to know her cannot leave without longing to return to her embrace. She has spent her entire existence on a changeable frontier, between cultures, between languages, and so is welcoming to all. She has suffered through many wars, and so offers peace. She has suffered deprivation, and depression, and is willing to share all that she has with all who desire it.

She is the only home I want or need.

 

Garrett Epp has worked as a teacher (and academic administrator) for 40 years on three continents, and is now also a professional guide as well as an avid photographer.