From New Mexico to Schleswig-Holstein: A new Life by the sea
Meagan has been living in Schleswig-Holstein since 2017, though her connection to Germany goes back even further — she previously studied in Kassel in 2012. Now based in Kiel, she works as the Local Manager of Instruction for Berlitz Kiel.
As a skilled professional with a Bachelor of Arts in German and Political Science/Government and a Master of Arts in Education and Language Policy, Meagan brings extensive expertise to her field. In a recent interview, she shared her experiences of adapting to life in Schleswig-Holstein, the cultural differences she has embraced, and what she loves most about living and working in northern Germany.
Welcome Center SH: Why did you decide to come to Schleswig-Holstein?
Meagan: Yeah, that's a very good question. Originally, I came to Schleswig-Holstein for a relationship and it didn't work out, but I love living here so much that I decided to stay.
Welcome Center SH: And what do you particularly like about living and working in here?
Meagan: What I really like about living here is that it's the exact opposite of what I grew up with. I come from New Mexico in the United States and I come from a small city in the desert, so everything is normally hot and dry. And here it's windy and there's the beach and the climate is different. So that took a lot of getting used to, but I really like being so close to the ocean, so that's a positive.
What I like about working here, generally I like the flexibility and I think here in Germany there's a good work-life balance and I particularly enjoy that. Specifically about my job, what I really enjoy is that I primarily am an English teacher and I do a lot of English instruction, trainings and workshops, and what is really cool about that is that pretty much every single course that I do is different. So the students are different, the material ist different, whether I'm helping somebody with Abiturvorbereitung* or I'm helping some businessmen with a presentation. I really like that even though the task is to improve English, who I get to meet and what I get to talk about is always different and I find that very cool and rewarding.
"What I really like about living here is that it's the exact opposite of what I grew up with." Meagan
Welcome Center SH: If you could bring one thing from the U.S. to Schleswig-Holstein and the other way around, take one thing from Schleswig-Holstein to the U.S., what would it be?
Meagan: So what I would take to Schleswig-Holstein from the United States, or particularly New Mexico, is all of the chilies and pistachios that we grow locally. I really love spicy food, and that's not really something that a lot of people in Germany, particularly in northern Germany, like to eat. So when I go home, I have a small suitcase where I bring back a lot of chilies and chili powder and pistachios that are grown from my hometown.
What I take back is actually similar. So I really love gummy bears and other Haribo things. So I usually take an empty carry-on suitcase filled with candy from Germany, and I bring it to my friends, and they send me back with all of my chilies.
Welcome Center SH: That's funny! And is there a German habit or tradition that you have adopted, or maybe the one that still surprises you?
Meagan: Yes. So one German tradition or habit more than anything else that I've really adopted is the concept of Pünktlichkeit** and always being on time. Where I come from, we're usually on time, but it's good to also be five, ten minutes late, and that's usually not a big deal. Here, I've really learned that it's super important to always be punctual, and this is something that I also now do when I go back home. I'm always the first one, no matter where we go, at the restaurant, or at a party, or if I'm meeting somebody somewhere, I'm always the first one to be there now.
Another thing that was surprising for me is when you go shopping, for example. It still took some getting used to that you have to pack your own groceries when you go into the supermarket. Usually, in the United States, the person does it for you, and I remember not quite being used to it and going to Aldi, and they're scanning everything super quickly, and then I have to put the the groceries away.
Now it's completely normal for me, and when I go back to the United States, sometimes I'm already ready to put things into my bag, and I get some strange looks. Well, this is the thing that surprises me now about the U.S.
Welcome Center SH: Can you describe your life in Schleswig-Holstein in three words?
Meagan: It's definitely windy here. I would also say that my life is very fulfilling. And when I think about a German word, I could use abwechslungsreich***, because there's always something different to do, and I get a little bit of variety in what I get to do, whether it's doing something outside or a different work project.
Welcome Center SH: Thank you for the enjoyable conversation today. And I've also learned something new about the US.
Meagan: Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It's always a good opportunity to talk about Schleswig-Holstein and how I enjoy my life here!
*Abiturvorbereitung - A-level preparation
**Pünktlichkeit - Punctuality
*** Abwechslungsreich - Diversified