3 ms·

Not quite what you asked for, but I’m an American who went to Germany for five years and then came back recently. Quite happy to be back, though certainly there

Not quite what you asked for, but I’m an American who went to Germany for five years and then came back recently. Quite happy to be back, though certainly there’s things I miss dearly about Munich. The people talking about a lifestyle downgrade in the US aren’t wrong, exactly, but it does depend on your own preferences and values and situation. For me, the lifestyle in the Seattle area is better overall I’d say, but I definitely miss the transportation system in Munich a ton. Seattle is practically drowning in nerd culture, which I adore, whereas Munich had relatively little. Also, not everything is as the stereotypes go. The public school our son is in here in Kirkland is fucking awesome, way better than the private school he was in in Munich (we were going to do public school there, but the system didn’t want him). Part of his better adjustment is obviously being a native speaker, but that’s not the only thing that’s better.

febed 5y ago
Could you elaborate on why you found the German schools lacking?
- TulliusCicero 5y ago
  Our son went to a waldkindergarten (forest kindergarten) which was great, but the elementary school situation seemed a lot different. He basically failed the try out day in two different schools (we moved), the first said he was too disruptive, the second that he was too quiet. Both wanted to send him to the special ed school far away. So we sent him to a private Catholic school nearby instead. It was okay, but strict, and they were pretty bad at technology. His new public school in the states has vastly nicer facilities, much friendlier staff, no school uniforms (fuck that shit), knows how to use email, and of course it's been easy for him to make local friends. Oh, and the fact that in Bavaria you need to decide on your life's path at fourth grade I find pretty stupid, too (tracked schooling after that year).

febed 5y ago

Could you elaborate on why you found the German schools lacking?

TulliusCicero 5y ago
Our son went to a waldkindergarten (forest kindergarten) which was great, but the elementary school situation seemed a lot different. He basically failed the try out day in two different schools (we moved), the first said he was too disruptive, the second that he was too quiet. Both wanted to send him to the special ed school far away. So we sent him to a private Catholic school nearby instead. It was okay, but strict, and they were pretty bad at technology. His new public school in the states has vastly nicer facilities, much friendlier staff, no school uniforms (fuck that shit), knows how to use email, and of course it's been easy for him to make local friends. Oh, and the fact that in Bavaria you need to decide on your life's path at fourth grade I find pretty stupid, too (tracked schooling after that year).