The Pod Abroad

Leaving Utah Changed How I See Everything

Growing up Mormon in Utah, moving to Germany, culture shock, Americans abroad, Munich expat life, and realizing your upbringing wasn’t “normal.” In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Sarah Fife, an American from Salt Lake City who grew up in a deeply Mormon/LDS environment before leaving Utah for Brown University, eventually moving to Munich, Germany, and building an entirely new life abroad. We talk about what it was really like growing up in Utah, the intense sense of community within Mormon culture, and the moment she realized that her upbringing looked very different from the outside world. Sarah shares how moving from Utah to the East Coast completely shifted her perspective, what it felt like to suddenly be surrounded by people from different cultures and backgrounds, and how that eventually led her to Germany. This episode also dives into the emotional side of immigration and life abroad: reverse culture shock, missing family, building community overseas, and why so many Americans who move to Germany “just stay.” From au pair life in Munich to religion, identity, homesickness, and the strange experience of watching America from Europe, this is a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about reinvention, belonging, and what happens when you leave home. 🎙️ In this episode: • Growing up Mormon in Utah • What LDS/Mormon culture is actually like • Leaving Utah for Brown University • Realizing your upbringing wasn’t “normal” • American culture shock within the US • Moving to Germany as an au pair • Building a life in Munich • Reverse culture shock in America • Missing family while living abroad • Americans connecting abroad • Why Americans stay in Germany • Community, identity, and belonging overseas ⏰ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Growing up Mormon in Utah 09:55 – Mormon stereotypes vs reality 17:14 – Leaving Utah for Brown University 24:21 – Learning German and discovering Europe 30:07 – Becoming an au pair in Munich 35:41 – Missing family and life back home 42:35 – Watching America from abroad and finding community 🌍 ABOUT THE POD ABROAD Howdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years. The Pod Abroad is a podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest long-form conversations. 👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday. 🎧 LISTEN & CONNECT Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OK Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast All platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroad TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroad Substack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad Email → paulina@thepodabroad.com 🎥 CREW Video, Audio & Music → Tim ter Huurne Design / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

What Germans actually complain about (we live here)

Why do Germans complain so much? In this episode, we talk about German complaining culture, Deutsche Bahn delays, bureaucracy, construction sites, weather, food prices, and life in Germany as a foreigner (+Tim) living in Munich.After years of living in Germany, we’ve realized that complaining here is almost a social skill. Whether it’s Deutsche Bahn, endless Baustellen, expensive döner, weather, bureaucracy, or people policing each other in public, complaining is deeply woven into everyday German culture.But is it actually negativity… or something else?In this episode, my partner Tim and I unpack the things Germans constantly complain about, how foreigners experience it, and why “not complaining” is basically considered praise in Germany.From passive-aggressive notes to train chaos, shrinking bakery rolls, and the emotional damage of a rainy German summer, this is a funny but honest conversation about daily life in Germany from the perspective of two immigrants living in Munich.🎙️ In this episode:• Why Germans complain so much• Deutsche Bahn delays and train chaos• German bureaucracy and lack of digitalization• Construction sites that never end• Döner and grocery prices in Germany• Germans complaining about other Germans• Weather complaints and seasonal depression• German rule-following culture• Passive-aggressive notes and public policing• Why complaining creates social connection in GermanyIf you’ve ever lived in Germany, traveled here, or wondered why Germans seem to complain about everything, this episode is for you.⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – Why Germans complain so much05:50 – Ice cream and döner prices14:00 – Grocery prices in Germany16:55 – Deutsche Bahn chaos30:45 – German bureaucracy and digitalization34:23 – Endless construction sites38:26 – Germans complaining about other Germans47:54 – Weather complaints in Germany50:24 – Is complaining becoming toxic?🌍 ABOUT THE POD ABROADHowdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest long-form conversations.👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday.🎧 LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadInstagram → https://instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadEmail → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

Living in Germany Changed How I See American Politics

What it feels like to watch American politics from abroad. After nearly 10 years in Germany, I reflect on how distance has changed the way I see the U.S., my upbringing in Texas, and the growing divide that now feels impossible to ignore.I was raised in South Texas, shaped by religion, family, and community. Politics was always there, but it didn’t feel as heavy or all-consuming as it does today. Now, watching from Europe, it feels different. More intense. More personal. And right now, overwhelming.In this episode, I talk about the shift in political identity, the reality of seeing your home country from the outside, and the emotional toll that comes with it. From the changing political landscape in the Rio Grande Valley to conversations with family, to the contrast of living in Germany, this is an honest look at what it means to still feel deeply connected to a place that no longer feels the same.This episode is about sharing my perspective/ lived experience, and trying to make sense of something that feels increasingly complex.🎙️ In this episode, I cover:Growing up in South Texas and early political influencesHow religion and community shape political beliefsThe political shift in the Rio Grande ValleyWhy Latino voting patterns are changingExperiencing U.S. politics from abroadThe emotional toll of distance and constant news cyclesCultural and political differences between the U.S. and GermanyIdentity, belonging, and feeling caught between two placesFamily, division, and difficult conversationsWhy staying engaged still mattersIf you’ve ever left home and started seeing it differently, or if you’re trying to understand the U.S. from the outside looking in, this episode is for you.⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – Watching U.S. politics from Germany03:00 – Growing up in South Texas and the RGV10:30 – Leaving at 18 and early political exposure18:30 – Moving to Germany and a new perspective30:30 – How living abroad changed my views42:00 – What still feels unresolved🌍 About The Pod AbroadHowdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina—originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a podcast about moving abroad, cultural differences, identity, and building a life overseas. 👉 Join the communityIf this episode resonated with you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who might need it. Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday.🎧 LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadInstagram → /thepod.abroadTikTok → /thepodabroadSUBSTACK → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadEmail → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

It Took Leaving Weslaco, Texas to Understand It

Weslaco Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Tex-Mex culture, and living abroad in Germany. As an American in Germany, I share how leaving home changed my identity and what it means to truly belong.In this solo episode, I share my personal story of growing up in Weslaco, a small border town in South Texas, and how moving abroad to Munich changed the way I see where I come from.I left home at 18, convinced I would never go back. But after nearly 10 years of living in Germany, my perspective has completely shifted. This episode is a reflection on identity, culture, and what it really means to call a place “home.”I talk about the things I once overlooked—community, culture, and everyday life in the Rio Grande Valley—and why they now mean more to me than ever.I get into:• What it’s like growing up in a small Texas border town• Why leaving your hometown changes how you see it• Tex-Mex culture, food, and identity in South Texas• Community, family, and growing up in the Rio Grande Valley• Living abroad in Germany and redefining “home”• Why distance creates clarity and appreciationThis episode is deeply personal. It’s about leaving, growing, and realizing that where you’re from never really leaves you.If you’ve ever moved away from home, questioned your identity, or felt caught between two places, this conversation will resonate.⏰ CHAPTERS:00:00 Growing Up in Weslaco, Texas03:08 Why I Never Wanted to Go Back05:10 Moving Away & What I Missed10:53 Community, Culture & Tex-Mex Life23:03 Food, Identity & Germany vs Texas36:38 How My Perspective ChangedAbout The Pod AbroadHowdy und Servus, y'all! I'm Paulina. I'm originally from Texas and have been living in Munich, Germany for the last 9+ years. The Pod Abroad shares thoughtful, honest conversations about building a life between cultures.From identity to cultural differences, each episode explores what it means to create a home away from home.Weekly episodes feature a mix of solo reflections and conversations with international guests navigating life across borders.👉 If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and share with someone living abroad or thinking about moving✨ Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday about life abroad, cultural differences, and identity🎧 LISTEN & CONNECTAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastInstagram → https://instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadEmail → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

How to Make German Friends When It Feels Hard

Making friends in Germany can feel harder than expected. In this episode, I share my personal experience of trying to build friendships with Germans after nearly a decade of living in Munich.From cultural differences to language barriers, I talk honestly about why forming close relationships in Germany can take time, especially for internationals navigating life in a new country. While many German cities are super international, many newcomers still hope to build deeper connections with locals, which can sometimes feel challenging.In this episode, I reflect on how German friendship culture differs from what I was used to growing up in Texas, what helped me better integrate over time, and why consistency, curiosity, and language learning can make a meaningful difference. I also share what surprised me most about social life in Germany and how my perspective has evolved after almost 10 years abroad.We discuss:• Why making German friends can feel difficult at first• Cultural differences in friendship expectations• Why language plays such an important role in integration• International environments vs local social circles• Why consistency and shared activities matter when building friendships• Why quality often matters more than quantity in German friendships• Practical ways to meet Germans through work, volunteering, clubs, and shared interestsWe had an honest conversation about expectations, integration, and what it really takes to build meaningful relationships across cultures.If you are living in Germany, planning to move abroad, or wondering why making local friends can take longer than expected, this episode may help you feel less alone.⏰ CHAPTERS:00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY] Why making German friends can feel hard03:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=225s] Cultural differences in friendship expectations10:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=605s] Living in international environments14:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=875s] Why language changes everything19:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=1155s] German friendship culture explained24:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=1470s] Practical ways to meet Germans29:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEv-P1GgtoY&t=1770s] Quality vs quantity in friendshipsAbout The Pod AbroadHowdy und Servus, y'all! I'm Paulina. I'm originally from Texas and have been living in Munich, Germany for the last 9 years. The Pod Abroad shares thoughtful, honest conversations about building a life between cultures. From identity to cultural differences, each episode explores what it means to create a home away from home.Weekly episodes feature a mix of solo reflections and conversations with international guests navigating life across borders.👉 If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and share with someone living abroad or considering it✨ Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday about cultural differences and life as an American in Germany🎧 LISTEN & CONNECTAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGEzWE43eDZYMXpiaEVyZncwMXpCamRWMTNmZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsTGcxQTZxMmlZcEF3eURMZktfMlhqU0FmdGt6dVBKOEc4VlZTMFlkUUxiMnowVV85MEhJbTJiZGhwcU15Rm5LcUlidEFvTzN4SU1leTAxNlZReXpEbGYyRXR6ZjFxVzZLdmtNaXJxVE45X1M4WVhfVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fthepodabroad&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OK [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1AxTk52bDZwd0lINXFYQ21GekhQUFRkdWVfUXxBQ3Jtc0ttS3ZoUS1zTXF4eGFVendZVjlmeXFyNW40cEM3SzlmaXJkMnVYcHVfMU9aZjExZk9pbkVCeU51bUNmTk9NRGZZdTZiYU1KVEZiZzdoOS1GakNRclB3RnVQN19qcEd5UXFzTWZGOTBPOE5NUGVMSmRtdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F711j4OK&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNRUlVDQ3R6YUdyUi1oY2NoUTRoZ0FVUzRsZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsM0JLNUV3QlhpdDJzeHhGRXpKUEN2VlU4aHNRU0o5TFlBTjJIdkJya3M2aTh2a0Q0Wm9abWt2bktRdW9uMEt6cVduOUN3VEJOQ2FnaDFsdnFRNEctaFBMc1VWUkUtaXoxNGdUU29sdnB1enlLTnVtbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]Instagram →   / thepod.abroad   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnNhd1E2STBhd3pWTnoxNjJqcjdzZUE5empjd3xBQ3Jtc0ttQXV1b0N0ZWZjaTVHUTFsUFI0WkM2WjU5cjB5UVA3djdHQ1IzQnp6OWxhWmNodlY0dHBob2d5NFdZQ1pIV2dnOFdZMXM1bEg5WW9GQmp4T1VOTDJVaGJvNEUzQU9OOElWZ0xteUFsdHJwSTRWTThLRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fthepod.abroad&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]TikTok →   / thepodabroad   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa01kb3lNVFZ1OUdrUVd6NXptTWtjSjB2SklKd3xBQ3Jtc0ttN1dNVUFGMmpWRGM1cHlyWVJuSDR5RVNRZkQ1Y2FxR09sNlk5Um5rWXVzSHMzYkVSZUpDRHJJVUdDbHN2aWRUV3plNDZGMWJrWFdHa0VmWWc0bUxiT041UVVJSGtITFBoTjRoNUFYS0ZCLVpCWUswVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40thepodabroad&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]Substack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa09DVE9TaTBnU3ZKampTbkkxSm9TdEhCd2ZhZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttSnlEWUpocHREOHFmTHdESGRJSWpUSmpWOXcya0RBekpvR01xUl91dnZLS0ozWUNmSEJwaC1MRkhvem5IMFV3T1FCcHhxOEtrYXBWVXdOWHlkcUpfX0JZZ3kzc3ZtQnpaVlFVS3pBYXJBNE5JdUU1VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2F%40thepodabroad&v=BEv-P1GgtoY]Email → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter Huurne