Europeans Visiting America Are in for a Surprise

Europeans Visiting America Are in for a Surprise

Americans abroad, Germany vs USA, World Cup 2026, Texas, cultural differences, tipping culture, life in America, and what Europeans might find surprising when visiting the United States for the first time.In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I explore what thousands of Europeans visiting the United States for the World Cup might experience for the first time—and why the real America is often very different from the version people know through the news, social media, and pop culture.As an American who has lived in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years, I've had countless conversations with Europeans who feel like they already know the U.S. But America is much less monolithic than people imagine, and many of the biggest surprises have nothing to do with politics.I talk about why Americans themselves are confused by tipping culture, why Texans put ice in everything, why air conditioning is practically a religion, and why friendliness and small talk can feel strange to Europeans at first. I also reflect on patriotism, national identity, and why becoming German feels fundamentally different from becoming American.And in the end, I argue that while headlines shape perceptions, most people remember something much simpler: ordinary interactions with ordinary people.🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE• Why Europeans often think they know America before visiting• The viral German World Cup fan and what his story says about the U.S.• Why Texas isn't New York—and America isn't one place• Why Americans are confused by tipping culture too• Free refills, free water, and the importance of ice• America's obsession with air conditioning• Distance culture and giant highways• Patriotism in Texas versus Germany• Why becoming German feels different from becoming American• Southern hospitality and small talk• Why friendliness is often misunderstood• The America behind the headlines⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – What Europeans Think America Is05:04 – America Is Not One Place10:53 – Food, Tipping & Free Refills18:27 – Why Americans Love Air Conditioning25:22 – Highways, Texas Pride & Identity31:02 – Why Europeans Misread Americans35:11 – The America Behind the Headlines🌍 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 long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world.👉 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://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadInquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

What Locals Actually Do in Munich During Summer

Best things to do in Munich this summer 🇩🇪 After nearly 10 years living in Munich, Germany, I'm sharing my favorite lakes, beer gardens, hikes, festivals, day trips, and local spots beyond Neuschwanstein Castle.Munich in the summer is magic—but not for the reasons most travel guides will tell you.After nearly 10 years of living in Munich, I've put together my personal guide to the best things to do in and around the city during the summer months. From swimming in the Isar and spending afternoons at Bavaria's stunning lakes to beer gardens, hikes, festivals, and hidden local favorites, these are the places I genuinely recommend.I also share why I think many visitors focus on the wrong attractions (yes, I'm looking at you, Neuschwanstein 👀) and what I'd suggest instead if you want to experience a Munich summer like a local.Whether you're visiting Munich, moving to Germany, or already living here and looking for new ideas, I hope this episode inspires you to get outside and enjoy one of the best summers Europe has to offer.🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE• Why I wouldn't put Neuschwanstein at the top of your list• My favorite places along the Isar and Flaucher• The best lakes around Munich for swimming and relaxing• Beer gardens worth visiting this summer• Beginner-friendly hikes in Bavaria• Easy day trips from Munich• Tollwood Festival, rooftop bars, and local hangouts• Ice cream spots I keep coming back to• Cultural differences between summers in Germany and Texas• Why Munich completely comes alive in summer⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk] – Why Munich Summers Are Special05:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=355s] – Why I'd Skip Neuschwanstein08:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=480s] – Flaucher & the Isar10:57 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=657s] – The Best Lakes Around Munich15:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=956s] – Parks & Outdoor Spaces19:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=1150s] – Favorite Beer Gardens20:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=1250s] – Beginner-Friendly Bavarian Hikes25:47 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=1547s] – Easy Day Trips from Munich27:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=1638s] – Festivals, Drinks & Summer Evenings29:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGJB33n4Rk&t=1762s] – Best Ice Cream in Munich🌍 ABOUT THE POD ABROADHowdy und Servus, y'all :-) I'm Paulina — originally from Texas and based in Munich, Germany since 2016.The Pod Abroad is a podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, immigration, identity, and building a life overseas through honest conversations and personal stories from around the world.👉 New episodes every Tuesday.🎧 LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OK... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbElDWEw0QTZweWplb2I5bG1uQ3ZqZVBBOVgtZ3xBQ3Jtc0trVGsyWUNwZDRYejJSTHZjb1JscWdUak53RWltVXpRczY0blFXTk9hZm5lM0JhQi1wWGNQT0FvS21KS0tQbHZwQlU5NWNmS2xvTVN3UHhGSWJKNkpzUjU5aGxaM0V1RFYxdnJHc045RmRPN2ZaTzZPRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F711j4OKApple&v=DUGJB33n4Rk] Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblc0bEFFUGhqb2kwZmRZOXBnTlpzVkE3NUIxQXxBQ3Jtc0trR042T3JxSmJzajdUU0toUUZlNzFvVTRXVVcwMGNRQ2tYQlpmWi1XMEtWNnBwczNoU1Zycm91T0xES2dKRG40WndQS0Y4VmZWLWFWVlhaSFc2U2Z2c3d0c2czT3psVlZOZVc1a0wzODY0QmlVX1Iwaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2FpodcastAll&v=DUGJB33n4Rk] platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FczRDTE0wTHR1Q1AzNnNJT1l1blhMVGJhQXxBQ3Jtc0tsNTFpVmpROEN4amF6LXpfUnE4RklIYW5xY2tkeGc5QzQ5clF4bTRoU2tBY3VEZTRxbWV4d3lNNXhWczNKV2RRRE10RHpIZzFfbXY3SjdCdmdKQzNscC1SSjY3UWZIRTZJeVQ4UEN2NllrcmozOXJvRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fthepodabroad&v=DUGJB33n4Rk]Instagram →   / thepod.abroadtiktok   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1pveHBwZGd4d0VZMnN4M3B0NGZsNmR1MjBPZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttcU5zN0ktMnlkekgwUFFabnRCb1hhTFlfakJTd2lCcXFMOHYxNnRqZ0xUdkFZM1R4WUo0Q0hPWnp1cTBKVVdaYkplclhRenQ5TElTZUgtTi10N1ZhbXRNdlp5UEdLa29kanZzenBWWUlnN05lcG1hWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fthepod.abroadTikTok&v=DUGJB33n4Rk] →   / thepodabroadsubstack   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFdha09DMmROSjM2NjRmLW9HZWszcHJiNWlWUXxBQ3Jtc0tsTkFSRnpTZnlUWGx1eXpiUmxJZ21KSWpQUzdzTEpnMEZVWWtGQXQ2R0kydVl5cEREWDhVV0V3ZzNnMTRYeG5KYTVOZXhKYnhJTWFiS2FDWXFmY0pBUXlVVHRIRGhjdk5XTnBIdk1Udk9ManllcEdpMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40thepodabroadSubstack&v=DUGJB33n4Rk] → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazVwdE9nZV8tYTUwOXFUSE9GZkxZUHd5SVI1UXxBQ3Jtc0trVG1WTEgtVWUxZDF3OEtWbHkzZ2VUT2RTYVkwRTdSOWJ4NHRqTnZtMk9wbmpGWGlEZmxlN2hTRXBNZWUzVFJBZXFmMkRibzVxa0lQSkJRVWNEMG1HRTRUckFnaXNDQ0wzUjVtcXBRWGU3TXZfRHlQQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2F%40thepodabroad&v=DUGJB33n4Rk]Inquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign & Branding → Ali Khazanbeik#Munich [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/munich] #MunichGermany [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/munichgermany] #GermanyTravel [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/germanytravel] #LifeInGermany [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lifeingermany] #MovingToGermany [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/movingtogermany] #Bavaria [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bavaria] #MunichSummer [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/munichsummer] #AmericanInGermany [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/americaningermany] #EuropeTravel [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/europetravel] #ThePodAbroad [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thepodabroad]

Living in Europe Changed Me More Than I Expected

Americans abroad, moving to Germany, life in Munich, cultural differences, immigration, identity, friendship, and what happens when a move that was supposed to be temporary quietly becomes an entire life.In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I reflect on nearly 10 years of living in Germany and the ways Europe has changed me more than I ever expected.When I moved from Texas to Munich in 2016, I thought I was coming for a master's degree and a short adventure abroad. Instead, I built a life here. Along the way, my views on money, time, friendship, home, and identity have shifted in ways I never could have predicted.I talk about why Germany changed my relationship with debt and consumerism, how a slower pace of life reshaped my view of time, what it means to build a chosen family abroad, and why saying goodbye to friends can be one of the hardest parts of immigrant life. I also reflect on seeing America from the outside, becoming an immigrant myself, and why home no longer feels like just one place.This is a personal conversation about building a life abroad, finding community far from home, and how living in another country can fundamentally change the way you see the world—and yourself.🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE• Why I moved from Texas to Germany• Student loans, debt, and consumer culture• Living without a credit card in Germany• Work-life balance and a slower pace of life• Why I sometimes miss American grind culture• What 30 days of vacation taught me• Building friendships across cultures• Chosen family and life as an immigrant• Why Sara moving away hit me so hard• Why Munich now feels like home• Seeing America from the outside• Immigration, identity, and belonging• The parts of me that became more German• Why I'll never be fully the old me again⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – Nearly 10 Years Abroad04:30 – Money & Consumerism11:45 – A Different Pace of Life20:15 – Friendship Abroad28:30 – The Meaning of Home34:15 – Identity U.S. & Germany🌍 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 long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world.👉 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://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadInquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

Working in Sustainability Changed How I See Germany

Sustainability in Germany, recycling myths, climate careers, nuclear power, work-life balance, and what happens when an Indian immigrant sees Germany's environmental reputation from the inside. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with my friend Vishnu, a sustainability professional originally from Kerala, India, who has lived across the Middle East, the UK, Southeast Asia, and now Germany.What started as a master's degree in Munich turned into something more. Five years later, Vishnu is still here, calling Munich home and reflecting on how living in Germany has changed the way he thinks about sustainability, work, ambition, and life itself.We talk about Germany's green reputation, the realities of recycling, why he believes nuclear power should have stayed, climate guilt, flying, solar energy, sustainability careers, and the surprising ways Germany differs from the image many people have abroad. Vishnu also shares his perspective on building a life as an immigrant, finding community, and why work-life balance in Germany completely challenged the "grind culture" mindset he grew up with.This is a thoughtful conversation about climate, immigration, privilege, sustainability, and learning to see the world through a wider lens.🎙️ In this episode:• Growing up between India, Kuwait, Dubai, the UK, and Malaysia• Why Munich feels like home• Germany's sustainability reputation• Nuclear power: hot or not?• Solar panels and Germany's energy transition• Why recycling is more complicated than most people think• What really happens to recycled waste• Climate guilt and individual responsibility• Flying, emissions, and personal choices• Working in the climate and sustainability sector• Challenges immigrants face in the German job market• Salary transparency and pay disparities• Why Germany changed his view on work-life balance• Life lessons from living abroad⏰ CHAPTERS000:00 – Intro10:47 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4gB0zemnI&t=647s] – Growing Up Across Countries & Finding Home20:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4gB0zemnI&t=1256s] – Climate Guilt, Flying & Personal Responsibility33:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4gB0zemnI&t=1989s] – Germany's Sustainability Reputation42:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4gB0zemnI&t=2539s] – Immigrants, Careers & Salary Transparency49:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4gB0zemnI&t=2947s] – How Germany Changed His View on Life🌍 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/711j4OK [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUtzalI0SXlIYTZKTGpsRlFKME42UGYwT0I3Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsc1BmeTlUSVRIOXdMaDBJNzFQaW0zQzdsMVRId05ESzVRSTlRb0FfbVRURFpFUTl3dmVRVFFOdFhBclVIbTJack9qWVQ1dlhlMTRubjh0SHE2MV9QLTFzdncyUEVkQ2JVWDl4YkRySEVPUmdtMFFERQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F711j4OK&v=qv4gB0zemnI]Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0FDQ1RKb3RKdjgzbHlUQXBRWWFJRXpodWlRQXxBQ3Jtc0tuaTBaSnlIWU5FamNrQ3RFY2ZXOGJBdjFtdk1sV1NvRk45NkptaEp4akNTOVNSNzJ1QzI2N21DVlBrS0x0TkF5Ym5yamdkVnJoZDV3SWxkdkpsSnZXU1g1aWg3LVQxYzRFaEN1X0cxUFR2SVpoNFBOMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast&v=qv4gB0zemnI]All platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0FNdTIwTmoyYzNLRjhaZlpXZS12QTFMYk1YUXxBQ3Jtc0tsR3ZRd21xVDF1R09CWGd1ZWRBUmJjVFg2X01ISVoyUDNna2Z4MkZrMEw2TGs1Q1B1aEE3bnpOOXFUMFFYT3JSb2w0RFZZaW8xUndDTVZNMWc3WHNWUG1jNGo1N2h6eGVSY2VER2s5bC1CSHNGU2gwbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fthepodabroad&v=qv4gB0zemnI]Instagram →   / thepod.abroad   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnZFVW0ycXpJRG1yZFl1RHRwQjFncGtwMmc5d3xBQ3Jtc0trTVAwMHdPckppRDJodWRubV9La0had2lyZjFzRVA3aGJXY1JBOEFZZHU2OHJQSl9nTUhkMDM2TFZXazJxa3l6Q0luTldzaEk2OUxQSFkxR0ZYRDFwdk5Xay1pMVE0VVN2cFI4VXdPYVF0SXZMWHZOYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fthepod.abroad&v=qv4gB0zemnI]TikTok →   / thepodabroad   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk1xdWtaMkZKU1M4U3RqXzB1TEFnUjN1ZF8tZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttMkNFNkUzRkhKVTYwNmFFWUNoUnVjWS0xYTNDSm1xX2l3MXFINzF0UWhtbnNDUVJvWXp2UGRiRWJuZGxrbzBYM1ZTRm5LUWE0ZmZ1d2tpRDRBQ2VRODdkTlpMYWZOc1ZHT25ETEVUdmZqTXFza01MVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40thepodabroad&v=qv4gB0zemnI]Substack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmhpZEdTb014M0tUY2Fwdk45MWZMVzhSbERCUXxBQ3Jtc0trUjRFN2NlNlRDMDBkZ1dhQWhYSlBLYURNcmtDLVJGdnU4Uk5FMVBxTGp0TjFzVHV1VGd3WWJ2bC04Nl9kNFpJNFp5d2JTRk1Zd1NMWlJKMWZISFIwSnBJMHd5d09sOFdRUFU2WTAwTGJLS0ViSHliQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2F%40thepodabroad&v=qv4gB0zemnI]Email → [paulina@thepodabroad.com](mailto:paulina@thepodabroad.com)🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik (though it was me this time, Ali is on holiday!!)How this was made

He Moved to Germany for 3 Years… 46 Years Ago

Americans abroad, moving to Germany, Munich expat life, culture shock, Vietnam War, life in Germany vs America, and what happens when a “temporary move” quietly becomes your entire life. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Larry Schultz, an American from outside Chicago who first moved to Germany in 1980 and never moved back to the United States.What was originally supposed to be a short-term chapter abroad slowly turned into nearly five decades of life in Munich. Larry shares how his path took him from growing up in the American Midwest, to being drafted during the Vietnam War, to eventually building an international life and career in Germany through Motorola.We talk about what Germany was like in the 1980s, Munich before reunification, Oktoberfest decades ago, globalization, healthcare differences between Germany and the U.S., and why so many Americans who move abroad “just stay.” Larry also reflects on identity, belonging, community, and how living outside the United States changes your perspective over time.This is a thoughtful conversation about immigration, reinvention, unexpected life paths, and what it means to quietly build a home somewhere far from where you started.🎙️ In this episode:• Growing up outside Chicago• Being drafted during the Vietnam War• Moving to Germany in 1980• Building a life in Munich through Motorola• Munich before and after German reunification• Oktoberfest decades ago vs today• Why Americans stay in Germany• German vs American healthcare• Globalization and international business• Identity and belonging abroad• Watching America from Europe over time• How temporary moves become permanent lives⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – Moving to Germany “temporarily”04:52 – Growing up near Chicago10:31 – Being drafted during the Vietnam War18:42 – Discovering Germany and Europe27:16 – Moving to Munich in 198034:58 – Building an international life abroad42:11 – Germany vs America over the decades49:03 – Why so many Americans stay abroad54:26 – Identity, belonging, and home🌍 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://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadEmail → paulina@thepodabroad.com🎥 CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik