I've now been living and working in Poland for two months. I'm not sure if I'm getting too old to be an expat or that Poland is more difficult than Germany.
To be continued...
Showing posts with label expat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label expat. Show all posts
Friday, March 06, 2020
Sunday, November 27, 2011
My renewed passport
Like any other expat, I have a myriad of dates in my head and papers to keep and regulations to review. I mentioned previously that my first UK work permit is soon up for renewal. I need to get a new passport before renewing my work permit, else my work permit will then be limited by the passport expiration date in 2013.
To do for November: get a new passport (done)
As a UK resident, I was hoping to renew my US passport when I went home for the holidays or on one of my longer work trips to the US. However, the guidance says that one must renew a passport from one's residence, even if that is overseas. For me, that meant sending my documents to London, where they were then forwarded to the US.
I had been wondering about the new 'place of issue' in the passport. I was suspecting it would be Philly as a major passport processing hub and convenient for the shipment of documents from London. I guessed wrong, however:
How odd. I'll be curious to see if my pass now gets a second glance from US passport controls. My previous pass was issued in San Fran and prior to that, Philly.
To do for November: get a new passport (done)
As a UK resident, I was hoping to renew my US passport when I went home for the holidays or on one of my longer work trips to the US. However, the guidance says that one must renew a passport from one's residence, even if that is overseas. For me, that meant sending my documents to London, where they were then forwarded to the US.
I had been wondering about the new 'place of issue' in the passport. I was suspecting it would be Philly as a major passport processing hub and convenient for the shipment of documents from London. I guessed wrong, however:
How odd. I'll be curious to see if my pass now gets a second glance from US passport controls. My previous pass was issued in San Fran and prior to that, Philly.
Next up: Assembling the UK work permit paperwork for January.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The countdown continues...
This week is a small milestone. The UK, like Germany, allows for permanent residency after 5 years of residence. Different from Germany, however, the UK in addition allows for a path to dual citizenship after a few additional activities.
Even though I had Germany permanent residency, it did not count for anything in the UK, so the clock started over again for me in 2009.
5 years x 365 days = 1825 days
This week I dropped into triple digits, so below the 1000 day mark.
The next milestone will be the half-way point of 5 years, in August 2011.
Even though I had Germany permanent residency, it did not count for anything in the UK, so the clock started over again for me in 2009.
5 years x 365 days = 1825 days
This week I dropped into triple digits, so below the 1000 day mark.
The next milestone will be the half-way point of 5 years, in August 2011.
Friday, April 01, 2011
UK-US dual citizenship
On my previous posting last week, J was asking about UK/US dual citizenship. Yes! The UK allows for dual citizenship with the US. A few thoughts on this topic...
It actually was a criteria for me a few years back, when I was nearing the threshold of German permanent residency. Germany does not allow for dual citizenship. Some of my work colleagues at benevolent company J have turned in their tiny Asian country citizenship for German citizenship. Their reasoning? European citizenship will enable them to work without hindrance, and their tiny Asian nations will always let them return as visitors, without restrictions.
I have a former work colleague, she is from the UK, but originally from one of the former UK colonies in Africa. As a result, she has dual citizenship: UK + her African country. The UK citizenship enabled her to work in Germany and meet the love of her life. They made sure that their children currently have all three passports possible: UK, Germany, and the African one. She mentioned...when they turn 18 they must choose as Germany only allows for one citizenship, if one chooses to 'be German'. She hopes that they will choose UK instead, because by choosing UK, they can then retain the African nation passport as well. However, as they were born and raised in Germany, they will probably identify as Germans, so not so easy...her point: UK people have the same rights in Germany, so there is no point in having German citizenship over the UK version, as long as the EU exists as it does now.
I would never give up my US citizenship, although I can understand why my work colleagues would do so.
I feel that the UK culture, lifestyle and beliefs is complimentary to that of the US, so to take on UK citizenship would not be against anything else in my belief system.
I continue to ponder the place of the UK in the world. I'm always fascinated when my work colleagues talk of 'heading to the continent' for work, and how they don't want to do that (be it France, Germany, the Netherlands, etc.) It's been previously suggested to me that the UK would be better off aligned with the US rather than Europe. Not sure on that, but ok.
So back from my rambling thoughts. I'm almost 26 months into the 36 required to re-up my work permit, and then the 60 required to go for permanent residency, with citizenship right after. All this planning assumes that the government doesn't change the rules before then. Currently there is a severe backlash about immigrants, jobs and everything else related to the recession. There's been a knee-jerk decison to pull back rights for workers, students, etc, but we'll see how all that pans out in the future.
Bottom line: I've spent almost 25% of my life now in Europe and the European lifestyle treats me well. At this point I see no reason not to go after both and to gain the flexibility to be able to go back and forth for work/life, as the need arises.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Catch 22
Do you remember those logic tests--maybe if you took the GMAT or the LSAT?
There are five students in the class. Sally's math score was higher than Bob's but lower than Billy's. Billy's match score was not the highest, and on and on. So that at the end you had to put them all in order.
Here's another sample:
There are five students in the class. Sally's math score was higher than Bob's but lower than Billy's. Billy's match score was not the highest, and on and on. So that at the end you had to put them all in order.
Here's another sample:
- Heather's work permit expires in Feb 2012, so Heather now has to start making sure that she is receiving all paper copies of bank statements, pay statements, etc.
- Heather's passport expires in Apr 2013, so Heather will need to get a new passport prior to that event as the Home Office will not be able to place the full two year sticker into an expiring passport.
- The Home Office suggests to submit a work permit renewal at least one month in advance, so January 15.
- The Home Office will accept work permit renewals up to three months prior to expiration (so Nov 15, 2011). I.e. you may submit paperwork proof from any 12 month span in the 15 months prior to expiration.
- Heather plans to go back to the US for a December 2011 visit, roughly Dec 15-Dec 30, depending on the prices
- The Philadelphia passport office says that overseas residents must get their passport renewed in their overseas country of residence.
- The Home Office makes no guarantees on work permit processing times, but their current stats say that they are working on late Sept applications, so a 1 month lag before they open the envelope, and then a week of processing times if no issues.
- The London Embassy says to allow at least 15 working days for mailed in passport applications.
- There is no option to do in-person passport applications in London.
- Heather would prefer not to have to travel into the UK on a shiny new US passport without a shiny new UK work permit it in. She spent time a few years ago in Immigration custody in 2003, the vegetarian sandwiches were not so great.
In case you are wondering why Heather would have planned so poorly to have a work permit due in Feb? That's actually the handiwork of the Home Office. My original UK work permit application was on April 1, 2008 and was not approved until late Oct, and then I had to throw on a three month notice period to disconnect my life in DE.
So the 20,000 dollar question:
When should Heather attempt to renew her passport and work permit?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
UK shortage list updates
I always keep an eye on what is happening on the UK immigration scene, in particular in case they introduce any new requirements which may impact my later applications for extensions.
All things being held equal...assuming you have desire and drive to go and live in another country, there are certainly a lot of opportunities in the UK for 'other' job holders, not just computer geeks (like so often come to the US). For example, on the list are 'exotic' professions such as professional ballerinas and orchestra musicians, but many 'normal' jobs such as nurses, social workers, paediatric dentistry consultants and pipe welders.
These tier 2 permits are skilled worker permits, so a company does have to jump through the hoops of applying for it on your behalf, as well as paying for it, but apparently the UK is lacking in these professions so that the need is justified.
The whole reason I found my way over there, the committee for these released a short update that teachers in special schools and skilled meat boners and trimmers should be added to the list.
So apparently the opening of the EU didn't fill the need for meat workers as predicted. More interesting--meat cutters are on shortage occupations lists elsewhere as well:
Canada - http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Profile.aspx?val=9&val1=9462
Not yet skilled in the trade? Go to Denmark and learn the skill.
All things being held equal...assuming you have desire and drive to go and live in another country, there are certainly a lot of opportunities in the UK for 'other' job holders, not just computer geeks (like so often come to the US). For example, on the list are 'exotic' professions such as professional ballerinas and orchestra musicians, but many 'normal' jobs such as nurses, social workers, paediatric dentistry consultants and pipe welders.
These tier 2 permits are skilled worker permits, so a company does have to jump through the hoops of applying for it on your behalf, as well as paying for it, but apparently the UK is lacking in these professions so that the need is justified.
The whole reason I found my way over there, the committee for these released a short update that teachers in special schools and skilled meat boners and trimmers should be added to the list.
So apparently the opening of the EU didn't fill the need for meat workers as predicted. More interesting--meat cutters are on shortage occupations lists elsewhere as well:
Canada - http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Profile.aspx?val=9&val1=9462
Not yet skilled in the trade? Go to Denmark and learn the skill.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The expat sub-conscious
People talk about the subconscious mind as a powerful thing, often in a positive way--to harness one's subconscious thoughts will allow someone to find increased productivity, happiness and success.
I find the stakes change when you live as an expat, all bets are off. The subconscious functions at an entirely different level due to the differences it encounters all day long. Even in an environment like the UK which is similar to the US in not only culture but language, I spend much of the day processing what I see--whether it is the intentional or unintentional noticing of things.
When I lived in Germany the subconscious would occasionally voice its concern about being ignored by appearing in my dreams, in particular, in German. Sitting in an office with only German speakers, I picked up a lot of the language, even though I find it to be an unattractive collection of sounds. I had no interest to better my language skills, but that did stop it from plowing its way in and taking root. Then on occasion, for whatever reason my dreams would be frequented with German speaking--nothing I would on a conscious level encourage.
Here in the UK, I get the feeling a lot of the subscious behavior and actions are processed in the background. When processing is stalled or halted (for whatever reason), the subconscious takes over the only area it can find, my night-time dreaming, and then goes haywire with the amount of freedom of expression it suddenly encounters.
Last night, as I was falling asleep I found myself driving in California. Specifically, on El Camino Real (the 82), near Menlo Park, complete with Safeways and everything. I fought to stay awake while driving and suddenly shifted into a different part of the dream which turned into a nightmare. Upon waking from this nightmare I was able to recall this half-awake driving dream. Specifically, I was sitting in the right hand side driving (UK side), but driving on the right side of the road (US/Germany side). I'm not sure why this combination came together as it did, except that the driving here still requires conscious thought, and obviously the subsconscious has been working on it too.
I spent the rest of the night battling vivid dreams, (but not nightmares), waking up from one to fall back to sleep into another one. Why? Not sure. I've spent most of my free time this week (ie. every waking hour outside of work) focused on a non-work project, (which relates indirectly to what I do for work) and went too many days on minimum sleep. The dread? I rarely go one night like this--usually it will be two or three nights or so of such activities...
I find the stakes change when you live as an expat, all bets are off. The subconscious functions at an entirely different level due to the differences it encounters all day long. Even in an environment like the UK which is similar to the US in not only culture but language, I spend much of the day processing what I see--whether it is the intentional or unintentional noticing of things.
When I lived in Germany the subconscious would occasionally voice its concern about being ignored by appearing in my dreams, in particular, in German. Sitting in an office with only German speakers, I picked up a lot of the language, even though I find it to be an unattractive collection of sounds. I had no interest to better my language skills, but that did stop it from plowing its way in and taking root. Then on occasion, for whatever reason my dreams would be frequented with German speaking--nothing I would on a conscious level encourage.
Here in the UK, I get the feeling a lot of the subscious behavior and actions are processed in the background. When processing is stalled or halted (for whatever reason), the subconscious takes over the only area it can find, my night-time dreaming, and then goes haywire with the amount of freedom of expression it suddenly encounters.
Last night, as I was falling asleep I found myself driving in California. Specifically, on El Camino Real (the 82), near Menlo Park, complete with Safeways and everything. I fought to stay awake while driving and suddenly shifted into a different part of the dream which turned into a nightmare. Upon waking from this nightmare I was able to recall this half-awake driving dream. Specifically, I was sitting in the right hand side driving (UK side), but driving on the right side of the road (US/Germany side). I'm not sure why this combination came together as it did, except that the driving here still requires conscious thought, and obviously the subsconscious has been working on it too.
I spent the rest of the night battling vivid dreams, (but not nightmares), waking up from one to fall back to sleep into another one. Why? Not sure. I've spent most of my free time this week (ie. every waking hour outside of work) focused on a non-work project, (which relates indirectly to what I do for work) and went too many days on minimum sleep. The dread? I rarely go one night like this--usually it will be two or three nights or so of such activities...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
oh really.
Big US Accountant company which did my taxes while I was an expat for company J: Dear H, our German partners would like for you to release your US 2003 W-2 to them. Due to data privacy, we need your consent.
H: Dear US Accountancy, why would this be? My 2003 taxes were done and closed years ago and your German partners did not do my 2007 German taxes, someone else did. (and your German partners are useless)
USAcct: The German government has decided to audit you for 2003. Our German partners will review and respond on your behalf, don't worry, this is standard from the German gov't.
H: Send me the German correspondance for my records, please. I am now curious as to why they would choose to audit me for 2003 at this time and would like to review it before I release data to them.
It's a little too coincedental that I de-registered on Feb 12th and now Germany chooses to audit me for the same year in which I arrived, 5 years ago.
(I loathe Tuesdays. I try to keep my head down and don't tempt fate, because usually anything bad will occur on a Tuesday.)
H: Dear US Accountancy, why would this be? My 2003 taxes were done and closed years ago and your German partners did not do my 2007 German taxes, someone else did. (and your German partners are useless)
USAcct: The German government has decided to audit you for 2003. Our German partners will review and respond on your behalf, don't worry, this is standard from the German gov't.
H: Send me the German correspondance for my records, please. I am now curious as to why they would choose to audit me for 2003 at this time and would like to review it before I release data to them.
It's a little too coincedental that I de-registered on Feb 12th and now Germany chooses to audit me for the same year in which I arrived, 5 years ago.
(I loathe Tuesdays. I try to keep my head down and don't tempt fate, because usually anything bad will occur on a Tuesday.)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Why didn't you leave earlier?
Since Frank asked in the comments...
Even when I know why and what your problems could have been in "good old germany", my question is: Why didn't you leave earlier? I hope that wasn't to much of German directness. Enjoy the UK
I love German directness, btw. The fact that you recognize that it could be seen as 'directness' confirms the fact that you are dating an American. I don't think that the average German would see it as 'directness' but more as 'a question'. ;-) However, the direct answer:
1. As an average American, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get permission to work in Europe.
One cannot up and decide 'I want to go work in Europe' the same way that a French person decides one morning to go work in Portugal. IF you do not have an EU spouse or another route like an EU parent, options are limited to get a foot in the door and to get over here. You take what you can get. Germany (in my personal experience in looking at various options as an IT person), is one of the easiest EU countries for an American to legally enter, without holding pre-existing local language skills. Others may have had other experiences.
2. Once you're here, in general you're still tied to your company/job.
Granted, there are various options in so many countries. However, my work permit configuration looked like this:
2003 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2004 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2005 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2006 - 2 year permit - tied to my job/company
2008 - 2 year permit - not tied to my job/company, but limited to Germany
later in 2008 - at the 5 year point I traded up for an unbefristet permit, so a permit without an expiration, not tied to my job/company, but limited to Germany.
I was originally only supposed to be in Germany for 3 months before moving on to Spain and then France. Company J changed the rules though after year 1.
In the early years it would have been possible to change jobs, to another German company who would be willing to pick up the sponsorship of my work permit, but not easy. Or to change to another European country would have been almost the same as trying to come over from America, not easy.
During the 2000's, unemployment has remained high in Europe. I recognize that to have a job in Europe, as a non-EU person, was a blessing. From a language skills perspective, Spain would have been the only place where I'd have a bit of an advantage, but I'd suggest that it's one of the toughest to enter due to the restrictions they put on foreign workers in an effort to protect jobs in their high unemployment climate. Benevolent company J tried to get me over there for 3 months but got enmeshed in paperwork so it never happened.
In the later years by the I had the unlimited permit I had already come to the conclusion that I did not want to work for a different company in Germany, but rather, not in Germany so it was time to sit tight and re-evaulate options.
3. Financial reasons
A. I was paid as an expat for the first three years here. Financially it made sense for me.
B. I qualified for a financial benefit from my company, as long as a stayed with them until the five year point (March 2008). So really, years 1-3 made financial sense, and to add on another 2 years, well, why not at that point?
4. the unlimited work permit
Even if I never work in Germany ever again, I recognize the value of the EU work permits in my passport, and that I did get the unlimited permit from Germany (Sept 2008). Unfortunately it has a short shelf life. Once I de-register from Germany I have 6 months to come back in order to be able to come back under this permit, otherwise it's back to square one. However, since I was already staying another 1,5 years, what's another 6 months on that? (Plus I was waiting during those 6 months for the UK paperwork to process, so I had nothing better to do.)
Thus 5 years in Germany semi-explained. :-/
Even when I know why and what your problems could have been in "good old germany", my question is: Why didn't you leave earlier? I hope that wasn't to much of German directness. Enjoy the UK
I love German directness, btw. The fact that you recognize that it could be seen as 'directness' confirms the fact that you are dating an American. I don't think that the average German would see it as 'directness' but more as 'a question'. ;-) However, the direct answer:
1. As an average American, it's difficult (but not impossible) to get permission to work in Europe.
One cannot up and decide 'I want to go work in Europe' the same way that a French person decides one morning to go work in Portugal. IF you do not have an EU spouse or another route like an EU parent, options are limited to get a foot in the door and to get over here. You take what you can get. Germany (in my personal experience in looking at various options as an IT person), is one of the easiest EU countries for an American to legally enter, without holding pre-existing local language skills. Others may have had other experiences.
2. Once you're here, in general you're still tied to your company/job.
Granted, there are various options in so many countries. However, my work permit configuration looked like this:
2003 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2004 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2005 - 1 year permit - tied to my job/company
2006 - 2 year permit - tied to my job/company
2008 - 2 year permit - not tied to my job/company, but limited to Germany
later in 2008 - at the 5 year point I traded up for an unbefristet permit, so a permit without an expiration, not tied to my job/company, but limited to Germany.
I was originally only supposed to be in Germany for 3 months before moving on to Spain and then France. Company J changed the rules though after year 1.
In the early years it would have been possible to change jobs, to another German company who would be willing to pick up the sponsorship of my work permit, but not easy. Or to change to another European country would have been almost the same as trying to come over from America, not easy.
During the 2000's, unemployment has remained high in Europe. I recognize that to have a job in Europe, as a non-EU person, was a blessing. From a language skills perspective, Spain would have been the only place where I'd have a bit of an advantage, but I'd suggest that it's one of the toughest to enter due to the restrictions they put on foreign workers in an effort to protect jobs in their high unemployment climate. Benevolent company J tried to get me over there for 3 months but got enmeshed in paperwork so it never happened.
In the later years by the I had the unlimited permit I had already come to the conclusion that I did not want to work for a different company in Germany, but rather, not in Germany so it was time to sit tight and re-evaulate options.
3. Financial reasons
A. I was paid as an expat for the first three years here. Financially it made sense for me.
B. I qualified for a financial benefit from my company, as long as a stayed with them until the five year point (March 2008). So really, years 1-3 made financial sense, and to add on another 2 years, well, why not at that point?
4. the unlimited work permit
Even if I never work in Germany ever again, I recognize the value of the EU work permits in my passport, and that I did get the unlimited permit from Germany (Sept 2008). Unfortunately it has a short shelf life. Once I de-register from Germany I have 6 months to come back in order to be able to come back under this permit, otherwise it's back to square one. However, since I was already staying another 1,5 years, what's another 6 months on that? (Plus I was waiting during those 6 months for the UK paperwork to process, so I had nothing better to do.)
Thus 5 years in Germany semi-explained. :-/
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Buzzing with activity
The boring move minutiae is the only thing on my mind.
To summarize: I arrived in the UK almost six years ago with two suitcases. Yes, two! Then I moved to small-town Germany. Then I moved Cologne, Germany. Then I took a local contract and moved to the tiny town of B, to an apartment which was unfurnished, but with kitchen. Needless to say, I've ended up picking up a few things since arriving.
I probably won't pick up moving expenses from company J as this is a self-requested move. Also, I feel this is a new beginning, I'm not the same person I was when I was packing to come over from the US. In addition, I will be living in already furnished digs. I've set an arbitrary limit, one carload is all that will accompany me on this new adventure, maximum.
To that end, what is making the cut so far?
-a few boxes of books, in particular non-English books which I've picked up in various countries because they are cheaper when bought in-country and would be hard to find again.
-my Christmas market mugs. This is my one souvenir from living in Germany
-my business suits as i'll still need to have an office job :-/
-blue jeans and trainers from the US, because they're so d*mn expensive over here
-personal photos
-the laptop
What's outgoing (so far)?
-the balcony garden, already mentioned. :-(
-the indoor plants. thankfully, my work colleauge is more of a plant person that me, so she took all of them.
-books still on their way out, mainly through bookswapper
-the aldi sewing maching - i figured out this really wasn't a hobby i enjoyed.
-shoes i never wore much for whatever reason - ebay has been my friend on this one, as well as for several other random items.
What lit the fire to get things moving here?
-My calendar which is rapidly filling up with little X's in the boxes. (66 more nights in Germany if you're curious.)
-Upon sending the letter to my landlady, she graciously responded, and asked if I could give her an availability schedule, as she perhaps already has someone lined up to see the place. The sooner I move things out the easier it is to put it into a more presentable fashion. Thankfully, the first two days I listed have already past, so maybe this was only an availability check.
-In addition, I'm doing this solo so spreading it out and doing a few things per day in advance is the only option.
To summarize: I arrived in the UK almost six years ago with two suitcases. Yes, two! Then I moved to small-town Germany. Then I moved Cologne, Germany. Then I took a local contract and moved to the tiny town of B, to an apartment which was unfurnished, but with kitchen. Needless to say, I've ended up picking up a few things since arriving.
I probably won't pick up moving expenses from company J as this is a self-requested move. Also, I feel this is a new beginning, I'm not the same person I was when I was packing to come over from the US. In addition, I will be living in already furnished digs. I've set an arbitrary limit, one carload is all that will accompany me on this new adventure, maximum.
To that end, what is making the cut so far?
-a few boxes of books, in particular non-English books which I've picked up in various countries because they are cheaper when bought in-country and would be hard to find again.
-my Christmas market mugs. This is my one souvenir from living in Germany
-my business suits as i'll still need to have an office job :-/
-blue jeans and trainers from the US, because they're so d*mn expensive over here
-personal photos
-the laptop
What's outgoing (so far)?
-the balcony garden, already mentioned. :-(
-the indoor plants. thankfully, my work colleauge is more of a plant person that me, so she took all of them.
-books still on their way out, mainly through bookswapper
-the aldi sewing maching - i figured out this really wasn't a hobby i enjoyed.
-shoes i never wore much for whatever reason - ebay has been my friend on this one, as well as for several other random items.
What lit the fire to get things moving here?
-My calendar which is rapidly filling up with little X's in the boxes. (66 more nights in Germany if you're curious.)
-Upon sending the letter to my landlady, she graciously responded, and asked if I could give her an availability schedule, as she perhaps already has someone lined up to see the place. The sooner I move things out the easier it is to put it into a more presentable fashion. Thankfully, the first two days I listed have already past, so maybe this was only an availability check.
-In addition, I'm doing this solo so spreading it out and doing a few things per day in advance is the only option.
Friday, April 11, 2008
grounded
My passport is 'in the shop' for my new Germany work permit (the fifth yearly sticker for those of you keeping track at home.) Normally this process takes a few days, and company J graciously takes care of the administrative aspects of it.
Prior to handing in my passport on Apr 1, I mentioned that I must travel to France on Apr 14, and I'm not taking the chance of leaving Germany without it. Yes, the chances are minimal that I would be checked. But have I been checked traveling between company J's Germany and France offices? Yes--so I refuse to chance it for work travel. Do I want to be stopped coming into Germany without appropriate ID? No way. I imagine vegetarian food in the Germany slammer isn't so great.
In the meantime, it appears 2 weeks is not possible. So the admin people who take care of this will retrieve my passport based on the company J letter I created which states why I need it back with a temporary extension so that I can go to a meeting in France next week.
And why Heather couldn't they get it back within two weeks as originally estimated?
My little corner of NRW is under a massive backup of paperwork processing. It was estimated to be completed 4-5 weeks (that's in addition to the 2 weeks it was already is sitting there.)
So I get a little extension paper to tuck in (no problems, I've previously traveled on one in the past), and then it goes back into the shop--for a month at least. Meaning--no shopping trips in Holland or Belgium, no last minute Lufthansa weekend flights, and no long holiday weekends outside Germany in May.
So much for German efficiency.
Prior to handing in my passport on Apr 1, I mentioned that I must travel to France on Apr 14, and I'm not taking the chance of leaving Germany without it. Yes, the chances are minimal that I would be checked. But have I been checked traveling between company J's Germany and France offices? Yes--so I refuse to chance it for work travel. Do I want to be stopped coming into Germany without appropriate ID? No way. I imagine vegetarian food in the Germany slammer isn't so great.
In the meantime, it appears 2 weeks is not possible. So the admin people who take care of this will retrieve my passport based on the company J letter I created which states why I need it back with a temporary extension so that I can go to a meeting in France next week.
And why Heather couldn't they get it back within two weeks as originally estimated?
My little corner of NRW is under a massive backup of paperwork processing. It was estimated to be completed 4-5 weeks (that's in addition to the 2 weeks it was already is sitting there.)
So I get a little extension paper to tuck in (no problems, I've previously traveled on one in the past), and then it goes back into the shop--for a month at least. Meaning--no shopping trips in Holland or Belgium, no last minute Lufthansa weekend flights, and no long holiday weekends outside Germany in May.
So much for German efficiency.
Monday, January 28, 2008
the eye dr, part 3
second verse, same as the first,
a little bit louder and a whole lot worse.
So I woke up at 0655 this morning, in order to start the eye drop regime- 07.00, 07.20, get in car, pull over at 07.40 for 3rd set, arrive at 07.50, into the office at 08.00, for another set of drops at 08.10.
(I'm not quite sure how the US can have drops that dilate your eyes within 10 min and only last maybe 45 min after that, while in Germany this is a hella long drawn out process.) It's now 11 PM and my eyes still look dilated. I had brought along my coffee as I remember being there until 10 AM last year. Unfortunately this year was a repeat, even with my three times in the seven o'clock hour.
More drops: 08.30, 08.45, 09.10, 09.20, and 09.30. Finally a set of yellow drops at 09.45, and in to see the cranky pants dr at 09.50. He goes through his measurements. I ponder the use of eye technology in America. When I lived in California, for an extra few bucks my eye dr would do a digital thingy, so you could see your actual eyes on the computer screen, and even print them out. Then they would save them each year in order to run computer comparisons of changes.
What do I get here? I thing it was a glass magnifying glass plonked on my eyeball with a lot of drops and shifted around from here to eternity while he glared under his special magnifier.
Then, the official opinion. "I have measured your eyes, look here on your chart (complete with dr scrawl), and they have not changed. However, when you were wearing your contacts you could not read the smaller letters properly, so I thought you needed a stronger setting. Or maybe it's that the contacts are not good for your eyes."
"The office is on holiday the next three weeks, come back after that, and we test you wearing your glasses to see if you read the same as with the contacts"
(handshake)
They are booked up immediately after their holiday so I'm not in again until the first week of March.
On a slightly odd note, I was asked three times whether I needed a dr note, to excuse me from the office. The last time I received a dr's note, I was 14 and getting my braces off so late into school that morning. In retrospect, I should have accepted it as a nice souvenir of the whole experience.
a little bit louder and a whole lot worse.
So I woke up at 0655 this morning, in order to start the eye drop regime- 07.00, 07.20, get in car, pull over at 07.40 for 3rd set, arrive at 07.50, into the office at 08.00, for another set of drops at 08.10.
(I'm not quite sure how the US can have drops that dilate your eyes within 10 min and only last maybe 45 min after that, while in Germany this is a hella long drawn out process.) It's now 11 PM and my eyes still look dilated. I had brought along my coffee as I remember being there until 10 AM last year. Unfortunately this year was a repeat, even with my three times in the seven o'clock hour.
More drops: 08.30, 08.45, 09.10, 09.20, and 09.30. Finally a set of yellow drops at 09.45, and in to see the cranky pants dr at 09.50. He goes through his measurements. I ponder the use of eye technology in America. When I lived in California, for an extra few bucks my eye dr would do a digital thingy, so you could see your actual eyes on the computer screen, and even print them out. Then they would save them each year in order to run computer comparisons of changes.
What do I get here? I thing it was a glass magnifying glass plonked on my eyeball with a lot of drops and shifted around from here to eternity while he glared under his special magnifier.
Then, the official opinion. "I have measured your eyes, look here on your chart (complete with dr scrawl), and they have not changed. However, when you were wearing your contacts you could not read the smaller letters properly, so I thought you needed a stronger setting. Or maybe it's that the contacts are not good for your eyes."
"The office is on holiday the next three weeks, come back after that, and we test you wearing your glasses to see if you read the same as with the contacts"
(handshake)
They are booked up immediately after their holiday so I'm not in again until the first week of March.
On a slightly odd note, I was asked three times whether I needed a dr note, to excuse me from the office. The last time I received a dr's note, I was 14 and getting my braces off so late into school that morning. In retrospect, I should have accepted it as a nice souvenir of the whole experience.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
More comments on the eye dr trip
Since a few of you had things to say and the comments box is too small for me to respond...
Having been here almost five years, I am no longer shocked or frustrated by the attitude or actions of anyone in this country. (Not sure if that's a good thing though!) Three years ago I would have been appalled, and would not have told the story as it would have been too painful to re-live. Interestingly, I told the same story in the office, and here were the German colleague responses:
colleague one: (in the middle of doing something but half listening, mumbles) private insurance....doctors in Germany....more appointments....pfui....make money...
colleague two: (never lived outside of Germany, but has locally dealt with a lot of things for non-Germans so tends to see things as such, and was the one who set up this appt). This is why I don't like doctors here. They think they're gods.
colleague three: (also never lived outside of Germany, but used to my occasional rants on living here, so he no longer takes it personally, but earnestly tries to educate me when he thinks I've missed the boat) This is how you know that German doctors are serious about your eye health, when they are serious with you. Only a good doctor would take the time to say such things.
I found colleague 3's thoughts to be most thought-provoking, as it is something I never considered. I dread this appointment weeks in advance, in general because I don't like people poking around my eyes, especially cranky ones who seems to be bent on bringing a dark cloud into everyone's day. Although based on the #3 above, I imagine the guy spoke to me like he speaks to every other person visiting his office, (although I think he's perhaps an extra bit curmudgeonly in general, even by German standards).
If you're not living in Germany you may wonder why I don't just switch drs. A few simple reasons I guess.
1. There are no 'American-style' doctors within 20 minutes from where I live. I consider it a win when I get one who can speak some English words.
2. The guy seems competent in measurements. He picked up that one eye is slightly weaker this year without me mentioning it.
3. The office staff is superb. In particular when they are explaining something unfamiliar that we don't have in the US, they have no problems repeating their instructions a second time with different German words and then listening to me repeat them back. (One drop of these special drops in each eye every 20 min for one hour prior to coming here next?)
4. I don't consider this to be a life-long relationship, as I don't plan to stay in Germany forever.
Having been here almost five years, I am no longer shocked or frustrated by the attitude or actions of anyone in this country. (Not sure if that's a good thing though!) Three years ago I would have been appalled, and would not have told the story as it would have been too painful to re-live. Interestingly, I told the same story in the office, and here were the German colleague responses:
colleague one: (in the middle of doing something but half listening, mumbles) private insurance....doctors in Germany....more appointments....pfui....make money...
colleague two: (never lived outside of Germany, but has locally dealt with a lot of things for non-Germans so tends to see things as such, and was the one who set up this appt). This is why I don't like doctors here. They think they're gods.
colleague three: (also never lived outside of Germany, but used to my occasional rants on living here, so he no longer takes it personally, but earnestly tries to educate me when he thinks I've missed the boat) This is how you know that German doctors are serious about your eye health, when they are serious with you. Only a good doctor would take the time to say such things.
I found colleague 3's thoughts to be most thought-provoking, as it is something I never considered. I dread this appointment weeks in advance, in general because I don't like people poking around my eyes, especially cranky ones who seems to be bent on bringing a dark cloud into everyone's day. Although based on the #3 above, I imagine the guy spoke to me like he speaks to every other person visiting his office, (although I think he's perhaps an extra bit curmudgeonly in general, even by German standards).
If you're not living in Germany you may wonder why I don't just switch drs. A few simple reasons I guess.
1. There are no 'American-style' doctors within 20 minutes from where I live. I consider it a win when I get one who can speak some English words.
2. The guy seems competent in measurements. He picked up that one eye is slightly weaker this year without me mentioning it.
3. The office staff is superb. In particular when they are explaining something unfamiliar that we don't have in the US, they have no problems repeating their instructions a second time with different German words and then listening to me repeat them back. (One drop of these special drops in each eye every 20 min for one hour prior to coming here next?)
4. I don't consider this to be a life-long relationship, as I don't plan to stay in Germany forever.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Heather's trip to the eye doctor - year 2
If you were Heather today, it went something like this...show up at the eye doctor's office. Tell the nice desk person who you are and what you're there for (an annual appointment--right as rain), and have them squint at a book of tiny handwritten printed names...and ask for your name again....and peer at the book, and finally say, well, no matter, that may have been you right there erased...go take a seat.
eye dr: (handshake and then reading the chart) you were last here in march last year. i told you to come every six months. it's important. the eyes are like windows, we must take care.
heather: (once a year does me fine in the US) uh, yes..
eye dr: you're wearing contacts...(back to chart, frowning)...you only wear these only 8 hours a day?
heather: actually, no, i wear these (putting box on table) for a month at a time.
eye dr: (multi-tasking by peering with some magnifying thingy into my eye) no, no, I told you last time. (break from multi-tasking for direct lecture in German) You must not wear them more than 8 hours a day.
heather: but they're made to be worn always.
eye dr: (loud sigh.) I told you once, I tell you again...(then I get the same as previously, a second time in German, then in English also for good measure--except for words unknown in English, like 'oxygen', are kept in German) You cannot get these from a place that sells glasses, only an eye dr can say...if it gets to the point where the glasses seller can say don't wear, then it's too late, your eyes are damaged for good.
These 'all the time ones' (finally looking at the box)--they are for old people or small children, people who cannot put in contacts well (somebody better inform the Ciba marketing team)...and people like that need to come to an eye dr every month (oh really).
heather: (well actually, they came from plus.de not the glasses seller, and the whole point is not to have to take them out every night) um, yes...
eye dr: (grudgingly) but if you are going to wear contacts, these are better than most. more oxygen to the eye, less dirt--but you must not more than 8 hours wear! 8!
heather: yes...clear..windows...8
eye dr: come back on Monday to dilate the pupil. then i see if my measurements just taken are correct. and don't wear contacts the day before. or until one day after that is done or else your contacts will turn yellow. and your world will be yellow, and a yellow world is not good. (handshake)
-->Well, a yellow world seemed to work a while back for Bono, as I recall...
eye dr: (handshake and then reading the chart) you were last here in march last year. i told you to come every six months. it's important. the eyes are like windows, we must take care.
heather: (once a year does me fine in the US) uh, yes..
eye dr: you're wearing contacts...(back to chart, frowning)...you only wear these only 8 hours a day?
heather: actually, no, i wear these (putting box on table) for a month at a time.
eye dr: (multi-tasking by peering with some magnifying thingy into my eye) no, no, I told you last time. (break from multi-tasking for direct lecture in German) You must not wear them more than 8 hours a day.
heather: but they're made to be worn always.
eye dr: (loud sigh.) I told you once, I tell you again...(then I get the same as previously, a second time in German, then in English also for good measure--except for words unknown in English, like 'oxygen', are kept in German) You cannot get these from a place that sells glasses, only an eye dr can say...if it gets to the point where the glasses seller can say don't wear, then it's too late, your eyes are damaged for good.
These 'all the time ones' (finally looking at the box)--they are for old people or small children, people who cannot put in contacts well (somebody better inform the Ciba marketing team)...and people like that need to come to an eye dr every month (oh really).
heather: (well actually, they came from plus.de not the glasses seller, and the whole point is not to have to take them out every night) um, yes...
eye dr: (grudgingly) but if you are going to wear contacts, these are better than most. more oxygen to the eye, less dirt--but you must not more than 8 hours wear! 8!
heather: yes...clear..windows...8
eye dr: come back on Monday to dilate the pupil. then i see if my measurements just taken are correct. and don't wear contacts the day before. or until one day after that is done or else your contacts will turn yellow. and your world will be yellow, and a yellow world is not good. (handshake)
-->Well, a yellow world seemed to work a while back for Bono, as I recall...
Monday, March 12, 2007
A typical Monday
I wake up to German radio.
I get in the car for my 5 minute commute and listen to Dutch radio. (A softer way to ease into the morning, and they play good music.)
I spend the day surrounded by German in the office (Along with French, Dutch, Spanish, and various forms of English).
I have a meeting in another building so I chat in Polish with the Polish receptionist.
I drive to Polish class listening to French radio.
I sit 1.5 hours deep in Polish that is supplemented by German when my Polish teacher cannot think of an English word.
I drive home listening to Spanish radio.
This is why I live here!
And tonight I pack, because I go on a business trip tomorrow through Saturday night in Spain. I won't be posting again before Sunday. I'll be cavorting with work colleagues from throughout Europe with a sprinking from the Middle East and the US, most of whom I run into only once every six or 12 months if that, or some only via phone, or some never before, so it promises to be a fun time.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Germany differences, part 1: healthcare
Many of you ask about the differences in Germany. One of the biggest ones is probably the healthcare here. Contrary to popular American belief, Germany does not have that ubiquitous universal, national insurance that we're always hearing about in the US (but the UK does).
As a US expat I had my US paycheck and insurance. I only went once to the doctor in Germany because it involved submitting expense forms for reimbursement and having gone once to the dentist in the UK, the insurance company would not convert the pounds to dollars. As pounds are worth more than dollars, by paying me only in dollars instead of the charged pounds converted to dollars, they saved some money. Since it was only 10 dollars in the end I could not be bothered to spend that amount in postage writing them letters to fight it, but let it be known that a certain dental insurance company that uses Snoopy in its advertisements does not treat expat dental reimbursements properly.
Fast forward to Germany. Upon becoming a German J employee, I had to take a German insurance. In Gemany there are two types of insurance: public or private. Around 90% of Germans have public insurance and the remaining 10% have private.
Public insurance is an option for all Germans. There are a variety of companies that offer it, many were formed to offer insurance to a certain company or employee union, so they exist with that background but now they are open to everyone. It depends on the company or the plan year, but they charge around 11-14% of your pay to insure you, depending on how last year went. These percentages are adjusted each year, and employees can switch each year as they wish.
Private insurance is only offered to employees who make a certain amount of money. Private insurance offers a higher level of coverage and more enhanced options to choose from. Private also gives you some leeway to create your own plan. You may choose a deductible from 200 to 1200 euro; the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly cost.
Each German must choose an insurance carrier, and then they tell the payroll department. If you choose not to pick a carrier, a standard public one will be chosen for you. Then, whether you are public or private, the company pays 50% of your health insurance premium, the only difference being that the company pays the public insurance directly, vs. for private insurance the company requires proof/cost of coverage and then pays you the 50% so that you pay 100% of the premium each month.
Why would someone choose one or the other?
If you have public insurance and you have a non-working spouse or dependent children, they are automatically covered for free under your premiums. If you have private insurance they are an additional cost.
It is easy to go from public to private--public plans must take everyone regardless of health status or pre-existing conditions. Private plans require a questionnaire before taking you and can require a physical exam if there are any doubts.
It is sometimes difficult to get in to see a doctor. However, doctors get more money from private insurance and often faster payments. Therefore, you will get an appointment faster with private insurance.
Public insurance works similarly to the US health networks that a doctor's office submits an expense to the insurance company and then bill you later for the part not covered. Private insurance requires you to submit the doctor's bill to insurance and receive payment and then to pay the doctor.
With private insurance you can request an appointment with any doctor that you like, whenever you want; public insurance requires following some procedures of who you see exactly.
Private insurance caters to the young and healthy who do not use it much. If you go an entire year without submitting any expenses, you have the ability to claim back some of the premium costs, including that which the company paid for you.
So, particularly in light of that last point, I chose the private option. Then a month ago I was playing volleyball and did something to my finger similar to what I had done previously to a different one. My colleagues did not like the black and blue color so insisted that I go to a doctor.
They were able to find me an Orthopedic/Sports Medicine specialist in this tiny town who could see me in one week. I get the feeling that they are not used to non-Germans, but they were nice enough. The office was actually an old converted house that used every square inch. There were two chairs next to a stairway that was the 'waiting area' for the x-ray room upstairs.
So for being there an hour and seeing the assistant and then the doctor, having my finger x-rayed in two positions, the doctor to look at it once more with the digital x-rays online, and then the assistant to bandage it--do you want to guess how much that cost? Having had something similar in the US the last time this happened to a different finger, I can tell you it ran a few hundred dollars, of which insurance would have covered a good chunk, if not for the deductible.
Oops, left out the final part. I was expecting to have to pay upon leaving, like in the US. They looked at me like I was crazy when I asked in bad German about the bill. You'll get the bill by mail when we write the bills. Are you kidding me? I was seen by a doctor with x-rays and all, and because I told you I have private insurance and I gave you a name, street address and birthdate, you trust that I will receive and pay the bill. Quite a change from the US doctor offices that have a big sign saying something like 'payment expected on day of office visit'.
So when I finally got the bill this week, I had slight trepidation. However, that was all for naught, as this is Germany and seeing the doctor is relatively cheap. The whole thing came up to 60 euros. A mere pittance to what I would have been chared for the same exact thing in the US. So now I need to pay and hold it to see if I go any more to the doctor. I have the ability to save bills for up to one year before submitting. Then I can see if I go again, or if it is better to pay out of pocket if I only go once and go for the 'non-use' refund instead.
As a US expat I had my US paycheck and insurance. I only went once to the doctor in Germany because it involved submitting expense forms for reimbursement and having gone once to the dentist in the UK, the insurance company would not convert the pounds to dollars. As pounds are worth more than dollars, by paying me only in dollars instead of the charged pounds converted to dollars, they saved some money. Since it was only 10 dollars in the end I could not be bothered to spend that amount in postage writing them letters to fight it, but let it be known that a certain dental insurance company that uses Snoopy in its advertisements does not treat expat dental reimbursements properly.
Fast forward to Germany. Upon becoming a German J employee, I had to take a German insurance. In Gemany there are two types of insurance: public or private. Around 90% of Germans have public insurance and the remaining 10% have private.
Public insurance is an option for all Germans. There are a variety of companies that offer it, many were formed to offer insurance to a certain company or employee union, so they exist with that background but now they are open to everyone. It depends on the company or the plan year, but they charge around 11-14% of your pay to insure you, depending on how last year went. These percentages are adjusted each year, and employees can switch each year as they wish.
Private insurance is only offered to employees who make a certain amount of money. Private insurance offers a higher level of coverage and more enhanced options to choose from. Private also gives you some leeway to create your own plan. You may choose a deductible from 200 to 1200 euro; the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly cost.
Each German must choose an insurance carrier, and then they tell the payroll department. If you choose not to pick a carrier, a standard public one will be chosen for you. Then, whether you are public or private, the company pays 50% of your health insurance premium, the only difference being that the company pays the public insurance directly, vs. for private insurance the company requires proof/cost of coverage and then pays you the 50% so that you pay 100% of the premium each month.
Why would someone choose one or the other?
If you have public insurance and you have a non-working spouse or dependent children, they are automatically covered for free under your premiums. If you have private insurance they are an additional cost.
It is easy to go from public to private--public plans must take everyone regardless of health status or pre-existing conditions. Private plans require a questionnaire before taking you and can require a physical exam if there are any doubts.
It is sometimes difficult to get in to see a doctor. However, doctors get more money from private insurance and often faster payments. Therefore, you will get an appointment faster with private insurance.
Public insurance works similarly to the US health networks that a doctor's office submits an expense to the insurance company and then bill you later for the part not covered. Private insurance requires you to submit the doctor's bill to insurance and receive payment and then to pay the doctor.
With private insurance you can request an appointment with any doctor that you like, whenever you want; public insurance requires following some procedures of who you see exactly.
Private insurance caters to the young and healthy who do not use it much. If you go an entire year without submitting any expenses, you have the ability to claim back some of the premium costs, including that which the company paid for you.
So, particularly in light of that last point, I chose the private option. Then a month ago I was playing volleyball and did something to my finger similar to what I had done previously to a different one. My colleagues did not like the black and blue color so insisted that I go to a doctor.
They were able to find me an Orthopedic/Sports Medicine specialist in this tiny town who could see me in one week. I get the feeling that they are not used to non-Germans, but they were nice enough. The office was actually an old converted house that used every square inch. There were two chairs next to a stairway that was the 'waiting area' for the x-ray room upstairs.
So for being there an hour and seeing the assistant and then the doctor, having my finger x-rayed in two positions, the doctor to look at it once more with the digital x-rays online, and then the assistant to bandage it--do you want to guess how much that cost? Having had something similar in the US the last time this happened to a different finger, I can tell you it ran a few hundred dollars, of which insurance would have covered a good chunk, if not for the deductible.
Oops, left out the final part. I was expecting to have to pay upon leaving, like in the US. They looked at me like I was crazy when I asked in bad German about the bill. You'll get the bill by mail when we write the bills. Are you kidding me? I was seen by a doctor with x-rays and all, and because I told you I have private insurance and I gave you a name, street address and birthdate, you trust that I will receive and pay the bill. Quite a change from the US doctor offices that have a big sign saying something like 'payment expected on day of office visit'.
So when I finally got the bill this week, I had slight trepidation. However, that was all for naught, as this is Germany and seeing the doctor is relatively cheap. The whole thing came up to 60 euros. A mere pittance to what I would have been chared for the same exact thing in the US. So now I need to pay and hold it to see if I go any more to the doctor. I have the ability to save bills for up to one year before submitting. Then I can see if I go again, or if it is better to pay out of pocket if I only go once and go for the 'non-use' refund instead.
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