Hi there!

I feel your pain as a non-native living in Germany. 

My one recommendation is to think of the one thing you really enjoy doing (e.g., sports, playing board games, whatever) and then seek to do that with others. 

Doing an activity that puts you at ease will also help with the flow of communication. 

Also, force yourself in the beginning to spend some time in common areas at work (e.g., communal kitchen) so you're more exposed to on the spot communication.

In general, it helps not to overthink these things and just go with the flow (planning out or overengineering human interactions tends to make them feel disingenuous). 

And give it time. Germany is also not the most chill of cultures, so you might struggle a bit more than in other places to bond with others, but it will certainly happen if you give it time. 

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

This is definitely tough - I've been there!

As an American (not known for their cultural fluidity) I've definitely had to fight an uphill battle to learn. But, I've lived in France, Colombia, Australia, and New Zealand, so hopefully I can help a bit - just know, it's totally possible and takes time!

Now, remember that language actually isn't as big of a barrier as it might seem.

How do I get past my flawed French and Spanish? Culture. I've learned the culture of these languages/countries and adjust accordingly. You have to learn how they think, what they like to talk about, the types of jokes they like, etc. (Yes, hard to get more different than French and Latino :P )

I can't meet a Colombian without joking about how I'm paisita and miss gauro. Seriously, I get along with Colombians MORE than with Americans…and obviously my English is much better than my Spanish!

Now, this doesn't mean to overcalculate. Still BE Yourself. You can combine your identity with the culture of those people.

Remember, much more important than just words is body language, facial expressions, expressed intent, jokes, etc.

Additionally, also remember that time is a factor. These things take time! Don't force it.

Finally, remember that networking is NOT about having lots of connections and business cards of people that you barely know. Networking is much more about building deep, lasting connections with people and having a reputation for good quality work. This gets built over time through consistent face time. Get involved in extra cirriculars, work events, clubs, volunteering, etc. From this you'll form deeper connections, which leads to real opportunities.

(edited)

Hey there,

I feel you! Having lived and worked in 9 countries myself, I have had this issue many times…

It really depends on your personality and goals. I myself am more of an introvert (used to be extrovert) and don't need to socialize as much anymore. I have a huge network around the globe, which I maintain on the side and instead focus on my own family/kids. 

What is your situation? Let us know and we can discuss a bit more targeted. 

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Hi there from a fellow German ;-). This is a super personal question hence I'd rather like to offer you a free coffee chat (in German if you want to train your German ;-)). There are multiple avenues to build relationships (you won't find me for instance at sport games..), all depends on what you are looking for. Warm regards, Freddy