"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end." -Ursula K. Le Guin
Why did I move to Berlin?
You’re probably wondering, "Why in the world would you decide to move to Berlin, especially in the middle of a pandemic?" Well, to be quite honest moving to Berlin has been something I have been planning for since last year, and the pandemic wasn’t going to stop me. For years, I knew that I wanted to live outside of the United States, however I wasn't sure which country I would migrate to. Read on to find out the exact reasons why I chose to move to the beautiful city of Berlin.
Career Opportunity
My main reason for traveling to Berlin was of course for a career opportunity in teaching that would move me further along in my education career. I wanted to continue teaching music, but specifically concert band. I have been teaching general music and choir for the past 2 ½ years and I was ready for a change. The idea of teaching internationally was something that I have been thinking about for a while, especially the more that I traveled. Once the opportunity came about to attend an international job fair, I didn’t hesitate to attend. I attended a job fair in December with an open mind and there is where I was offered the job in Berlin to teach middle school band, which was right up my alley. After of course doing research about the school and surrounding community it was an offer I could not pass on. I will leave a link below if you are interested in teaching internationally.
Travel, Travel, Travel
For me, this was an automatic plus! I already love to travel however, teaching abroad would grant me the opportunity to travel more often and at an even more affordable price. Traveling in the EU is much different than traveling in the United States. Since I am currently living in Berlin, there are neighboring countries like the Netherlands and Denmark that are between 1 to 2 hours flight time and cost around 30 euros or less. I remember traveling for 5 hours by bus from Prague to Berlin in 2019, and guess how much I paid for the bus ticket? Only $16! I am not kidding you. It is incredibly affordable to travel within Europe. This is quite different in the US where you're easily paying $300 just to fly from New York to Texas. For that reason alone, deciding to live in Europe was a no brainer.
Berlin’s Art Scene
Berlin is well known for the East Side Gallery; a permanent open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall. Not only is Berlin the capital of Germany, but it is also the epicenter of artistic expression, in Europe. Simply put, it’s an artists’ paradise. There are a variety of things to do and be a part of as an artist. I have heard many people say, “If you want to be successful as an artist, go to Berlin.” So I went! As a musician and poet myself, Berlin is the perfect place to branch out and connect with other artists. Throughout the city, there are countless networking events such as amazing outdoor performances, concerts, jazz clubs, the Berlin Philharmoniker, and much more. Iconic black artists such as Beyonce and Erykah Badu have performed in Berlin. Berlin is a great place for new artists who want to spread their wings as well as seasoned artists who are in search of community.
Saving Money
As I mentioned before, expenses played a significant role in my decision making process in regards to traveling. Additionally, I wanted to be able to save money on a monthly basis and use part of my earnings to also pay off student loans and other debt. I was still able to save money in the States, but not nearly as much because of the overall cost of living. Germany is considered one of the cheaper countries to live in compared to other parts of Europe. Although currently the cost of housing is slowly increasing, the overall cost of living is much more affordable. I have been in Berlin for about a week now, and the amount I spent on groceries so far was 60 euros, which is about $68 total. I purchased at least 25 items, and we all know that in the United States that could easily cost up to $200 or more depending on what you’re buying (i.e brand names). In capitalistic society where money is a crucial tool, it is important for me to reside in a city that is cost efficient and allows me to save every coin I can. Berlin has allowed me to do that!
Overall Thoughts
I 'm not saying everyone should make a big decision to move across the globe like I did, but I am saying you should always explore your options; you never know where it will take you. Fortunately, it took me to Berlin where I am surrounded by family, support, and love. I am eternally grateful to be here and depending on my experience I may choose to stay longer than planned. I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog and can’t wait to update you on my new life in Germany. I have included some links for those interested on the organization I used to move here. If you would like to follow my journey please head to my website (link down below) and subscribe.
Website/International Teaching Link:
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