by Episode Summary: I talk about my experiences in Germany and how I was able to change my opinions about this place.
English Level: B1 🇨🇦
Show Notes:
- Story (0:42)
- Negativity (8:56)
- Individuals make a country what it is (11:26)
- Focus on Positivity (14:19)
Vocabulary Words:
- Customs (noun): a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time.
- Gorgeous (adj.): beautiful; very attractive.
- Discouraged (adj.): having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened.
- Blessing (noun): a beneficial thing for which one is grateful.
- Hospitable (adj.): friendly and welcoming to visitors or guests.
- Integral (adj.): necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental.
- Exaggerate (verb): represent (something) as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.
- Pattern (noun): a repeated design.
- To resort to (verb): turn to and adopt (a course of action, especially an extreme or undesirable one) so as to resolve a difficult situation.
Phrases to Remember:
- To be stuck: unable to move, or set in a particular position, place, or way of thinking
- in limbo: in a situation where you do not know what will happen or when something will happen
- to turn a corner: pass the critical point and start to improve.
- to get the better of someone: gain an advantage over or defeat (someone) by superior strength or ability.
- rabbit hole: used to refer to a bizarre, confusing, or nonsensical situation or environment, typically one from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.
- to dwell on something: to think or talk about (something) for a long time
- to put someone in a box: to categorize someone
Mistake to Avoid:
(incorrect preposition) focus on the good around me NOT focus in
Comprehension Questions:
- How did Jorge feel at the beginning of his time in Germany?
- What did Benny tell Jorge one day when they went out to eat?
- What was the compromise that Jorge and Jennifer made?
- Who was Jorge’s unofficial German teacher?
- Do our brains remember positive or negative experiences more?
- Are stereotypes helpful when trying to develop new relationships?
Question to consider:
Do you have a Bernhard in your life? That is, someone who is very different to you in personality but that is really important to you?
Links:
- Benny Rebel Photography
- Podcast about why I moved to Germany
- Berghaus Freiburg
- 50 Most Common Mistakes Germans Make in English
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the-canadian.com 
I think Bernhard can be also proud and happy to have a friend like you.
Unfortunately I don’t have a Bernhard in my life
i think my bernhard is my partner of 11 years/ he picks me up ever so often when i am down/ i come from a very dysfunctional family of origin and it has been a true eye opener for me to see how much more supportive my partner’s family is/ i liked your podcast/ i am glad u have come to feel at home in germany, the country of my ancestors/ i lived there for 11 years myself/
i am i wondering about your origins /you seem to have a slight intonation that is atypical/ i myself have a bit of a accent in all 3 languages i speak/ english German french/ i grew up in quebec in a family of german origin and we spoke german at home/ english at school and i speak french with my partner /
the black forest is really beautiful/ i agree/ i went to boarding school
there in the 70’s/ best wishes from quebec 🇨🇦