Finding Home

Episode Summary: On this episode, I chat with Meghan (an American living in Munich) about her search for a place to call home.

English Level: B2 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Show Notes:

Introduction (0:21)
Where were you born? (1:35)
What was it about Texas that made you feel at home? (3:35)
Where did you move after Texas? (6:20)
What comes after California? (11:01)
Where did you go after your university studies? (16:37)
What did you learn during your backpacking trip through Europe? (19:13)
Why are you still in Munich after 15 years? (22:14)
What was important for you in establishing a home? (24:55)
What is your message for German people about their country? (27:02)
Can you tell us about your podcast? (30:25)

Vocabulary Words:

Resonate (verb) (USA): (of an idea or action) meet with agreement.
Spark (noun): a sense of liveliness and excitement.
Draw (noun): gently pull or guide (someone) in a specified direction.
Coincidence (noun): a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.
Southern drawl (noun): the prolongation of the most heavily stressed syllables, with the corresponding weakening of the less stressed ones, so that there is an illusion of slowness even though the tempo may be fast.
Awkward (adj.): causing or feeling uneasy embarrassment or inconvenience.
Pivotal (adj.): of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.
Alma mater (noun): the university, school, or college that one formerly attended.
Heritage (noun): valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations.
Miserable (adj.): (of a person) wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable.
Probation period (noun): a trial period of employment during which someone is employed only subject to satisfactorily completing this period of time.
Legacy (noun): something left or handed down by a predecessor.
Maternity leave (noun): a period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after the birth of her child.

Phrases to Remember:

Close-knit community: a group of people who are socially close.
Cul-de-sac: a street or passage closed at one end.
To be teased: a person who makes fun of someone playfully or unkindly.
Rose-colored glasses: a cheerful or optimistic view of things
To get the hang of something: to learn the skills that are needed to do (something)
To be driven: (of a person) relentlessly compelled by the need to accomplish a goal; very hard-working and ambitious.
To give it my all: to do or give as much as one can to achieve something, to support a cause, etc.
Settle down: to become quiet, calm, or orderly.
Eye-opening: (of an event or situation) unexpectedly enlightening.
Take on: engage an employee.
Wrap up: complete or conclude something.
Passion project: something you work on (often outside of your chosen career path) that gives you satisfaction, happiness and puts you into a state of flow.

Mistake to Avoid:

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Comprehension Questions:

Question to consider:

Does your home provide you with the things you need? (Career-wise, personal, culturally, etc.)

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