GLOBALS Directory Archives - Club GLOBALS

Who’s Hiring? English Speaking Jobs in Berlin after Corona

Susan — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 09:26:10 +0000

Who’s Hiring? English Speaking Jobs in Berlin after Corona

After the Corona crisis, many companies are beginning to hire again. And if you were worrying about unemployment instead of practicing your German, you are in luck! There are still many companies hiring for English speaking jobs in Berlin.

Times have certainly been tough. The past four months have seen record unemployment, layoffs, reduced hours and few government subsidies to the industries hit hardest by the global coronavirus pandemic. The Berlin job market during Corona shrunk and in April 2020 the unemployment rate in Germany jumped up to 13.2 per cent. In the wake of a global pandemic, many are wondering where their next paycheck will come from. Especially expats and internationals who require contracts to continue their visas.

Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay

Fix up your CV

The good news is that there are still lots of companies hiring for various positions. So the first step you need to do is fix up your CV!

This goes without saying but a new job, a new CV. Don’t be afraid to get creative either – did you learn how to play the guitar during lockdown? Did you start a blog or cook a new recipe every week? This shows initiative, ambition and an eagerness to learn new skills – qualities which are important to have for a new job and can help fill in the gaps of your unemployment for a potential employer.

Pro Tip: Use this CV review service to help tailor your CV for free to improve your CV.

English Speaking Jobs

While the job market is saturated with competition there is still hope – even if you haven’t quite mastered the German language yet. There are many industries in Berlin still hiring which offer English speaking positions.

Pro Tip: It is better to search directly through company websites. Smaller companies and startups many find it expensive to post on general job boards.

Start with These

To start, check out these Berlin-based companies who often look for international employees. They even consider expertise in languages other than German or English an advantage.

The world’s largest chemical company BASF regularly posts job offers, especially the IT jobs do not always require profound German skills.

The online food-ordering service Delivery Hero Holding GmbH operates in 12 countries and is based in Berlin. They pride themselves in having an international startup atmosphere with English as a working language and offer jobs in IT, Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Content.

The multinational ebay offers positions around Germany and in Berlin for careers in IT and Management as well as many working student positions.

The Google office in Berlin has postings for Sales & Account Management, Marketing & Communication and more.

Finnish multinational Nokia offers positions for students and graduates as well as opportunities in IT and Project Management.

If you are missing the clubs in Berlin during the Corona closure, why not put your music knowledge and skills to the test by working with Soundcloud, or Deezer, the Berlin based streaming platform which is always looking for content creators, software developers, marketing and operations assistants.

The fashion e-commerce company Zalando was founded in Germany in 2008 and has since spread across Europe but still has its headquarters in Berlin. They offer positions in fields such as IT, Marketing, Controlling, Design, etc.

Some other top expat employers in Berlin include:

Ada Health Healthcare app Arvato Call center

Auto1.comTransport AWS Amazon E-commerce

Babbel Language app Bertelsmann Various

Blacklane Transport Booking.com Hotel platform

CareerFoundry Education Contentful Content

Finleap Fintech Getyourguide Tourism platform

HelloFresh Meal delivery Honeypot Recruitment service

Houzz Online retail platform Infarm Urban farming

Movinga Moving platform N26 Online banking

Omio Travel platform Onefootball Football app

Orderbird POS system                Raisin Finance

Sitel Call center             Sixt Car rental

SmartFrog Tech Spark Networks Online dating

Stoyo Advertising    SumUp Payment solution

Sykes Call center Urban Sports Club Sport membership app

Vehiculum Car leasing platform       Wayfair Interior Decorating

Pro Tip: Whatever your level of German, even if it’s A1.1, put that on your CV. If you are still learning German, try to learn one new sentence a day that is relevant to your job search!

Image by Igor Link from Pixabay

Where to Search for Jobs

An easy way to avoid getting lost in company websites and the constantly opened tabs on your computer, is to consult large job posting platforms. They are updated almost every day with new opportunities and great filters which allow you to choose the date of the job postings, keywords, and even the level of expertise required.

The newly updated GLOBALS Jobs also has a number of job postings in tech, IT, and start-up positions.

Linkedin jobs offers you an excellent filter system to find exactly what you are looking for. Try their premium account upgrade free for one month to access even more benefits like applicant insights, profile views, and direct personal connections.

For Indeed.de alone, there are currently over 11 589 jobs in project management, HR, finance, business, customer service, product development and more available to apply to!

Glassdoor offers jobs in English and other languages for Berlin-based companies and is less trafficked than the more popular sites such as Indeed which has been a staple for internationals looking for jobs since 2004.

Additionally, if your German isn’t terrible, it is worth searching through Monster and Xing which tend to be used more by German companies.

Remember to Keep Applying!

It is frustrating not to hear back from potential employers, but don’t give up! These resources and tips will help you succeed when searching for a job post corona. Remember to keep your eyes and ears open to network as much as you can. Once events for international connections and job-seeking such as Club GLOBALS Welcome Day start up again be sure to attend and participate. It is not an easy job market out there but with the right tools and the proper preparation, there is a company out there looking just for you.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Expats Beware: Oddest Taxes in Germany, Infographic

Mario Paladini — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:46:50 +0000

Expats Beware: Oddest Taxes in Germany, Infographic

Taxes are complicated, especially when you examine them in geographical, cultural, political, religious and social contexts. Fortunly notes that there is always logic behind each country’s tax policies, no matter how irrational they might seem initially.

For instance, Brunei maintains a zero-taxation system, for it is oil-rich enough not to rely on its residents’ incomes to fund government spending.

Eritrea, on the other hand, observes citizenship-based taxation to generate as much revenue as possible. This way, the African state can mandate that all of its people must contribute to the nation’s coffers whatever part of the world they live in.

When moving to a new country, understanding its tax policies can be an effective way to comprehend its society. Sometimes, taxes speak volumes about what a jurisdiction perceives as negative but is willing to tolerate for the right price.

More often than not, a territory has its own share of strange taxes that raise a lot of foreign (and even local) eyebrows. Germany is a shining example.

Dog Ownership

In Germany, having pets is not illegal. However, residents must pay the government if they are to own dogs. Canine family members must be licensed, so they can be taxed accordingly. Pet owners are charged per animal; the more dogs you have, the higher tax you need to pay.

Dog taxes used to be more common in the past. Most countries abolished them in the 20th century, though. Germany is unlikely to scrap its old-fashioned household-dog tax policy any time soon, for it is a multi-million-euro source of government revenue.

Prostitution

Tax officials treat sex workers in Germany like ordinary professionals. However, some jurisdictions had to be more creative to collect fees from freelancers in the prostitution industry.

A good case in point is Bonn’s move to turn red-light districts into toll roads. Each prostitute must pay €6 to make a living in a metered area.

Renewable Energy Consumption

Most countries want to make clean energy as affordable as possible to set the stage for mass adoption. Germany, however, is capitalizing on its position as a global leader in renewable energy generation to raise billions of funds earmarked for green investments.

German consumers generally consider paying the extra cost of clean electricity as a moral obligation to help conserve the environment. Thanks to the collective effort of its taxpayers, the country was able to earn more than €1.8 billion in renewable energy export revenues.

Possession (or Non-Possession) of a Radio and/or a Television

Since the ‘70s, the overhead of state-run media networks in Germany used to get financed by any resident who owns a radio or a television in the country.

The rules, however, were changed in 2013. Now, the authorities levy the tax on a “per household” basis. The amendment instigated civil unrest, but the government did not bulge and even sent some protesters to prison.

The Bottom Line

Some taxes in Germany may be hard to swallow for expats, but it is imperative to know which ones you likely have to pay, how to legally avoid them and what the possible implications are. Seek expert advice to find out whether your religion, lifestyle and others may increase your tax liability and settle in Berlin, Munich or anywhere in the country with little stress.

You can also use an online tax tool – SteuerGo – which will navigate you through the filing in process of your tax declaration and will help to secure the highest refund possible (up to 1.100€).

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Electric Scooter for the city

Priscila — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 10:39:31 +0000

Electric Scooter for the city

Electric scooters are plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels powered by electricity. They are nowadays a hit, specially in bike-friendly cities such as Berlin. ?Why? Because it’s easier to get around places, they don’t get stuck in traffic – or add to it. Using them won’t make you sweat and you can leave them wherever you like, even at the office.

In some U.S. States, such as California and Texas, you can ride it on the road and even in the bike lane. Unfortunately, you can’t drive it on sidewalks – they are reserved for pedestrians.
In Germany it is still not legal, but we can look forward to an legalization in spring 2019.

Electric scooters aren’t also slow at all. They can even accelerate out of a stop faster than bicycles. The high speed can be up to 30 km/h and you can drive them for 25 km without the need to charge them.

Another amazing thing is that the scooter folds up! That means, that you can take it on a train without a problem. ?There are also a lot of other amazing options for most of the new electric scooters. The first one is the speedometer – you can easily view your current speed from the LED Display. There is a battery light indicator, which lets you know when it’s time to recharge, most of them have scooter night lights too.

If you are interested in buying an electric scooter, here you can find the best option on the market in our opinion.?‍?

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Need a bank account? Why the N26 is the best option for newcomers.

Priscila — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 13:17:40 +0000

Need a bank account? Why the N26 is the best option for newcomers.

If you stay temporarily or permanently in Germany ??, it is recommended that you open a bank account.

In general, a bank asks you for the following documents when you request to open an account:

A valid proof of identity (ID card, passport…)
Anmeldung – City registration (Get yours simple & easy using AiRelo!)
When necessary: the reasons for being in Germany
For non-EU-Members: work permit

Great news, N26 doesn’t require all that!

Having a bank account with a German bank may facilitate your daily transactions such as paying your insurance (Expat, Public or Private), your internet etc. Indeed, it is a common practice for most of these service providers to require payment by internet or direct debit. ?

Remember: German banks charge high ATM usage fees for customers using other banks’ ATMs with their Girocard. For many bank accounts, you have to pay a monthly account management fee. And these two things do not count for N26!

Opening a bank account in Germany with one of those big banks usually requires to go to an agency and talk to a reluctant employee because they don’t want to/are not allowed to speak English. It is stressful, takes a long time and sometimes, you just don’t have time when you need to figure out accommodation or a job at the same time. So this is where N26 comes in handy!

Why N26 is the best option for newcomers!?

N26 is a bank account with features that make sending money, saving money ?and keeping your money safe easier. No fees, free cash withdrawals from any ATM, free credit card and a neat App.

Opening an account with N26 is fairly straightforward. You install the app, start a video chat, show your ID and you are done. It will take you under 8 Minutes. So it’s super fast.

N26 offers a fantastic user experience. Their service makes your life easier not only because they speak English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish, but they also do a good job in helping you.

Everything can be done from your phone through this app. You use TouchID to log in, force touch to see your account balance from the home screen, and widgets to keep an eye on your finances. Transaction notifications appear as regular Android, iOS notifications. And believe me, these little details matter!

You get a notification on your phone when money goes in or out of your account. When you pay with your N26 card, your phone vibrates. It helps you notice unexpected transactions and makes budgeting a breeze.

N26 App

On the app, you can also split your expenses into categories and it gives you an overview of your spending habits.

You can instantly transfer money to other N26 users using their email address or phone number, a faster alternative to IBAN transfers!

N26 has partnered with TransferWise, Mastercard, Allianz, WeltSparen etc. You can do international transfers from directly within the N26 App. It’s up to 6x cheaper than using traditional banks. ?

So if you are new in the city, or maybe even if you’re not, check the N26 out. I’m sure that this banking app will save you a lot of money, time and headache! And since they’re our new partners, we have a special offer for you!

Open your N26 bank account now

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Learning German, choose the right course.

Club GLOBALS — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:37:07 +0000

Learning German, choose the right course.

You want to live in Berlin, but don’t speak a word of German. You can take the easy route and just speak English, but if you want to stay for a longer period of time then you really ought to learn to speak German. In Berlin, there are a lot of organisations offering various language courses. It can, therefore, be hard to decipher which course is the best value for money. So why should you learn German? Carry on reading to learn more about why you should learn German as well as discovering some of the best courses in Berlin!

Why learn German?

The first reason to learn German is that it has the most native speakers of any language in the EU. Germany is also a country playing a key role in the business world, thus it’s a very valuable skill to be able to speak the language when conversing with German companies. Furthermore, Germany and especially Berlin, has become an increasingly attractive destination for internationals. It is also one of the most affordable cities to live in, which you can read more about in our blog post World of Rent. The endless innovative startups in the city are also helping to make living in Berlin easier. For example, some have developed smart technology to make international life straightforward. For example, take the bot AiRelo, which allows you to do your city registration in your own language in less than 10 minutes. AiRelo fills out the form and then you just need to go to the city hall with the completed form. It’s as simple as that.

Okay, so now that you’ve been convinced to learn German the question is where? We have selected the three best quality, low price courses for you.

Berlasco – Berlin Language School

Berlasco offers all levels of German teaching ranging from A1 (Beginners) to C2 (Mastery) at its centrally located school in Berlin-Mitte. Additionally, all classes are taught by native speakers and you can select from a range of lessons including one-on-one, small group, or even in-house at your company or institution. We strongly recommend Berlasco for their focus on the individual student, by providing each customer with personalized outlines of learning objectives and progress reports. Moreover, 1 week of 20 x 45-minute lessons is only €145. Receive 60 lessons over the course of three weeks for €380.

Deutsche Akademie Sprachschule

DSB Deutsche Akademie Sprachschule Berlin is a school offering German courses from level A2 to level C2, encompassing 12 different course levels. This enables all students to receive the correct level of teaching required for them to improve their German. DSB teaches German in very small groups, with a maximum of 11 participants per class. The school is centrally located near Alexanderplatz, making it very easy to reach by public transport. They also offer their courses at very flexible times, ranging from 8.30 AM till 9.15 PM. The price of the course is €225 which provides you with 60 x 45 minutes lessons.

Speakeasy

Speakeasy is a language course with their own unique method. The focus is on creating an interactive, conversation-based learning experience. It is a combination of printed material and class activities. Likewise to DSB, they also keep teaching groups as small as possible. They have a maximum of 10 participants, in order to make each student feel that they are getting the right amount of support. Another plus is that all the teachers are native speakers who are passionate about teaching. Speakeasy has two locations (Frankfurter Tor and Warschauerstrasse), both easily accessible by public transport. You can choose from a wide range of courses, but the most preferred option is 60 lessons of 45 minutes for €245.

Why you should do a German language course

As mentioned, it’s not crucial to speak German in Berlin, as most people speak English. But when you want to actually live in Berlin it is nice to familiarise yourself with the German language, by attending a language course. You can, of course, try to learn it independently without any formal teaching. However, the locals may not always be as patient and sympathetic as you might expect them to be. Most of the time when people are busy they will respond immediately in English to you when they hear that your German isn’t the best. Of course, this always depends on the situation. You may also experience that, native speakers will be impressed that you’re attempting to speak their language. It is thus highly recommended that you invest in some German language classes to make life in Berlin as easy and enjoyable as possible.

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Co-working spaces boost the innovations of SMES.

Club GLOBALS — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:18:51 +0000

Co-working spaces boost the innovations of SMES.

What is it, that drives innovation?

Nowadays innovations are not only the engines of our economy – they are more than necessary in order to succeed in the western market competition. This is why we must ask ourselves the following question more intensively: What is it, that drives innovation? Therefore it can be clearly outlined, that innovations begin in the brain of human beings. Or do you know any machine that comes up with innovative new product ideas?

Innovative solutions are always linked to a mix of creativity and know-how. Creativity rises when you feel comfortable and when you are satisfied with your life. When it comes to acquiring knowledge, there are several ways to not stand still – started from university, training, socialize with others, read, and much more. Bringing together knowledge from different areas combined with creativity is the key success factor for innovations. So co-working will be the future.

Since German SMEs are still in a low rank when it comes to the level of innovations I conducted a survey and found out the reason why!

Let’s sum up a few key characteristics of German SMEs

The majority of them are located in rural areas, outside the big cities. The reason for that is simply the limited liquidity they have and that the rent in the city center is a lot more expensive than in the suburbs. This is also why it is highly important to them having success with their product. One failure or a not well-conceived thought can already lead to bankruptcy. Moreover, they only have a few employees. Although limited stuff simplifies communication and decision-making it still requires completing all necessary tasks including, innovation, production, marketing, sales, accounting, human resources; for example the owner of the business may be as well the HR manager, which is why there is less time to find an adequate employee. This implies that there is often a lack of competences, which does not really push innovative capacity.

What is important to us?

Since our aim is to foster creativity and bundle knowledge to put forth innovative ideas, we need to find out how our work needs to be so that we are satisfied and happy with it. To explore that, I conducted a survey and want to share the most important results with you.

For the majority, work-life-balance is more important than salary. That means that flexibility regarding place&time as well as extra offers like gym-classes, food, child-care etc. became a higher value than money. One of the biggest incentives for young professionals to apply for a company is the fact, that they can continuously learn from it. In addition, an international work environment and meeting new people are of enormous value when it comes to the question “What motivates you?“. Interestingly enough, nearly all of the participants having a bachelors or masters degree would not be willing to move to the countryside for work. Nevertheless, under the premise that the need of physically being present would be less than 3 days in a week, almost all of them would agree to work in a rural landscape.

What is the aim of a Co-Working Space?

Having mentioned that let’s resume quickly the idea of a Co-Working Space

The core values of a co-working space are Community, Collaboration, Sustainability, Openness, and Accessibility. They basically emphasize on intangible factors and social aspects including entrepreneurial networking trough flexible and informal settings which enhance the use of different forms of capital – social, human and financial. In fact, such a place covers almost all of the employees needs to be happy and satisfied!

What are the benefits for your SME to integrate Co-Working Spaces in your business structure?

Let’s have a look at the benefits for your small and medium business when integrating the use of Co-Working Spaces in your business structure well, it would definitely encourage networking, which for sure attracts new and highly educated employees for free. For example when having a chat brewing coffee.You guarantee flexibility regarding place & time.You meet the needs of our generation when it comes to training and workshops. And most of them are for free! Ether the Co-Working Space offers them or you get free informal training when talking to the IT-Specialist sitting next to your desk. Work and life are well balanced, as most of those Places offer free coffee, snacks sports or even child care.The wish working in an international workplace would be totally fulfilled as it is a meeting point for everyone.As you see, happy employees are half of the battle when it comes to being successful! Nowadays, there are several ways you can choose to bring forward your business and there are a bunch of low-cost solutions, which can boost your business tremendously! Therefore, you do not have to pay high rents in the fanciest high-end places of Berlin, Cologne or Amsterdam! Just pay a desk and offer options for your stuff!If you want to find out about the exact costs and offers: check out the following link: https:// www.wework.com

Author: Larissa Albicker

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Coworking spaces you should visit in Berlin

Club GLOBALS — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 08:06:17 +0000

It’s no news that Berlin is one of the most popular cities for startups and many have been born in some of the hundreds of coworking spaces in Berlin. Coworking is when entrepreneurs, freelancers and/or any other workers share the same workspace. It’s not only a space where you can focus on your work, it’s a space where you’ll be encouraged to socialize, share ideas, swap skills and create collaborations. Coworking is a great opportunity for networking as you’ll meet people from every industry. So, if you want to boost your motivation, are bored with your current location or need some new inspiration- give coworking a try!

WEWORK

Their mission is to create a world where people work to make a life, not just a living. Offers inspiring spaces in several locations and as a member in their community you’ll get access to a global network of entrepreneurs, special event and more.

RENT24

A pet-friendly coworking space with solutions for everyone- freelancers, small startups and bigger businesses. Spaces in several locations, all with an unique touch. If you need a break from working, they offer a big playground for creative breaks.

THE PLACE

A community for startups and offers a 2000sqm coworking space in a creative environment, located in a former printing house.

FACTORY BERLIN

This is a community for innovators with passion for startups. Factory’s membership includes beautiful coworking spaces, access to events and a worldwide network.

BETAHAUS

One of the most popular spaces in Berlin, located in the heart of Kreuzberg. Betahaus offers various solutions for a few people to hundreds of guests, spread out over 5000sqm on five levels.

MINDSPACE

This coworking space have all-in-one office solutions. Ideal for startups, entrepreneurs, accelerators, service providers and investors.

ESDIP BERLIN

A pet-friendly coworking space with an industrial style, ideal for artists, designers, programmers or any other creatives. ESDIP wants to keep it small and not overcrowded. The last Friday every month they have a free coworking day, it’s a great networking opportunity so try it out!

ST. OBERHOLZ

With their three locations over town is this definitely one of the most known coworking spaces. St.Oberholz Rosenthaler platz is the largest with an area of 600sqm. If you want a less crowded and more chilled space you should visit Helmholtz Platz or Zehdenicker.

AHOY!

A playful and cozy environment for anyone from entrepreneurs to digital nomads. Ahoy! offers various options- from short term desks to private offices. Make sure to take a break in their café with homemade lunches and smoothies.

UNICORN.BERLIN BRUNNENVIERTEL

This is a innovative coworking space with minimalistic design and offers 30 workspaces, meeting rooms and an event space for up to 170 people. They also have a location in Mitte which is a coworking space and café in one.

EASY BUSY

A family-friendly coworking space with childcare. Multiple workspace choices in a cozy environment.

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Authentic German Restaurants in Berlin

Club GLOBALS — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 01:22:06 +0000

Berlin is a very international city, and there is a fusion of food from nearly every country. Almost every corner has an Imbiss or a Döner stand, and there are at least four Italian restaurants in every kiez. What about traditional German food?

Here’s a look at where to find the best wurst, flammkuchen and schnitzel in Berlin.

There are heaps of wonderful German restaurants in Berlin, from expensive gourmet experiences to cozy neighborhood joints.

If you want the big, Bavarian Bierhalle experience, then the Hofbräuhaus Lindenbräu at Sony Center in Berlin Tiergarten is a fun way to spend the afternoon. There are plenty of traditional

German dishes such as pork knuckle and sausage, and of course plenty of beer!

(Photo Credit: G.Z. / Yelp)

Potsdamer Platz 2, 10785 Berlin

Fon: 0049 30 2575 1280

Fräulein Fionais a highly recommended restaurant in Charlottenburg with a friendly, cozy atmosphere and fantastic food.

(Photo Credit: Qype User / Yelp)

Fritschestraße 48, Ecke Kantstraße 70, 10627 Berlin

Fon: 0049 30 9560 2272

dasWinsis a gourmet restaurant in posh Prenzlauer Berg, with a handpicked wine and beer list to compliment its local and European cuisine.

(Photo Credit: Qype User / Yelp)

Winsstraße 53, 10405 Berlin

Fon: 0049 30 3116 5572

Mutti’s in Kreuzberg offers “home-cooking deluxe,” traditional food in a cafe-style setting.

(Photo Credit: Qype User / Yelp)

Großbeerenstraße 36, 10965 Berlin

Fon: 0049 30 7439 8945

Das Speisehausin Friedrichshain is a reasonably priced, pub-style restaurant focusing on the cuisine of Berlin and its surrounding regions. It even offers a Sunday roast!

(Photo Credit: Speisehaus Berlin / Google+)

Wühlischstrasse 30, 10245 Berlin

Fon: 0049 30 6796 8602

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8 things you should know about the Berlin Public Transport System

Club GLOBALS — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 01:18:12 +0000

Once you arrive in Berlin one of the first things to tackle is finding your way around the city. And the best way to do is using the Public Transport.

Berlin public transport consists of several integrated networks including, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tramway system, a bus network as well as ferry services which not only cover the city but go app. One tip we highly recommend is planning your route online. This is easily done on the BVG website and can save you a lot of time. You can also download the app and plan your route during your travels!

Read on for some more useful info.

1. Berlin is split into three zones

Zone A is the central part (inside the Ringbahn), Zone B is other parts out of the Ringbahn and Zone C is Greater Berlin.

2. U-Bahn

Underground railway system, called by the U-Bahn. Trains run every two to five minutes during peak hours, every five minutes for the rest of the day and every ten minutes in the evening and on Sundays.

3. S-Bahn

The S-Bahn is a mix of rapid transit and commuter rail operation systems. The majority of the system is at the ground level, with some elevated portions or tunnels. There are 3 core lines: a central east-west line (Stadtbahn), a central north-south line (Nord-Süd-Tunnel) and a circular line (Ringbahn).

4. Regional trains

Berlin has two types of regional trains, the Regionalbahn (RB) that stops at every station and the faster Regional-Express (RE). They often continue outside the Berlin-Brandenburg suburban area. The RE also goes to Schönefeld Airport in Zone C.

5. Trams

Trams network of Berlin operates 24/7 and comprises 22 tramlines. The MetroTram is a frequent service in the areas not so well served by the U-Bahn and S-Bahn.

6. Buses

This famous public transport has a network of 149 daytime bus routes, of which 17 are part of MetroNetz. MetroBus routes can be recognized by the M prefix to the route number. Most of the MetroNetz bus and tramlines operate 24/7.

7. Ferries

There are also 6 passenger ferry routes available in Berlin due to its extensive network of waterways.

8. Ticket options

You can buy a ticket either at the machines placed in the stations or at kiosks in the station. A Single Ticket option can be used for 2 hours on any service once the ticket is validated. There are three different zones where to buy your ticket (AB, BC, ABC) There are also options for long term like, the Seven Day-Ticket, the Monthly Ticket or the Annual Ticket for which you also get discounts.

You MUST validate your ticket at one of the machines next to where you buy your ticket or on the platform before you start your journey or you could get a 45 euro fine if one of the inspectors catches you. Some are more lenient than others but it’s not a fun conversation to have when you are hauled off the U-Bahn!

Always plan your trip online or use the BVG fahrinfo app

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Where and How to Learn German

Club GLOBALS — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 00:53:48 +0000

If you’re staying in a foreign country for a longer time, it’s a good idea to try to learn some of the local languages. Your new country will become more accessible to you, people will appreciate your effort and you will feel more at home. Learning a country’s language often also goes a long way in helping you understand its culture, e.g. cultures that prefer expressing their opinions directly also rely less on the context in their language. While surviving on English in Berlin is absolutely possible, speaking at least some German will definitely make your life easier and you won’t be branded as a mere tourist quite as quickly. And frequenting a language course is also a great way to meet people

that you share at least one interest with.

In the following, we have collected some useful resources, online as well as offline, for learning and exercising German (and other languages).

The Goethe-Institut offers courses for all levels and areas, such as “Communication Skills in the Workplace”, as well as evening and weekend courses to accommodate working schedules.

BERLASCO – Berlin Language School offers Diplomatic and Professional German courses and is very accommodating when it comes to individual convenience and professional needs. Get in touch with GLOBALS solutioner Stefan here.

For additional exercise, there are tons of online services with different approaches.

Palabea is a marketplace where users can learn languages and exchange knowledge by video chatting with other users about self-chosen topics. Some of these so-called “palabeas” are free, some are paid and you can offer your own as well. Members come from all over the world, so you can find a multitude of languages. On

On Babbel, you can take interactive online courses on your own schedule in 13 different (mostly European) languages, including pronunciation checks and a mobile app for exercising on the go. You can try the courses for free and then decide if you want to continue.

Duolingo is able to offer language-learning services in 6 different (European) languages for free since its users actually translate documents for them while learning. The fact that the courses are set up like a game makes it especially fun, mobile apps are available as well.

Finally, it is always a good idea to surround yourself as much as possible with the language you want to learn. So if you’re learning German, watch German movies, listen to German radio and read German books.

Radio Deutsche Welle offers free material for learning German and a lot of really great resources for exercising.

BBC has some educational material and information on German TV and radio stations online.

You can find a comprehensive list of German movie reviews as well as tons of resources for practicing you new language on this website.

For the intermediate learner, this list of not too difficult (but still interesting to read) German books could be of use.

What is your most trusted resource for learning and practicing languages?

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