The Pod Abroad

Howdy und Servus! I'm Paulina. I'm originally from Texas and have been living in Munich, Germany for over 8 years. I initially moved in 2016 for a master's program in sustainability and then liked it so much that I stayed!Ever wondered what life abroad is really like? I'm super happy to have an incredible international village here in Munich, and you'll get to meet some of my favorite people! We'll share funny, insightful, and unfiltered stories about cultural differences, adapting to new norms, and building a home away from home. Follow along for new weekly episodes and leave a comment.

The Pod Abroad is a society podcast hosted by Paulina de los Santos, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Paulina de los Santos hosts The Pod Abroad, a society show with 72 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Pod Abroad

  Getting yelled at in Germany... and the other side

  Aug 18, 202637 min

  Germany, living in Germany, American in Germany, German culture, Munich, cultural differences, expat life, German stereotypes, life abroad, immigration, German seniors, moving to Germany, Germany podcast, volunteering in Germany.Why does it sometimes feel like strangers in Germany are just waiting to tell you what you're doing wrong?After nearly 10 years of living in Germany, I've been yelled at and scolded by strangers more times than I can count. From crossing the street at the wrong time to apparently packing my groceries too slowly, some of these interactions have genuinely gotten to me over the years.In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I'm sharing some of those stories and how they slowly shaped the way I viewed German culture, particularly my perception of senior Germans.But there's another side to this story.Over the years, I've had encounters that challenged those assumptions completely. And since I started volunteering with seniors at a local community center in Munich, I've gotten to know some incredibly kind, funny, resilient and fascinating people who have made me question whether the version of Germany we experience through brief interactions with strangers tells us much about the people who actually live here at all.In this episode, I talk about:Getting yelled at and scolded by strangers in GermanyThe unwritten rules foreigners are somehow expected to knowWhy these interactions affected me more than I realizedThe assumptions I started making about German seniorsThe Bavarian Oma who completely surprised meWhy I decided to start volunteering with seniors in MunichThe people I've met through volunteeringHow actually getting to know Germans changed my perspectiveWhat living abroad has taught me about stereotypes, empathy and belongingIf you've ever lived in Germany, experienced German directness, been corrected by a stranger, or found yourself developing assumptions about a culture after living abroad, I think you'll relate to this one.And if you're German, I'd especially love to hear your perspective. Have you noticed this too? Is correcting strangers something you associate with German culture, or do you see it completely differently?⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The Oma I thought would yell at me 00:40 Getting yelled at in Germany 10:32 Experiences with German strangers 23:17 I was stereotyping German seniors 29:06 The Oma who changed my perspective 29:51 Volunteering with seniors changed everything ABOUT THE POD ABROADHowdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world. New episodes every Tuesday. LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OK Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast All platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad Instagram → / thepod.abroad TikTok → / thepodabroad Substack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad Inquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

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  The Pod Abroad

  Why Moving Abroad Makes Easy Things Feel So Hard

  Aug 11, 20261 hour

  Culture shock, living abroad, adapting to life abroad, moving abroad, expat life, life in Germany, cultural differences, immigration, culture shock in Germany, adjusting to a new culture, identity abroad, expat struggles, Munich, Germany. What if the hardest part of moving abroad isn’t learning a new language or understanding a new culture, but slowly questioning yourself? In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Jessica Scholl, an American who has lived in Germany for 13 years and works extensively in intercultural relations. Together, we unpack what culture shock actually looks like, why adaptation isn’t simply a matter of time, and how living in another culture can affect your confidence, identity, and sense of self. Jessica explains why culture shock can be much more subtle than the obvious cultural differences we notice when we first move overseas. Sometimes it’s the accumulation of small moments: misunderstanding social cues, struggling to communicate, feeling like you’ve broken a rule you didn’t know existed, or suddenly finding something difficult that used to feel easy. Over time, those experiences can make you wonder: Is the country the problem... or am I? We talk about how to recognize those patterns without immediately blaming yourself, why adaptation doesn’t follow a neat or linear timeline, and what can actually help you build a life abroad while still holding onto who you are. We also discuss: What culture shock actually is Why culture shock can happen subconsciously Why adaptation isn’t a linear process The impact of living abroad on self-confidence Why easy tasks can suddenly feel difficult Language barriers and feeling misunderstood Cultural compatibility vs. incompatibility Germany’s rules and social expectations Making friends and finding community abroad Why you can still struggle after years abroad Giving yourself grace while adapting How moving abroad can change your identity If you’re experiencing culture shock, struggling to adapt to a new country, feeling frustrated with yourself while living abroad, or wondering why you still don’t completely feel at home after years overseas, I hope this conversation helps you better understand what you’re experiencing and gives you a little more grace along the way. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Culture Shock 06:29 Early Culture Shock 11:46 Adaptation Isn't Linear 17:27 Language & Belonging 32:08 You or the Culture? 46:11 Breaking the Self-Blame Cycle ABOUT THE POD ABROAD Howdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years. The Pod Abroad is a long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world. New episodes every Tuesday. LISTEN & CONNECT Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OK Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast All platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroad Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroad TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroad Substack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroad Inquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com CREW Video, Audio & Music → Tim ter Huurne Design / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

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  The Pod Abroad

  What Germans Really Think About America

  Aug 4, 202652 min

  What do Germans think about America? A German who's never been to America shares his honest opinion on the USA. We discuss Germany vs USA, American stereotypes, life in Germany, American culture, work-life balance, politics, healthcare, and how Europeans view the United States.How much of what we believe about a country comes from firsthand experience—and how much comes from the media, culture, and the people around us?In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with my friend Stephan, a German who has never visited the United States. Despite never having been there, he has thoughtful opinions about American life, shaped by years of observing the country from afar.Together, we explore where those opinions come from, what surprised me about his perspective, and how our conversation challenged assumptions on both sides. Rather than debating which country is "better," we talk about the trade-offs between life in Germany and the United States—from work culture and quality of life to politics, consumerism, media narratives, and what it's like viewing America from Europe.Whether you're American, German, an immigrant, an expat, or simply curious about cultural differences, I hope this conversation gives you a new perspective!⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 First Impressions01:29 Why He's Never Gone09:43 Perception vs. Reality20:11 America's Trade-Offs31:02 Challenging Assumptions43:12 What We Can LearnTopics we discuss:A German's perspective on AmericaGermany vs. USAHow Europeans view the United StatesAmerican stereotypes abroadMedia influence and perceptionWork-life balance and quality of lifePolitics and cultureConsumerism and the American DreamTravel, identity, and cultural assumptionsCan you really judge a country you've never visited? ABOUT THE POD ABROADHowdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world. New episodes every Tuesday. LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadInquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

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  The Pod Abroad

  What 40 Years in Germany Taught This Brit

  Jul 28, 202648 min

  Germany, moving to Germany, life in Germany, British expat in Germany, living abroad, Germany vs UK, cultural differences, immigration, Munich, expat life, moving overseas, British immigrant, Germany podcast, life abroad.What happens when you move to Germany for just two years... and end up staying for 40?In this episode of The Pod Abroad , I sit down with Nick Walker, a Brit who arrived in Germany in the 1980s expecting his move abroad to be temporary. Four decades later, Germany is home.Nick shares what it was like building a life in Germany long before smartphones, Google Maps, or international communities were common. We talk about learning the language, adapting to German culture, raising a family abroad, returning to the UK and California, and why Germany always pulled him back.We also discuss:* What Germany was really like in the 1980s* Why so many expats struggle to integrate* Germany vs. England after living in both countries* The importance of learning German* Building friendships and community abroad* Whether Germany truly feels like home* The biggest mistakes foreigners make when moving overseas* Advice for anyone considering a move to Germany or EuropeIf you've ever dreamed of moving to Germany, wondered what it's like to build a life abroad, or questioned where "home" really is, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation.⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Everybody Knew My Name02:17 Why I Moved to Germany14:56 Life in Germany as a British Expat27:52 Germany vs. England After 40 Years41:30 The Biggest Mistake Expats Make54:45 Advice for Moving to Germany ABOUT THE POD ABROAD Howdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world. New episodes every Tuesday. LISTEN & CONNECT Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadInquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.com CREW Video, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

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  The Pod Abroad

  The American Singer Who Became a Star in Germany | Linda Jo Rizzo

  Jul 21, 202652 min

  Linda Jo Rizzo shares what it was like becoming an American singer in Germany during the 1980s. In this interview, we discuss Italo Disco, culture shock, moving from New York to Germany, life abroad, and building a music career in Europe.Linda arrived in Germany in 1984 expecting to stay just two weeks. Instead, one opportunity changed everything, launching a career that has taken her around the world while making Germany her second home.We talk about:Growing up as an Italian-American in New York CityThe culture shock of moving to Bavaria in the 1980sHow Germany became the center of the Italo Disco movementWhat it was like performing for German audiences versus American crowdsBuilding an unconventional career as an independent artistRaising a family while touring across EuropeIdentity, belonging, and having two places to call homeWhy she never truly stopped feeling American after four decades abroadHer advice for anyone pursuing a creative career todayWhether you're interested in Germany, immigration, life abroad, music history, or simply hearing an incredible life story, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Linda.⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – From New York to Germany02:05 – Why two weeks became 41 years06:15 – First impressions & culture shock13:25 – Munich's incredible 1980s music scene21:10 – Building a life and career in Germany30:40 – Identity: New Yorker, American & European39:30 – German vs American audiences52:45 – Creativity, success & finding fulfillment1:09:40 – Advice for artists and entrepreneurs1:18:20 – What's next for Linda Jo Rizzo? ABOUT THE POD ABROADHowdy und Servus, y’all :-) I’m Paulina — originally from Texas and living in Munich, Germany for nearly 10 years.The Pod Abroad is a long-form podcast about life abroad, cultural differences, identity, immigration, and building a life overseas through honest conversations with people from around the world. New episodes every Tuesday. LISTEN & CONNECTSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/711j4OKApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcastAll platforms → https://linktr.ee/thepodabroadInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/thepod.abroadTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepodabroadSubstack → https://substack.com/@thepodabroadInquiries → paulina@thepodabroad.comLinda's website: https://lindajorizzo.com/Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lindajorizzolivePhotographer of thumbnail photo: https://www.milapairan.de/ CREWVideo, Audio & Music → Tim ter HuurneDesign / Branding → Ali Khazanbeik

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