Inviting family members to visit you in Germany

The procedure and resources in this post are specific to hosts residing in Germany who would like to invite their guests residing in India (holding Indian passports) to visit them.

As a host (resident in Germany) you will need to provide the guest (residing in India) with a document that is called the Formal Obligation for Foreign Visitors ("Verpflichtungserklärung") so they can apply for a Schengen Visa to enter the European Union and Germany.

If the host is a resident in the city of Munich, the procurement of this Verpflichtungserklärung is clearly detailed in the official city portal Muenchen.de page here.

In other cities the host can locate the resource by following the similar path from the host's city's Rathaus > Stadtverwaltung > Kreisverwaltungsreferat > Ausländerbehörde > Verpflichtungserklärung .

It is important for the host to note that by signing the formal obligation Verpflichtungserklärung the host agrees to the following responsibilities:

• to pay all costs of subsistence for the guest
• to refund any public resources, if the guest should need social assistance (including accomodation, medical care, nursing care)
• to pay any costs for removal procedures (if the guest should have to be sent back to the country of origin by German authorities)

These events can cost substantial amounts and it is highly recommended that the host purchase insurances to cover these costs. In addition, these insurances are required documents while applying for the Schengen Visa by the guest in India.

For purchasing these insurances there are two options

1. Host purchases the Insurance in Germany (for example from Klemmer International Versicherungsmakler GmbH)
• Klemmer seems to offer a no questions asked cancellation of the Insurance purchase and a reimbursement.
2. Guest purchases the Insurance in India (for example from Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance)
• Note: The host can also purchase from Bajaj Allianz online and provide it to the Guest. It is important that the Guest is still in India for this. This purchase cannot be made once the guest is out of India.

Depending on the number of days that the Guest intends to stay in Germany, buying a insurance in India or in Germany might be equivalent in terms of cost.

Your guest will now go through the application process for a Schengen visa. The steps for this process can be found in the VFS Global website here. The process might be different for different regions in India.

The Muenchen.de English page here does not mention it, but the equivalent page here in German  clearly mentions that the Guests stay in the EU is limited to a maximum of 90 days.

Some specific information for Indian Guests can be found here.

Learning a new language and fast !

This post is applicable for anyone who wants to learn a new language. The motivation and the techniques are universal and applicable to learning any language.

Although, the resources point towards learning specific languages

• Kannada the language of the land where I am from 
• German the language of the land I am at

Disclaimer: I would like to point out that this might not be exactly applicable learning a language from an academic point of view. It might support to accelerate the learning but is not to be considered as a primary or sole way of learning a language. 

Language of a land and it's association with culture

Perhaps you have heard and read that certain cultures are very particular about time and some not so much. This is a cultural stereotype, although one can always argue and find that there are always many exceptions to the rule. For the sake of the topic of 'language and culture' we will overlook these exceptions and take a closer look only at the stereotypes.

Let us take the example of how people ask for the time in certain languages and link it to the cultural stereotype (using the exact equivalent word for word translations in English).

Kannada: "Gante estu aaythu?" : How many hours have completed?

German: "Wie spaet ist es?" : How late is it?

French: "Quelle heure est-il?" : What hour is it?
Dutch: "Hoe laat is het?" : How late is it?

From the exact word to word translations to English you can extract the differences in view about a concept such as time between these cultures. Some cultures are more specific about time and some seem to be lenient towards it etc. Some translations seem to indicate that people of that language consider time is fleeting, passing and a sense of 'having to keep pace with'. In others the precision is at the unit of an hour.

In my opinion, there could be many more examples such as the above that indicate a strong link between language and culture. Learning the language with attention, one can make their own inroads to understanding a culture.

Learning a language only with an academic focus

This kind of a culture to language insight is something that I have missed while learning my mother tongue Kannada in school. Perhaps at that point of time my associative abilities had not developed enough or perhaps I was only learning with the objective of scoring marks in an examination! Either ways it is something that I have overlooked. And wow! This is an insight that I got learning a new language (German) now.

Perhaps my friends in Bangalore can also relate to this learning experience as they learn Kannada and make comparisons to their own language and who knows what else can come out of this learning!

Resources for learning Kannada in Bangalore

For those living in Bangalore, I recommend 'The Kannada Learning School' that was started by  motivated individuals with the vision and mission - “To provide continuous support and help for the people who are interested to learn Kannada”. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka and has a significant population that is not from the state and hence do not know Kannada.

Here is a short and wonderful 4 minute video of the Kannada Learning School with testimonials of from the pupils included. The motivation and quotes they present are universal and very relevant for anyone learning a new language!

 

Techniques to learn languages quickly

Shadowing technique

Professor Alexander Arguelles is a proponent of this technique. You can find more about him and this technique at his website and at wikipedia.

Professor Arguelles demonstrates shadowing a foreign language (Chinese) (1 minute)

Professor Arguelles explains Shadowing Step by Step (55 minutes)
  

Self learning support for the Shadowing technique 

So how can one wanting to learn a language finding support for the Shadowing technique via the public libraries ?

Considering that you know English and you want to learn German 

Look for books in the libraries that teach you the reverse - English through German. Its a great resource for the shadowing technique. Beginners, you will find these books in the kids section. Awaken the child in you! :-)

Immersion technique

Immersion is a method of teaching a foreign language by the exclusive use of that language. This is done in schools. One can self immerse into learning a new language by putting oneself in such a situation where only the language one wants to learn is heard, seen and spoken.

Self learning support for the Immersion technique

Some relevant questions 

• Where can one find support for the immersion technique ?
• Especially if one wants to learn the language remotely, not in the land where the language is spoken ?

Is this possible ? The answer to that is YES! 

"There are seven days in a week. 'Someday' isn’t one of them" says Benny from Speak from Day 1! 

I can fathom why Benny's language lessons are recommended by many folks, though personally I have not gone through them. Benny brings in the human factor that is missing in many language programs. In many language programs you learn the techniques, the grammar and are prepped up for the exams, but possibly never use the language and speak it and immerse in all it's wonders!

In contrast, Benny's courses are not geared towards clearing examinations but rather to start speaking immediately. What additional value Benny brings to the table, in my opinion, is the the human attitude,  determination and motivation.

Here, in his 15 minute TEDx talk he talks about the 'right' motivation for learning a new language. 

DuoLingo.com - An awesome website for learning a new language through the language you already know. Another interesting fact about DuoLingo is its unique business model and how it is free despite the quality they provide. You can learn a new language on the go with DuoLingo for Android or DuoLingo for iOS.


Kauderwelsch. German Word By Word - These folks have a unique style for helping one learn the language. The books structure is geared towards getting you talking quickly in a new language through a language you know. This particular example is for learning German through English.

Resources

Buying bicycles in Munich

This post is for expats new to Munich and bicycling, who perhaps hail from regions where using bicycles for daily use is not the norm. It is also an invitation to experienced bicyclists to advice/comment. Definitely check out the further reading section with interesting links.

The purpose of the post is to aid in getting you started quickly to bicycling in the lovely city of Munich and its surroundings.

Types of bicycles

• Trek Rad (City Rad)
• Mountain Rad
• Ren Rad
• Cross Rad
• Cruiser Rad
• Klapp Rad
• S-Bahn Rad (not really a category but explained below)

Wheels variety

• 26"
• 28"
• 29"
• All the above with metal studs in the tires (expensive stuff for snow/icy roads)

Process for buying a bicycle

1. Determine the activity intended for the bicycle
• For use within the city, touring on city bicycle routes ? - Trek/City Rad or a Cruiser Rad with the most comfortable seats!
• For mountain biking, riding along the Isar, on gravel, stones, roots ? - Mountain Rad
• For commuting to a S-Bahn station ? Cheap bike, inexpensive spares, no gears, something you spend time on very less, something that you do not care if it is stolen when parked at the station
• For racing ? - Ren Rad
• For an efficient commute within city ? - Cross Rad ( light and it can go fast + good as a city bike also)
• For commuting even in snow, icy road conditions ? - Mountain Rad , (maybe a 26" tires with metal studs for better road grip)
• For a single bicycle that can accommodate a combination of the above activities ? - needs more thought and discussion
• For carrying a bicycle in the S-Bahn/U-Bahn without having to pay for a bicycle ticket ? - Klapp Rad
2. Determine the bicycle frame height that suits your height
• Search for 'bicycle frame selector' or visit the site here - a variation of + or - 1 should be not bad.
3. Determine if you want to buy the bicycle used or new
•  Used bikes are available at
• http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/
• http://toytowngermany.com/ - forums
• Radlflohmarkt - Used bike sale
• New bikes are available at 
• Zweirad Stadler
• Radl Bauer
• Velo @ Ostbahnhof (relatively expensive bicycles)

The biggest advantage when looking for a new bicycle (especially in the places above) is that you can try the bike around in the trial tracks in these stores and really experiment, compare and contrast, zone in on the perfect frame height for the perfect bike that fits all your needs.

For further reading

1. Elena & Lola's adventures in Munich - A blog article on biking in Munich
• Great article with lots of statistics, data, more store suggestions 
2. How to choose bicycles - REI
3. An exhaustive list of types of bicycles - Wikipedia

Driver's License (for those who have a Driver's License in their home country)

I highly recommend that you get the latest procedure directly from a driving school. A school that I can recommend is Fahrschule (Christine Timmer) - Hessstrasse 59 80798 Munich. Office hours can be found at their website here. 

In any case, this is an approximate procedure with approximate prices.

Procedure (for residents with a valid Driver's license from their country)

1. Get your Driver's License translated to German- approx. 50 Euros
2. Take an first-aid course (Available in English) - approx. 25 Euros
3. Take an Eye test exam (Usually done together with the first-aid course)
   - approx. 10 Euros
4. Registration at a Driving school - approx. 150 Euros
5. Take the theory test (Ask for this 10 days in advance at the before you take it)
1. Driving school book (might not be needed) - approx. 80 Euros
2. Driving school online course/tests/apps - approx. 40 Euros
3. Driving school charges for theory test - approx. 90 Euros
4.  TUEV fees - approx. 21 Euros
6. Take the road test (The driving school suggests you take some lessons to gauge your capability)
1. Driving school classes - per class (45 min.) approx. 40 Euros
2. Driving school charges for road test - approx. 180 Euros
3. TUEV fees - approx. 85 Euros

Reading webpages written in German

This is a just a quick hack for those wanting to ramp up quickly with their life in Munich. For a more richer and a fuller experience nothing can replace learning the language of the land - German!

There are many German websites that have an English version. But most do not and you need to to know German to follow. These sites are also usually those where the small but important stuff would be located with information that would help you integrate with the real local ways. 

Thankfully for those who are clueless about the German language - there is help! Download the Google Chrome browser and the Google Translate plugin for Chrome and you are good to go. The plugin translates pages for you on the fly, so you can read any webpage in the language of your choice (if it is supported by Google Translate).

The above way is only for Desktop PCs - there might be ways to do this for tablets and smartphones, but I have not looked into it at this point.

If you would rather use translate directly (cut/paste approach) then the link to translate is - http://translate.google.com/ !