« Visiting the doctor, my experience 👩⚕️
Continuing the theme, I want to share my story of visiting a doctor, highlighting the fundamental principles of the healthcare system here in Germany (as humorously pointed out 😄).
To start, I generally dislike “going” to the doctor, a feeling that dates back to childhood due to some rather unpleasant experiences. I still remember the awful nurses at the clinics I attended, where every visit ended in tears and stress. Thankfully, as I grew older, it became easier, but still, in a queasy hospital setting, you often feel vulnerable when you hear a doctor say, "I see a hundred people like you every day," while hoping for better care and appropriate treatment at a private clinic. Yes, you do receive good service, the doctor is kind, but the likelihood that unnecessary tests will be minimized is low, as I experienced right before moving when I suffered from bronchitis. On my last visit, the doctor noted on my chart that I had issues with my tonsils, and I’m scheduled for another visit, though it's technically a simple check-up (as she phrased it, they will be checking me closely) 🤷♀️🤷♀️.
Overall, fully immersing myself in this whole medical situation, this summer, I was terrified to visit a female doctor for the first time. Not only is the entire staff, except for the doctor, speaking in German (and at that moment, I understood very little), but I was also sitting in the waiting room, and every passing minute felt like an hour. 😂 However, when my turn came, all my fears evaporated in an instant. Everything felt lighter; she wasn't trying to scare me with awful illnesses, didn't push unnecessary tests, and reassured me that I have nothing serious. Leaving the office, I felt a huge weight off my shoulders. 🤪
On November 1st, I had my first visit to the therapist, and we started treating my chronic gastritis (a shout-out to quick snacks and "pure drinking water"), and the doctors said it’s quite normal; everyone has gastritis. The doctor started the treatment and prescribed a recipe for a diet, which summarized to me—if this helps, I’ll share in the next post 😉. »
Continuing the theme, I want to share my story of visiting a doctor, highlighting the fundamental principles of the healthcare system here in Germany (as humorously pointed out 😄).
To start, I generally dislike “going” to the doctor, a feeling that dates back to childhood due to some rather unpleasant experiences. I still remember the awful nurses at the clinics I attended, where every visit ended in tears and stress. Thankfully, as I grew older, it became easier, but still, in a queasy hospital setting, you often feel vulnerable when you hear a doctor say, "I see a hundred people like you every day," while hoping for better care and appropriate treatment at a private clinic. Yes, you do receive good service, the doctor is kind, but the likelihood that unnecessary tests will be minimized is low, as I experienced right before moving when I suffered from bronchitis. On my last visit, the doctor noted on my chart that I had issues with my tonsils, and I’m scheduled for another visit, though it's technically a simple check-up (as she phrased it, they will be checking me closely) 🤷♀️🤷♀️.
Overall, fully immersing myself in this whole medical situation, this summer, I was terrified to visit a female doctor for the first time. Not only is the entire staff, except for the doctor, speaking in German (and at that moment, I understood very little), but I was also sitting in the waiting room, and every passing minute felt like an hour. 😂 However, when my turn came, all my fears evaporated in an instant. Everything felt lighter; she wasn't trying to scare me with awful illnesses, didn't push unnecessary tests, and reassured me that I have nothing serious. Leaving the office, I felt a huge weight off my shoulders. 🤪
On November 1st, I had my first visit to the therapist, and we started treating my chronic gastritis (a shout-out to quick snacks and "pure drinking water"), and the doctors said it’s quite normal; everyone has gastritis. The doctor started the treatment and prescribed a recipe for a diet, which summarized to me—if this helps, I’ll share in the next post 😉. »
The atmosphere in Hannover is vibrant and welcoming. Whether you’re visiting for a fair or just exploring, there’s a certain charm that draws you in. I truly appreciate the mix of historic and modern elements throughout the city.
Overall, Hannover is a delightful place to visit, filled with rich history and friendly people. ✨🌍 »
Many might read the title and think, do Germans really care about this? 😄 Well, don’t rush to judgment, let me explain everything in detail!
Here, bottles are hardly ever found lying around in the streets, unlike in many other places. It’s so rare that at the vending machines for bottle returns, there’s often a line waiting to recycle empties – very cool! 😏 This way, Germans tackle two issues at once: less waste and increased purchases in supermarkets. Now, let’s dive into the details.
When buying soda, water, beer, or other drinks in German stores, pay attention to the logo on the label. If it’s missing, that bottle is worth nothing, and you’ll have to toss it into a special container! Each drink has a deposit stated clearly (for plastic, it’s about €0.25; for glass, around €0.08). In every big store, there’s a vending machine where after returning bottles, you can choose to get cash back or donate it. If you get a coupon with the amount for which you returned bottles, you can use it at checkout, and during purchases, the cashier deducts the amount from your total or gives cash back.
What happens to the bottles afterward? When they go into the machines, the plastic ones get shredded, while the glass ones are processed for recycling.
Stay tuned ❤️ and I’ll share more interesting facts about Germany with you! »
I can't say that Germany really feels like home for me 🤔. When I first arrived here, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Everything felt somewhat peaceful and spacious. The atmosphere has its own charm, but it didn't leave me with the same impressions and emotions as other places do 😯.
🚲 Yes, of course, interesting architecture, old castles, parks, and fountains, but nothing more.
Germans seem to live by the motto: "Work hard, learn, retire, and quietly pass away" 😩. There’s no spirit of adventure among them 💖. For instance, leaving a job to pursue some kind of startup? That’s not really a German thing 🧐.
To delve deeper into what Germany looks like through my eyes, check out the comments below ⬇️.
If I had to summarize, in Germany, you'll spend time here if you prefer a standard and calm life. However, if you crave constant emotions and impressions, you're probably looking in the wrong place. This isn't exactly where to realize your wildest plans or engage in daring projects. 😊🤩 »