Transnational

Volkspark Friedrichshain

No matter how much I fly, I always get the pre-trip flutters before a big travel day. Tomorrow I fly back to the States for the first time since May, and through all my excitement to see my parents at the airport, my sister and three closest childhood friends the following day, and a host of family and friends the following 2.5 weeks, I can't help but be somewhat nervous. And my nervousness was only heightened by the news of the devastating Connecticut school shooting today.

A few friends and I gathered this evening to cook our last meal together in 2012 when we learned about the shooting. With four American expats at the dinner, the criticism of the US and many American policies quickly began to fly around the room. We were heartbroken, furious, and at the same time, acutely conscious of how living in Europe has shifted our perspective on such issues. It is clear that any American would feel heartbroken and furious at such news, but no matter how initially shocking, the shock may wear off more quickly because it's becoming tragically commonplace to hear this type of news in the US. School shootings certainly don't happen every day in the US but they happen a hell of a lot more there than here- the US did experience two separate public shootings in the course of this week, after all.

As we digested the news, we also reflected on the fact that such events remind us of why we moved here in the first place. Not because of school shootings in particular, but because the world just functions a bit differently on this side of the Atlantic, and although we all came for different reasons, we find comfort in and feel connected to that world.

The longer I stay in Berlin, the longer I see myself staying here. In many ways, I see raising a family easier here, my quality of life being higher, a certain standard of living guaranteed for me should things get rough at any point, and a basic standard of living for others that I fundamentally believe should be guaranteed to all, especially in a developed country. I certainly don't need to make any long-term decisions now, but I'm aware that eventually the time will come where I have to choose the US or Europe in a somewhat permanent way. And as incredibly wonderful as it is to go home for a visit, it reminds me of everything, and more importantly, everyone, that I have to leave behind should my choice be here.

Pfand-tastic

You know what's kinda genius? Germany's Pfand or bottle recycling policy. Seriously. Stay with me.

Pfand translates literally to "deposit." It's a small extra charge you pay when you purchase a bottle of water, beer, etc. Then when you bring the empty bottle back to the store, you get the change back. For example, for every 39 cents I pay for a bottle of bubble water they tack on a 15 cent deposit, bringing my total to 54 cents. When I return the bottle, I get those 15 cents back. Some smaller bottles you buy in convenience stores have Pfands of up to 25 cents. So there is definitely incentive to recycle rather than toss empty bottles into the trash or worse, on the street. This is the first reason why I think this policy is pretty nifty.

Secondly, they make it really convenient to bring back your old bottles. Pretty much every supermarket has a Pfand machine AND you don't need to take bottles back to the exact store where you originally purchased them. You just throw the bottles in and then the machine gives you a receipt to take up to the cashier (see photo at top of post). You either walk out with the sum or use it as a credit toward your grocery purchase that day.

Bottles waiting patiently on my kitchen windowsill to be taken back to the store:

My local supermarket's machine:

Getting my receipt:

The third reason I think this policy is so smart is that it not only keeps some litter off the street but gives those "on the street" an easy way to make some money. Drinking in public is allowed here, so at pretty much all times of the day you see people with beers on the subway or the street. I saw one woman headed to the Borussia-Hertha football game with her own bottle of sparkly. When the clubbers head out for the night they drink en route on the subway or bus and in line at the disco. Since they can't take the bottles inside with them, and don't want to lose their place in line, most just place them on the ground. I know, this sounds like littering. But because of the financial incentive, there are always people roaming the streets and trash cans for empty bottles to make a few extra cents. And a lot of the time, these are homeless people who could really use the pocket change.

This man was at the Borussia-Hertha game last weekend collecting empty bottles off the street. He was going to make BANK:

No Physical For You!

...my new doctor said to me on Monday, albeit somewhat more professionally. But I'll get to that part later.

Before I left for Berlin and people would ask me why I was moving, towards the end of my spiel I always threw in a line like, "and at least I'll have health care over there!" Whomever I was talking to would generally respond with a nod and widened eyes at the idea of a land where everyone is insured. It's Germany, they have socialized medicine right? Isn't it free over there or something? Doesn't everyone just automatically get it?

Well, kind of. The truth is, I didn't know much about the system before I got here and went through the steps to get it. I'm still no expert, but after registering with a Krankenkasse (health insurance company) and having one doctor's appointment, I'm ready to weigh in.

1) Health insurance is not an option in Germany, this much is true. It's a Pflicht, or obligation. However this doesn't mean you just show up in the country and have it, and it does not mean it's free. If you're a student, or employee, or have some sort of other label, health insurance is included in your "package." As an employee, it comes automatically out of your paycheck. If you are status-less, like me at the moment, then you are responsible for obtaining health insurance. This means picking a Krankenkasse and paying a monthly fee (generally around 140 euros) similarly to how you would go about acquiring an individual plan in the US.

2) It really is Pflicht. If you live in Germany and do not have insurance, you will literally pay. In fact, you will end up paying retroactively for the time you went uninsured. So for example, since I registered as a resident of the city on November 22nd but did not get insurance until the 30th, I was required to pay for that insurance free week. The one loophole I know of is if you are unable to work or find work and qualify for a social benefits program called Hartz IV. In this case, the government pays.

3) Besides the obligation part, it sounds similar to the US, right? Wrong, because it's a hell of a lot less complicated. Although there is a choice of Krankenkassen, they are pretty much all equal. You don't pick a particular plan (maybe this does apply in certain exceptional cases, but not for the majority) and everyone has the same insurance for the most part. There is apparently some kind of special luxury insurance, but I don't know anyone who has that. When I went to AOK*, my Krankenkasse, I was signed up automatically for the 140 euro plan and didn't have to sift through brochures trying to figure out what I wanted, what deductibles were right for me, what drug prices I wanted to pay, etc.

4) Drugs! They are cheaper here, which I'm sure does not surprise any of you. I easily acquired a prescription for more asthma medication yesterday and can take it to any Apotheke (drug store- they are literally on every corner in this country) and fill it.

5) I can go to virtually any doctor I want and appointments are made quickly and conveniently. I called one office about 15 minutes away from me and made an appt. for the following Tuesday, and then cancelled it when I noticed a new doctor's office had opened up around the corner from me. I walked in on a Friday to make an appt. and had one for Monday. Neither place asked what insurance I have and at my doctor's I was not asked to fill out any bothersome paperwork. One sheet explaining my basic medical history and a copy of my card later and that was it.

6) 10 euro co-pay. Everywhere and anywhere. This is one of the things I think is best about Germany's system. Besides that everyone is insured of course. Because there are no separate plans for each company that have different co-pays, deductibles, etc., you know what you are going to get at all times. There's nothing to figure out and there's nothing to be wary of. It feels so much more... honest. Neither the insurance providers nor the doctors seem to be out to get anyone or wiggle extra money out of people. It's refreshing, especially after being a member of an HMO all my life that got me hooked on expensive asthma drugs and then dropped my drug benefits as soon as I was no longer on my Dad's government plan and applying for an individual one.

7) Now the story about the forsaken physical. I decided to make an appt. since I finally had insurance again and hadn't been to the doctor in over a year. When I went in on Monday (no wait time) my doctor seemed confused as to why I was there. "Well, is there something wrong?" she asked. I explained that I was just there for a normal check-up and told her in the US it's called a physical and the doctors check your reflexes and your ears and throat and such. She looked amused and then explained that in Germany, women don't get yearly check-ups until age 35. Because of my asthma she checked my lungs for a few minutes and then sent me off with my prescription. I was surprised but also slightly relieved that I didn't have to do cardio in my undies like I did during a check-up in France.

*AOK: cute name, right? I find it reassuring. Like, "don't worry! you're going to be a-ok!"