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Oh so German!
 Typical Germany

Do bratwurst, beer gardens, and Lederhosen truly encapsulate Germany? Are fairy tales the country's secret obsession, and is every corner adorned with castles? Oh So German! offers glimpses of the many facets that compose the essence of Deutschland.

Oh so German © Colourbox

The five oldest German universities

Studying in a historical setting

The world’s first universities were founded in Italy and England, admittedly. But Germany is shaped by a long academic history too. The five oldest universities were already up and running by the 15th century.

Students on the first day of orientation at the University of Cologne Photo (detail): © picture-alliance/ Panama Pictures | Christoph Hardt Photo (detail): © picture-alliance/ Panama Pictures | Christoph Hardt

  • Everyday Life in Germany: Sport Edition

    German Sports Culture: You Snooze, You Lose!

    Germans love trying out new sports. In doing so, they quickly become experts — or "let it slide". Here are some personal observations from our author, Lena Maurer.

    A collage with images of sports. A person with a SUB board by the lake, a climbing wall and a group of cyclists. Graphic: Lena Maurer| Illustrations: sketchify via Canva.com | Pictures: Links: picture alliance / NurPhoto | Michael Nguyen; Mitte: Pexels; Rechts: picture alliance / xim.gs | xim.gs / Philipp Szyza Graphic: Lena Maurer| Illustrations: sketchify via Canva.com | Pictures: Links: picture alliance / NurPhoto | Michael Nguyen; Mitte: Pexels; Rechts: picture alliance / xim.gs | xim.gs / Philipp Szyza

  • 9 Women Who Changed German Society

    Women Power

    Whether in politics, science, art, or resistance – these women have profoundly changed German society with their courage, determination, and talent. Their stories show how individuals can shape the course of history.

    Graffiti on the Munich slaughterhouse grounds in memory of Sophie and Hans Scholl and their resistance group “White Rose” Photo (detail): © picture-alliance/imageBROKER | Manfred Bail Photo (detail): © picture-alliance/imageBROKER | Manfred Bail

  • 9 stories about Germany’s favorite food staple

    Our Daily Bread

    Sweet, salty, sour – German bread comes in many forms. Some varieties are so iconic, they even star in their own TV shows!

    You can see a bread shelf with various breads and rolls Picture (Detail): picture-alliance / Chad Ehlers | Chad Ehlers Picture (Detail): picture-alliance / Chad Ehlers | Chad Ehlers

  • Everyday Life in Germany: Dinner Edition

    Dinner at a Friend’s House

    Take off your shoes, bring some wine and (don't) help out. Lena Maurer from South Tyrol loves to spend evenings at friends' homes. That's why she knows how a 'typical German' dinner invitation works.  A personal insight.

    Collage of food photos from above, shoes and an arm serving potatoes on a plate. Graphic © Lena Maurer Graphic © Lena Maurer

  • Five typical German habits

    That's how it's done here

    No sense of humour, always overly punctual, taciturn and a little reserved – one nationality immediately pops into your head when you hear these descriptions: the Germans. The list could go on and on – here we look at five habits that are seen as “typically German”.

    Celebrating at the Oktoberfest 2024 in Munich Photo (detail): © picture alliance/dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand Photo (detail): © picture alliance/dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

  • 5 unusual reasons for Deutsche Bahn delays

    “We apologise for any inconvenience”

    The ultimate test of patience: a journey with Deutsche Bahn. Several million minutes of delays or so add up in a year. On the platform, people collectively flinch when the announcement chime sounds. All travelling professionals know that the display board is about to change – but what is the reason this time?

    Passengers waiting for a train on a platform Photo (detail): © © picture alliance / Ute Grabowsky/photothek.de | Ute Grabowsky Photo (detail): © © picture alliance / Ute Grabowsky/photothek.de | Ute Grabowsky

  • The 10 most popular German street foods

    Urban Bites: From Heritage to Hipster

    Germany has never enjoyed the best reputation when it comes to cuisine. However today, the country has a lot more to offer than just sauerkraut and pork knuckle. Strongly influenced by migration in recent decades, the German street food scene now boasts an array of delicious dishes.

    Ex-Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel probiert ein Stück Dönerfleisch Foto (detail): picture alliance / abaca | AA/ABACA Foto (detail): picture alliance / abaca | AA/ABACA

  • 9 German sports legends

    From Record to Record

    Whether in downhill skiing, tennis or Formula 1 racing: These sporting legends have set ground-breaking records. They have also won hearts around the world. We introduce you to some of the personalities to whom German sporting history owes great moments.

    Steffi Graf and Boris Becker celebrate their Wimbledon victories in 1989 Photo (detail): © picture alliance / Rauchensteiner | Hans RAUCHENSTEINER Photo (detail): © picture alliance / Rauchensteiner | Hans RAUCHENSTEINER

  • Everyday Life in Germany: Public Transport Edition

    The Germans and Public Transport

    Different countries, different customs. Lena Maurer from South Tyrol talks about her little culture shock moments from everyday life in Germany. This time: Germans and public transport.

    Various photographs on a blue background. Picture 1: Vintage picture of the escalator. Image 2: Bird's eye view of a platform crowded with people. Image 3: A subway sign with the U crossed out. Picture 4: A sign with a subway and several S-Bahn signs and the location 'Jungfernstieg'. Graphic © Lena Maurer Graphic © Lena Maurer

  • Five unusual sports and games in Germany

    Fitness with a difference

    Who is crazy enough to try and catch a ball on a broom? Who voluntarily runs after a plastic disc? The answer: quite a few. They enjoy a sport beyond the football league – on the lawn, under water, in the air.

    People in a swimming pool playing underwater rugby Photo (detail): ©picture alliance / dpa | Lukas Schulze Photo (detail): ©picture alliance / dpa | Lukas Schulze

  • Video Games from Germany

    Typical German?

    Germans like to play games. 53 percent of people over the age of 16 regularly play video games. And with a turnover of almost six billion euros, the gaming industry is now a significant economic factor. But which games come from Germany? And what makes them “typically German”?

    A scene from the game ‘Atlas Fallen’ with a figure in the foreground and a passing caravan in the background. © Deck13 Interactive © Deck13 Interactive

  • Alternative fashion scenes in major German cities

    Styled with pleasure

    Style and fashion awareness in Germany? For a long time, this topic was met with little more than a pitying smile. But the picture has now changed – here are four stylish trends seen in major German cities.

    Black Birkenstocks, yellow socks Photo (detail): © Unsplash No revisions mlpZ452L6Zs Photo (detail): © Unsplash No revisions mlpZ452L6Zs

  • Five inventions from Germany

    Milestones

    Germany, the land of poets and thinkers – and inventors. Many groundbreaking ideas that still shape our everyday lives today come from Germany. Here are five pioneering inventions made in Germany.

    Paraglider in the sunset Photo (detail): © mauritius images / Konstantin Yolshin / Alamy / Alamy Stock Photos Photo (detail): © mauritius images / Konstantin Yolshin / Alamy / Alamy Stock Photos

  • 10 things you should try at Christmas markets

    Year after year

    It's dark when you get up and it's dark when you get home. It's dreary and you need two pairs of socks. Just some of the reasons why many people long for the end of winter. But: it's the only time of year with Christmas markets! You shouldn't miss out on these ten things at one of the 2500 markets in Germany!

    Christmas market in Frankfurt am Main, night scene Photo (Detail): © mauritius images / Michael Abid Photo (Detail): © mauritius images / Michael Abid

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