Social Scene: Germany

Making friends is one of the best ways to feel at home abroad. We've compiled some advice for expats in Germany who are looking to expand their social circles.

In the Frankfurt area, the American Women's Club of the Taunus welcomes women of all nationalities and The British Club of the Taunus is a social network for expats of all ages, genders and nationalities. Frankfurt Hash House Harriers, who describe themselves as a "drinking club with a running problem", is always lots of fun. Also, check out the Frankfurt Expat Website for information on expat life in Frankfurt.

For expats in Hamburg, click over to Hamburg English Pages to learn about events in the Hamburg area. Businesspeople may be interested in Hamburg Network. The British Club Hamburg has monthly meetings and lots of social events. For English-speaking women, the The American Women's Club of Hamburg is another option. Of course, Hamburg's Hash House Harriers Club is another great club.

"Newcomers to Cologne will probably find the easiest way to make friends is to attend some sort of course at the Volkshochschule (adult education) located near Neumarkt," suggests one ExpatExchange.com member. "The announcement boards at the university (located at Albertus-Magnus-Platz) are a good place to put up notices for Stammtische (regular meetings in pubs and cafes)." Expat clubs include the American Women's Club of Cologne and the Angloclub of Cologne. Feeling homesick in Cologne? Take in an English-language film at the Metropolis or check out a few English books at the main library.

Living in Berlin? If you have kids, the English Football Club Berlin is a wonderful youth football (U.S. soccer) club in the Berlin-Zehlendorf area. Berlin Hash House Harriers is another of the beloved Hash House Harriers running/drinking clubs. Connect is an international social club that meets every week in a pub or beergarten for casual conversation in English. The Berlin Dining Club is a relaxed group for young native English speakers who live in Berlin and enjoy exploring the many great restaurants in Berlin. For women, there are the The Berlin International Women's Club and the American Women's Club.

If you're living in Munich, check out Toytownmunich.com a site for English-speaking expats in Munich. The International Women's Club of Munich and The Ladies International Association of Munich are social groups for expat women. Munich Hash House Harriers have the perfect city for their drinking and running festivities! Don't miss The English Comedy Club, which holds events on the first Sunday of each month at Substanz Live Club & Bar

Have you landed in Heidelberg? If you visit bars, cafes and clubs in Heidelberg, you're bound to run into other expats. The German American Institute (DAI) hosts events, has an extensive library and is a great meeting place for English speakers. Heidelberg International Wandering Club is a large club that hosts non-competitive walking events -- very popular in Germany. Other athletic clubs include the Heidelberg International Ski Club and the Heidelberg Sea Lions youth swim league.

Expats in Dusseldorf may be interested in the American Women's Club of Dusseldorf or the British Women's Club of Dusseldorf. The The International Library is a tremendous resource for expats in Dusseldorf. In addition to lending English books, DVDs and videos to members (nominal yearly membership fee), the library hosts events and lectures that cater to English speakers. And, of course, the Dusseldorf Hash House Harriers is a fun club for expats in Dusseldorf.

Settling in Stuttgart? The Metropolitan Club Stuttgart is an international club that hosts social, cultural and educational activities. The German-American Women's Club helps German and American women mix and share their cultures. And, the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft enables German-British exchange on a social, political and business level.

Tuebingen bound? Visit the The German-American Institute Tuebingen (DAI) offers lectures, concerts, discussion tables, workshops and much more. One member also recommended German courses at the VHS or university, which are tandem programs that German students use to get to know native speakers and exchange conversation.

New to Nuernberg? The International Women's Group in Herzogenaurach (serving Nuernberg, Herzogenaurach, Erlangen...) is a great place for expat women to start. They host numerous get togethers each month - a running club, painting workshop, bunco game night, children's story times, kid's days, wine tasting tours, shopping excursions and much more. The German-American Women's Club Nuernberg-Furth helps German and American women to experience their respective cultures.

If you live elsewhere in Germany, visit our Germany discussion forum and ask other members in Germany to recommend clubs and organizations to join. Also, we encourage clubs to list themselves in our Clubs & Organization section to help newcomers learn more about them.