[📨 Cultural Conversation: Welcome]
Hello everyone, and thank you for joining our Cultural Conversation gathering!
I created this meeting with a goal to provide a space where we can make friends and get inspired over meaningful, thoughtful conversations rather than beer and small talk. I’ve always loved learning about new cultures and meeting people from around the world, but I’ve often found that quick, surface-level chats don’t create the lasting bonds or insights I’m looking for.
This meetup isn’t about comparing travel stories or naming national dishes—though don’t worry, we’ll still share those too! It’s about something deeper. It’s about exploring the personal and philosophical layers of ourselves shaped by the cultures we come from—or the cultures we’ve encountered. In this meetup, we invite one another to share experiences, reflections, and stories that have challenged or transformed us.
Living internationally can be exciting and eye-opening, but also alienating at times. Sometimes we focus so much on differences that we forget the wonder of a multicultural environment. The truth is, you don’t have to come from the same culture to share similar values or questions about life. This city gives us the rare gift of discovering surprising similarities among strangers—and that’s what I hope we’ll experience together.
Before we meet, I’d love to give you a quick overview of what to expect. In this letter, you’ll find a few notes to help make the experience smooth and enjoyable, along with the session schedule and a list of guiding questions. Please take a moment to read through everything, and if you have any questions, feel free to message me directly on Meetup :) Thank you for being part of this first step. I hope you’ll leave the meeting with inspiration, insight, and maybe even new friends.
Whether you're new in town or a Berlin local, this is your chance to:
✔️ Make new friends
✔️ Learn about cultures beyond your own (not just German culture!)
✔️ Enjoy thoughtful conversation in a cozy setting
🎯 This week’s topic (August): Perspective on Work and Career
[A Few Important Notes]
1. Please Be On Time
Let’s make the most of our two hours together! Your punctuality helps us stay on track.
If you know in advance that you can’t attend, please update your RSVP by August 8th so someone else can take your spot. Thank you for your consideration!
2. Real Conversations: Be Present & Curious
This meetup is not a debate or a competition—it’s a space for sharing and listening. You don’t have to agree, but please stay open. If something confuses or surprises you, ask gently.
Please come ready to listen deeply, speak honestly, and respond kindly. Curiosity is welcome; judgment is not. If you leave with more questions than answers, you’re on the right track.
3. Respect the Personal & the Diverse
We’ll be discussing personal stories. Please don’t feel pressured and share only what you feel comfortable.
Cultural diversity goes beyond nationality—it includes personality, upbringing, identity, and life experience. Let’s be respectful of each other’s boundaries and values throughout.
[How the Session Will Flow (2 Hours)]
Here’s the structure of our time together:
First 15 minutes – Welcome & Introduction, Icebreaking Session
90 minutes – Guided Group Conversation
15 minutes – Reflection & Closing
⭐✨🌟This Week’s Topic (August 9th): Perspective on Work and Career
‼️Important Note‼️: This is not homework. Please don’t feel pressured to prepare answers for every question listed below. However, I encourage you to read through the list and come up with a couple of answers in mind. You can come with your own questions as well, as this list serves merely as a guide. Since our time is limited, we’ll focus the discussion on the questions that spark responses from the group.
And don’t worry if you don’t have “perfect” or fully formed answers. The conversation itself will give you room to think, discover, and share.
[Level 1 – Playful & Personal Takes]
- What was your dream job as a child, and what does that say about you now?
- What’s the most unusual or unexpected job you’ve ever had—or wanted to have?
- Are there any funny or odd job titles you’ve come across in your language or country?
- What are some popular jobs in your culture, and what does "success" look like? What’s a popular “dream job” in your country that foreigners might find surprising?
- What’s a typical “first job” for people where you’re from, and how did yours go?
- Is there a “lazy day” job you secretly fantasize about (e.g., lighthouse keeper, cat café manager)?
- What’s your favorite way to procrastinate at work—or your ideal "coffee break” ritual?
[Level 2 – Cultural Beliefs & Identity Around Work]
- What does “a good life” mean to you, and what role does work play in that picture?
- How does your culture define “success” in work? Has your own definition changed over time?
- What kinds of jobs are most respected in your society, and what does that say about its values?
- How do people from your culture tend to balance work and rest? Do you feel aligned with that?
- Have you ever felt pressure to choose a “practical” career over a “passion” one, or vice versa?
- Do you believe in the idea of a “calling,” or do you think work is just work? Do you think it’s important to find meaning in your work? Why or why not?
- Have you experienced a work culture clash between your home country and Germany (or another country)? What surprised you? Have you changed? Have you ever felt alienated?
- Do you feel free to dream big about your future, or are there limits you’ve internalized?
- What advice about work or career did you grow up hearing, and how do you relate to it now?
🗓️ August 9, 2025
🕒 15:00
📍 Weinbergspark
👥 Max. 5-6 people
💸 No Fee
Summer is finally here! 🌞 Let’s have a great conversation with drinks on blankets at an outdoor park. We’ll explore a list of fun and thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful chats.
RSVP now to save your spot! ✨🎊
#BerlinMeetup #CulturalExchange #MeaningfulConnections #TalkBeyondSmallTalk #BerlinEvents #NewInBerlin #DeepChats
