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Many members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community will quickly get acquainted and settled in into their new home away from home. For others, it might be their first assignment outside of the United States and they could be uncertain about German customs, traditions and daily rules.
The State of Rheinland-Pfalz is located in the southwestern part of Germany and borders France to the south and Luxembourg and Belgium to the west. The state, one of 16 in total, has about 4.1 million inhabitants and the capital city is Mainz. It is known for its wine growing regions along the Saar, Moselle and Rhine Rivers and the Palatinate Forest with Kaiserslautern right in the heart of it. Welcome to Rheinland-Pfalz!
If things seem a bit confusing at first, rest assured, there are a number of valuable resources to ease your way and later let you explore and venture out on discoveries throughout the region, state or even the Federal Republic.
Welcome to Rheinland-Pfalz! is a program initiated by the state government to let you experience German life from day one. Together with participating villages, it offers information on local events and festivities, where to find shops and restaurants, and activities and clubs to engage in. The program also conducts events and highlights of its own, such as a monthly get-together, a German style “Stammtisch” where Germans and Americans can meet in a casual round near Kaiserslautern/Ramstein, Baumholder and even Spangdahlem. Other activities, such as culinary hikes, a recent German-American student art exhibit and excursions around the state are part of its itinerary. Watch for further details listed on their website and Facebook pages.
Window to Rheinland-Pfalz is a drop-in point with valuable resources about the local area and the state of Rheinland-Pfalz. Located in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center on Ramstein Air Base, the counter offers brochures on an array of topics and the friendly staff is happy to answer any questions you might have.
The German-American Community Office (GACO) just celebrated its 23rd anniversary and serves as a drop-in point for Americans and Germans alike. It has valuable information on topics such as proper trash separation, can assist with translations and can point you in the right direction with a treasure chest full of useful information.
The Atlantic Academy has been in Kaiserslautern since 1996 and is funded by the State of Rheinland-Pfalz. It aims to contribute to the promotion of the transatlantic community of values and provide a forum for discussion. It also offers political education events focused on transatlantic relations and is located in the same building as above mentioned GACO.
The German-American Club offers women and men of various nations to get to know each other and spend valuable time together. It holds an annual Pfennig Bazaar, the largest in the region, every spring and also offers language and cooking courses, trips and other events throughout the year.
The Docu Center in Ramstein has an interesting display on 70 years presence of U.S. Forces which significantly shaped the region. Its four containers are themed as “Infotainer,” “Welcome to the Club,” a place of solitude dedicated to the Flugtag Disaster and there is always a special exhibit.
The Institute for Palatinate History and Ethnology (Institut für pfälzische Geschichte und Volkskunde -IPGV) in Kaiserslautern has records of Palatinates that emigrated to the United States. From the 17th century to the early 20th century about 300,000 people left the region and mainly went to Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. If you have a German sounding last name or hint that you might have roots in the region, check out the institute and try your luck.
Last but not least, keep an eye on our weekly “Unterwegs” and Community Events calendars for exciting local events. Stay tuned for a potpourri of items in our “ABC in KMC” series with a variety of topics regarding culture, history and your local area, as well as little “tidbits” and fun facts on interesting facts concerning Germany and Europe. There are over one hundred different items to choose from. Search “ABC in KMC” on www.kaiserslauternamerican.com.
It is always a great idea to ask co-workers that have been here longer or your local national colleagues for assistance in everyday challenges or advice on German peculiarities. Soon you’ll venture out and explore on your own to make the best out of your time in the amazing state of Rheinland-Pfalz in the heart of Europe.
