I moved from the US to Germany 4 years ago. Here are the 7 biggest culture shocks I've experienced.

My husband and I moved to Germany despite never visiting before. Ashley Packard The first time I visited Germany was when I moved here with my husband four years ago. I couldn't believe how easily accessible and convenient the public-transportation system was. I was shocked to find that most stores, including grocers, were closed on Sundays. In July 2022, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of moving to Europe . When my husband and I married in January that year, we didn't opt for the typical wedding registry. Instead, we sold, donated, or tossed almost everything we owned. Even our cars — which we sold two days before we left the US — had to go. We headed to Germany, a country we'd never visited, with just a few suitcases and our two cats. As soon as we arrived, we noticed a lot of cultural differences .