Meet Mackensie and Zach Graham, a couple who grew up in Iowa and ventured overseas to live in Germany. Read what Mackensie loves about Bavaria and what challenges she and Zach have found outside of life in Iowa.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hello! My name’s Mackensie and I grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa, graduated from Drake University in Des Moines in 2012, moved out to Berkeley, CA for a couple years before moving back to Des Moines, and then over here to Germany!
How did you meet Zach? What’s the “love” story between you two?
Zach and I first dated at Cedar Falls High School. We met through Model United Nations and were each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend. He was my first kiss, first love, first adventure partner…and now my last! (Awwww. Yeah.) We broke up in college (growing pains!), kept in touch off and on over the years, and then he invited me to be his date to a military officer’s ball in Vienna. (It was the grandest romantic gesture I’ve ever seen!) He was already stationed over here and we spent a couple weeks traveling together. It’s funny in hindsight, and perhaps a testament to maturity, but the distance between Iowa and Germany was so much greater than it was when we were at different schools, but it was much more manageable. It was worth it and we both knew that. Once you find your person, and if you’re lucky enough to find them again, it’s worth anything. (Moving around the world, distance, whatever that story is.)
Zach proposed in gardens of Nuremberg Castle with the perfect pearl ring, we got married at the gorgeous City Hall in Copenhagen surrounded by friends who came from Budapest, SF, NYC, and Germany, and we recently celebrated our one year anniversary!
What do you both do to make a living?
Zach is an officer in the U.S. Army. I’m currently working as a journalist/editor, yoga and fitness instructor, and child & youth program assistant at a child development center. That was one of the toughest things moving over here. Going from a full-time job (and some part-time jobs on the side!) to incredibly limited opportunities, and nothing in my line of work, was a difficult adjustment. Our base in small, so jobs for non-active duty are incredibly limited, additionally I’m not qualified for jobs in the German economy as I speak menial, passable German at best. (It’s a work in progress.)
What has been the best part about living in Germany?
We live in Bavaria, Germany and couldn’t ask for a more central home base for traveling across Europe. A short list of things I appreciate greatly about Germany:
- Christmas markets. Germans love Christmas and the month leading up to it is filled with wood booths selling unique crafts, local goods, lots of food, and glühwein (a hot red wine).
- The level of conservation and eco-friendly practices—recycling is required—that are a daily part of German life.
- Public transportation is effective, efficient (like most of Germany), and extensive.
- The quality of bier. German beer is regulated in accordance to the 1516 “Reinheitsgebot,” which only allows water, hops, and malt as ingredients.
- It seems like there is a festival (think carnival rides and games with beer tents, etc.) somewhere close by at all times.
- Castles are everywhere. Some are famous like Neuschwanstein and others are uniquely local. In the same line, the history of places and things is so expansive you almost get used to structures that were erected during the rule of the Roman empire or under the direction of medieval era royalty. Of course, important WWII history is a lot more tangible over here as well.
I would also say traveling and living abroad has embedded a deep sense of what it means to be a global citizen. With amazing experiences and mistakes, meeting so many different types of people and seeing different cultures first-hand, you need to be a little humble. Embrace humility and check your expectations. Also, don’t expect everyone to speak English and check your entitlement that comes with being a U.S. citizen. I’ve observed travelers who aren’t respectful of customs, are loud, ostentatious, and rude. From living in Germany one of the best lessons I’ve learned is that to be a great traveler it’s advantageous to take the backseat and let the individuals, whom call that place home, reveal it to you. Try to chameleon as you take it all in and be present with each place.
How many countries have you been to and how many do you want to see?
Let’s see. We got married in Denmark, did an island hopping honeymoon in Greece, and have visited, I think, nine countries in total so far. We want to color in the majority/all of Europe on our map poster and are planning a multi-country trip through Southeast Asia for next spring. (It’s super cute. I got it from Domestica in the East Village!)
Do you think you’ll come back to Iowa?
Consequently, I’ll be back in Des Moines for a public policy internship this summer (The internship—or some job as a worthy substitute—is a requirement for my Master’s in Public Policy program.)
We’re moving back to the states in 2017, but we’re unsure of where we’re being sent at this time.
How do you stay connected to friends & family in Iowa?
With technology this is obviously pretty easy—Instagram, Facebook, Skype, Facebook Messenger, etc. Of course we love it when people come to visit too! One of my best friends is coming for a couple weeks this fall, my brother visited in May, and my brother-in-law was here last December.
I’m pursuing my master’s degree in public policy from the University of Northern Iowa and even though it’s all completed online it’s nice to still be connected to that part of Cedar Falls. The majority of the students are Iowans, so we also have a lot of discussions where Iowa’s politics and policies come into play.
What has been hard about living so far away from your roots?
Really the hardest thing about life in Germany is no quality/cheap Mexican food or baseball games! There’s lots of agriculture in Bavaria, so there’s plenty of Iowa-looking cornfields.
Of course the language is difficult, but you get used to it, even if you cannot speak it fluently. Most people in Europe speak better English than you speak their language, and there’s truly a beauty in communication with people from all walks of life/languages. (It involves a lot of gestures, mispronunciation, smiles, and miming.) Also, I turn red every time I pronounce something wrong…which is a lot!
Any fun stories you’d like to share about life in Europe?
I mean too many to count! I think one of the funnest adventures we’ve been on so far was canyoning and whitewater rafting in Austria. Also, celebrating New Year’s Eve in Prague was quite the experience. From the Charles Bridge you could see fireworks every way you turned. Definitely put it on your travel list!
