Get Local! Hamburg - Softcover

Foreign Divas big night as they launch Get local! Hamburg /// By Christoph Jehlicka /// Hamburg residents often regard their city as one of Germanys most international centres. However, most of them are probably not aware of the fact that English-speaking newcomers to the city who do not speak German had, up until now, many problems when settling in Hamburg and trying to get the necessary information in their native language. Facing exactly these problems when they arrived here in 2005, Liezel Strauss from South Africa and Jenny Borges from Australia decided to help themselves and others who are in a similar situation. They founded the company Foreign Divas and compiled Get local! Hamburg, a city guide that is completely written in English and covers almost any information a new resident could desire. (For further information see our interview with the Foreign Divas) On Tuesday, February 20, they presented the result of their work to the press, their business partners, supporters, friends and families. The CEO of VVA Kommunikation and publisher of Get local! , Dr. Christian Juergens, congratulated the two women and praised them for their imagination, passion and professionalism. Others attending of the book launch welcomed the idea of introducing an English language alternative to German guides. A British expatriate who has been living in Hamburg for about one year now called the book the icing on the cake to a brilliant city and hopes that with the new book he will be able to make even more of living in the city. The Foreign Divas said that it is a great feeling to finally hold in their hands the finished book. Moreover, they expressed their gratitude for the motivation and support they had received from their publishing house, families and friends. For the future, the Divas plan to produce further Get local! guides for other cities. A Berlin edition is already in the making and will probably appear before the end of the year. (The Hamburg Express, 26.02.2007)

The Hamburg Express: Your book will appear on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. How do you feel about your first book launch? Foreign Divas: We are very happy and excited. It took us nine months from beginning to end, so it is almost like having a baby! Completing the book was a lot of work. Other city guides are often put together by a team of around 40 people, we did all the research, advertising and most of the project management ourselves! The Hamburg Express: How did the idea come about? Foreign Divas: When we moved to Hamburg, not speaking the language the basic day-to-day activities became quite a challenge! We searched for English guides to help us settle in and find our feet. To our surprise there was no publication to assist foreign newcomers. The idea was born! Although most Hamburg people believe that their fellow residents are able to speak English, we had a different experience; most people here are quite shy about speaking English. The Hamburg Express: What can we find in the book? Foreign Divas: Our guide is a well-designed, fun and informative guide with all the information a new resident needs. Everything from dealing with red tape, finding English doctors, schools, setting up your electricity to shopping, clubbing, pets, sight-seeing and everything in between! The Hamburg Express: I guess Hamburg s English community is looking forward to reading your book. Where will they be able to purchase it? Foreign Divas: The book will be available at about 390 shops throughout the city, among others at Thalia bookshops, the main train stations (Hauptbahnhof, Dammtor and Altona) and online at Amazon. For more information go to www.getlocal.eu.com. The Hamburg Express: We have heard that you are recruiting new staff. Are you planning to expand your business? Foreign Divas: The Foreign Divas will remain the two of us. We have an incredible connection, with complementing skills. However it is true that we are planning to publish our second get local! guid (Hamburg Express, 14.2.2007)

Are you new in Hamburg? Trying to find your feet? You need to get local! get local!, written by two English speaking foreigners is a fun and informative guide which contains all the information you need when moving to Hamburg. It will take you beyond the travel guides by helping you settle in Hamburg while putting a smile on your face! A partner to help you discover and be part of this vibrant, modern city with a rich and traditional heritage. Inside you will find: Things to know before you go / How to obtain insurance and medical assistance / Dealing with German red tape bureaucracy / Schools and education facilities / Setting up your electricity, Internet, banking and other services / Hot nightlife, bars, and dining / Where to shop til you drop / A huge array of entertainment for adults and kids / Sightseeing, day trips and leisure sports / Helpful websites / Much more / Don't get lost, get local!