Five Questions Bonn an ideal place for family and international career

Bonn · In this new GA-English series, we talk to members of Bonn’s rich and engaging international community. Jennifer Stapper has lived in Bonn for some time already, balancing family and an international career. She finds it to be the perfect place for both.

 Jennifer Stapper heads up communications at UN Volunteers.

Jennifer Stapper heads up communications at UN Volunteers.

Part of what makes Bonn so incredibly unique and attractive is its large and engaged international community - of which we are all a part. During our time here, short or long, we are all keen to learn what we can about German culture and habits, and maybe even learn to speak the language - if we can get our tongues around all those syllables. Of course it is more fun to go out and explore with others and many of you have already met up with transplants from your home countries, or made friends with your German neighbors. What’s always amazing is that one can talk to ten different people from ten different countries or backgrounds and their perspectives will always be different.

In this new GA-English series, FIVE QUESTIONS, we hope to give you a little glimpse into our diverse international community. This month, we talk to Jennifer Stapper, who leads communications at UN Volunteers. She has been in that role for the past seven years, before that having worked in communications for Fairtrade International in Bonn. Besides her mother tongue English, she speaks German and French, and is “trying” to learn Spanish. A hobby runner, Stapper recently participated in the Bonn Marathon as part of a relay team, and she runs the Drei Bruckenlauf in Beuel as often as she can.

What brought you to Bonn and how long do you plan to stay here (or how long have you been here already)?

Stapper: As a German/ American couple, and after living in different cities in Europe and the US, my husband and I decided that moving to Bonn would be an ideal place to pursue our international-oriented careers and raise our family. We arrived in Bonn with our two small children in 2000 to start the millennium with a bang!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Stapper: I love to bike, run, and walk in the Kottenforst and along the Rhine. And in the summer you can’t beat sitting along the Rhine in a beer garden looking up at the Siebengebirge.

What part of the lifestyle here has been easiest or most challenging to adapt to?

Stapper: One of the best things about Bonn is that it is an international city without urban sprawl. Commuting from Wachtberg to the Lange Eugen every day is a pleasure (especially on my new e-bike!).

Which season of the year is your favorite in Bonn and why?

Stapper: As soon as we have day-light savings … so I guess that is less of a season and more of a half-year. I grew up in Georgia in the United States - and I need light! Once we hit that turning point where we have day-light even after 6pm, I’m a happy camper – cold, rain, sleet, sun or heat.

What’s your best insider tip for people living in Bonn?

Stapper: Go with the flow.. accept that stores are closed on Sunday and take a walk instead of shopping and you will realize what a real weekend is all about. And why not, try the local traditions too… Karneval, Sankt Martins, Saturday market in Bad Godesberg… and eating cake after that Sunday walk.

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