Integrating the Germans

With German immigrants now constituting the largest minority in Austria as of 2010, the city of Vienna has decided to take action. The Municipal Department for Integration and Diversity and representatives from the German community now offer "information modules" every quarter at the Expat-Center to help Germans better prepare for life in the city. Until now this was offered to Turks, Bosnians and other non-German-speaking groups.

Topics within this self-help group concentrate on the subtle differences between Germans and Austrians, most of all the great divide of a common language. For dealing with natives sensitive to the disparity of power and prestige between their two nations, modesty is the watchword. "Above all, avoid coming off as arrogant," as one participant puts it.