When people ask what it’s like being in a relationship with someone from a completely different background, I usually smile and say, “It’s never boring.” And it’s true. I’m from Germany, my partner is from a small town in Argentina, and somehow, here we are—building a life together in Queenstown, New Zealand. I believe this can only happen here, as, especially Queenstown, is so multicultural. Since living here I have learned so much about different nationalities and their cultural peculiarities and manners.
Me and Carlos grew up worlds apart, literally and culturally. He comes from a tight-knit community where family ties are everything and weekends are filled with asados (Argentinian BBQs) and long conversations over mate. I was raised in Germany, where things are more structured, punctual, and, well, a bit more reserved. It makes for some pretty funny moments—and some great conversations.
One of the things I appreciate most about our relationship is how much we learn from each other. He’s currently trying to learn German, which isn’t an easy task (especially with all the articles and grammar rules). I’ve been studying Spanish, and let’s just say we’ve both learned to laugh at our pronunciation fails. But we’re getting there, and every word brings us a bit closer to understanding each other’s roots.
He introduced me to mate, the traditional Argentine tea. At first, I didn’t quite get the appeal—sharing a drink through a metal straw? But now, it’s a small ritual we often share, and I’ve come to love the taste and the sense of connection that comes with it. And in addition to that, it is also healthy to drink, it has heaps of antioxidants, is a good digestive and has a lot of caffeine which makes it a good substitute to my coffee. Anyways, this is one of many cultural exchanges that have become part of our daily life. And funny enough, since I introduced the mate to my family when they came to visit, they have been starting to drink it at home as well!
What makes our relationship exciting is exactly those differences. We have different ways of expressing emotions, celebrating holidays and so on. But instead of clashing, we’ve learned to meet in the middle. We talk, we listen, and we stay curious about each other’s perspectives.
At the same time, we’ve found strong common ground. We both love the outdoors—hiking, biking, swimming in lakes, and exploring new trails. We enjoy reading, travelling, hitting the gym, and generally trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Those shared passions have become the foundation of our connection.
Being in a cross-cultural relationship isn’t always simple, but it’s deeply rewarding. It’s about growing together, seeing the world through a different lens, and constantly learning—not just about each other, but about yourself too. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In my next block I will share with you my experience that I had in Argentina, my first time travelling to a south American country, and this with the best local tour guide right by my side:)