Magdalena Hoeller

And be aware that your language skills and your surroundings can raise or lower your linguistic power over your partner.

Because if you're conscious that these things are happening for you behind the scenes, you'll realize that these things are also happening for your partner.

And only then you can work on my second recommendation together.

and that is actively build your microculture.

Your microculture is your perfect blend of both your cultures, your habits, your traditions, and your languages.

So build your love language.

Invent new words that don't exist.

Switch between your languages as much as possible.

Define your own humor.

Get your own insider jokes.

Define your own comedic language.

That's the humor that counts.

and work towards an equal power dynamic, give each other chances to grow in each other's languages and countries.

What I want you to take away today is that all these challenges are tricky, but they're also an opportunity to evolve, no matter if it's with an intercultural friend, or at work, or in a romantic relationship.

Love is hard in a second language, but it's definitely worth it.

I'm sure you'll all handle it too.

Thank you.