Brigitte Kiepert

Recent Articles

Detour: Auf Wiedersehen
Detour

Auf Wiedersehen

Brigitte departs Europe with no regrets; she lived her year there to the fullest and returns with a clearer eye and a fuller heart.

Detour: Hot summer nights
Detour

Hot summer nights

An au pair can't be all work and no play. Brigitte samples her fair share of Germany's nightlife and falls in love with fashion, wine and even techno music.

Detour: Summertime, und das Leben ist einfach
Detour

Summertime, und das Leben ist einfach

Summers in Germany are full of life and leisure, good food and drinks, and all in the company of truly wonderful people.

Detour: Handwritten letter is the best tour guide
Detour

Handwritten letter is the best tour guide

A letter from my Great Uncle Fritz sent me on a journey along the Rhine River, deepening my appreciation for family and my German heritage.

Detour: One-hour trips across Europe
Detour

One-hour trips across Europe

What’s the benefit of dealing with another family's dirty laundry (literally) five days a week? Easy: travel. I want to see the world.

Detour: There’s no place like home
Detour

There’s no place like home

After ten months, I am head over heels in love with Germany,but Milwaukee has crept back into my heart and I don’t think it is going anywhere.

Detour: the Weihnachtsmarkt
Detour

the Weihnachtsmarkt

If there was just one thing that I share about my time in Germany, it would have to be the celebration of Christmas. They say it's the most magical time of the year and for Deutschland, it really is.

Detour: Kiss the cook
Detour

Kiss the cook

Key things to remember when preparing Thanksgiving dinner for 23 overseas: stay positive and learn how to make a killer loaf of bread

Detour: how IKEA almost killed me
Detour

how IKEA almost killed me

The first duty as an au pair: furnish the house. All three stories of it, kids in tow. You know how to drive stick, right?

Detour: Stranger in a strange land
Detour

Stranger in a strange land

As exciting as a new life overseas sounds, our au pair quickly realizes that the transition can be difficult.

Detour: American girl in Deutschland
Detour

American girl in Deutschland

Things don't always go according to plan, but sometimes the alternative is rewarding. Introducing Detour, a new column about venturing down the road less traveled.