When we got a chance to sit down with them, they told us about their early years in East Germany and growing up just after the two countries were reunited. They emphasized difficulty in adjusting to the West German mindset, where there were more political freedoms (freedom of speech, expression, etc.) and so many choices of things to buy. Since most of Eastern Germany also no longer had any businesses in the 1990s, as the government was merged with the west, it was difficult finding work at new businesses.
Walking around cities in East Germany, one can still feel the history present itself around every corner. Denkmals (Monuments) are littered throughout cities in Leipzig and Erfurt marking the history of resistance against the lack of political freedom. Many cities also still struggle with issues like homelessness, Arbeitslos (unemployment), and political violence. The two most popular parties across these states are Die Linke and Alternativ für Deutschland, representing the "The Left" and "Alternative for Germany" (Far right) parties respectively.
I don't wish to just paint a bleak picture of this region, there is also a gorgeous emerging art culture and plenty of work available to bioengineers and alternative medicinal practicies, which just so happened to be the professions of my host parents. The best comparison I can give is to the Rustbelt in the United States; states like Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, where a lot of change occured rapidly in the late 19th century and they're now adapting quickly to the modern era.
