The Rambling American

A column that confronts everything through an American perspective by Locke McKenzie, an expatriate working as a freelance English teacher in Germany.

The Rambling American: Forgetting America

by Locke McKenzie on January 2, 2009

In a special post-New Year’s installment of “The Rambling American,” Locke McKenzie returns to the U.S. for Christmas, family, and disappointment.

The Rambling American: To Be Young Again

by Locke McKenzie on December 12, 2008

Unable to speak Polish in a room full of Poles, Locke McKenzie finds a three-year-old friend.

The Rambling American: Holiday Comfort Zone

by Locke McKenzie on November 27, 2008

Craving one of America’s great tradition (a.k.a. gorging on turkey), Locke McKenzie copes with celebrating Thanksgiving on a continent where it doesn’t exist.

The Rambling American: The Global Election

by Locke McKenzie on November 14, 2008

The President of the United States is often called the leader of the free world. Locke McKenzie finds that the enthusiasm for Obama’s victory is perhaps greater in the “free world” than it is in America.

The Rambling American: In Defense of the “Nazis”

by Locke McKenzie on October 31, 2008

Locke McKenzie disassociates the link between the Third Reich from modern Germany.

The Rambling American: The English Language Sweatshop

by Locke McKenzie on October 17, 2008

Language isn’t a product, but that fact certainly doesn’t stop people from trying to sell it. Locke McKenzie confronts the subject of “Business English,” a bastardization of language teaching that dodges the political and cultural features of English.

The Rambling American: The Invisible Man

by Locke McKenzie on October 3, 2008

With reverence to Ralph Ellison, Locke McKenzie confronts the dual identity of expats. When you have two nationalities, which one do you call home?

The Rambling American: I Suggest a Riot

by Locke McKenzie on September 19, 2008

Rioting: is it impassioned activism or groupthink-escalated violence? Locke McKenzie notices that Germans like to riot about, well, everything.

The Rambling American: Losing Our Bud

by Locke McKenzie on September 5, 2008

Locke McKenzie relishes in the glory of Budweiser, the great American beer… which is now owned by Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate InBev.

The Rambling American: Why Do We Ramble?

by Locke McKenzie on August 22, 2008

In the tradition of Hank Williams (or the Allman Brothers, depending on who you ask), Locke McKenzie, an expatriate working as a freelance English teacher in Germany, introduces his new column, The Rambling American.