About me

I’m Kate Katharina Ferguson, an anchor and reporter at Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle and a fiction writer in my spare time.

I have an odd-sounding and duplicitous name because my parents had a disagreement after I was born over which version; the English or the German to call me. So they chose both. People at school used to call me “Kate Squared” but when you think about it, it’s better than “Kate the Square.”

kate-ferguson-presenter-host

I’ve been writing this blog regularly for more than a decade. It details my journey from graduating in the midst of Ireland’s financial crisis to establishing a life in Berlin where I now live with my husband, LSH and our baby daughter, whom I refer to here as “the chicken.”

Many of my posts are devoted to “Frau B”, a dear friend of mine whom I visited every week for many years. I have extremely fond memories of sitting in her nursing home bedroom, drinking coffee and exchanging gossip. Sometimes she’d tell me stories about Berlin as she experienced it: destroyed, divided and reunified. We were nearly 70 years apart but that didn’t stop us from being besties. Sadly she passed away in January of 2018. I think of her every day and our friendship is the inspiration for my first novel, which is being submitted for publication. 

I am always keen to collaborate on interesting projects within journalism and communication more widely. My main skills are in writing, presenting and voiceover work. Please e-mail me at katekatharina-AT-gmail-DOT-com if you would like to work with me. 

If you would like to send me something by post, you can do so at the following address:

Postfach 12 01 32, 10591 Berlin

53 thoughts on “About me”

  2. Hello Sebastian 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by! Did you see I wrote about our drama class here? (it’s called “Drama Queen and the Ghost in the Machine”) it might make you laugh.. hope you’re having a good week, see you next Wednesday!!

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    • Hi Clariice,
      Thank you so much for that link, that was incredibly nice of you! I don’t think I have the experience required for the position but you’ve encouraged me to keep looking so thanks so much for that! Have a nice evening 🙂

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  6. Kate, I read some of your blogs (will return for more later) and you have an innate way of making people smile. I’m typing here with the biggest smile on my face, and a wonderful feeling inside. You have untapped resources you’re just starting to discover. You will bring a lot of happiness to a lot of people.
    robert

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  7. Nice to see you’ve dropped by Kate… I’ll have to return the favor… My mother is from Derry, so we Irish peeps must stand together…wink..wink..

    T.

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  12. Hmmm. Maybe not the best place to leave this but it’s all I see so: Hi Kate! Just finished reading your article in the Irish Times online, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Enthusiasm and ‘lust of life’ bubbled out of it along with a sense of hope. Unfortunately, these have often been lacking in many articles found on the IT website in recent times, where the doom and gloom of austerity seems to pervade each and every sentence. Thankfully, that was not the case with your piece which left me with a feeling of encouragement. Thank you 🙂

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    • Thank you so much for reading and even more for taking the time to comment, taistilaonair! There are too many beautiful things left to become discouraged. I missed seeing the article today as I was in the south of Germany at my aunt’s funeral. We celebrated an incredible, inspiring woman whose death was untimely. Losing hope would not be a fitting tribute to a life so bravely, so honourably lived.After a draining, dignified day, your kind comment brought a smile. Thank you!

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  13. Hi Kate, i just read your article in the IrishTimes. Great article. Well done.
    You clearly have a passion for writhing.
    I just wanted to say that I detected a little bit
    Of defeatism , if that’s the correct word.
    You said you would ‘ TRY to be a journalist’
    And later you said that ‘ the odds , anywhere
    Of making it in journalism are painfully slim’
    Looks like you are throwing in the towel before you even start ! Your are clearly brilliant, a Degree from Trinity, charming personality, Passionate about writhing. You can be a successful journalist if you really decide to.
    Eliminate thoughts of failure, set a CLEAR goal for yourself ( I.e. What paper would you just love to write full-time for) , make a plan and take action on your plan. Act as if you already
    have the job, visualize yourself sitting in the offices. The key is Passion, which you already have, and of course Hard Work.
    Go for it. The goal setting, visualization process will deliver.
    Please come back to Ireland sometime. We need brilliant enthusiastic people like you.

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    • Hello Burkie,
      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely and encouraging comment! It is much appreciated. I hope I did not come across defeatist. I feel so lucky to be where I am now. I suppose that my experience of unemployment after college and a little bit of an insight into the industry has shown me how difficult it can be to make it as a writer, especially of relatively inconsequential themes like mine! But I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have got, and what I really wanted to say was that no matter where I end up, as long as I can still write, even for pleasure, I consider myself so privileged.
      I will definitely come back to Ireland! It is too special a place to leave behind forever. I will bear everything you have said in mind. Thanks so much again! Katekatharina

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  16. So great to see your name at Broadside today…I was (true!) literally thinking of you today and wondering where you’d gone and missing your lively comments. So glad you are working and happy and thriving.

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    • Hi Caitlin, it’s lovely to hear from you! Thanks for taking the time to pop by. I’ve been a little out of touch with blogging lately but have a habit of reading a bunch of your posts in a row; something I enjoy doing very much. I followed you through the storms back in November and as always have found your career tips useful. I feel very lucky to have found a job in Berlin. It’s freelance so the hours are very irregular but I’m doing my best to use my free time wisely. I think in the world of journalism and writing, a little struggle and a dollop of austerity can bring out some of your best work!

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  17. Hi Kate! I just came across your website, really enjoyed reading some of your material, looks like you’re doing really well for yourself, I love to see someone using their talents and doing something cool with their lives. Well done! Bridget Finnegan

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    • Hi Bridget,

      Lovely to hear from you! Thanks so much for popping by 🙂 Think the last time I was talking to you, I was lamenting not knowing where I was going! Not much has changed on that front, but loving Berlin at the moment so all is well! Hope you’re getting on well! Are you back in Dublin or up north?
      Would be great to have a Psychology reunion sometime!

      All the best,

      Kate

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  19. I very much like your blog. I have an English degree, too, and only recently returned to the States after my own soul said, “Travel!” and I ended up in Asia for three years. And the travel bug never leaves… I will have to check out more of your work when I have time!

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    • Hi Jessica, Sorry that I somehow overlooked this! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Think you’re about the travel bug being here to stay! I would absolutely love to go to Asia. My sister’s just back from Japan and is raving about it.

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      • Asia is wonderful. So different but so cool. I visited Tokyo once and loved it. Nice to meet you, and no worries about the late reply. I miss comments all the time!! Haha. 🙂

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  21. Hello, Kate – I was thrilled to find you following my blog today and very happy to find yours. I’m enjoying the read and your creativity. It’s funny, my mother’s family is Irish/German but as far as names went, the Irish won. Thanks again for finding me.

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  24. Congratulations on making the final list of the Blog Awards of Ireland, Diaspora category. I was on the short list too but didn’t cut the mustard! Good luck for 12th October 🙂

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  26. Kate, I love the site. I read your piece in the Irish Times a few months back and when I found out Work are sending me to Berlin for 2 years I looked up that old story and found my way here. I really like your insights on the city. They’ll help a fellow Irish female settle into the city! I would have never guessed there’s a Penny’s in Berlin!keep the posts coming and let me know if you have any tips for a new Berliner!

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    • Hi Carol, Lovely to hear from you and welcome to Berlin! So nice to hear you’re enjoying the posts. If you need any help settling in or feel like meeting up for Kaffee und Kuchen sometime, let me know 🙂

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      • Awh that’s so nice of you. I’m definitely going to take you up on that offer! I don’t start over there until December so I’ll give you a shout when I’m over and we can arrange something!

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  27. Kate,
    I very much like your “about me.” I like the tone and the vibrant personality that shines through, I wish I were as modest. Dublin–shades of Joyce and all the other great Irish writers.
    .

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  29. Hi Kate, thanks for following me on Twitter and liking one of my blog posts. I’m glad you did, as it led me to your blog. Your About Me page made me smile and I’m looking forward to reading more of your writing. 🙂

    The blogosphere is a small world! As I scrolled down to leave a comment here, I saw Caitlin’s comment from Broadside Blog — I’ve been following her excellent blog for a few years. It’s always fun to find mutual blogging friends. 🙂

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    • Hi Grace! Thanks so much for stopping by! I was actually directed to your blog through Caitlin’s. I very much enjoyed your freshly pressed piece. It was beautifully written and I’m really glad all went well with the operation. I’m into languages and linguistics too so I’m equally looking forward to delving into your writing 🙂 Take care and have a great weekend! xx

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  30. Hey Kate. Just learnt from this website that you and Andrew are married! Wow! So just wanted to say congratulations, delighted for you guys. I know I’m late, but it’s still only fashionably so as long as I get it in ahead of the birth of your first child, or so the Victorian etiquette books tell me.

    Anyway, you two have a great intertwined lifetime, ok?

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  31. Hallo Kate,
    I just wanted to write that I saw/ listened to you read at the embassy the week before last and I really enjoyed your words. I thought it a shame you didn’t win. I very much look forward to reading more of your work.
    Best
    Kevin Ryan

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