A NEW CHAPTER IN A NEW COUNTRY
Moving to a new country is not just about changing where you live. It means starting over in many ways. When I arrived in Germany, I understood very quickly that adapting to a different culture would be one of the biggest challenges in my life.
THE NEW BEGINNING
The first weeks were exciting but also overwhelming. Everything felt new. The language sounded unfamiliar. The way people communicated was different. Even daily routines felt strange at first. I realised that integration would not happen on its own. It needed effort, patience, and an open mind.
I did not want to stay only with what was comfortable and familiar.
STEP BY STEP LEARNING
One of my first priorities was learning German. As soon as I became an OVGU student, I enrolled in a language course. I knew that without the language, everything would be harder. Simple tasks, conversations, and building real connections would always feel limited.
The beginning was not easy. German grammar can be complicated, and pronunciation takes practice. There were moments when I felt frustrated because I could not say what I really wanted to say. Sometimes I had the thoughts in my head but not the words to express them.
But every lesson helped me feel more independent. I am currently studying for the A2 level, and this means a lot to me. It is not only about passing an exam. It shows my commitment and my desire to belong.
Step by step, I can participate more in conversations and understand more of what happens around me.
THE SUPPORT THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE
A very important part of my journey has been my colleagues. From the first days, they made a real difference in how I experienced this new country.
They helped me learn new words during work. They corrected my pronunciation in a respectful way. When I did not understand something, they explained it again. Sometimes they spoke more slowly or wrote things down for me so I could remember them later.
What I appreciate most is that they never made me feel like an outsider. Even when my German was still basic, they included me in conversations and meetings.
Because of them, my workplace became more than just a job. It became a place where I felt supported, accepted, and motivated to grow. Their kindness showed me that integration is not something you do alone. It is something you build together with others.
STUDYING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER
But during this journey I was not alone, I always worked closely with Satanika (NEPIT DC04) which was in the exact same situation as me. Because we shared the same challenges, we understood each other very well.
We often studied together after work. We practiced vocabulary, reviewed grammar from our courses, and helped each other prepare for exams. If one of us did not understand a rule or a word, we explained it in simple terms until it was clear.
Studying together made everything easier. It was less stressful, more motivating, and it gave me the feeling that I was not going through this experience alone.
