From Serbia to Germany: Miljana’s Journey to Becoming an Equal Member of the Team

When I came to Germany in 2017, I was a young nurse looking to take an important step forward, both in my life and in my career. Moving to another country was not simply about changing jobs. For me, it was an opportunity to learn, grow professionally, and build a future in a new environment.

I started preparing for this step while I was still in Serbia. I studied German and passed the B1 language exam, which at the time was one of the requirements for obtaining a visa. I came to Germany through an organized employment program for healthcare professionals and started working soon after my arrival.

However, there was another important step between arriving in Germany and being able to work as a fully recognized nurse. That was the Anerkennung, the official process of having my professional qualifications and diploma recognized in Germany.

While this process was underway, I worked for almost two years as a Helfer, meaning a healthcare assistant. Although I had already completed my nursing education in Serbia, I still had to go through the formal recognition process in Germany. I did not see this as a step backwards. Instead, I saw it as a period in which I could become familiar with the German healthcare system, learn professional terminology in German, and understand how things were done in my new workplace.

Many things pleasantly surprised me. The work was well organized, and adapting to the new system was easier than I had imagined. Most importantly, the people I worked with made a real difference.

From the very beginning, I felt that my colleagues respected what I knew and understood that I was working in a language that was not my mother tongue. They would often speak with admiration about the courage it takes for a young person to leave their home country and start a new life in a completely different environment.

Before moving to Germany, I had often heard that Germans were cold and reserved. My experience was very different. I met people who were willing to explain things, offer support, and help whenever I needed it. Those small, everyday gestures made it much easier for me to feel comfortable and secure in my new surroundings.

Receiving my Anerkennung, the official recognition of my professional qualifications, marked the end of an important chapter. My diploma and qualifications were formally recognized, and I was finally able to work as a fully qualified nurse.

But the most important recognition was not the one written on a piece of paper.

It came through everyday work. It was the moment I became an equal colleague, when my opinion was valued and when I no longer thought of myself as someone who had come from Serbia, but simply as part of the team.

Over time, I began to feel the same way outside of work. I became more confident with the language, everyday life became more familiar, and Germany became a place where I did not simply work, but where I could live, grow, and feel that I belonged.

When I look back on my journey today, I often think about how much easier certain things would have been if I had had a platform like GlobalTalent24 at the time. Having information, support, and opportunities in one place can make a real difference for people who want to build their professional future in Germany. Many of the things I had to discover step by step can be much simpler today.

So, if you are considering a similar journey, make the beginning easier for yourself. Get informed, prepare well, and make use of the opportunities available to you. Register with GlobalTalent24 and take your first step.

I took mine in 2017. Today, I know it was worth it.

Warm greetings from Germany,

Miljana