Tamara’s Story: I Didn’t Wait for Perfect Conditions to Keep Moving Forward

At the end of 2019, I moved to Germany with my child, who was two years old at the time. I came through family reunification, as my husband is an EU citizen, which made the administrative side of the move somewhat easier.

But getting the paperwork sorted is one thing. Building a life in a new country is something entirely different.

Starting Out in a New Country

When I arrived, I didn’t speak German. Everything was new, from everyday responsibilities to the working system and the way of life. At the beginning of the following year, I managed to find a kindergarten place for my child, and soon after that, I started working.

At the same time, I enrolled in a German language course. Just as I felt that things were beginning to fall into place, the pandemic started. Classes quickly moved online, and balancing work, family responsibilities and language learning became increasingly difficult. After some time, I gave up the course, but I didn’t give up on learning the language. I continued studying German on my own at home, whenever and however much I could.

Your First Job Doesn’t Have to Be Your Last

Over time, I changed my work environment and continued looking for a position that suited me better. I think that is one of the most important things I have learned over the years. The first job you find in a new country does not have to be the job you stay in.

Not every job will be the right fit. Sometimes, it is only after you start working that you understand what suits you, what you would like to change and the direction in which you want to develop your career. What matters is not allowing one difficult experience to convince you that there are no better opportunities ahead.

Recognition of Qualifications and a New Professional Step

A major milestone for me was completing the Anerkennung process, the official recognition of my professional qualifications. This involved six months of combining school with work, followed by an exam. It wasn’t easy, but completing the process opened new doors for my professional development.

Three years later, I took another important step and moved into ambulante Intensivpflege, outpatient intensive care. I also completed an additional qualification in außerklinische Intensivpflege, out-of-hospital intensive care, and found an area of healthcare in which I can truly see myself building my career.

When I look back at where I started and where I am today, I don’t think one big decision made the difference. It was the decision to keep moving forward, even when things didn’t go according to the original plan.

Language Brings Confidence and More Choices

The German language has also played an important role in that journey. The better you speak the language, the more confident and independent you become. It becomes easier to make your own decisions, communicate professionally and choose your next career step.

I first heard about the GlobalTalent24 platform through a friend, and I believe this kind of connection with employers is a great opportunity for people who want to find work in Western European countries and prepare professionally for relocation.

You Don’t Need to Know From Day One Where You’ll End Up

If I could share one thing I have learned with someone preparing to make the same move today, I would tell them not to expect everything to be perfect from the beginning.

Relocation is a process. Building a career is a process. Learning a language is a process.

You don’t need to know from day one exactly where you will end up. You just need to remember why you started and not give up simply because the first plan didn’t work out.