The writer on a weekend trip to Rostock, a charming Baltic Sea city – one of many beautiful discoveries during her time living in Germany. — WEE LI FOONG
During my younger days, I was enthralled by stories of the British Royal Family, the hustle and bustle of London’s red buses, captivated by Big Ben and the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, the colourful sights and sounds of Broadway musicals, and the excitement of sitting down to savour English breakfast and sweet scones.
Something was certainly brewing in me. I have always been inspired to live, work, and travel in Europe – whatever that meant at the time was still unclear.
It’s now been almost a decade since I’ve been based here in Germany.
A dream remains a dream if one does not act upon it. Talking about it helps sometimes, but more importantly, it’s about doing something. Opportunities come and go, and it’s hard to say when the right time is. One can always say that there is either no time, or no money – or both.
After many years of working in Malaysia, I decided to take a career break and do something completely different – enrolling in intensive German language courses in Germany.
I have to thank my parents not just for believing in me, but for supporting me from behind the scenes and helping turn a dream into reality. When a child with a stable career decides to embark on a completely different path, it is not surprising that parents may be doubtful.
But my mum, being a teacher, has always encouraged learning and convinced dad that the idea was not so bad after all.
Even if it meant attending language classes and returning home without a job, it was still learning – and learning is never wasted. After all, an extra language may not guarantee success, but it is a valuable stepping stone. It builds a solid foundation not only for career opportunities, but also for appreciating the beauty of one’s surroundings and living freely without language barriers.
Learning a new language can open doors to more opportunities than one can imagine.
Today, I am a finance professional living and working in Germany with a career that has nothing to do with engineering at all, as one might assume.
My proficiency in the language has improved over time. It is not perfect, but it’s good enough to live and work in a German-speaking environment, get around, integrate, and feel connected.
Before coming here, I didn’t know anyone who could share exactly how daily life is like or what to expect compared to the working culture in Malaysia.
Only after making the leap did my circle of friends grow. One would be greatly surprised how large the Malaysian network in Germany is. It’s incredible.
One cannot stress more that this country is not just about engineering. There is so much more to discover in the Land of Ideas.
Every journey is personal, and it’s true: living abroad may not be for everyone. I am blessed and thankful to have met – and to know – all the people I know today. And of course, I’m deeply grateful to my husband for his love and support every single day.
Sending over 300 job applications and receiving continuous rejections is a painful experience. It is just one of many challenges alongside the infamous bureaucracy.
I have met many expats with their own stories. Some make it and stay. Some come to study (as tuition fees are free), stay for a while or longer, or may even leave. Some make it their permanent home.
For every story shared, I am grateful to bring my own to the picnic table. You are never alone.
Germany is unique as the country is centrally based in Europe and shares its borders with nine countries, making travel opportunities more attractive.
London and the UK are now closer than ever – just a few trains or a short flight away.
The motivation to travel lives on and beats in my heart every single day. It’s not just the streets of London or visits to University towns in UK – there’s a whole continent waiting.
From art to architecture, music, festivals, green spaces, stunning landscapes, and rich history with castles and Unesco heritage sites – if I had the energy, I’d be out exploring every weekend.
Living abroad, of course, means being far from family back home. With today’s technology, it is amazing how we can stay connected “live” and I still chuckle about the fact that I am able to help my parents order deliveries online despite the physical distance and time zone.
Whenever the opportunity arises (yearly, if possible), it’s time to get on a plane and Balik Kampung and spend precious time with parents, family, and friends.
