2022 December was a busy month. Because, finally we’ve moved from Germany to the UK.
‘Germany wasn’t good to live?’
It’s good! Many foreigners moved to Germany actually. Whenever I go out, I’ve heard many languages other than German. Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Turkish, Hindi……and of course, some languages I couldn’t recognise.
Germany has a welcoming policy to foreigners, because she wants more skilled workers and talents amid the population ageing problem, and we also got a chance to move too!
The city we lived in Germany is called Düsseldorf, a small city with only 600,000 people living there. Despite of its size, many luxury brands open their shops there, LV, GUCCI, CHANEL……all you can name (and there is always long queue outside!) . Düsseldorf offers a vibrant city life, but not too busy and crowded. We like the pace of life, needless to say, work-Life balance there is perfect as well. We also like to have a pleasant walk along the river.
Our lifestyle in Germany was very simple. Sometimes we go to play badminton and meet some friends, sometimes make a short trip to other European countries, overall not that much entertainment.
‘Um….what to do in this weekend?’
‘Same old same, nothing much.’
So yes, sometimes we got bored.
When you’re living in a country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be facing many restrictions. Although survival is not a problem, when you go to doctor, museum, cinema, or any events, without knowing the language will give you little pressure and headache.
Given that we can’t communicate in the local language, it’s really hard to integrate. Is German difficult to learn? Maybe no, if you’d pay enough effort, and most importantly, the motivation.
Speaking of learning foreign language, I had some experience. For example, before moving to Japan, I’d attended an intensive course before moving to Japan, then pick up the language while working. I really wanted to learn Japanese because I love Japanese food! It’s just that simple! And in Germany? Please allow me to say, it’s a food desert. But if you are a meat lover, you’ll like it probably. I guess, from Japan to Germany, the food, the hospitality level are just too extreme. Okay, let’s put the food issue aside. So what else? What do I like/love about Germany?
I started questioning, ‘why do we have to live in Germany?’
Tell you what, a trial of living in an English-speaking country has been my little wish after I moved out of Hong Kong. And since I married to Curry Boy, it makes way more sense to live in somewhere speaking English!
And at the same time, 2 more reasons to move. First, Curry Boy’s job and career could be better. Second, some of my close friends have been moved to the UK permanently with BNO visa, given the tough situation in Hong Kong. It’s a big nudge to me!
I’m glad, Curry Boy and I are on the same page. So he began job-hunting, and luckily, everything went along the plan. Within 4-5 months, he had some job interviews, got an offer, applied for the visa, and we are now relocated to the UK.
That’s our little story!
Some may say, ‘UK’s weather is not good.’ ‘Transportation there is bad!’ ‘Food? Only fish n chips!’ ‘UK is in recession!’
Maybe all of the above is true(except the fish n chips). We don’t know yet, and we’ll find out soon.
Every country has its own problem, I believe. Somehow we need to compromise, adjust, get used to it, and embrace it.
Let see how this new chapter’ll be written. 😉
