When I first reached Germany two years ago, backpack full, stomach full of butterflies and excited grin for the new beginnings, I thought I was fully ready. I had done my research, watched countless YouTube videos on German student life, read blogs about life in Europe and memorized basic phrases like “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” and “Ein Bier, bitte.” I thought I knew what to expect. I didn’t.
First lesson: German bureaucracy is an extreme sport. Every document needs another document. Every office appointment takes weeks. My first trip to register my residence took three attempts because I didn’t bring the exact right Stempel (stamp). And a pro tip: always get all your papers.
Second lesson: winter hits differently here. Coming from Karachi, where “winter” means wearing a light sweater once in December, the endless grey skies and biting cold of Berlin felt like stepping into Game of Thrones. The sun sets at 4 p.m., and you suddenly understand why Germans love their Glühwein.
But for every challenge, there has been something rewarding to me. University life here is independent and refreshing. Professors treat you like an adult, and you can debate your ideas, agree or disagree with them or even skip their classes sometimes (dont do it too much, though). I’ve met people from all around the world: Italians, Iranians, Brazilians and yeah, a few Pakistanis as well. We got the opportunity to bond over late-night study sessions and complaints about the Mensa food.
And then there’s the simple joy of exploring. Taking a €9 train ticket and ending up in some medieval town with cobbled streets and fairy-tale castles. Learning to bike everywhere, even in the rain. Tasting German bread.
And, of course, I miss home-cooked food, my mom’s cooking, the noise and colour of Karachi city and the random late-night teas with my friends at a Dhaba. With all of this, the awkwardness when someone asks me, “Where are you from?” leaves me a little self-conscious.
But to sum it up, the journey has been adventurous. Tough sometimes and gets lonely occasionally, but full of growth and potential for exploration. You learn to figure things out yourself: bank accounts, grocery shopping, cooking, navigating time between studying and part-time jobs and a lot more.
One day, when this degree is done, I’ll head back or maybe stay on. But for now? This Pakistani kid is surviving and thriving in Germany.