Comparing my relocation to the US vs. Germany - Year 7
My seventh year of living in Germany and now in the US were similar yet very different. Being able to reflect on my journey is a gift. I have seen the growth and how much my life has changed in the 22 years since I moved from Nigeria back to Germany and then to the US.
In this blog post, I will share the factors that made my experiences different and the lessons I learned. Check out my other Her Relocation blog posts about my experiences living in Nigeria, Germany, and the US.
Starting a new life
In 2007, I moved to Trier from Saarbrucken, where I lived in Germany for most of my first six years. The move was necessary because I was starting a new course at university. Unfortunately, this meant that I left my sister and social network behind. Looking back, I am very happy that I made the bold move to restart my life in a new city. It was very scary, but I saw the positive results at school. Also, I could visit with my sister and friends on a short train ride.
What did I learn?
It is important to embrace new beginnings even when they are scary
Losing a loved one
Sadly, a few weeks after I moved to Trier, I lost my grandmother. She had been a part of my life growing up in Nigeria. Being so far away in Germany and not being there with my mum and our extended family was tough. Even after over 16 years, I remember the call and where I was in my cold apartment. I am very grateful for my friend who came to my place and ensured I was ok before I went to stay with my sister in Saarbrucken. This was one of the times when Germany felt very far away from Nigeria because I could not be physically present. One thing that comforted me was that we had just seen our grandmother when we returned to Nigeria in the summer of 2006.
What did I learn?
Good friends are there for you in times of need
Deciding to leave Germany
After a few months of living in Trier, I hit a wall and decided that I was done with Germany. Everything in me told me I had tried so much, which would not work. I thought it was time to pick up where I left off in Nigeria before leaving. Shortly before I bought my ticket, I talked with one of our family friends. She took her time to understand why I wanted to go, and I told her I was tired of facing financial challenges. In addition to being a listening ear, she offered to send me 200 Euros for three months to augment the money I made working at Subway. I decided to stay and give it another try. Staying in Germany was the right move for me, and I'm thankful for where I am today.
What did I learn?
Don't give up, and surround yourself with people who will encourage you through difficult times
Working towards my career goals
After I became a mother, I knew that I still wanted to have a successful career. This impacted my decisions about when to return to work and how much time I wanted to invest in work. 2021 was one of the most successful years in my career. I am very proud of everything I accomplished because I did it while caring for a baby. Due to the pandemic, we did not have childcare for our child's first 14 months.
What did I learn?
We have what it takes to thrive in unexpected situations
Reuniting with family
Due to the pandemic, our family did not meet our son in his first year. The first members of our family that he met were my brother-in-law and his family. I still remember how special the moment was when he got to see his uncle and cousins for the first time. Our son is shy when he meets people for the first time. However, he let his uncle carry him. I am getting emotional as I think about how much our lives changed during the pandemic and also having to navigate the times with a baby.
What did I learn?
The bond we have with the people we love is essential
MC's Moment of Reflection
One thing that 2007 and 2021 had was that I was starting new journeys. In 2007, I had just moved to a new city and was attempting to begin studying a new course, while in 2021, I was navigating life being a mom and a professional. Reflecting on my journey reminded me of how far I have come.