The Portrait of Anastasia

Studying, learning the language and exploring German culture. That is what Anastasia, a 22 years old Russian girl, does for two years now in Münster, Germany.

She studies information systems at the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms Universität) and is finishing her Bachelor at the moment. What is the difference from studying at the Russian universities?: „I think studies here in Germany are much more intensive than in Russia. The level is higher and also the lectures are different. And we have a canteen, that's cool. We don't have one in Russia“.

When you come to a new country, you have to integrate with the people, as well as with the culture of the new country. It’s important to learn the language, because when you are not able to use the country’s language, the integration will be harder, as well as finding friends and understanding the peculiarity of the new culture. Anastasia took part in the language courses and now has level C1. She needed it for her studies, but in addition she likes the German language: „I think, that language is like a feeling and I really like the sound and pronunciation“.

By that it was not that difficult to settle in Germany. „Sure, at the beginning it wasn't easy but fastly Münster became my home. It was my dream to come to Germany and study in Münster“. It is often tough to find native friends. Not rarely people integrate in a community of foreigners from the same country: it’s easier to use their own native language, a feeling of being home, same culture, food etc. But Anastasia's circle of friends is really mixed: „I have German friends, but also Chinese, Latvian and so on“.       

Another point is the perspective, for example foreign students, temporary workers or refugees. Are they able to stay? Can they find a job? What about their families they left at home? In case of Anastasia, she really wants to stay in Germany, not specificly Münster, but Germany. The only necessity is finding a job.

And what about German mentality? Is it different from the Russian one? The young woman has this to say about it: „In my opinion, here in Germany there's more order in general. And of course you have more opportunities, freedom and a better job perspective. A banal example is our semester ticket for bus and train. In Russia things like this doesn't exist. And I think humanity is more present. When you ask somebody for help or you want to talk to somebody, they are more open for this“.

The example of Anastasia shows how integration works for people like her: she studies, has a mixed circle of friends, dances and enjoys the German country. Hopefully she’s not the only example of a success story abroad.

Laura Schlapper

 

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