Nikki, 30, Nurse from the Philippines: „I want to become a surgical nurse“

Why did you come to Germany?

In my home country I could not earn enough money to take care of my family. I have to take care of my mother and brother and I send them as much money as I can. Of course I am homesick, it is hard without a family. But I have nice colleagues to talk to when I feel homesick. Especially other colleagues from the Philippines who also work at the DRK Kliniken Berlin. We meet and speak to each other in Tagalog. We cook adobo together, which is a chicken dish with soy sauce, vinegar and garlic. Or nilaga, which is a soup. Familiar food is important to feel comfortable. I would also like to cook for the German colleagues, but our food is too spicy for them. When we have a team excursion and everyone is supposed to bring food, I don’t even know what to bring.

How do you get along with the German language?

Actually, I speak it quite well, but the patients in the operating room at the hospital often still don’t understand me. Mostly it’s little things that I do wrong. For example, I always say „uber“ because the Ü is so difficult for me. But for the Germans it has to be an Ü. Sometimes I don’t understand why it’s so important.

What is your biggest concern right now? What would you need help with?

My apartment is too expensive. The agency I came to Germany with got me the furnished apartment. But it costs 540 Euro a month for rent. A room in a shared flat for 200 or 300 Euro would be better. I earn 1700 Euro net, I send home max. 500 Euro and 540 Euro I pay for the apartment. So I’ve got just 660 Euro to live on. But in Germany everything costs money: the television, the credit card, there are so many costs! Alone, it’s hard for me to find another apartment. Because of work, I just don’t have time. Also no time to start a family of my own.

How was the start in Germany for you?

The DRK Kliniken Berlin supported me with a language course and a course for the knowledge test. Three days a week I went to work, two days to school. I got to know my colleagues at the first team meeting. As a welcome gift, I received a „winter starter package“ from my team: two pairs of socks and a box of tea. That was a nice feeling to receive these small, sweet things. There was also a welcome dinner with the executives. That rather intimidated me, though. My German was less good than it is today, I was very reserved and could hardly talk to the important people.

Who was your contact person?

Ms. Berger from the DRK-Schwesternschaft Berlin by e-mail and my mentor on the team, OR-nurse Carmen. She speaks English, so if I have a problem I can explain it to her in English or German, but mostly she prefers German so I can practice it. I have a hard time explaining a problem in German, though.

How do you like Berlin?

The city is great, but the weather is bad. When I arrived, it was 3 degrees. In the Philippines, it’s 30 degrees. I have to wear so many clothes here! In the Philippines, we always walk around in shorts and T-shirts. Here I’m always cold, even though I wear three jackets on top of each other.

How are you happy with your job situation?

I would like to become an operating room nurse and do on-call duties because then I would earn more money and could send it to my family. I have also told my employer that. But because of my language skills, I’m only allowed to work in the inpatient department for ear, nose and throat medicine. A German colleague was promoted, although she was a very young professional and I have much more experience. That made me sad. It is easier for German colleagues to make a career. Nevertheless, I am very happy at the DRK Kliniken Berlin. I wouldn’t want to switch to another hospital. I’ve settled in here and don’t want to start all over again. But I would like to have a professional perspective.

If you were a hospital boss, what would you do for employees from abroad?

I would put three to four people from one country on the same team. They don’t all work at the same time, but then you would always have at least one other Filipino per shift as a contact person against homesickness. I often feel lonely at work because the others speak German. It is not so easy to make friends. After work, I am too tired to meet new people. I want to go home right away and talk to my family on the phone. But at least I’ve baked cakes with my mentor Carmen three times.

That was fun. Despite all the challenges of leaving home, it was a great decision to go to Germany!