Whom is Claudia lighting her lantern for?

Why did you bring us a lantern?

The candle represents the fire and warmth that live in my heart and the light that I always want to keep burning in my life and in my work with patients. I come from a very warm country – Colombia – with wonderful people. And I want to pass on this warmth here in Germany.

Why did you get the German words „stark“ (strong) and „tapfer“ (brave) tattooed on your arm along with a heart?

I came to Germany from Colombia two years ago, and it wasn’t easy for me. The nursing jobs are different, as is the culture and communication. The Colombian culture is colourful, we speak loudly. But here in Germany it’s very quiet, which was a big adjustment. I’m still learning German, the language is incredibly difficult. I just passed my B2 exam.

When I come home exhausted in the evening, I read my tattoo. It brings back my courage! Even when things get stressful at work, I like to look at it. I miss my mom, my uncle, who is like a second father to me, and my little sister in Colombia, whom I talk to on the phone every day. And my brother and sister, who are studying aviation and biotechnology in Russia. My sister has already visited me, but I haven’t seen my brother in two years. My family is very proud of me!

What are your next steps?

In March 2024 I received my German recognition as a nurse and can now work in nursing full-time and with the same salary than a German nurse. My professional certificate has finally arrived, but I’m still waiting for my visa extension. I would like to continue training to become a clinical instructor and help other foreign nurses settle in Germany. I know I have to keep learning and improving myself, even though patients say I already speak German very well. Funnily enough, they always think I’m from India. I now work in gastroenterology. Ward 9A is great! It’s a large team with a fantastic manager and many international nurses, including those from Albania. I started in geriatrics when my German was still poor. That was nice, too. I always imagined the patients were my own grandmother. She died last year. It was a disaster for me that I wasn’t there. My father called and said, „Grandma’s gone!“ I immediately bought a ticket and flew to Colombia for two weeks.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I meet up with my Colombian friends for ice cream or pizza at Alexanderplatz. There are other Colombians working at DRK Kliniken Berlin. My best friend is on ward 8A in Köpenick, and the third member of my gang is in Westend. If I have a problem, I talk to them, and we have a lot of fun together. There’s also a nice colleague on my ward whose parents are from Morocco. Although she was born here in Germany, she says she understands how foreigners feel. Alexanderplatz is easily accessible from Köpenick, and I feel very relaxed there, especially now that the sun is out. A tip for authentic Colombian food in Berlin is Café Tierra Colombiana in Kreuzberg. There are also many Latino groups on Facebook that host parties. They decorate everything very colourfully, party very loudly, and sell good food. I always go there.

Interview: DRK Kliniken Berlin / Maja Schäfer