My 6 Year Journey in Berlin, Germany
My Life in Berlin: A Journey of Adventure, Mindset, and Growth
Six years ago, on February 21st, 2019, I moved from Dubai to Germany with my spouse and our 3-year-old, completely unaware of what to expect in this new country or its language. But that's who we are—a family that loves adventure and spontaneity. We didn’t do any research when we moved from India to Singapore, then Singapore to Dubai, and again when we packed our bags for Germany. We wanted life to surprise us, and it always did.
I still remember during a job interview, HR asked me, "Why did you choose Germany?" And I replied with a smile, "I didn’t choose Germany, Germany chose me." We were open to anywhere in Europe, but my spouse got a job first, and so Berlin became our new home.
When I first arrived, my German was non-existent. Coming from an IT background, working in data, it took me four months to find a job in Berlin. Those four months were filled with uncertainty but also growth.
The transition was something else. I had always worked in multinational companies and large banks, so stepping into the startup culture of Berlin was both challenging and exciting. But what truly shaped my experience was my mindset and my openness to learn.
I can still recall my first week in Berlin when I needed to visit an office to get a Kita-Gutschein (a daycare voucher) for my son. The advisor didn’t speak English, and I felt lost. I turned to Google Translate, but she told me she didn’t have time for that. In a moment of desperation, I typed out a message asking if someone could help who spoke both German and English. To my surprise, she walked out into the waiting room and found someone who volunteered to assist me. That small moment of kindness reassured me that, despite the language barrier, people here were willing to help.
And this wasn’t a one-time occurrence—I found kindness everywhere, from the Finanzamt (tax office) to the Kindergeld (child benefit) office and even at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office). Every interaction helped me grow a little more comfortable in this new world.
There was also the cultural difference I had to learn quickly. I remember walking with my partner and our 3-year-old around 8:30 p.m. on a weekday in February. People stared at us, and I couldn't figure out why. Later, I realized that at this time, children are usually at home, getting ready for bed. I called my sister, who had been living in Austria for six years, to ask if kids weren’t allowed outside late. She laughed and explained that it’s common for children to have early bedtimes due to school and kindergarten schedules. That was a big adjustment for me, but I embraced it. Within a few weeks, we changed our routines, making sure our son went to bed earlier, and it worked out beautifully.
However, there's one thing I still haven't fully embraced: planning everything down to the last detail. I love spontaneity, leaving room for life’s surprises. We don’t schedule every moment of our lives, and my husband and I don’t even use a shared calendar. We talk, we decide, and we go with the flow. In Berlin, I found it challenging to book coffee dates weeks in advance. I’d often think, "If I want to grab coffee today, why do I have to wait three weeks?" And even after six years, I still prefer to make spontaneous plans, because that’s just how I enjoy life—sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s always an adventure.
When I started looking for a kindergarten for my son, it took me four months to find one. We also moved into an apartment about a month after starting our search. At that time, I didn’t realize how tough it can be to secure a spot in a kindergarten, find an apartment, or get a doctor’s appointment in Berlin.
As I began meeting new people, one topic kept surfacing: how difficult it was to navigate life here without speaking German—whether it was finding kindergartens, apartments, or dealing with bureaucracy. I remember asking someone, "Really? Is it that hard?" She looked at me like I was out of the loop. But honestly, I hadn’t faced those difficulties yet. I had found what I needed, and it didn’t seem impossible.
Then, the pandemic hit. That was a major turning point for me, as it marked the start of my conscious parenting and spiritual journey. Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with people, and I noticed that many had already created this narrative in their minds, based on others’ experiences, that living in Berlin is difficult. But the truth is, most of them weren’t even clear on what they truly wanted.
Sure, Berlin has its challenges, and yes, it can be tough, but I believe that with the right mindset and the ability to prioritize, the journey becomes an adventure, not a struggle.
For me, wherever I go, I carry this belief: “I always meet helpful people.” I trust that the Universe is working for me, and I focus on what’s important in the moment—usually just 3 or 4 things at a time. This mindset has made my experience in Berlin smoother than I could have imagined—from changing jobs to finding schools, kindergartens, and even good neighbors and doctors.
After leaving my full-time job in data, I transitioned into Conscious Parenting, Family & Spiritual Coaching. This new chapter in my life has taught me the power of being present, the energy you carry, and the value of compassion in every interaction.
Even today, with my less-than-perfect German, I handle most things on my own. I never stressed about how my child would learn German—I just trusted the process. Now, he speaks fluent German, and I know it’s because we didn’t make it a big deal.
People often tell me I’m lucky to have had such a positive experience, but I believe it’s less about luck and more about mindset, setting clear priorities, and having the courage to figure things out for yourself.
It’s about walking through life with the energy that the Universe is always working for you.
I belong to this Universe, and I feel at home wherever I go, no matter where I live.
And on a lighter note, my favorite word in German is "Eichhörnchen" (squirrel). It always brings a smile to my face. 😊
