Where are you from? Please tell us about yourself!
I'm originally from Lagos, Nigeria and I'm currently working in Germany. I moved here last year from Beijing, China where I lived for the last 13 years.
My hobbies include music - I'm a singer-songwriter - and I like watercolor and line painting and sports - I enjoy running and playing badminton. I also really enjoy learning languages. So far, I speak English, Yoruba, and Mandarin (Chinese) fluently and I'm now trying to learn German too.
People told me that learning German would be difficult but since I learnt to write and speak Chinese I didn't think it'd be too challenging for me. But boy was I in for a surprise.
Grammar has always been my weak point in language learning and so it was relatively easy for me to learn Chinese since it doesn't have too much grammar rules and the Chinese script to me was like drawing, which I already liked so that came relatively easily.
German on the other hand has so much grammatical rules which I tried to skim over early on in my learning journey. But now, I realize that those grammar points are essential and also practice is essential.
That is why I joined Deutsch Gym and so far it's been really helping me improve my speaking and putting those grammar points that I learnt previously to good use.
Where in Germany are you working in right now?
Berlin, Germany.
I moved here because it was easy for me to find a job and because I've always lived in big cities so I wanted to also move to one of Germany's big cities.
I also considered moving to Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt because I've heard good things and I know that these cities are also international and that I'd be able to find a good community there.
I was excited to start a new life here, a new job, find new friends and slowly explore the new city and also learn a new language. To be honest, it was difficult not being able to speak the language.
It seems the older one gets, the harder it is to navigate being 'dumb' in a different language. It took a while for me to adjust my mindset and take it on as a fun adventure/challenge.
How were your first 6 months in Berlin? And what do you like about the city? Any favorite spots?
My first 6 months were quite exciting and mostly smooth. My partner at the time was German so I think this helped me a lot. I didn't have to deal with a lot of the bereaucratic things myself. And I was very grateful to have someone to help me with that.
The job search wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I work at a Technical Project Manager in the tech industry and I thought that finding a job in Berlin would be easy.
My job search took about 6 months - I already started searching before moving here. I got only 3 interview invitations during this period despite sending out 100s of resumes. It was a hard time for me, but I eventually found a good job.
I like Cafe Mugrabi near Gorlitzer park and otherwise I've discovered the art of Späti beers/drinks and sitting somewhere outside to enjoy it with friends.
I luckily made a few friends when I arrived in the city. Some, I met at events for BIPOC people and also at sport events. I also have friends here who also moved from Beijing, China so it was good.
I think I am more happy in Berlin now than when I first moved here. I know my way around the city better now. My German is improving so I understand more of what is happening around me. I just need to find a long-term apartment at a good price and I'd be set (I'm currently in a sublet).
How would you compare Berlin to Beijing?
Compared to Beijing, China, I find Berlin to be far more diverse and inclusive. There’s truly a community and space for everyone here, regardless of background or interests.
One of the things I love most about Berlin is the abundance of nature and how easily accessible it is. The city is dotted with parks, and there are lakes everywhere, making it easy to escape into green spaces whenever you need a break from the urban environment. This connection to nature is something I deeply appreciate.
Berlin also has a unique "wild and free" vibe. It’s a place where it feels like anything is possible—you can explore countless opportunities, embrace a wide range of lifestyles, and still find peace and tranquility amidst it all. There's a sense of freedom in the air, whether you're looking for excitement or seeking quiet moments of reflection.
This balance between vibrant energy and calm spaces is what makes Berlin feel so special to me.
You speak highly of Berlin, but many complain about the cost of living. What do you say about that?
The cost of living is generally manageable, especially for rent and food, though it's hard to find places with affordable rents nowadays. Public transport is also quite affordable; my employer pays for my Deutschland ticket so that is a big bonus and dining out can be reasonable depending on location.
I've read that the job market is robust but I also know a lot of people who struggle with finding employment. I'm not sure why that is but I'd recommend to try finding something before quitting your job.
Have you enrolled in a German language course? How comortable are you speaking German in daily life now?
I enrolled in the Volkshochschule (VHS) in my neighborhood, and it has been incredibly helpful in my journey to learn German. The courses provided a lot of structured input, and the supportive environment really helped me solidify the basics of the language. Thanks to the classes, I was able to make significant progress, moving from an A2 to a B1 level.
When it came to using German in daily life, I initially found myself speaking a mix of both German and English. While I made an effort to communicate in German with the locals, I often defaulted to English.
This was partly due to a lack of confidence in my German skills, but also because many locals would switch to English as soon as they realized I wasn't fluent. It made it a bit challenging, as their willingness to speak English didn’t push me to practice as much as I needed to.
However, I’ve come to realize that the only way to truly improve is through persistence. I'm now making a concerted effort to stick to speaking German whenever possible, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Practice and perseverance are key to becoming fluent, and I’m determined to make the most of every opportunity to engage in the language.
How's your experience been with Deutsch Gym?
Deutsch Gym has played a major role in boosting both my confidence and fluency in German. The opportunity to practice regularly with fellow learners and a dedicated German tutor in a supportive, low-pressure environment has made all the difference.
I currently attend classes at least twice a week, though my goal is to increase that to four times a week to accelerate my progress.
What I really appreciate about Deutsch Gym is its focus on practical application and real-life topics. It provides a solid framework for using the language in everyday situations, which I find invaluable.
In contrast to my earlier experiences with language learning, which were heavily focused on passive input—listening and reading—Deutsch Gym emphasizes active practice.
This allows me to actually "output" the language, using what I’ve learned in a meaningful and functional way. It's refreshing to move beyond just absorbing information and start applying it in real-life scenarios, which has been crucial for my language development.
