Everyday life

You have just arrived?
This is what you should take care of first

Germany is known for its bureaucracy. This means that you will need to complete a lot of forms, especially at the beginning. These processes are complex and also not always easy for Germans, so do not hesitate to ask your mentor for assistance.

The checklist below gives you an overview of the most important things to remember:

• Directly on day 1: Foreigners Authority, Residents’ Registration Office, tax ID
• Get overview plans: hospital plan incl. points of contact, city map, plan for public transport network, get monthly ticket, if necessary
• Get a SIM card for your mobile phone
• Open a bank account
• Insurances: health insurance fund, liability insurance (Note: You often need a liability insurance to enter into a rental agreement.)
• Flat: rental agreement, set up payments from the bank account (direct debit), e.g. for rent/electricity/water/waste collection

Most people are full of anticipation when they arrive in Germany: What expects me in Germany? What will my new colleagues be like?

Your new colleagues give you a warm welcome and the first few days go smoothly. At the beginning, everyone shows themselves at their best. In most cases, however, conflicts emerge after a relatively short period of time. Everyone thought working together would be much easier. The people around you speak way too fast and no one takes time. Bursting into tears is not uncommon.

What’s going wrong? Nothing! This process is completely normal. The first phase of enthusiasm is usually followed by a phase of crisis and disillusion, as shown by the culture shock model*:

After the initial honeymoon phase, the “shock” usually sets it after a short period of time and your stay in Germany seems a lot worse than it is in reality. You are in a crisis and feel like going home again.

Remember: That’s normal, everyone goes through this process.

Don’t give up and don’t lose heart! Get help, for example from a neutral counselling centre, your mentor on the ward or make use of the services offered by learning mentors.

In Germany, there are many counselling centres you can contact if you need help. Below a few examples:

• Welcome to Germany: Information for immigrants
• ”Make it in Germany” is a service by the Federal Government offering a lot of information about living and working in Germany.
• If you have any questions about labour and employment law, you can also contact the counselling centres of the IQ Network.
• The ”Arbeit und Leben” (“Work and Life”) initiative promotes exchange and continuing education.

Ask your mentor about local counselling services. All larger cities also have personal points of contact specialising in immigration counselling.

Some of our hospitals have voluntary learning mentors. They are people who live nearby and know their way around. A mentor can therefore give you many useful tips for your daily life, for example regarding:

• Visits to authorities, registrations, applications with the Residents’ Registration Office
• Legal matters, documents and forms, e.g. when applying for a flat
• Insurance matters
• Family matters, e.g. family reunification
• Kindergarten, childcare, school, sports clubs
• Suitable language courses for family members
• Telephone connection, mobile phone contracts or Internet connection
• Personal matters, health-related matters
• Integration courses, cultural events and leisure activities in your city
• Larger acquisitions, second-hand or at affordable prices, such as furniture, bicycles, etc.

Important: Learning mentors work on a voluntary basis, which means that they have a social commitment and would like to help you become integrated. They offer their services for free. You usually meet once a week, either online or in person, and discuss current topics. You will also often be invited to festivities or events where you will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the German culture. Therefore, we recommend making use of this service even if you would rather use the time to relax or meet people from your home country. It will help you get settled in Germany.