Introduction to Germany and German culture - Story of Amani and Maher

We´ve been in Germany for 4 months and one day, our friends, Safa and Mohammad (They work for HaDeWe that hosted Teachsurfing for the event.) told us about an event where teaches us how to live in Germany. So we came and it turned out to be a very useful one with a lot of necessary informations for us. We learnt many things, history of Germany, different public transport systems or how to go to the places using Google Maps. Ruhezeit law was very interesting. We didn´t know we can´t make noises on Sundays, not even the children.

Adnan has been living in Germany for 10 years and he knows literally everything and gave us many tips to save money. Recycling and returning the glass bottles is interesting. He taught us how to save energy too. The room gets warmer faster by opening the window to let cold and humid air in first. Then close the doors to keep the warmth inside. (It´s amazing that they remember so much details!)

We thought a lot of people would be there and didn´t invite another friends of ours. All the information we learnt was very important and other Syrian refugees should come if the event will be held again. But next time, maybe some break would be nice. Then we could have some time to speak to another participants to create more network among us. Also it´d be great if we could have the print-outs information. It was just massive amount to remember and process for one day.

For the next event, we´d like to know about the university system in Germany and to know the possibility for us to apply since we had to leave the university in Syria. It´d be great if we could continue studying here. We also worry about the child care. Can our children have any arabic classes as the second language? How is the life for families in Germany? Then the last, we like to know about the work situation in Germany and how to apply for jobs.

Living in Germany event was very inspiring for us and gave us the ideas what we could do for Syrian refugees.

- Amani : I´ve been a member of CRS (Children Right Society) in Damascus and I can offer workshops for the children and the parents through games and groups exercises. Also as I was studying studied IT and I have been teaching IT back home, I can give MS Office workshops for teenagers.

- Maher : I am a Graphic Designer and I can give a photoshop and illustrator workshops.