In October 2016, she came to Germany with TalentOrange (formerly Capitalent Medical) as one of the program’s first participants from Brazil. Since then, she has been working in the intensive care unit at the “Bürgerhospital” in Frankfurt am Main. In our interview, she explains why she is happier in Germany.
Raquel:
“In October 2021 it’ll be five years that I’ve been living happily here in Germany. That’s insane. At the moment, I honestly can't imagine going back to Brazil, except for vacation. My job at the hospital and my life here with my German husband just make me incredibly happy. We are already planning our future together and would like to have our own family here - with children.
I don’t regret anything.
I still consider myself very lucky and feel grateful for the fact that I was one of the first Brazilians to learn German free of charge with TalentOrange and found a permanent job in Germany with their help.
In the beginning it wasn’t easy to be honest: a completely new and different life without my family or friends. The weather in Germany and the different ways of working compared to Brazil were an enormous change, but you should never give up - because I've learned one thing: in the end it's worth it. At first, you think about leaving everything and going back home, but you have to fight, and you will be rewarded in the end. I don’t regret anything."
"I studied for five years at the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), from 2009-2014. What I enjoyed most was the fact that I was able to study with my friends as well as the practical part at the hospital.
Even then I knew that I would always love working as a nurse. Because I can help other people with my work. To me, it is the nicest feeling to see how a sick patient can go home healthy after our treatment and care. That always makes me feel very proud as well as humble. Most patients show gratitude and respect in return.
Working conditions are not as good in Brazil. That was always reflected in my mood. Despite a five-year degree, I did not feel like the doctors and patients treated me with respect. That is completely different here in Germany. I feel respected here.
I still love Rio de Janeiro, but the quality of life and the safety situation are disastrous.
My friends and family would describe me as a very lovable, kind, and intelligent person. As well as very brave, because I moved to a country on the other side of the world on my own."
"When the intensive German course began, it helped a lot to listen to German music and read German books - or to watch my favorite kid's movies in German. Furthermore, the nice and helpful teachers greatly contributed to my success.
When arriving in Germany, it is best to start speaking the language immediately, regardless of whether you’re making mistakes or not. Practice makes perfect and no one is angry with you if you don't pronounce everything correctly the first time."
"I discovered TalentOrange’s program through a job portal.
The company has helped me a lot. They also took care of everything regarding my entry to Germany.
At first, I was very nervous because everything was new and so different. Sometimes things were really hard because I felt so alone, far from everything I'm used to, and still had a few problems with the language.
After a few months, it was still very difficult and I was about to give up, but my family and friends supported and encouraged me. During this time, TalentOrange also helped me a lot and supported me psychologically."
"In the beginning, communication was very difficult as well as the fact that the scope of activities as a nurse is completely different than in Brazil. Here in Germany, nurses do most of the bureaucratic work and patient care because there are almost no nursing assistants. My colleagues were all very nice and helpful though. At work, I was able to learn and improve my German.
I've become much more independent, both regarding my private and professional life, and I've learned a lot of new things (for example, how to use the ventilator, which they don’t teach us in Brazil).
I found my true love here and got married. I've become a lot more patient and extroverted – I used to be a bit shy. Now it is easier for me to talk to strangers and make new friends. I also learned how to be a better cook.
Many of my friends say that nobody loves their job as much as I do.
I’m still in contact with my family and my closest friends from Brazil. We text a lot on Instagram and WhatsApp. If possible (without Corona), I try to fly to Brazil for several weeks every year. Some of my friends and family from Rio have also visited me here.
Working at the hospital is not for everyone and you don’t choose this job because of the money, but because you love people and enjoy helping them. Being as a nurse is a calling and you have to love it. Many of my friends say that nobody loves their job as much as I do."
Thank you, Raquel!
