Between career and culture: how I discovered Saxony for myself

My way to Saxony

Hello, my name is Fatema Darbar and I am originally from India. I moved to Germany almost ten years ago, first lived in Düsseldorf for a year and then settled in Dresden, where I have been living ever since. I speak Urdu, Hindi, English and German. I can also read and write Arabic, but cannot speak it fluently.

My professional background is in business administration. I studied in India and completed a semester of International Business at TU Freiberg before finding a job in Dresden. I came to Germany on a spouse visa with my husband. The decision was originally based on his professional career, but I was also excited by the idea of getting to know life in another country and another culture.

Why I chose Saxony

Saxony became our home through my husband's visa, but I quickly fell in love with Dresden's history, culture and strong sense of identity. The city has a unique character that I find very inspiring. Initially, I expected Saxony to be more international. However, when I arrived in Dresden, I felt like I was one of the few people with a non-European background. Although I met many curious and open-minded locals, there was a lack of international communities and networking opportunities, which made integration difficult at first.

I run my own business, InterLokal Social Hub. As part of my job, I organize events and workshops and help new employees find their feet and settle in. The most rewarding aspect of international work for me is seeing how an idea can become a support system for others. What started as helping myself to settle in Germany has developed into a community where people meet, contribute and support each other. It's inspiring to see how a small initiative can trigger a wave of social change.

My tip: learn German, be open and network actively

The first step of my integration was learning German, which has significantly improved my daily life and my contacts. I also started organizing events and meetings, initially to help people learn German. This later developed into a full company. Today, InterLokal offers workshops on topics such as finance, career development, international topics such as astrology, as well as an international book club and hiking trips.

Keep an open mind. Saxony has a rich culture, and understanding it helps with integration. Learn the language. Even a basic knowledge of German makes life and work easier. Network actively - making connections outside your own community helps to build a support network and find new opportunities.

Entering a new country can be overwhelming and challenges are inevitable. But it's important to be proactive, learn the language, get involved and step out of your comfort zone. You can't always change the environment, but you can change how you deal with it. When you take the first steps, you experience that society gives back in unexpected ways. I have experienced this personally. It has shaped my path and the community I have built through InterLokal.