Siwar Ben Nasr - Training in nursing care

My way to Saxony

I am Siwar Ben Nasr, 25 years old and I come from Tunisia. I graduated from high school in 2018, then I studied science at university for three years and became a teacher.

In 2021, I decided to learn German and started studying. At the same time, I was active in a volunteer association where we helped people who are either poor or disabled. In October 2022, I received my B2 certificate from the Goethe-Institut and then gained work experience in a German-speaking call center.

I have wanted to travel to Europe and study abroad since I was a child. I realized that training in Germany is good for me. I can learn and work during my training. I am particularly interested in nursing in general and dealing with people.

My mother tongue is Arabic, I speak French as a second foreign language, German and a little English.

Why I chose Saxony

My initial expectations were that I would be able to visit new cities in my free time and at weekends, make lots of new friends and experience German culture. There are many beautiful cities in Saxony and Germany, and the short distances to airports make it easy to travel.

I live in Saxony, in Mittweida. I work there and also have to go to school in Chemnitz, so I travel between Mittweida and Chemnitz.

I came to Germany to train as a nurse. A cousin of mine was at the same school in Chemnitz and helped me by putting me in touch with the school management. That's how I came to Saxony. I already had two other places - in Bavaria and Frankfurt, but I chose Saxony because two friends of mine live here. And I was always convinced that friends make life easier.

We meet up regularly, we go out, take walks, eat together, we enjoy our time together. It's nice to have friends who always think positively, who have a solution for every problem and don't shy away from challenges.

My tips: Learn German, make contacts and discover new things

I have a good level of German. I often get the comment: "Wow, you speak German well after only 1.5 years!" I always try to learn new words because the colloquial language is very different to what you learn in class. For me, language is the first step towards integration. I've also always been nice and friendly to my colleagues. If there was a problem or a misunderstanding, I always tried to talk to them.

Of course, there are people everywhere with whom you don't get on so well. But I'm generally not a person who causes problems. I've always tried to make good use of my free time. Even if there are sometimes days when you don't feel like doing anything.

I'm good with people. There are good and bad people everywhere. And what I've learned particularly well: I don't take things personally. I had heard a lot about racism in Saxony before I came here. But I didn't experience what I had heard about myself. Don't worry about what others think about you when you know who you are. You're here to achieve your goals. If someone looks at you, don't immediately take it as racism, there are people who just like to observe.

There are many beautiful places in Saxony. Try to discover something new every time. Try to always learn new things and especially use and improve your German language.