“I was happy to step away from a career in Germany,” says expat partner Vanessa Mackert, “but that didn’t mean I had a plan for Romania!”
A step into the unknown
As so many expat partners in our community have also experienced, when Vanessa agreed to relocate, it was very much a step into the unknown. For starters, she knew that she would not be able to transplant her career to Sibiu, a small city in Central Romania. “I’m very grateful for every conversation I had with Ines Ahrens, my Global Connection consultant. She explained clearly the programme of partner support on offer. Together, we came up with some activities that could help me settle, meet people, and give my week a little structure,” says Vanessa.
Finding her voice
“I had been using Duolingo to learn Romanian, but Ines suggested I join an in-person class, which I did – it was a short intensive course for beginners. Most of the students were only in Sibiu for the summer, but it was still a nice way to meet people. It feels great to now understand some basic phrases and have a little more confidence in day-to-day interactions, even if many locals speak English.”
Turning interests into action
“I wasn’t sure what else I could do to build up my weekly schedule in the absence of work. But the conversations with Ines encouraged me to follow some of my interests and find a volunteering role,” says Vanessa, a dog lover with a background in marketing. “I discovered a pet rescue mission run by a German foundation that’s a perfect fit. I’ve been helping them to create reels and videos for Instagram and TikTok. It’s been a really positive experience, which has given me a chance to learn some new skills.”
Building momentum
“Without Ines’ guidance, I would have perhaps been frustrated with too many ideas in my head and no clear direction. Learning Romanian and volunteering gave me momentum. Now I’m preparing to study a master’s in Business Psychology,” Vanessa explains. “At first, I wasn’t sure what I would do in Sibiu, and so I felt some uncertainty about my professional development. But now I have a study plan and I have found some other fulfilling activities. So yes, moving to Sibiu was definitely a step into the unknown – but I’m so glad I took it.”
Photos: Vanessa Mackert
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