Life is taking, but also giving, as long as you are honest with yourself

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Dobrinka, or as most know me - Ina. I am 38 years old, Virgo, married with one child aged 4. I love sharing good food in the company of ambitious and successful people, it energizes me.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

I live in Germany, a city with 50,000 inhabitants named Bad Homburg, close to Frankfurt. I ended up here after an irresistibly good job offer and as a logical step for our family development, since both my husband and I were running a business with a main partner in Germany and German-speaking countries.

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

Categorically - the Corona crisis. Literally a month before the announcement of Corona as a dangerous virus and before the adoption of strict measures, we moved into our new home. Knowing that I was only in early pregnancy at that time, our flexibility and adaptation were crucial for making the right decisions on the path of the challenge of life during Corona in a new country without a single friend and far from parents and relatives....

How did you overcome the language barrier (if there was one)?

I didn't have one. My master's degree was entirely in German. My husband also has a German diploma, but in our daily life in Bulgaria, we used a lot of German speech. This facilitated our adaptation.

What resources or networks (local communities, colleagues, organizations) helped you adapt?

Associations, different mutual aid groups (although most were digital in 2020) in social networks like Facebook and Instagram.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

A main difference is mainly found in the lack of  encroachment into personal space in the work environment. There is a certain distance, which in my observations in Bulgaria can quickly shorten to friendly relationships. Here, this is not impossible, but in percentage terms, it is much less common.

What values and practices in the workplace impressed you the most?

Here people are inherently more open  to others, they approach more with manner and respect even towards the cleaner in the office. Although not always are the smiles in the corridors sincere, it is certainly impressive when in Bulgaria the showiness and the struggle of who is more – more – most is expressed in the strictest look you have  😉 Impressive are also  the practices, that you work exactly as much as you are paid....

Have there been situations where cultural differences have hindered you?

I wouldn't say so, there are many different nationalities living here... it is more interesting and curious to get to know them than to be hindered.

How does finding a job differ in your current country compared to your homeland?

Just like at home, here experience is valuable – starting from scratch without experience is quite difficult, but given the populous country and large rich market, alternatives can be found. The obstacles and barriers to finding a job are similar to those in Bulgaria. Especially when it comes to finding the dream job. Otherwise, given the shortage of staff depending on the industry and qualifications, it is easier to find a job than in Bulgaria, although this may often be related to relocating to another city or rethinking initial criteria.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

No, but I submitted documents for German citizenship after I took the exam. I think the desire for integration is fundamental here, to set a good example as a parent and not to stop learning throughout life...

Have you encountered prejudices or obstacles because of your foreign origin?

Rarely, but I can say that mentioning where I was born, I have been accepted more difficultly in a team or I felt skepticism and distrust during conversations ...

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

To think carefully about what price they will pay and whether they are ready to pay it. Ultimately, life is taking, but also giving. However, there is a catch: You must be honest with yourself 😊 Bulgaria is not easy to leave, or at least in our case ...

If you could go back, would you choose the same path?

Yes. Categorically, as I said above, it is important to consider the price.

And not only in this case, I never regret anything in life. It was meant to be, because reason, mind, and heart find harmony.

What do you miss most from your homeland in professional and personal terms?

I am grateful to my mother and father, as well as my brother. They are the reason I can enjoy life, as well as make important categorical decisions without having to regret anything, even if it is with a lesson. Of course, I miss them the most on a personal level. In professional terms, I would say that in our homeland I had no competition and felt truly like a leader – no one could understand exactly what I was doing, this gave me great wings – both financial and personal. Here I am one of many, there are many like me, it was not easy to accept, so I chose the company for me, where I can be visible and valued and in a key position.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

Yes. Of course, I do not rule it out as an option, because Bulgaria is dear to me and always will be. I follow with interest the political and economic situation and hope for a more – reasonable parliament, care for the people, as well as whether there are signs of living and not just surviving. While there is singing and a huge audience for infidelity and bought diamonds and injected silicones, it is not hard to lose the way to the self... and with that to become foolish. Isn't that the goal at the moment?

The problem is not in the answer Yes or No, because what I describe exists all over the world  - I am concerned about the scale of vulgarity  -  if this changes one day and we stimulate more product enterprises to invest in our country, why not return to Bulgaria?

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient are they?

Money is not just a means, they are a barometer for happiness. Without them, there is no life, so their influence  is of great importance. And as for how sufficient they are – I would say, just enough so that you don't have to use the services of quick loan companies ... 😉 (I hope there are no owners of such companies among the readers... 😊