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Portraits of Indians in Germany
 Home Away From Home

Home Away From Home © Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Anupam Arunachalam

Indian presence can be felt throughout Germany — be it the tantalizing scent of Indian cuisine permeating the air or the sight of Indian students making their way to universities. But what draws Indians to Germany, and what keeps them there? In this dossier, we explore personal stories and experiences of Indians living in Germany, including navigating cultural differences and finding success in their careers, revealing the unique challenges and rewards of living as an Indian in Germany.

Karthik Setty and Sreema Nallasivam

Karthik Setty and Sreema Nallasivam in Tyrol © Karthik Setty and Sreema Nallasivam

“We wanted to start with a clean slate and Germany offered us the perfect environment to grow and mature personally and professionally.”

Origin: Bangalore, India
Location in Germany: Düsseldorf
Profession: Karthik – Founder and CEO, Evora IT Solutions GmbH; Sreema – CEO, Business Solution Center, Metro AG

Karthik Setty and Sreema Nallasivam moved to Germany a decade ago with nothing but anxieties about starting out new in an unfamiliar country. Over the years, living in Germany has taught them valuable life skills, over and above a crucial lesson - perseverance pays!
Their Life in Germany

Paushali Lass

Paushali Lass © Paushali Lass

“As I grew older, I realise I miss the culture I come from, food was one of the ways of remaining connected with the culture..”

Age: 46 years
Origin: New Delhi, India
Location in Germany: Düsseldorf
Profession: Culinary and Social Entrepreneur

Paushali Lass wants to bridge the cultural gap between Indian and German societies by introducing Indian food to Germany using her food start-up business. She is also a social entrepreneur and a published author!
Paushali's Life in Germany

Pradnya Bivalkar

Pradnya Bivalkar with her PhD degree from University Tübingen, Germany. © Pradnya Bivalkar

“I’m trying to put myself out there. Intrepidity is a by-product of living in Germany…”

Origin: Pune, India
Location in Germany: Berlin
Profession: Senior Project Manager, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Berlin

From the tranquillity of quaint Tübingen to the high culture of Hamburg and the trendy Berlin, Pradnya has lived across Germany. But it all started with a trip to Munich that she says gave her a weird sense of déjà vu.

Pradnya's Life in Germany

Neelay Mehendale

Neelay Mehendale © Neelay Mehendale

“Berlin is an international city brimming with life, buzzing with energy. A true melting pot…”

Age: 31 years
Origin: Pune, India
Location in Germany: Berlin
Profession: Postdoc Student in Chemical Biology, Berlin

Neelay, a Pune native, visited major European cities while scouting for postdoc research openings.  When he arrived in Berlin, he was immediately in thrall of the city for its international atmosphere, Willkommenskultur, vibrant social life, and well-funded scientific research environment.

Neelay's Life in Germany

Kashmira Wagh

Kashmira Wagh © Kashmira Wagh

“I love my life here and the independence the city offers me."

Age: 37 years
Origin: Pune, India
Location in Germany: Hamburg
Profession: Business Development, AI-Powered Creative with Google

Kashmira is a Pune native who has been living in Germany for over a decade. From studying German in high school to working for Google, Kashmira's story exemplifies a harmonious blend of her Indian roots and adopted country. Hear first-hand about her life in Hamburg, including the challenges she faced, her most shocking moments, and her travel tips.

Kashmira's Life in Germany

Shanmukha Siddaramu

Shanmukha Mangadahalli Siddaramu © Shanmukha Mangadahalli Siddaramu

“I love that German cities are never too far from a hiking trail.”

Age: 29 years
Origin: Bengaluru, India
Location in Germany: Karlsruhe
Profession: Research Assistant at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Shanmukha is a Kanakpura, Bengaluru native who moved to Jena, Germany for his higher studies. A hiking enthusiast, his longing for home persuaded him to explore the captivating wilderness of Germany. He shares how being in nature helped him find a community and cured his homesickness all the while pursuing a tech career in a foreign land.

Shanmukha's Life in Germany

More on Living in Germany

Mein Weg nach Deutschland Foto (Ausschnitt): © Flo Karr / Unsplash

Mein Weg nach Deutschland

The website “Mein Weg nach Deutschland” is designed for prospective migrants who have reached the A1 level of language proficiency, which they need to qualify for a visa, in their home country. It aims to facilitate their transition to Germany.
NoFilter © Getty Images

Germany #Nofilter

The magazine for German learners, German teachers and everyone interested in Germany: Stories about everyday life, career and studies, information about German cities, tips and trends.
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