Erlangen, Germany, ZIP Code: 91056
Last January marked my first-ever flight, and that too an international one, taking me far from the village life I had always known in North Karnataka. Until then, my world had been small and familiar with fields, narrow roads, and a life where routines were shaped by farming and tradition. Sitting inside an aircraft, heading to Germany, everything felt new and uncertain. I wasn’t just travelling to a new place but heading towards a completely new life.
A street in Erlangen
When I arrived in Erlangen, the contrast was immediate. The town was clean, organised and calm, moving to a rhythm I wasn’t used to. There was structure everywhere, right from the streets to daily life, in general. At first, it felt distant. Slowly, it began to feel steady.
Life in Germany
Erlangen moves at a measured pace. People respect schedules, and daily life is planned. I live close to my workplace and often, watch cyclists pass by and notice how carefully life is structured here. On my days off, I explore nearby areas. Although TERN, a platform designed to connect skilled talent with recruiters, prepared me for life in Germany including language training, still learning the finer nuances of the German language and culture became possible after arriving in Erlangen. It took a little time to adjust to a new place, but pleasant environment brought comfort. Here, effort is noticed, and consistency matters.
Life inside a German hospital
I work as a nurse at Klinikum am Europakanal, a university hospital known for its specialised psychiatric and neurological care. The work is demanding, but organised. Nurses are respected and trusted with responsibility. My colleagues have been supportive from the beginning. When I struggle with the language, they help patiently. When I make mistakes, they guide me instead of judging.
Klinkum am Europakanal, Erlangen, Germany
What changed
Living in Germany has given me financial independence and confidence. I am able to support my family and help ensure my younger siblings can continue their education. My work is valued, and I feel respected for my skills.
I still think about my village in Raibag Taluk where life was shaped by limited choices, especially for girls. Today, my days unfold in a quiet German town where systems function, work is respected, and stability is possible. The distance between the two places is vast, but it reminds me how far a life can travel when opportunity finally opens a door.
Laxmi
Getting to know the places around me
In my free time, I explore Erlangen and nearby towns, mostly by walking or short train rides. Germany feels easy to navigate, and each place has its own character with orderly streets, small cafés, and open public spaces. These short trips help me understand the country beyond my workplace. Coming from a village where travel was rare, the simple freedom to move, observe, and return to a stable routine still feels new, and something I don’t take for granted.
Today, I enjoy my life in Erlangen. It is a pleasant town with a historic centre where you can walk around easily and relax in the palace garden near the old castle.
The Regnitz River runs through Erlangen in Bavaria and is an important part of the town’s landscape, with walking and cycling paths along its banks that connect the city to nearby places like Fürth and Nuremberg.
To me, Erlangen feels like a good place to live, work, and grow.
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