Dear Younger Me,
I know you’re buzzing with excitement, yet your emotions are all over the place right now. The idea of starting over in Germany: A new country, a fresh beginning, a master’s degree at DW Akademie, and the chance to meet people from all over the world. It feels like being part of something major, doesn’t it? And it is.
But if I could sit beside you, just for a moment, I’d tell you a few things I wish I had known before you packed that suitcase.
Let’s talk about that suitcase for a second. I know you’re overthinking what to bring; should you pack more clothes, more beauty products or make room for spices? The truth is, no matter how carefully you pack, there’s no way to take everything. You’ll leave behind more than just belongings. You’re leaving behind familiarity, comfort, and the life you’ve built back home. That’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s okay to feel a little scared.
Starting over is brave. Leaving everything you’ve ever known, a life you worked hard for, people you care about, and a routine that feels comfortable isn’t just about chasing something new. It’s also about letting go, even when you don’t know what’s waiting for you on the other side. You’ll question yourself more than once: Was this the right choice? Was it worth leaving everything behind? But let me tell you this: it will be worth it.
When you step into that classroom at DW Akademie for the first time, surrounded by people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe, you’ll feel it. The excitement of being part of something so much bigger than yourself. You’ll hear stories that expand your world, share laughter that transcends accents, and forge connections that remind you why you took this leap in the first place.
Still, there will be moments when it feels overwhelming. The language, for starters, will be a challenge. You’re used to switching effortlessly between English, pidgin, and Urhobo back home. In Germany, though, the words will feel clunky in your mouth at first. Those der, die, das articles? They’ll make your head spin. And then there’s the formality of it all. Small talk will feel stiff compared to the easy flow of conversations you had back home.
But don’t let that discourage you. You’ll get the hang of it. There will come a day when you find yourself chatting with someone in German… laughing, connecting and you won’t even realize how natural it feels until afterwards.
And about the people. Germans might seem reserved at first, but it’s not coldness; it’s caution. Give it time. When they let you in, you’ll find friendships that are deep and genuine. These will be the people who share your highs and lows, who teach you things about yourself that you didn’t know, and who make this new place feel a little more like home.
Now, let’s talk about homesickness because it’s going to hit you when you least expect it. A smell, a song, a memory; it doesn’t take much to remind you of everything you left behind. You’ll miss the food. (Trust me, you’ll think about Suya, Owho soup more often than you’d like to admit.) You’ll miss the warmth of home, both literal and figurative, especially when winter in Germany feels like it’s trying to freeze your very soul.
But those moments of longing? They’ll remind you of who you are and where you come from. You’ll learn to blend the pieces of home with your new life, finding comfort in little things.
It’s not all going to be easy. There will be days when you feel like an outsider, no matter how much effort you put into adapting. You’ll wonder if you’ll ever truly belong. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to lose yourself to fit in. Integration doesn’t mean erasing who you are; it’s about finding ways to bring your whole self into this new world.
One day, you’ll look back on this journey and see how much you’ve grown. You’ll realize that leaving a comfortable life wasn’t about running away from something; it was about running toward something. Something bigger. Something worth it.
So, pack your suitcase with hope, courage, and maybe a little extra seasoning. Your life is about to change in ways you can’t imagine. And while it won’t always be easy, it will always be worth it.
With love,
My Future Self
