Jasmin is passionate about the French language and culture. And this led this young German expat to relocate to France in 2017. From being a content writer, she also gives conversation classes to share her cultural knowledge. Jasmin talks to us about her career.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
My name is Jasmin, I'm 29 years old, and I'm from Germany. I currently live in Lyon, where I work as a web editor, German teacher and Youtuber. I'm in love with France, the French language, and everything related to culture and languages in general.
How long have you lived in France? What brought you there?
I moved to France in 2017, but I fell in love with the country in 2014 during my Erasmus in Brest. I liked life in France so much that I decided to do a Franco-German Masters between Freiburg and Lyon. After my first year of Master in Freiburg, I packed my bags to settle in Lyon. After my second year of a Master's degree, I went to Paris: first for an internship, then for my first job. Since August 2020, I have been living in Lyon again, and I have started my own business so that I can work location-free.
You also have a YouTube channel on which you discuss a range of topics such as German culture and cultural differences with France, etc. What were your motivations?
During my Erasmus semester in Brest, I was looking for such channels, and I couldn't find anything! A few years later, I felt like sharing my experiences with other people who might be interested in France. Later, I also started talking about German culture for French people interested in Germany.
In your opinion, what are the most striking differences between Germany and France?
The French know how to enjoy life better than Germans (good food, long summer vacations, snacks and drinks, etc.), and they are more relaxed. I also find French people more individualistic. They do not pay much respect to the rules, and they often go on strikes. But in general, they are very polite and open-minded.
Germans have a greater sense of community, and they respect the rules out of respect for others. However, they are not always polite and can be a bit too direct. Their way of working is more structured and organised than the French. Germans are not fond of debates and strike. They would rather find a compromise than protest in the street.
Did you find it hard to adapt to France? What were the main challenges, and how did you overcome them?
Of course, the language barrier looked harsh in the beginning. During my Erasmus semester, I barely had an A2 level. But when my French improved, my life in France got a lot easier. Sometimes I find it hard to deal with the French customer service. It seems like these people simply don't want to do their job. The French administration is a real pain too, but it's almost the same in Germany, so I'm used to it.
Have you adopted any new habits since you moved to France?
I pay less attention to the rules. For example, I've been crossing red lights, which is absolutely forbidden in Germany! And I am less punctual. I no longer eat between meals except for a quick snack, and I drink black coffee sometimes. I also feel like I have become a little less perfectionist because French people are often less strict with certain things than Germans.
You also give group conversation classes. Is this your main job?
No, I also work in web copywriting and translation and make a living from my YouTube channel. I do a lot of different things because I can't choose and I get bored easily.
Did the pandemic have an impact on your professional activity?
I started my own business amid the Covid crisis because my employment contract was over, and I felt it was the right time for me. I noticed that there wasn't a lot of opportunities in web writing. For the online courses, however, it was a great time to get started, and I have a lot of students.
How is the German labour market currently doing? Are there any opportunities right now for expats?
The German market has taken a hard hit, but I don't feel like there are less job opportunities. Germany has a skills shortage in many fields, so there are many prospects for engineers, nurses, doctors etc. There is also a great startups culture in Germany, especially in the big cities. Most of them have an international reach, so they also hire expats.
Do you have any advice for people who want to move to Germany during or after the crisis?
Health restrictions in Germany are less strict compared to many countries, so you can have a more or less normal life. Try to find a job before moving. Currently, everything is done online, it's pretty normal to look for a job from abroad. Be patient, however. Recruitment in Germany is often quite slow, but it gives you time to prepare well for your arrival.
