Hello! My name is Melody, and I arrived in Germany on February 22, 2026, to do a year of volunteering at a kindergarten in Uetersen.
From the moment I found out that I had been selected for the volunteer program, I had a lot of expectations about what my life here would be like.
On one hand, I had high expectations about public transportation. I had always wanted to travel by train.
I was also excited to change the intense summer of Paraguay for the cold winter of Germany.
But I also had fears and prejudices, mainly about the people.
I had always had the prejudice that people in Germany were quite cold and reserved. I was afraid of getting into a hard situation and not having anyone to help me, or simply not being able to connect with people and not being able to make friends.
When I left the airport, I was greeted by the cold I had been waiting for so long,and I also got on a train for the first time in my life, which was a great experience.
But that was also the moment when my first prejudice began to break. I was welcomed with such warmth, something very comforting and necessary for the emotional moment I was going through.
During my first week, I met many people and I was surprised by their calm and kind spirit.
Yes, at first they may seem serious. But sometimes a simple greeting is enough to realize that most people are receptive and willing to help.
Something that quickly caught my attention was the silence. For example, on public transportation no one speaks loudly, no one talks on the phone, and no one tries to fill the environment with unnecessary conversations.
At first it felt a little strange. In Paraguay, silence often feels uncomfortable. But I understood that here silence does not mean coldness. It means respect for other people’s space. And actually, many times I enjoy that calm and those necessary moments of silence.
I still have a lot to learn about Germany. But for now im happy with everything I have already experienced.
