From Bosnia and Herzegovina to Munich: Sanja Kitic’s journey to a new home

The new discussion series involves international skilled workers providing insights into their professional and personal experiences. They recall what it was like to establish themselves in Germany and share some useful tips and practical advice for integration. 

This time we are talking to Sanja Kitic. The Bosnian woman came to Munich in search of a secure personal and professional future. She is now the deputy nursing manager of a municipal care service provider. 

Why Munich was the right place for Sanja Kitic

“When I was very young, there was a war in my country. This is why I knew even at a young age that one day I would emigrate,” says Sanja Kitic. She was born in Bosnia and wanted to move to a politically stable place where she could find a job and start a family.  

Her grandparents were already living in Germany and their experiences there had been positive, so she soon knew where she would like to live in the future. In 2015, she came to Munich on her own. She had to leave her husband behind, who was able to follow her 17 months later in the context of a family reunion.  

When asked why she chose this particular place, she says: “I really wanted to come here. Munich is a city, but it also feels like a large village. You have everything you need and yet nature is never far away. It also isn’t too far from my home country,” says Sanja, who fell in love with the city on the river Isar immediately.  

Working in Germany: joining the care industry

Thanks to having trained as a nurse in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was relatively easy for Sanja to start working in Germany. “It is quite easy for care workers to get a visa, as hospitals and care facilities are urgently looking for ,” Sanja explains.  

Her qualification had not yet been recognised at the time, so she initially worked as a nursing assistant. “I did come to Germany speaking the language at B2 level, however, I wanted to make sure that I was well-prepared both professionally and language-wise,” she recalls.  

Alongside her job, Sanja attended a three-month integration course and took an exam. In February 2016 she had reached her goal: her qualification was recognised and she was able to further advance her . She took part in the first of a number of advanced training courses and qualified as a house manager. “My employer really supported me in pursuing my career,” Sanja says. 

Language-related challenges for foreign care workers in Germany

Sanja struggled to communicate at the start, despite the fact that she was familiar with . “Many of the elderly people who live in care homes speak with a strong . Bavarian seemed to me like a language in its own right. I didn’t understand a word at first. If somebody asked me to get them ‘Kaas’, for example, it took me a while to understand they were talking about cheese,” Sanja Kitic says with a wink.  

Another difficulty was the fact that in her home country she had learned the anatomical terminology in Latin rather than German. The doctors were very helpful, however. Another aspect that helped Sanja to improve her language skills is the fact that she enjoys reading. She would read books in both German and Serbian at the same time, as well as watching many films and TV series. 

During the interview, a participant also asked her if she’d ever experienced discrimination, besides the linguistic challenges. The Bosnian said that she had not: “I have made many German and non-German friends here. We support each other, especially at work, because we share similar experiences.” 

Career and family: a balancing act

Soon after her second child was born, Sanja was offered the position of deputy nursing manager. She did not want to miss this opportunity, so she decided to return to work from her parental leave sooner than originally planned. Her boss was really supportive in this situation. 

“They offered me the opportunity to bring my six-months old son to work, and even provided a bed, toys and a baby-phone. Everything worked out really well,” she recalls. Sanja knows that she is very lucky, because this type of support is not always offered. It is therefore advisable to be well informed before coming to Germany, and it can help to opt for a municipal employer.  

Nowadays, Sanja’s children are both in full-time care and fluent in Serbian and German. The family enjoys living in Munich and feels fully integrated. “Coming here was the right decision. Germany has become my second home.”