Chapter 7: Starting a New Chapter in Germany

After a straight 12-hour flight, I finally set foot in Germany. I was so grateful to the surrounding strangers who were so willing to help me with my luggage. Therefore, my trip was much less difficult. Despite the -1°C weather, I felt cool and refreshed. The sensation was joyful and exciting, and surprisingly, I didn’t feel tired at all after the long flight. It was a rewarding feeling, savoring the fruits of my hard work and perseverance.

After spending a night in Leipzig, the next morning, I went to check out the room in Halle and requested to move in right away, as I had nowhere else to go. Fortunately, they agreed. Then I asked my homeowner where I could buy blankets and pillows, and he took me to the right place to get the necessary items. When we returned home, despite his back pain and difficulty standing, he warmly helped me put the duvet cover on. I was truly grateful for his assistance. After a week, I started to get used to life here. Alongside my daily activities, I started creating TikTok videos, and luckily, I gained significant support, currently boasting over 10 thousand followers. I’m thrilled that my insights and sharing are drawing attention from others. My TikTok and YouTube Channel is ”Quynh Anh di Duc” by the way. I’d love to hear if you read this book and check it out.

However, a little problem arose. I only had a small amount of cash, and the bank procedures took up to a month. I was anxious and worried. I emailed the foreigners office (Ausländeramt) explaining my difficulties, and they agreed to terminate my contract earlier than planned, so I could open a bank account and link it to the blocked account to receive monthly funds.

For those unfamiliar, to open a bank account, besides personal documents, you also need a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) and a tax number (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer). I registered with Commerzbank. First, I applied online and then went to the bank’s branch, providing the necessary documents along with the confirmation email. After registration, the bank will send letters to your mailbox, which are extremely important to keep safe and regularly check to avoid theft. There have been cases of property theft, so safety always comes first.

During the first week, my routine mainly consisted of eating, sleeping, studying for exams, and going to the market. I would participate in an entrance exam of Halle Studienkolleg soon. I was not worried at all because according to the information I read online, this exam is quite easy and I have not seen anyone say that they failed this exam.