Success story of Bahador Rouhanidoust
I am 32 years old and from Iran. There I successfully completed a university degree in accounting. I came to Hamburg in September 2015 and since then have been looking for work. Since October 2024, I have been employed in the public administration sector.
My start in Hamburg
Arriving in a new country was not always easy for me. There were various challenges I had to face in order to move forward.
At first, the language is a big challenge. I am pleased that others comment on my language skills: when people tell me that I speak German well and that they can understand me easily, it motivates me.
Another challenge for me was the completely new culture. You have to try to be flexible and not as stiff as dry wood, because that doesn't work.
Contact with Germans helped me a lot in both respects. I made good German friends who really supported me a lot. Talking to them helped me improve my language skills and get to know German culture. My friends are all like pieces of a puzzle, and when you put the pieces together correctly, you see a beautiful picture that shows a good perspective for the future. When you come to a new country, it's annoying to be alone. You need new contacts and good friends.
I am happy that I came to Germany and made it this far. It wasn't easy, but if I had to choose again, I would make the same decision. It was worth it.
My personal tip for anyone starting out
The most important thing is not to give up. In my first week, I met someone who said that when you start over in a new country, you have to be really strong and have thick skin because problems will always arise. I think you shouldn't try to face all challenges at once. Otherwise, you'll end up disappointed. You have to keep going and solve one thing at a time.
I would also like to advise anyone who is new to Germany to take the time to learn German.
You should also seek advice. There are many good advisory services in Hamburg, for example at the Hamburg Welcome Center: here you will find the Jobcenter, the Employment Agency, the Legal Counseling and Clearing Office for Foreign Nationals and all services are free of charge. You should seek advice to make your own path easier.
My path to the job: How the HWC made it easier for me to get started
When I came to Germany, I first tried to improve my language skills: I took part in an integration course and later achieved language level B2. After that, I did a two-year apprenticeship as a tax consultant, but didn't complete it. I was interested in this profession because it was a suitable follow-up to my degree in accounting. After that, I was looking for a new job. But when many businesses closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, it became even more difficult to find work.
Through my advisor at the job centre, I learned in 2024 that the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg was hiring people as part of the ‘Job Turbo’* programme.
This gave me the opportunity to work at the Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC) from October 2024. I worked at the Welcome Desk and gained my first experience in the administrative sector in Germany. I was able to learn what it is like to work in a public authority and how daily work in Germany is organised. I was also offered a language course here. Without my time at the HWC, my path would have been more difficult, because it was like a springboard for me: I successfully applied for another position in public administration. I have been working here since September 2025.
When I worked at the HWC, I also received support with the recognition of my foreign qualifications: I had already had my degree certificates recognised at an earlier time and had only received partial recognition. However, as I was unable to fulfil the missing points for full recognition, the partial qualification expired after five years. This is where the Central Recognition Office (ZAA) at the HWC helped me: the team informed me about the current recognition procedure. I had to prove that my work at the HWC had qualified me for full recognition. With a certificate from my supervisor at the HWC, I submitted a new application. When I last contacted the recognition office, I was told that full recognition was ready and would be sent to me soon!
At the beginning of my journey, I could not have imagined what I would be able to achieve. It took longer and it was not easy at all, but I tried to keep up with my goals and worked hard. I would do it all over again and I finally made it. I still have a long way to go, but now I am satisfied and want to continue on my path successfully.
What the HWC means to me
*Jobturbo: Jobturbo is a joint project of the Federal Ministry of Labour and the Federal Employment Agency aimed at integrating refugees into the labour market. The goal is to integrate refugees into employment as early as possible and to combine this with further German language training and vocational qualifications. Many refugees have potential and qualifications that can help to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers.
Please note: This is a translation of the interview. It was originally conducted in German.
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The Hamburg Welcome Center is a central point of contact for all matters relating to professional integration for people who are immigrating or have immigrated to Hamburg, as well as for companies and employers.