Success story of Aleyda Solórzano
I’m from Nicaragua and I’m 42 years old. Back home, I studied engineering and worked for many years as a systems analyst. I’ve been living in Hamburg with my daughter since 2021, and I currently work as a support staff member in the public sector for the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
My Start in Hamburg
I came to Germany as a refugee seeking safety and a new future for my family. But my start in Hamburg wasn’t easy. A new country, a new language, and many organizational challenges became part of my daily life. The weather was also an adjustment: I arrived in November and saw snow for the first time - in Nicaragua, it’s always summer.
Especially as a mother, it wasn’t easy to juggle everything at once and provide my daughter with stability. At first, my daughter cried every day because she didn’t understand the teachers or the other children - today she corrects my German.
The early days were stressful for me, too. I didn’t know anyone, couldn’t communicate, and couldn’t even ask simple questions at the supermarket. Nevertheless, from the very beginning, I had the desire to learn German, integrate, and build a life here on my own.
I always said: “The sun is shining in my future.” And that’s how it is today: I have a job, new friends, and my daughter is very happy here. Our life is stable now, and I’m doing well.
My personal tip for everyone starting over
Everyone who comes to Germany should be patient with themselves and not give up. The beginning is often difficult, and you only see the long road ahead - but every step, no matter how small, brings you closer. Even if it’s not always easy, you can achieve a lot with perseverance, motivation, and support.
It’s good to be proactive, accept help, and take advantage of the opportunities available. At the same time, you should believe in yourself and trust that the effort is worth it.
Learning the German language is also very important; without it, it’s hard to get ahead in Germany. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others - some learn faster, others need more time. I still make mistakes and ask a lot of questions, but I can now speak German in my daily work, and that’s incredible to me.
My Path to a Job: How the Hamburg Welcome Center Helped Me
After my integration course, I turned to the HWC. There, I was first supported by the Employment Agency, and they organized a B2 vocational language course for me, which I successfully completed.
The Central Recognition Office (ZAA) helped me apply for a credential evaluation for my bachelor’s degree and obtain recognition as an engineer.
In addition, the Labor Market Service helped me with my job search: I regularly received suitable job offers and received support with my applications. This led to my first invitation to an interview at the Social Welfare Office as part of the “FHH-Job-Turbo”*. Shortly after, I received the job offer and was very happy.
At that point, however, I did not yet have a residence permit and was therefore not yet allowed to work. The HWC was able to help me with this as well: The Legal Counseling and Clearing Office immediately contacted the Social Welfare Office’s recruiting department as well as my local immigration office. Eventually, I quickly received my work permit and was able to sign my employment contract in time for my first day of work.
My next goal is to find an apartment for myself and my daughter. I received general information about living in Hamburg from the Newcomers Service.
Today I work as a support staff member in the public sector, and the HWC has helped me a great deal along the way. I felt understood and supported there, which gave me a sense of security. All the staff were patient and friendly, and I think many of them believed in me more than I believed in myself. I’m grateful for that.
Now I have a stable situation for myself and my daughter, and I’m proud that I didn’t give up and found my way.
What the HWC means to me
*With the FHH Job Turbo programme, the City of Hamburg offers suitable individuals with a refugee background the opportunity to work in public administration or a state-owned enterprise for six to a maximum of twelve months. This allows them to improve their German language skills, gain work experience in Germany, and demonstrate their abilities. At the same time, this can be a way for the FHH to attract new skilled workers on a permanent basis.
Please note: This is a translation of the interview. It was originally conducted in German.
