Tolerance and Respect is the key to successful integration. People leave their homes and move to Germany for all kinds of reasons. Maybe they migrate due to poor socioeconomic prospects or simply travel all around the world or study abroad. I moved to Germany because of study. And it is normal because we live in modern globalized society. But sometimes we can find it challenging to accept other ways of life.

I’m often surprised by tourists or migrants who misbehaves away from home. For example, they throw trash on the streets or do not sort it, might be too loud on public transport, cut the line, etc. I think that learning to show respect and keep an open mind is very important. They say: ’When in Rome, do as Romans do’. That means when you live in, or visit, a foreign country, you should follow the laws of that country and show some respect for their traditions. We need to go into a new experience ready to learn something new. Germans are really friendly and polite to foreigners even now when the large number of refugees arriving in Germany. The federal government spends a lot of money to help them. At least people should show some respect in return.

Esther