At K5, it sometimes happens that twelve nations are represented in a German class. Our course participants come from over 130 nations and bring their own special past to German lessons. Our German courses build a bridge between their former life with their own language and their current life in the Basel region with the new language. Because when everyone can develop their potential, real diversity is created, which can be used together as an opportunity. Three participants tell their story.
Olha came to Switzerland as a refugee - educated, experienced in life, but faced with the challenge of starting from scratch. She learned German, tried to make connections and built a new life for herself. Her strength? Making contacts. She got involved beyond the German course, attended conversation groups and eventually started leading a creative group herself.
"I myself have realized how happy art makes me, and I want to share this feeling with you!"
Olha, former participant K5 German courses
Olha talks about her life at the K5 women's breakfast
Good morning!
So many women! It gives me great pleasure to be able to tell you my story. This is the first time I've spoken in front of such a large audience. I am therefore very nervous.
So, my name is Olga. I am 41 years old. And I come from Ukraine, from the city of Kharkiv. I have been living in the beautiful city of Basel for 3 years. Here I am alone, but this time has helped me to discover myself and to develop further.
I worked as an accountant in Ukraine for many years. But I always dreamed of painting. Back then, I thought that art wasn't serious enough. And didn't allow myself to do what I really enjoyed. But in Switzerland, I have finally realized this dream. I am finally allowing myself to reveal this side of my life. I have started to paint!
I have been actively painting for more than a year. Now I run two voluntary art projects for adults and young people. One project by K5 and the second by Red Cross. Both projects give me the opportunity to share my love for art, help other people and see how art changes their inner world.
I'll show you what we paint. For example, here is a Sri Yantra, a mandala. I like to experiment and try out different art techniques: Fluid art, contour painting, point-to-point, watercolor, petrykiwka painting (which is a Ukrainian folk art) and more.
I am currently participating in two programs: a coaching program at Impiega and the mentoring program MinQ. I am also actively looking for work in the field of art or art therapy. I practise yoga and attend the music academy in Basel to develop my skills. I am also continuing to improve my German.
In 2022, when I was already in Switzerland, I started a distance learning course online in Ukraine and completed a degree in psychology. I also completed my training as a naturopath online in 2023. I like everything natural and avoid chemicals in the household. I love nature, animals and flowers - everything that makes the world more beautiful.
My dream is to organize large art therapy meetings for women, where we can create unique images, relax and find inner harmony. I have already worked with children in the Ukrainian school "Barvinok", but I realized that my vocation is to work with women. It is fascinating to see how art helps people to discover themselves.
I myself have realized how happy art makes me, and I want to share this feeling with you!
I am looking forward to new acquaintances and collaborations. That's why I cordially invite you all to join our art club! Anyone who is interested can get in touch with me. Thank you very much for your attention!
And one more important point! I would now like to give one of my favorite pictures to a wonderful woman who organizes these meetings where we can talk, exchange stories from our lives and share experiences. Please, Selzime, this picture is for you. I hope it will brighten up your home!
Olha K., K5 Women's Breakfast, 23.11.2024
"K5 was the start of a new stage for me. It gave me the opportunity to learn German while my son was in childcare - that was a gift for me. It wasn't just a language course, but a place where I came into contact with other cultures and was able to develop as a mother and woman at the same time."
- Aline, former K5 German course participant
Today, 25 years later, Aline works in a daycare center. By chance, she discovers a mother at the daycare center who also works at K5. Find out how their paths crossed and what challenges Aline overcame in the interview with Carolin Reichmuth, K5 Head of Info Point and Vocational Trainer:
How did we find out that you work at K5 and attended German courses here 25 years ago?
You came to the daycare center with the list of sponsors for the Run Against Borders, and that's how we got talking. It was amazing how our paths crossed again - you work at K5 and I learned German here many years ago!
What was it like for you to leave your son Thomas with us at the age of seven months while you attended the German course?
It was a very good experience. I knew that Thomas was nearby and they would call me in case of an emergency. The most important thing for me was that I had time for myself to learn the language and develop personally. As well as looking after my family, I was able to do something for myself.
Was there a settling-in period for childcare back then?
Yes, if I remember correctly, there was a settling-in period - not long, maybe a day or two. After that, Thomas was in care and I was on the course.
How did you find coming into contact with so many different cultures?
It was an incredibly enriching experience. I was particularly fascinated by the fact that there were also two women in my class who were illiterate but were learning German anyway. One woman wore a headscarf, which she took off during the course. I learned that she only took it off when she was with women. Such insights into other cultures meant a lot to me.
What originally brought you to Switzerland?
I studied social work in Rio de Janeiro, but I couldn't find a job after graduating. There were a lot of street children in Brazil, but job opportunities were limited. My cousins in Switzerland kept inviting me back. When I arrived, I was torn: On the one hand, I missed my family, but on the other, I found Switzerland fascinating. Then I met my husband and our life together began.
How did you come to take the German course?
I worked in an American daycare center, but after the birth of my son I was unemployed. The employment office then sent me to a German course. They covered the costs of the course and childcare - which was a huge help.
What was it like for you to go to the German course?
I was very nervous at first, especially on the first day. But I soon felt at ease. I particularly liked my teacher Theres and another teacher who I met again later. The atmosphere was personal and there was only a small group for the children. I was proud to be able to attend this course, especially because it was considered the best at the time.
Did you find a job straight after the German course?
Not directly. I wanted to improve my German first. My husband is from Germany and worked while I looked after our son. When he started kindergarten, there were challenges - as he grew up speaking three languages. Today, Thomas is studying in St. Gallen.
And what was your first job like after the German course?
My first job was at IKEA, where I stocked shelves. I really wanted to work. Later, I got pregnant with our second child and stopped working there.
You studied social work in your home country, but your training is not recognized here. How do you deal with this?
As my studies are not recognized in Switzerland, the daycare centre can unfortunately only employ me as an assistant. That hurts, as I have extensive knowledge and a lot of experience. For two years, my supervisor supported me in getting my training recognized, but I had to realize that I would have to do another training course in Switzerland - and I don't want that. It feels like my original training is being devalued. I could do a shortened training course to become a healthcare assistant, but that's not possible in terms of time.
How did you come to terms with this situation?
It's not easy, but that's the way it is. I've come to terms with it, even if it's difficult. There are a lot of hurdles, but I try to make the best of them and get on with my life. I love my life the way it is.
Interview with Aline, 14.3.2025 by Carolin Reichmuth, K5 Head of Info Point and Vocational Trainer
Aline's story shows how challenging, but also enriching, the path of integration into a new country can be. Despite the many difficulties and disappointments, she never gave up. Her journey through language, culture and the job market in Switzerland is a powerful example of perseverance and the search for opportunities in the midst of challenges.
"The port city of Tartus on the Mediterranean is the second largest goods transshipment point in Syria. From there, a highway leads via Homs and Damascus to Jordan and on through Saudi Arabia to Kuwait. Our company was located on this highway near Damascus. My brother was the boss. We produced around 500 kg of confectionery a day in the stone oven. The 20 or so varieties included harise, mabruma, baklava and kolikivskeer. We used ingredients of the highest quality and best origin. Flour, sheep's milk, semolina, nuts, the unique pistachios from the Aleppo region and lemons. We had built up an excellent reputation and supplied customers from near and far. I studied journalism at a private university and was interested in our country's natural resources: Oil, phosphate, gas, spices, wheat or cotton. I wanted to know a lot ... Where were these treasures delivered and where did the proceeds go? For asking these questions, I was sent to prison for two days at the age of 17 and was then monitored and controlled. Two years later I had to do my compulsory military service, which I completed in the ranks of the police in a prison. There were a lot of dissidents there. I helped many of them and expanded my network of like-minded people during this time. I then went back to work in our confectionery factory. Meanwhile, the political tension increased and I realized that I had to leave my country. In 2005, I settled in Cairo and arrived in Switzerland a few months later. The civil war in Syria didn't start until a few years later. So I didn't come here as a refugee, but I can't go back to my home country because of my political history.
In Basel, I worked as a kitchen assistant in various establishments. I would like to set up my own business here. But I would need various permits and a good knowledge of German. That brought me to K5. I felt very comfortable here straight away and was able to improve my language skills considerably.
The memories of my past life make me sad. I watched from afar as my family and friends lost everything or died in the war. My country was destroyed, including our confectionery business. I don't even have any photos of it."
Interview and text Suzanne Rouden, course leader K5
A story about escape and arrival
I fled the civil war in Somalia and came to Switzerland as a refugee in Basel in 1993. At the time, fleeing was the only way for me to save my life. After 6 months in Switzerland, I received an F permit and was able to look for work. I didn't speak a single word of German, but I still found a job in a hotel. I used the money I earned there to pay for my first German course. Another German course at K5 helped me to improve my language skills.
deepen my language skills. I had great course instructors and am still in contact with them today. Today I work for a security company, translate and give courses in non-violent communication. My wish is to spread this craft in Somalia too. I haven't been there since I fled.
Interview, Carolin Reichmuth, Head of InfoPunkt
Jetmire attended the sales course and completed an internship at the Coop, where she was subsequently offered a job. This experience of success gave her so much courage and self-confidence that she dared to open her own grocery store shortly afterwards, which she runs successfully.
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