Turning Tables

First steps in Munich

After a delayed flight from London that meant I had to sleep at Gatwick airport and move to Germany one day later than I predicted(!)... In March 2015, feeling a bit out-of-sync, I arrived in Munich to stay.

I had no idea what plans the city had for me, my main priority was to find a job in my field and learn German. I got started by signing up to intensive German classes, sending prospective applications to Foundations and similar not-for-profit organisations, as I have a background in International Development, and networking...lots.of.it.

Talking, talking, talking and much more talking later, I learned about a city buzzing with underground activity, creative ideas and lots of potential to build something new. In my mind, I had played with the idea of starting my own projects but somehow hadn't had the space, opportunity or let's be honest the guts to kickstart anything... And was I really going to do this in a foreign country where I didn't really speak the language?? I didn't think so...

Suddenly, it was August... I was adapting better to the culture shock (yes, I even started eating Weisswurst for breakfast on weekends!) , my German had progressed beyond "hallo, wie geht's" but my working career was at a bit of standstill... I hadn't managed to find something that was meaningful, inspiring and related to my background.

In the meantime, the refugee crisis in Europe was gaining more and more momentum... Germany was at the height of its Willkommenskultur and I started to consider what role I could play given my background and experience in this unfolding scenario....it was beginning to feel like a right place, right time situation.

Turning Tables - original version

My contribution towards the refugee crisis started in September 2015 by volunteering a few times sorting and distributing clothes, and even making a trip to the border between Croatia and Serbia to distribute donations. However, somehow it still felt like something was missing. Don't get me wrong, I think this work is absolutely essential and Germany has done a fantastic job covering these basic services, but I kept on thinking, so what's next after this? What is the bigger picture? How can we ensure something positive comes out of this? And then, the first ideas around Turning Tables started to appear...

I knew that food was definitely something I wanted to focus on when working on a refugee project. Food is so dynamic, uncomplicated, it transcends cultural barriers...and let's face it...who doesn't love food (?!) plus cooking is such a great healing process.

Talking to coaches, trainers in different types of therapies I started to gauge the complexities and layers that only real integration can bring about. To really facilitate integration, food was a good starting point but we needed to design a project concept that went beyond cooking and transpired to other layers of everyday life connecting with personal motivation and goals. This is when the idea of providing steps such as mentoring, a training programme and practical experience all centred around food and cultural understanding came about...and just like that we had the concept of our integration journey.

So...Who is Turning Tables?

As an expat in Germany and having lived abroad for many years I have had flavour for dealing and overcoming cultural differences. Anyone who has lived away from their home country for long periods and wants to be part of a new society does. Munich has a wealth of such individuals, Germans and expats alike. I have already met some outstanding and hard-working individuals and organisations in this space, so I feel like together we are in a good place to facilitate this transition for our latest newcomers. We can do this by
bringing together our wealth of knowledge and experience of the challenges and successes of adapting to a new culture, respecting new rules and living in harmony with traditions that might not be similar to ours. That is where the power of Turning Tables lies.

So then...Who is Turning Tables? It's you and I, it's every person that understands that integration goes beyond learning a language and getting a job. It's understanding and respecting each other, it's turning someone's situation around by changing perspectives and creating experiences that lead to societal progress. You don't have to be in Germany to be part of Turning Tables, you just need to believe in our mission and identify with our approach and with your support we will deliver your message and facilitate holistic integration.

I hope you will join this journey with us. My journey so far has been sometimes challenging and hard- work but definitely rewarding and unforgettable.

So... How can you help?

Start by supporting us through our campaign www.startnext.com/en/turningtables . Tell your friends, your family, your neighbours, the local man on the street... Let's make this community stronger and bigger and stand together for refugee integration!

All the best and speak soon.

Amy

INTEGRATION. FOOD. CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.

Email: [email protected]
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