Marco used to work for a small family business in Milan. He would arrive at the office around nine, have a long lunch with colleagues, and finish work by six. He was used to speaking Italian all day and eating proper meals at regular times. Life was comfortable and predictable.

Then everything changed. A German technology company offered him a management position with a competitive salary. The base salary was higher than anything he could earn in Milan, and the benefits package included health insurance and a company car. His gross salary looked impressive on paper, though he knew his net income would be lower after taxes. Still, it was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.

The first few months in Berlin were difficult. Marco wasn’t used to working in English all day. He would get headaches from concentrating so hard during meetings. The German workplace culture was very different too. People used to eat lunch quickly at their desks, something he found strange. In Milan, he would always take at least an hour for lunch.

Marco also struggled to get used to the direct communication style. His German colleagues would say exactly what they thought without softening their words. At first, he found this rude. He was used to a more indirect approach where people would hint at problems rather than stating them clearly. Getting used to this directness took time and patience.

The cost of living was another challenge. Although his monthly salary was good, rent in Berlin was expensive. He had to budget carefully to make ends meet in the first year. Marco used to live with his parents in Milan, so he never worried about household expenses. Now he was used to paying for everything himself, from electricity bills to internet connection.

Gradually, things improved. After six months, Marco started to get used to speaking English every day. He would still make mistakes, but he felt more confident. He joined a sports club and began to get used to the Berlin lifestyle. The city used to feel cold and unfamiliar, but now he was discovering its energy and creativity.

Work became easier too. Marco learned that his colleagues weren’t being rude; they were just being efficient. He got used to their direct feedback and even started to appreciate it. Problems were solved faster when people would address them immediately. He was getting used to finishing work by five and having his evenings free, something that rarely happened in Milan.

By the end of his first year, Marco felt settled. He was used to his new routine and even preferred some aspects of German work culture. His performance review was excellent, and his manager increased his base salary by ten percent. The bump in his gross salary meant his net income covered his expenses more comfortably.

Marco still missed Italy sometimes. He used to call his mother every Sunday and would tell her about his week. She would worry that he wasn’t eating properly, which made him laugh. He was getting used to cooking for himself and had even learned to make some German dishes.

Looking back, Marco realized that getting used to a new country takes time. He used to think adaptation would happen quickly, but real change is gradual. Now he was used to his Berlin life and couldn’t imagine going back to his old routine. The challenge of moving countries had helped him grow both personally and professionally. His competitive salary and interesting projects made the difficult transition worthwhile, and he was finally comfortable in his new home.