“Language is the most important thing in my job”

“Helping others - that’s what I want to do and why I came to Germany,” explains Fatma Bensalah with a smile. The 24-year-old from Tunisia is about to take her final exams. Once she has passed, she will be a fully qualified nurse. “I am somewhat nervous about the exams, but I try to always stay positive.” This is also the attitude that helped her get to Germany in the first place, she adds.  

At the time, Fatma was studying chemistry in Tunisia. But she quickly realised that she wanted to do something completely different in the future - not just spend all day working in the lab. “I am a very communicative person. That’s why it was important for me to choose a job that would involve a lot of contact with people.” 

Selection interview in Tunisia 

By chance, Fatma stumbled across the firm Talent Orange – a private service provider for the training and integration of skilled professionals in the healthcare and social sectors. Following a selection interview in Tunisia, she was accepted onto the programme. “What I particularly liked was the fact that everything was so structured and that all the costs were covered for me,” says Fatma. “I didn’t have to pay anything for my visa or to have my documents translated, nor for the language course or my flight.” While still in Tunisia she did an intensive course in German to obtain a certificate for the B2 proficiency level. “Language is the most important thing in my job. It’s the only way for me to understand what my patients need,” stresses Fatma. 

Her everyday life in Germany is very different from the life she had back home. The shape of her days is dictated by her training. During the theoretical phases, which last for several weeks at a time, Fatma has classes every day from 8.30 am until 4 pm at the Talent Orange campus in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt. The theoretical phases alternate with periods of practical instruction. During the latter, Fatma works the early, late or night shift at a hospital in Offenbach. 

Quickly building up initial trust 

What Fatma likes best of all is dealing with patients when they are first admitted to hospital. “I can talk to them a lot at this stage and build up some initial trust.” She also finds working in the pulmonology ward very interesting, where patients with lung and respiratory disorders are treated.  

Fatma Bensalah is happy that she had the courage to move to Germany - and would like to stay. Once she has qualified, she would like to do further training in wound treatment.  

Besides private agencies, state organisations also help skilled professionals to come to Germany. More information can be found at Make it in Germany.