From Pune to Germany: The Journey That Changed Everything

The Pune Chapter

After starting my career, life took me to Pune, a city I had always wanted to experience.

One of the main reasons for moving there was my brother, who was studying Marine Engineering near Pune. I wanted to be there to support him.

Professionally, Pune became another important milestone. I joined a project almost immediately and was doing well in my career. Within a year, I moved from Software Engineer to Senior Software Engineer.

Things were going well, but somewhere inside, I started feeling the urge to explore something new.

That was when Germany entered the picture.

The Decision to Move to Germany

A well-wisher introduced me to the idea of studying in Germany. Initially, it was just an idea, but once I started exploring it, the idea slowly turned into a plan.

I applied to around five universities and received admission offers from three of them. Finally, I chose Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) for my Master's degree.

The next few months were extremely busy.

I was managing my project at work while preparing for IELTS, learning German, applying to universities, arranging my visa, and planning my move.

I even had a small setback with my Goethe A1 examination. I missed the passing mark by just three marks on my first attempt. I tried again and passed.

Eventually, the decision became real.

I resigned from my job, packed my bags, and began the journey:

Pune → Hyderabad → Germany

On 26 September 2016, I landed in Germany. My first airport was Tegel Airport in Berlin.

A completely new chapter had begun.

2016: Leaving Everything Familiar Behind

The move to Germany felt like a roller-coaster.

Within a short period, I had gone from managing projects at work to preparing for university, learning German, applying for a visa, and finally leaving my job and my country.

Then came another first—the German winter.

Coming from Hyderabad, experiencing a European winter for the first time was quite an adjustment. The weather, lifestyle, language, food, and surroundings were all different.

Everything was new.

But that was also the excitement of it.

I had come to Germany to build a new chapter of my life, and I was ready to learn.

2017: Learning to Build a Life in Germany

The year started with examinations and the challenges of settling into student life.

I also started working at McDonald's. On 31 March 2017, I earned my first euro.

It may sound like a small milestone, but earning my first euro in Germany is something I still remember.

At the same time, I was working on my German and reached B1 level.

There were challenges too. I faced some issues related to my Indian driving licence and had to figure out how to deal with them.

During the summer, I took a break and travelled to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, paying for the trips myself. These were not just holidays; they were experiences that made me more comfortable exploring Europe on my own.

After the break, I started working towards obtaining a German driving licence.

It was expensive and required considerable effort, but I managed to balance it with my studies.

I also started tutoring Bachelor's students in Electrical Engineering. Teaching technical concepts in German was challenging because my technical education had been in English and my German was still developing.

Somehow, the two came together.

I understood the concepts, the students needed help understanding them, and my German improved through the process.

2018: One Week I Will Never Forget

February 2018 gave me one of the most memorable weeks of my life.

Four days. Three major milestones.

Monday: Internship interview
Tuesday: Final Master's oral examination
Wednesday: German driving test — passed on the first attempt
Thursday: Internship confirmation

Everything happened one after another.

It felt like a dream.

Sometimes, years of effort come together in a single moment. For me, that moment was that unforgettable week in February 2018.

Berlin and the Master's Journey

In April 2018, I started my internship in Berlin and moved there.

Over the next six months, I completed my internship and also worked on my Master's thesis with the same company.

In 2019, I completed my thesis and officially received my Master's degree.

Soon afterwards, I started working as a PLC Commissioning Engineer in Nuremberg.

But once again, life had its own plans.

Due to company restructuring, I was laid off.

It was not COVID yet, but losing a job unexpectedly was still a difficult experience.

2020: A New Job and a New Beginning

I started 2020 looking for a new opportunity.

Then, in April, I joined Siemens.

Starting a new job during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly different from anything I had experienced before. The world was changing, and everyone was learning how to adapt.

But 2020 also brought something much more personal into my life.

In June, I met my future wife through a matrimonial website.

By December, we were engaged.

A year that began with uncertainty ended with one of the happiest decisions of my life.

2021–2023: Building a Family

In 2021, life became more settled.

I continued my engineering career while learning how to maintain a better work-life balance. My wife also joined me in Germany, and together we started building our life here.

In 2022, I moved on from Siemens and relocated to a new city, where I have continued working since then.

Then came the biggest milestone of all.

In 2023, my son was born.

Suddenly, life was no longer just about career, studies, or personal goals.

It was about family.

2024–2026: Discovering a Different Side of Myself

The last few years have been more settled.

There is work, family, occasional trips to India, and the joy of watching my son grow.

But somewhere along the way, I discovered a new interest.

My education and career have always been connected to Electrical Engineering, Software, and Automation.

Yet I gradually developed a strong interest in Personal Finance.

I started learning more about saving, money management, financial planning, and the importance of making better financial decisions.

Over time, something that started as a personal interest became a skill I could share with others.

What I Do Beyond My Main Career

Today, I enjoy helping people in two areas that are quite different from my engineering career.

Personal Finance Mentoring

Money is a part of everyone's life, but managing it well is a skill that many people learn only through experience.

I now share what I have learnt about Personal Finance, money management, saving, and financial awareness.

The goal is simple: to help people understand their money better and make more informed financial decisions.

German Language Tutoring

Living in Germany also taught me an important lesson—the value of knowing the local language.

I now provide German Language tutoring from A1 to B1, along with guidance for people preparing for German Language examinations.

Learning German is not only about passing an examination. It can make everyday life, education, work, and communication in Germany much easier.

A Journey With Many Unexpected Turns

When I look back, my journey has taken me through many different phases.

From a schoolboy in Hyderabad to an engineering student in Chennai.

From an engineer in Pune to a Master's student in Germany.

From earning my first euro to building a career in Germany.

From changing jobs to getting married and becoming a father.

And now, from being only an engineer to sharing my knowledge about Personal Finance and the German Language.

I never planned every step of this journey.

Many opportunities came unexpectedly, and some challenges forced me to change direction.

But perhaps that is what makes the journey interesting.

Life does not always follow the plan we make. Sometimes, the unexpected turns create the most meaningful chapters.

B-Dual

Expert guidance for success in Germany's market.

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