My name is Ritika and I come from Uttar Pradesh, India. When I first came to Germany in 2008 for only two months I was pleasantly surprised by so many things. My first surprise came at the airport in Munich when I saw a Woman taxi driver and thought: “Wow. This woman is carrying strangers around the city, she does not seem to worry about her safety and people are not scared to ride with her. What a safe place it must be!” In India there are very few woman drivers and even less women who do it professionally.
My second pleasant surprise came at work where I met a Pakistani person. I have learnt so much from our collaboration and, in a way, it formed my perception. Bonn has so much to offer for everyone!
Is there anything you miss from home?
I miss the noise! It is so quiet here. And I miss my Indian extended family. Back home your neighbours, friends of the friends, friends of your relatives and your colleagues form your big extended family.
"My first surprise came at the airport in Munich when I saw a woman taxi driver and thought: "Wow. This woman is carrying strangers around the city, she does not seem to worry about her safety and people are not scared to ride with her. What a safe place it must be!""
I understand you completely, Ritika, life for a woman in India is anything but a walk in the park.