I’m Argentinian, and since moving to Germany, I’ve had some good social experiences, but the concept of friendship here isn’t the same as in Argentina. Individuality is highly valued; your best German friend might not have spoken to you in a while, but they always remember you. People are mostly busy and manage their time well, although I have to say I love spontaneity, and that’s the hardest thing to find.

I’ve been going to a gym for three months where I do contact sports. Most gyms, except for the Vereins, operate on a contract basis, which is more about giving consumers different options, and that’s fine. But I’ve noticed that you laugh with your classmates, you have a good time, but then everyone goes home. This system works everywhere, really. The problem is that I’m alone, without family or people from my own country to support me or make me feel less alone, and it’s tough, and I’ve been like this for a while now. Furthermore, I realize I still have my Argentinian ways when it comes to socializing, because otherwise I wouldn’t have made any friends. I mean, my spontaneity and extroverted nature have allowed me to make friends. If you don’t try, if you don’t take the initiative… in the end, no one will approach you, not even if you cry. Germans, or rather German society, and Scandinavian society as a whole, respect your personal space, but if you ask for help, they’ll help you. But don’t expect them to do anything for you because they don’t owe you anything. It’s like when you want to go out with the girl you like and you wait for her to make the decision, acting all important.

I falsely tell myself that Argentinians are easier to befriend and socialize with, but what a coincidence that when I left Argentina for Germany, no one helped me or even called me. At least with these two Germans I’ve met, it might take them five months to get together, but they’re genuinely there for me.

Everything’s piling up for me: the loneliness, sometimes the weather, the political situation in Germany, the fear that German society is sometimes more about following orders, but at the same time you develop discipline and it makes you stronger, and that’s what I take away from it. I hope I can shake off this feeling of homesickness soon.