Nine months. New country, new job, new life.

Time for a quick check-in: What is it like to start as a DevOps Engineer in a foreign country and in our team? We asked our new colleague Anton Andriienko.

You moved to Germany about a year ago. You are learning German, have found a job as a DevOps engineer and have friends here. What surprised you most about life in Germany?

Before I moved, I noticed that people in Germany don't seem to rush - and at first I thought it was laziness. But over time I've come to appreciate it. It's a more mindful pace of life, and I've realized that slowing down often leads to better results in the long run.

What challenges did you face when settling in?

Dealing with the bureaucracy was the hardest part. When we moved, my wife was six months pregnant, and we had to quickly clarify our legal status in order to find an apartment and get medical care. But the administrative process was incredibly slow and frustrating. In Ukraine, you can do many of these things online in a matter of minutes - so it was hard to understand why everything seems so complicated here, especially in a technologically advanced country.

What particularly attracted you to the DevOps role in a small company?

Working in a small company challenges you and promotes growth. You are constantly learning new things and regularly leave your comfort zone - this is exactly what helps you to develop professionally faster.

How was your onboarding experience in our team?

I was really surprised at how smooth and supportive the onboarding process was. In small companies you are often thrown straight in at the deep end, but here I was given the time, resources and guidance to really get up to speed. Even now, I know I can ask questions or ask for clarification at any time. As someone who is still at the beginning of their career as a DevOps Engineer, this support means a lot to me.

What has been the biggest challenge in communicating in a professional context? What has helped you the most?

So far, communication has not been a problem as we use English in our working environment.
The real challenge will come when I start to switch to German in a professional context - especially with technical vocabulary, which is not usually covered in language courses. But I see this as the next step in my integration.

What helped you to find your feet in everyday working life?

For me, the key is to do work that you really enjoy doing.
I have always believed that personal growth happens naturally when you are passionate about what you do. This attitude helps me to stay motivated and keep learning. And of course, when you start a new job, you want to make the best possible impression - that's just part of the fun.

How have you developed professionally and personally in the last eight months?

Professionally, I have learned a lot through daily challenges.
Working in a small company constantly introduced me to new tools and tasks - I didn't need external resources, the job itself became my training ground.
Personally, my focus is on learning German. It is the key to full integration into life here, and everything else builds on that.

Looking back, what would you do differently today?

I try not to dwell too much on the past - I see every experience as valuable.
Even if something wasn't perfect, it taught me something. I believe in moving forward, not in regrets.

Many thanks to Anton Andriienko for the exciting interview and the insights into his everyday life!

Fancy more insights?
If you are curious about how we work, what drives us and what everyday life looks like behind the scenes, then browse through our other blog posts. There we share stories, experiences and perspectives from our working environment - authentic, approachable and sometimes surprising.