Leaving the comfort zone: Changing perspectives through the Weltwärts programme

AV Today: Tell me about yourself and how you got the sponsorship with the Weltwärtsprogramme to volunteer in Germany.

Abishek: My family is from Annai Nagar, but we moved to Pondicherry in 2005 for better education. My grandparents still live in Annai Nagar. My dad is a clothes designer at the Auroville unit Colours of Nature. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering because my father wanted me to, but I was drawn to social work. My mother, who is a social worker with Auroville Village Action Group, was my biggest inspiration. She always told me that we should work for the people, not just for money.

I started volunteering at Thamarai, an Auroville unit that works for youth in the surrounding villages, when I learned they were building a centre in Annai Nagar for education and youth development. I spent seven years as a volunteer and eventually became a paid facilitator. I help children with homework and various educational activities, and I lead playful math classes. During college, I was also involved in other volunteer work, such as organising blood donation camps.

The opportunity to go to Germany came through Karin, a German woman introduced to me by Thamarai coordinator Bridget. Karin was looking for someone to participate in the Weltwärts social work exchange programme. I did an interview with her and was selected. I spent one and a half years in Stuttgart in Germany, working as a kindergarten teacher for two days a week and at a food NGO for three days a week. The NGO collected unsold food from supermarkets and distributed it to people in need, including refugees. I worked in different roles there, including distribution, cashier work, and office administration. I asked my boss to let me work in customer-facing roles so I could practice speaking German every day.

What were your first impressions of Germany?

It was a completely different world from India. I grew up in a nuclear family and had never really travelled beyond my region, so moving to Germany pushed me out of my comfort zone. Everything was new – culture, lifestyle, education, and the way people interacted. Living in Germany helped me grow

personally. I travelled across Europe and learned a lot about different cultures and ways of thinking. It broadened my perspective in ways I never expected.

How did the reality compare with your expectations?

Before I went, people told me that Germans were very strict and serious, partly because of historical stereotypes. There’s a common myth that Germans are like Hitler – telling others ‘You should not do this, you should do that.’ But the people I met were incredibly kind and welcoming.

My host family, for example, never treated me as a foreigner. They treated me like their own son, always including me in family activities and taking me to cultural events. That experience really changed my perspective on Germany.

What made you want to apply for this experience?

In India, there are a lot of family responsibilities – expectations to earn, take care of parents, and to follow a set path. I wanted to explore life independently, learn about different people, cultures, and perspectives. I also knew that staying in the same place wouldn’t allow me to grow in the way I wanted. I needed to see the world beyond my hometown, and this opportunity gave me that chance.

Did you receive any training or support?

Yes, I received a lot of support in Germany. I attended around 30 seminars organised by Weltwärts, AVI Germany and DIZ, a German-Indian cooperation programme. These seminars covered topics like German culture, politics, and the education system.

I also gave presentations in German schools and at an AVI Germany meeting, talking about cultural differences between India and Germany. It felt good to represent my background in that way.

How was it adjusting back to life in India?

It was difficult at first. In Germany, people live for themselves, and I had the freedom to live independently and focus on my own personal growth. But in India, life revolves around the family. When I returned, I had to readjust to family expectations and responsibilities. So it was a heavy burden at first. It’s been ten months since I returned, but I’ve adapted now.

Have you applied any ideas from Germany to your work at Thamarai?

Yes, especially in education. I learned a lot about teaching techniques in Germany, especially in the kindergarten where I worked. I’ve introduced playful learning methods and better listening techniques at Thamarai.

What challenges do you see in your village, particularly regarding caste?

Personally, I believe everyone is equal, but caste discrimination still exists in many places. In some villages, people still ask about caste before considering someone for a job. When I encounter that, I don’t respond directly – I ask them why they think it’s important.

One of the biggest impacts of Thamarai is that it has helped break down some of these barriers. Before, people from other villages wouldn’t come to Annai Nagar, but now they come to study and learn. That’s a big step forward.

What are your long-term goals?

I want to become a full-time social worker. My goal is to do a master’s degree in social work in Germany. That’s why I’m preparing for my B1 German language exam in May. Once I finish my studies, I plan to work there for five to six years to gain experience.

After that, I want to return to India and start an NGO in Auroville, focusing on women's empowerment. In our village, things have started to change – girls can now study outside the village and even play sports, which wasn’t allowed before. Nowadays we have a women’s football team in the local school! But there’s still a long way to go, and I want to contribute to that change.