Abdallah Khirfan and I get to know each other via video call. I know from his LinkedIn profile that he works as a naturalization pilot in Berlin. As a supervisor for students at the German Jordanian University (GJU) who are currently spending their year abroad in Germany, topics such as visa applications and contact with immigration authorities are also regular companions in my everyday working life. That is why I am seeking contact with Abdallah and ask for a meeting to share our experiences.
When the former GJU student says that he actually studied logistics for a bachelor's degree, I am surprised. He completed his German year 2013 in Remagen at the RheinAhrCampus of Koblenz University of Applied Sciences. The small town on the Rhine offered him ideal conditions to quickly establish contacts and deepen his German language skills. During his year in Germany, Abdallah completed a mandatory internship at the Lidl logistics center in Neuwied.
“The year in Germany has had a significant impact on my life. It starts with being alone in Germany, far from home, and having to settle into a foreign culture,” Abdallah tells me. “Responsibility grows in a short period of time — first getting involved and understanding the university system, then applying for an internship. You learn to react quickly and work under time pressure.” His experience has taught him to appreciate the directness of German culture, even though it was unusual at first. This openness helped him to develop independence and to overcome challenges independently.
His description makes me understand that it must have been an instructive but also very challenging experience to navigate a new culture and the complicated bureaucratic processes in Germany at the same time. Did he therefore decide to reorient himself professionally? Abdallah answers that after graduation, he realized where his true passion lies: helping others.
Today, he works as a naturalization consultant and supports vulnerable groups in particular in shaping their own future and that of their families in Germany. In addition, in July 2023, he founded “KH Consultation”, a company that offers relocation services to make the transition to Berlin easier for professionals, students and companies.
When I ask Abdallah eight years ago if he could have imagined helping people professionally with the complicated naturalization process in Germany one day, he laughs. “It may sound cheesy, but I always knew that I wanted to help people.” I can easily understand that feeling. I am impressed by Abdallah, who has turned his passion into a career in Germany.
Finally, I ask him what advice he gives to GJU students who are traveling to Germany for the first time. For a successful year abroad, Abdallah emphasizes the importance of the language and advises GJU students to actively speak German and take part in local events. He encourages you to be patient and find the right place for yourself, both professionally and personally: “There is no boring place for me — you just haven't met the right people yet. The same applies to the job: If you are dissatisfied with your job, it is often not because of you but because you haven't found your right place yet. ”
“Marie Dierck | Student Relations Manager”
Photo: © Abdallah Khirfan
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