Brno through the eyes of foreigners – Brno daily
Melis Karabu from Brněnský deník, far from Brno, with expatriates to find out about life in a new city from home and what the challenges are. Credit: KK / BD.
Brno, November 14 (BD) – I recently wrote a short story, which was published in the Brno daily entitled “Women dancing with Alinas“Which saved the search for expat women in Brno after real relationships that live their daily lives in the city. Before I wrote this story, I carefully watched the social network in Brno and noticed that many women were looking for their girlfriend for a coffee cup or for Saturday shopping, Sunday walks, language exchange or just to connect. I noticed that Brno events and groups for women circulated in my feed only – and they were in great demand. It inspired me to immerse myself in context, imagine it and write a story. Furthermore, this story inspired an expat woman in Brno to come and talk to me about their relationship to the story!
It helped me connect with like-minded women; Sharing their views and sympathies for the problems of building lasting friendships with other women, foreigners in the city, almost always struggles with language barriers and immigration policy and their own ways of living here. Their stories made me more curious. I wanted to know if most women share the same feelings and have the same problems. To find out, I talked to twenty women from different countries who somehow crossed the roads in Brno.
I have found that most of them like the city to believe that it is safe there and that they can live freely here as a woman. And I found that no matter how I faced establishing contacts and roots, they found a way to get the most out of life in Brno, take responsibility and come to adulthood without apology, even from a very young age. positively make their stay more enjoyable. thinking.
In this article, I quote some of these spirited stories in order to inspire the old and newcomers of the city to stay on the road, feel empathy and togetherness of life and take advantage of Brno’s goodies in the long winter. Nights – because we all agree, it’s been a long journey behind closed doors and a friendship with Netflix!
- People, city, inclusion, beDesire
“Sometimes you sit in public transport and people make it so clear that they don’t want to be next to you. In addition, I met some great people who were excited to meet you like I did. ”
“People seem arrogant and brazen. but when I I learned the basics of Czech – people started smiling and life got bright colors. I like Czech “common sense”, but Czechs are also very introverted people. They are not citizens at all. I also learned that Czechs don’t care what others think of them. They live their lives and try not to bother others. Which I think is a wonderful way of thinking. ”
“Thanks to the atmosphere, I fell in love with the city. “
“He is not kind and gentle without emotion. “
“I have a cold and a fever from the immigration bureaucracy. It’s my oldest favorite place to go. It’s an almost traumatic experience when I feel small, invisible and inaudible. “
“As a Middle Easterner, I see a lot of rulers here. I get a lot of questions about my religion, my background, my home, my country and sometimes it annoys me. People care about these things more than who I really am. It’s really sad for me. “
“At first I was very uncomfortable living here because I didn’t know what the Czechs were saying to you, and I felt like he was saying things that weren’t very nice about me. Although it hasn’t changed much in terms of language barriers, I’ve met amazing Czechs here, so it’s even better now. Is he welcome here? I’d say yes. “
“The first few days when I didn’t speak Czech, I struggled with rudeness and I was very sad about it, but then I tried not to take it personally and I was motivated to learn Czech. I think even if you don’t speak 100%, when you try to get people to be better in return to me When you start speaking English directly. I relaxed day by day and gradually increased my sympathy for the Czech people.
“I like that the city is so small because the culture is so attractive. But I still feel like it’s hard to meet people. “
“I miss “everyday” things, such as connecting with people through a short shared experience. “
“Most of the time I have to leave my comfort zone due to the language barrier to look for opportunities here. I find that I lose a lot of life because of it. I miss art, sports and social life. “
“Czechs in Brno are governed more than in Prague. They can be really aggressive because of the little things. I feel more welcome in Prague. Sometimes I feel that people in Brno tolerate others very little. “
“I don’t miss anything from home, except that I can do everyday things with ease. Here is just emailing or using conventional because it’s different than what you’re used to. Sometimes I feel helpless here. “
“What’s weird about me being ashamed when I make a mistake I expect to live with your boyfriend firThe first month of the relationship, lack of imagination when trying to speak their language. “
“Some traditions and corporate cultures are sexist. I think it’s due to the old mentality of some people, especially men. “
- Give it time
“When I first came to town for work, I didn’t know anyone and anything about this place. I lived in a hotel in Siegel. I went to the convenience store without a prescription to buy some staple food. I had to somehow explain to the cashier what I wanted to buy. I remember being very confused that she kept saying “no” and “yes”. I told her again, “No, no, yes!” I couldn’t buy what I wanted and I left frustrated. But now I find it funny. After a year, I’m starting to fall in love with Brno and I’ve been here for eight years. The city is big but too big and you can still meet people in the streets and bars. That makes it even more amazing when you’re a stranger. ”
“I’m from Iceland, I’m 26 and I’ve lived here since October 2019. We moved here to see my friend. When I first got here, I had a culture shock, especially with food and drink. But now I can’t do without a Welder in the winter, Polička in the summer. Because of the pandemic, I didn’t experience much, but I still find the people and the city very nice and friendly. I feel lucky and honored that my workplace trusts me, even though I am a foreigner. “
“Most of the time it was and still is boring for me, especially when COVID-19 started. As an English-speaking person from a vibrant country like Ghana, it was and still is difficult, but so am I. You have LearnNS edit. The city is beautiful, I love it. But there are times when no one can help you, for example when you ask for directions because they do not speak English. It’s not their fault. “
“I moved here in August 2020, in the middleNS epidemic. At first, due to the lock, I found it very difficult to meet people and I could not experience much. During the lockout, I took many walks in Brno, Adamov and Blansko and I completely fell in love with the local nature. Since the unlocking, I have had a great summer discovering and making new friends. The Czechs ‘sense of humor and more conservative nature fit perfectly into the Czechs’ sense as British. “
- Safe or not safe?
“I feel safe here. I wear what I want and no one will look at you strangely or comment. I have never experienced any harassment or negativity for being a foreigner, or AND Women.”
“I have a bad experience with harassment. A stranger followed me home once and addressed me on the street again. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable walking alone at night. “
“Nowhere in the Czech Republic do I feel safer than in my own capital. ”
“I experienced physical harassment NSn MHD. That made me feel insecure. ”
“I generally feel safe here at night, the first year I bought a pepper spray in case I wasn’t sure of the situation. I carried it with me for a long time and fortunately I never had to use it. I’m a little scared of drunks, sometimes they come up to you and yell at you, so that’s probably a disadvantage of this city. I also feel that pickpockets are very common here, and that scares me too. anyway, important things are not carried in a small pocket. ”
- The good in Brno – nature, food, public transport
“I really enjoy the way the city blends in with nature, I like that the summer is not very hot and I like that there are so many opportunities to meet other people with common interests. “
“I love nature and travel opportunities, it’s weird that my neighbors are nice to each other (my neighbors don’t talk to me, it’s fishy). Public transport is amazing! “
“I love meeting people from all over the world; I love architecture, history and walks everywhere. ”
“Now there are more and more foreigners, and even more so alone. “
“The multiculturalism of the local cuisine is great, as you will find good food from many different cultures. That helps me deal with homesickness. ”
“I come from the USA and the public transport system was very special to me when I first came here. But it’s great and environmentally friendly. “
https://www.brnodaily.com/2021/11/14/lifestyle/the-good-the-bad-the-city-brno-through-the-eyes-of-expat-women/https://www.brnodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Brno-city-centre-people-parks-summer-2020-credit-KK-46-1024×683.jpghttps://www.brnodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Brno-city-centre-people-parks-summer-2020-credit-KK-46-150×100.jpgBD magazineBrno, Brno compatriots, migration of Brno, empowerment of womenMelis Karabu from Brněnský deník, far from Brno with expatriates, to find out life in a new city from home and what the challenges are related Credit: KK / BD.Brno, November 14 (BD) – I wrote recently…Melis KarabulutMelisdark cloud[email protected]authorPublished author from Turkey, English teacher, master’s student in European politics, humanitarian worker, dancer. In addition, he focuses on the Czech language and its native speakers. Mainly creative, sometimes political. A big fan of Lužánky and Petrova Park.Brno daily