My first impressions about Germany – by Benedicta Ekua Arthur
Arriving in Germany for Phase 1 of our six month ASA Academia project #1107 between the University of Education Karlsruhe and the University of Cape Coast was life changing, and I would never have missed it for anything. Being in Germany for the first time was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity because of the culture shock. Culture shock is the feeling of confusion and uncertainty when an individual is in a new country or environment. As someone coming from Ghana, a country known for its vibrant culture, warm weather, and outgoing people, Germany felt like stepping into a completely different world.
From the moment I landed, I was struck by the differences in environment, social behavior, and basically everyday life. It was both eye-opening, humbling, learning and unlearning process to me. This was an opportunity for me to share, learn and unlearn, to impact my students and family back in Ghana.
The first thing that caught my attention was the weather. Stepping off the plane, I was greeted by the cold weather because of the dress I wore. It was nothing like the warm, sunny climate of Ghana. The sky seemed clearer and the air felt heavier. I quickly realized how essential proper winter clothing is in this part of the world. My body needed time to adjust, but so did my mind. It was not just the physical cold, it was the quietness that surrounded me that felt even more intense because there is no quite time with me back in Ghana.
Coming from Accra, where the streets are filled with cars, music, street vendors and friendly chatter, German cities felt unusually quiet and organized. The roads were clean, traffic was orderly, and people seemed to move with purpose but less noise. Even on trains and buses, some passengers often sat in silence, staring at their phones or reading books. It felt strange at first. In Ghana, it is normal for one to start up a conversation with a stranger or greet people you pass by, but in Germany, people kept to themselves. At first, I thought they were being unfriendly, but over time, I learnt that this was just a different cultural norm, that they value privacy and personal space.
I had the opportunity to stay with two different hosts and the love and care from them erased the myth that Germans are not friendly, with several outings and meals being prepared for me just to make me feel at home. Peter’s mum prepared a Ghanaian meal for myself and Emmanuel when we visited their home, and my German colleagues in our Team XV – Sara, Maya, Peter, and my Ghanaian partners Emmanuel and Eli – were extremely helpful, and the connection felt like we have known ourselves for decades.
Another major difference I noticed was the efficiency of the transport system. In Ghana, we rely heavily on trotro (commercial buses), pragyia (motorized trycycles/ auto rickshaw) and taxis, which are often unpredictable. But being here in Germany, public transport is mostly punctual, clean, and well organized from my point of view as a Ghanaian. Trains arrive and depart on schedule, and even smaller towns are connected by reliable bus routes. I found this very impressive and quickly appreciated the freedom it gave me to explore new places without any stress.
Socially, I had to adjust to the way Germans communicate. They address issues, as it is, which was very surprising to me as a Ghanaian, who is used to more sugarcoating ways of communication. At first, it felt rude to me, but I came to understand that this directness is not meant to offend but it is simply part of their culture of honesty and clarity. So, not being honest with Germans in communication can be a form of disrespect.
Food was another area of surprise. German cuisine is very different from what I am used to. There is a lot of bread, butter, cheese, sausages, and potatoes. I was missing the spicy dishes from home like fufu and groundnut soup (peanut soup), jollof rice , waakye, and banku with okro soup. Finding African ingredients was easy on our first walk through the town but the prices were too high for me. I was excited to discover African restaurants in our last few weeks in Germany, where I could enjoy a taste of home without stressing myself by cooking.
Taking part in the ASA project, I took “Decoloniality Praxis” course at the Pädagogische Hochschule (PH) Karlsruhe which was an awakening experience that redefined my understanding of power, knowledge and education. Through critical readings, discussions, and collaborative projects, the course unpacked Eurocentric discourses and encouraged us to interrogate colonial legacies in academia, culture, and daily life.
One of the most impactful parts was learning about a lot of findings people have done on decoloniality which revealed the inner relationship between coloniality and modernity. Class discussion on privilege, racism, epistemic justice, and decolonial pedagogies pushed me to consider my own complicity and positionality within the structure of oppression. One thing I loved about the course is, it focused more on the practical aspect which developed the theory by itself. We studied decolonial pedagogies, reimagining curricula and even had a workshop on marginalized knowledges. This hands-on learning made decoloniality less theoretical and more personal. Having taken the course, I depart with a larger sense of obligation to shed colonial thought and foster inclusive, equitable environments both inside the classroom and beyond. University of Education Karlsruhe taught me not just information, but also a mandate, a call to remember that decolonization is an ongoing, shared responsibility, in our case for language awareness.
I was so lucky I met many open-minded and kind Germans who were genuinely curious about where I came from and eager to learn about Ghanaian culture while I also learn theirs. Living in a inter/transculture city helped me feel more included and understood. Despite the initial culture shock, I was deeply impressed by the safety and structure of life in Germany. I could walk alone at night without fear. The streets were well-lit, and everything seemed to follow a system from recycling rules to how appointments are scheduled. People respected time, and things worked like clockwork. Coming from a place where flexibility is a common norm, I had to learn to be more punctual and plan ahead from Prof Isabel Martin, friends and my host families. I realize before a problem arises in Germany, a solution is already prepared for it, which was really interesting and a good thing to me.
I took time to visit Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Mannheim, Heidelberg, Speyer, Saarbrücken and many other places. These cities often were a blend of modernity, old houses and natural beauty. Karlsruhe offers a good layout of the city with it historic castle in the centre. The grid street plan and industrial character of Frankfurt and Mannheim were overwhelming with vibrant culture. Cities of innovation and multicultural dynamics. Heidelberg captured my heart with its picturesque old town, the iconic castle ruins overlooking the Neckar, and its timeless academic atmosphere. The calm countryside of Speyer offered rolling hills, peaceful escapes and every city had a different history to share. Saarbrücken, on the French border, also surprised me with its Franco-German elegance and beautiful Saar River.
In conclusion, my first impression of Germany was a mixture of passion, adaptation, learning, and unlearning. Many of my expectations were challenged and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Carefully following the strict recycling rules to avoid issues. There was also a change in my sleeping pattern. Building a balanced support network by connecting with fellow Ghanaians for comfort while also making a concerted effort to befriend Germans and other internationals. The language barrier was something that made everyday tasks difficult, such as grocery shopping. I had to learn basic German. Because cultural differences like the strict German punctuality and direct communication was different from where I was coming from, it was hard in the first few weeks. I did in the end adjust to it though. Social integration took time but came later. The cold weather also tested my mood, where an extra effort had to be made to stay positive. And, as anticipated, German bureaucracy demanded attention to record-keeping in a big way! I quickly learned to keep every paper in order! While difficult at first, it was these challenges that made my experience more rewarding and enriching with the help of Prof Martin.
I sometimes miss the Ghanaian warmth, both in weather and in human interaction. I have come to appreciate the order, safety, and opportunities Germany offers. Living here has not only taught me about another culture but has also helped me grow in many ways: holding healthy and good conversations, improving my IT skills and also respecting rights and views of others.
It is an experience I will carry with me forever.
Being a Ghanaian taking part in the second phase in Ghana at the University of Cape Coast soon, I anticipate increased community ownership, solutions that are scalable with local needs in mind and the chance to be in charge of change. Alongside my other colleagues, we will leverage our strengths, spurring innovation, empowerment, and sustainable impact right at home.
Text by Benedicta Ekua Arthur
Photos by Benedicta Ekua Arthur, Maya Hart, Eli Attipoe , Peter Hintz
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