How Europeans uncover Bremen: Alexis Papathanassis from Greece

What do you particularly like about Bremerhaven?

Since I used to be born and raised on an island, I really feel instantly at residence right here due to the ocean expertise and the proximity to the ocean. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve seen Bremerhaven continuously develop, with new points of interest and an ever-increasing high quality of life. The folks listed below are actual and all the way down to earth, and it is rather straightforward to socialize and make pals. And final however not least, I’m dedicated to my work atmosphere and my colleagues at Bremerhaven College of Utilized Sciences.

What do you admire most about Germany?

The cultural and geographical variety in addition to the freedoms and rights which might be taken with no consideration right here. If you’re keen to work and enhance, there are a lot of alternatives, help and choices. Germany largely owes its success to widespread entry to schooling, together with belief in establishments and authorized compliance. This results in a excessive stage of social information, mutual respect and participation. I actually hope that this basis can stand up to the present challenges. Ruthless individualism, cultural conceitedness and lack of motivation are in the end the sources of danger that accompany a rustic’s lasting prosperity.

What may very well be higher in Germany?

There’s a saying right here: “No grievance is sufficient to reward”. A form phrase, a praise and a pleasant smile price nothing and may brighten somebody’s day. If I might want for a optimistic change, I might select extra calmness, much less envy and extra gratitude. Concerning the structural points, I want to see a discount in paperwork and the promotion of a studying tradition. To be modern, to develop additional and to stay internationally aggressive, we have to experiment, experiment with concepts and make errors.

What is usually German to you and what’s principally Greek?

I am not a fan of cultural stereotypes, but when I needed to spontaneously create associations, I might normally say German: “Made in Germany”, automobile washes, barbecue and beer nights, Christmas markets, waste separation, motorways with out velocity limits , North Sea crabs, Oktoberfest, and sometimes Greek: historical Greek mythology and philosophy, Greek Orthodox faith and traditions, late dinner, chilly espresso (frappe).

What variations do you discover between the minds of the Germans and the Greeks?

I feel the principle variations are to be discovered within the function of the household and the contract between generations. In Greece I really feel extra respect for the older era and extra take care of the younger. In Germany, some household actions had been outsourced to the state. The simpler state establishments turn into, the extra essential the household turns into and vice versa.

What do you miss from your house nation?

I’ve to confess that I miss the sunny climate, the Mediterranean sea air and the espresso tradition. Life on my residence island occurs exterior and there’s extra life on the streets. You do not have to spend some huge cash to get pleasure from some high quality of life. Leaping into the water on the seashore after work and strolling via the attractive outdated city within the night prices nothing.

Are you able to think about staying in Bremen eternally?

Sure, after all I might consider it. I spent most of my grownup life in Bremerhaven and by no means regretted it. However I can even think about dwelling some other place in some unspecified time in the future. What I can not think about, nevertheless, is that he leaves Bremerhaven fully after which by no means returns. Bremerhaven will at all times be “my Rhodes in Germany”.

What does the EU imply to you?

For me it’s united Europe greater than an financial group. It’s needed and potential to deepen each what unites us and what we have now in widespread when it comes to values, historical past, traditions and aspirations. What unites us as European peoples and cultures clearly outweighs our variations. Our variety is just not a cause for distinction, however a cause for appreciation.

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