In the past year, Sudan has been embroiled in civil war which has created a huge humanitarian crisis that is still unresolved. Many Sudanese people have since relocated to bordering African countries, while few others have sought asylum in Europe.
In this article, we will discuss what the life of Sudanese people is like in Europe, and more specifically, the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Liechtenstein, and parts of Belgium).
Activities
We will start by looking at some of the activities Sudanese people can engage in.
Online Casinos
Sudan prohibits all forms of gambling, but land-based and online gambling are legal in all German-speaking countries. There are many fantastic online casinos in Germany, as well as lots of great Austrian and Swiss operators. Sudanese people who are not fluent in German need not worry as most online casinos in German-speaking countries have multiple language options, the most common being English.
Cycling
Another thing that Sudanese people can enjoy in German-speaking countries that they might not have been able to enjoy back home is cycling. Obviously, you can go cycling anywhere, but German-speaking countries especially promote cycling in their attempt to limit CO2 emissions from cars.
These countries make cycling very accessible by providing bike lanes that allow you to travel pretty much everywhere by bike. Additionally, you don’t have to pay tax on bikes (except for sales tax) or insurance, so many Sudanese people have abandoned driving for cycling.
Museums and Castles
One of the best things about German-speaking countries is the sheer number of museums and castles you can visit. All of these countries are known for their breath-taking castles that inspired the likes of Walt Disney. The same can be said about the many curious museums and their impressive collections.
Not only that, but many of these museums, especially in Germany, are free and Sudanese people take advantage of that by trying to visit as many as they can. Here are some museums and castles we recommend visiting in German-speaking countries:
- Stadtmuseum Korneuburg, Korneuburg, Austria
- Red Bull Hangar-7, Salzburg, Austria
- Belvedere Museum, Vienna, Austria
- Swarowski Museum, Wattens, Austria
- Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg, Germany
- Pergamonmuseum, Berlin, Germany
- Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Germany
- Château de Tourbillon, Sion, Switzerland
- The Einstein Haus, Bern, Switzerland
- Tramway and Bus Museum, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Clervaux Castle, Clervaux, Luxembourg
- Vaduz Castle, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Work Opportunities
There are many leisure activities that Sudanese people can take part in, but what about jobs? In this section, we will look at the job opportunities for Sudanese people living in German-speaking countries.
One of the great things about living in German-speaking countries as an immigrant is that the host-country usually offers free language courses in German allowing Sudanese people to become fully integrated in society, and thus also find better paying jobs.
If you’re a Sudanese migrant and you don’t know German or you’re not proficient in it yet, make sure to check what free German courses are offered in your area. Courses are available to people of all ages, so it’s never too late to learn German.
Restaurants
Sudanese people tend to look for jobs in the restaurant industry, working as waiters and chefs. Some Sudanese people also become business owners by opening their own restaurants, usually offering Sudanese cuisine.
This is a great way for Sudanese migrants to pay homage to their home country and to also explore a profitable niche in the market since there are not that many Sudanese restaurants in German-speaking countries.
Call Centres
If you’ve just moved to a German-speaking country and you don’t speak German, finding a job at a call centre might be the answer. Many call centres look for English speakers, so look around for employment opportunities.
Construction
German-speaking countries always look for people to do construction work which is why it’s easy for Sudanese migrants, especially men, to find a job in the industry. Still, construction involves hard labour, so you should be in good physical shape.
Healthcare
Many German-speaking countries are struggling to find nurses and doctors hence why they are quick to provide work permits to Sudanese people with these qualifications.
Still, you have to make sure that your diploma (if Sudanese) is accepted by your employer. German-speaking countries have different standards when it comes to healthcare providers, so unfortunately, they might not verify your credentials.
Engineering
Engineering is another industry where German-speaking countries are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. In comparison to healthcare, it’s easier to get a job as an engineer as German-speaking countries are more likely to accept your engineering accreditation if it was achieved in another country.