Nadja Jahnke
Berlin
“An ugly duckling explores the world”
Back in school, l I was the one who was picked last when it came to choose a team for a game. Later, I was the one without a boyfriend when everybody else went to school parties as a couple.
I certainly was the ugly duckling but the worst thing is I didn´t even realise it!
When I was 21 I moved to Dublin. First time on my own, barely speaking any English, no friends or family, just with a plan: Changing my life!
I had a flat in the city center, worked for major companies as an accountant and went dancing in Temple Bar the weekends. After one year I was and felt like a Dubliner.
Yes, even though I went through some tough years in school, with that move the duckling became a self-assured young woman finally. One lesson I learned, is to love oneself! Realising that, gave me a big boost. Charged with all that self-confidence I gained during my time in Dublin, I was looking for new shores to conquer.
4 years on I felt it was time to leave rainy Dublin behind graving a more exotic place with sun, beach, rainforest…and maybe some surfers!
Sydney was the chosen destination in the end and the starting point of a new adventure that also brought me to Melbourne and Perth, then to Darwin and even a visit to Ayers Rock.
No, it wasn’t just travel and sun but after 4 years of work almost no vacation, it was nice to have a break with the occasional job to afford travelling. It was an exciting time and a great experience and I fell in love with Australia.
However, all good things come to an end and after 5 years it was time to return to Germany. It wasn’t that easy to settle back into a routine in my hometown Berlin after being around the world and leaving that great country down under behind not thinking or hoping of ever returning there.
It must have been faith or whatever that I moved back because soon after I met a wonderful guy. And 2 years into our re