A Year of New Beginnings: Finding My Place at Miebach as an Expat

Navigating the practical challenges of moving to the United States

Last year, my family and I moved from Germany to the United States because of my husband’s job. While we were settling into our new surroundings, I continued working remotely in my role in Germany. This April, I started my journey at Miebach,  beginning a new professional chapter while continuing to build a life for my family in the United States.

Moving internationally involves much more than packing boxes and getting on a plane. We had to find and rent a home, enroll our children in school and preschool, arrange health care, and learn how to manage everyday responsibilities within a completely different system. Even buying a car became more complicated because we had no established credit history in the United States. Tasks that once seemed routine required additional research, paperwork, and persistence.

Adapting to a new professional environment and establishing new family routines

The same adjustment applied to my working life. I had worked professionally in Germany for more than 10 years, but I was now communicating in English every day, building new relationships, and learning different ways of working. I had to ask more questions, stay open, and become comfortable with not immediately knowing how everything worked. While challenging, that experience has made me more resourceful and confident in unfamiliar situations.

As a mother of two, moving away from our established network in Germany also changed our family routines. We had grandparents and close friends nearby who could help when needed, not because we depended on them, but because their support was within reach. Here, that kind of spontaneous help is not available. When plans change or one of the children needs us, my husband and I have to coordinate everything ourselves. That has required resilience and careful planning, while also making us appreciate our family and friends in Germany even more.

Creating a sense of belonging in our new life in the US

At the same time, we have been fortunate to create a sense of belonging here. Neighbors have become friends, and colleagues have opened their homes and their lives to us beyond work. They have shared local advice, helped us navigate unfamiliar situations, and included us in everyday moments. Through those relationships, our new surroundings have gradually started to feel less like a place we moved to and more like a second home.

Building new connections through my work at Miebach 

That feeling of connection has also shaped my experience at Miebach. In my Marketing and Communications role for the USA and Canada, I work with people across the business to understand what they do and help communicate its value clearly. Much of my work is about bringing the right people, ideas, and information together so that our expertise can reach the people who need it.

What I enjoy most is giving projects structure and momentum. With my 10-year background in project management, I like taking an idea from an initial conversation to a clear plan with the right people involved, responsibilities understood, and important details moving forward. At the same time, I help turn complex supply chain topics into communications that are practical, engaging, and connected to the real challenges our clients face.

Flexibility and a supportive environment have helped me to feel at home

The flexibility I have experienced has also made a real difference. Family responsibilities do not always follow a predictable schedule, particularly when there is no extended family nearby to step in. Being able to communicate openly, manage my work responsibly, and remain present for my family has helped make this transition sustainable. Starting at Miebach during such a significant transition has been especially meaningful because I have felt supported while learning a new role and finding my place in a new organization.

I am grateful to the people who have welcomed me, proud of the work I contribute to, and excited about what comes next. With the right support around me, this new chapter is already beginning to feel like home.