The move was worth it!

Ivana Petrovska has only been living in Görlitz since November of last year. The prospect of an attractive job drew her to the border town. "I found the opportunities offered by the upcoming structural changes in the region unique and exciting." Besides the chance to meet many highly qualified and dedicated people, the young Macedonian was primarily curious to experience German culture and way of life. She had already traveled to the USA as part of a work and travel program and had also lived in Malta for a while. But she had never been to Germany before. Now, just six months after her arrival in Görlitz, she's certain: the move was worth it!

Ivana looks back on her early days with gratitude: "The people of Görlitz were very kind and helpful, so it didn't take me long to settle in and feel at home." The beauty of Görlitz also contributed to this, as Ivana immediately fell in love with the city. She was constantly amazed by the architecture of the picturesque, historic, and well-preserved buildings. So it didn't surprise her that Hollywood chose Görlitz as a filming location for so many popular movies.

Moreover, she couldn't imagine living in a big city again. Even in her hometown of Skopje, she experienced the hectic pace that seemed to have a hold on people forever. "It's always incredibly busy, it's loud, people are constantly on the go, and most of the time they're quite stressed." Görlitz, on the other hand, feels like an oasis. "Life here is calm, peaceful, and relaxing. You can hear the birds chirping, there's lots of greenery, and in general, the city and nature are very well connected," Ivana raves. "Plus, everything is quite close, and you can reach any destination on foot or by bicycle." Last but not least, she's fascinated by the possibility of "jumping" from one country to another and crossing the Polish border in just five minutes.

Görlitz is already very beautiful as it is. But Ivana believes the city has the potential to become even more so. Entertainment venues and programs, stand-up comedy shows, and art festivals would make Görlitz even more attractive, especially for young people. She also misses the international flair of the cuisine a little. But Ivana can easily overlook these aspects.

Today, she works as a project assistant in the innovation team of the Lower Silesian Upper Lusatia Development Corporation (ENO), focusing on funding and development programs, as well as innovations and solutions in the field of sustainability. She enjoys visiting museums, strolling through the old town, and taking trips to the Landeskrone hill, which offers a breathtaking view of the city. She is also impressed by the modern Görlitz cinema, especially since it shows current films in English. Ivana is completely happy here. She received a warm welcome, found an attractive job, and can fully enjoy the arts and culture on offer. All this in Görlitz, a fairytale city that blends history with modernity.

Text & Photo: THE PARTNERS

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