“Freiburg offers a unique combination of nature, environmental awareness and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. That’s why I can well imagine staying here.”
Community as the key to settling in
Freiburg: the perfect blend of environmental awareness, nature and human kindness
What makes a new place feel like a real home? For Bashar Zhirati from Syria, who has been working as an IT systems administrator at the Angell Academy and the ISBA International Study and Vocational Academy since 2022, the answer lies above all in the people.
In his interview, he describes his journey to Freiburg, the warm welcome he received from the team, and the importance of openness, exchange and mutual support. His story illustrates how Freiburg, with its unique blend of nature, sustainability and a vibrant sense of community, can become a place to settle and make a home.
Bashar Zhirati: I was looking for a place that combines nature, social life, peace and quiet, and a pleasant working environment. Freiburg proved to be the perfect choice for this, not least because of my work at the ANGELL Academy and the ISBA International Academy of Studies and Vocational Training.
Bashar Zhirati: History, nature, culture.
Bashar Zhirati: For me, Freiburg is the ‘Green City’ par excellence. For me, the city embodies a unique symbiosis of a sustainable future and cross-border culture. It is fascinating to see how modern eco-concepts blend harmoniously with the academic tradition here in the heart of the border triangle.
Bashar Zhirati: Thanks to the great team spirit and the warm-hearted local community, I never felt like a stranger. The friendly welcome and the help I received in everyday life took all the pressure off me and made my start in Freiburg much easier.
My tip for newcomers: Seek out direct contact, whether within a team or in clubs. A smile and taking the initiative to communicate open many doors in Freiburg.
Bashar Zhirati: It only took a few days. When my colleagues invited me out onto the terrace at the ANGELL Academy and we spent some time together, I knew: this is where I feel at home. My neighbours and new friends also made me feel like I wasn’t a stranger right from the start.
Bashar Zhirati: I appreciate the people’s calmness and environmental awareness. What I miss are large family gatherings, but this has led me to build a new family here in Freiburg, made up of friends and colleagues.
Bashar Zhirati: Immersing myself in the city’s cultural life. I was particularly impressed by my visits to the Augustinermuseum and events such as the Zelt-Musik-Festival.
Bashar Zhirati: I don’t think there’s hardly any other place that offers such a perfect combination of environmental awareness, nature and human kindness as Freiburg. So my answer is quite clear: Yes!
Bashar Zhirati
IT Systems Administrator at the Angell Academy and the ISBA International Academy of Studies and Vocational Training
