Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Fourteen train drivers from Egypt, including 34-year-old Mohamed Hossam Ramadan, have found a new home in Munich. Mohamed is an experienced train driver with ten years’ professional experience with the Egyptian National Railways in Kafr El Sheikh, in northern Egypt. He has been in Munich since the beginning of June 2024, together with 13 Egyptian colleagues, and is undertaking his adaptation training with Deutsche Bahn. His German reference occupation is railway worker in operational service. In an interview with the ProRecognition project, he talks about his journey to Germany.
Mr Ramadan, can you tell us a bit about your training and work experience in Egypt? Why did you choose Germany?
In Egypt, I completed a three-year training course to become a train driver. Even during my training, I heard a lot about Germany’s technological advancements. The country is known for its modern cars and fast trains, and I was impressed by Germany’s expertise in these areas. It had always been my dream to go to Germany. I worked for ten years as a train driver for the Egyptian National Railways in Kafr El Sheikh. During that time, I heard about a partnership between the Egyptian National Railways, Siemens and Deutsche Bahn. This partnership offers Egyptian train drivers the opportunity to work for Deutsche Bahn. I applied and, following an interview with 60 candidates, was selected as one of 14 train drivers. I was absolutely delighted.
How did you overcome the language barrier?
That was actually quite a challenge. Deutsche Bahn covered the costs of my language courses and exams, so I was able to study German intensively at the Goethe-Institut in Cairo for a year. I reached language level B2. As I come from Kafr El Sheikh, I had to travel to Cairo four times a week, which meant a five-hour round trip each time.
Oh, that’s not exactly easy…
It was doable, I must say. I made good use of the long train journeys to practise my German. I did my homework, watched YouTube videos for listening comprehension exercises and was able to concentrate fully on learning German. It was exhausting, but it was worth it, and I’m glad I mastered this challenge.
How did the recognition of your qualifications go?
The recognition process was made much easier thanks to the support from ProRecognition. The recognition advisers at ProRecognition helped me with the application and were on hand to answer any questions I had. At the information session, they explained to us why recognition is necessary and how long the process usually takes. We also received comprehensive support with the legalisation of our documents at the embassy in Cairo and with the visa application. I have received partial recognition and must make up for this through a qualification adaptation course at Deutsche Bahn in Munich. In addition, we had our own WhatsApp group with the recognition advisers from ProRecognition in Cairo, which was very helpful. We were able to ask them all our questions at any time, and they provided us with precise information on which documents we needed to gather for the recognition process.
How was your arrival in Germany and how is your induction training going?
My arrival in Germany went smoothly. Deutsche Bahn picked us up from the airport and provided us with accommodation. The transition was really well organised. I’m currently doing my induction training with Deutsche Bahn in Munich. The training is intensive and demanding. At the end of August 2024, I’ll be sitting the exam for my train driver’s licence – another milestone on my journey. Deutsche Bahn has divided us into three groups to familiarise us with different types of trains: three of us are working on long-distance services and ICEs, six on regional trains and four on the S-Bahn. As part of my adaptation course, I have gotten to know various ICE routes in Bavaria, including those from Munich to Nuremberg, Regensburg, Landshut and Passau. I drive both during the day and at night to understand all aspects of the German rail network.
What are the differences between your work as a train driver in Egypt and in Germany?
The biggest difference is certainly the technology and the speed of the trains. In Egypt, the maximum speed was 120 km/h, whereas here in Germany trains travel at speeds of up to 300 km/h. The technical equipment is state-of-the-art and many processes are automated – the closing of the doors, for example. It’s fascinating how efficiently everything works!
Mr Ramadan, what are your hopes for the future in Germany?
My greatest wish is to bring my family to Germany. My wife plans to move to Munich next year to begin her PhD studies at the University of Munich in the field of educational science, specialising in special needs education. She is currently learning German using my old books from the Goethe-Institut and YouTube videos. Our sons are five and a half years old, and I want them to grow up and study here, as Germany offers excellent educational opportunities.
Munich feels like a second home to me, and I really enjoy exploring Bavaria.
Collaboration between Deutsche Bahn and ProRecognition
Since 2023, ProRecognition, the German-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Egypt) and Deutsche Bahn have been working closely together to attract qualified train drivers and industrial electricians to Germany as a place to work and to support them through the recognition process. This collaboration led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 between the AHK Egypt and Deutsche Bahn.