Success Story: Living and Working in Bavaria as a Skilled Professional
Our Success Stories: Cesar Rodriguez at PGXperts
New country, new job – how does settling in work? In our interview series, people share their experiences of living and working in Bavaria. Cesar Rodriguez is a Scrum Master at PGXperts, a software company based in Fürth.
What made you decide to live in Bavaria? What stands out to you about living and working here?
It all started with an internship and a position as a Junior Software Developer. Since then, PGXperts has continuously offered me exciting development opportunities. Currently, I work as a Scrum Master and lead a team of six employees. One of the highlights of my job is how diverse and international our team is. Everyone brings unique dynamics and expertise to the table thanks to their different cultural backgrounds and professional skills.
I quickly realised that Bavaria offers a great combination of high quality of life and a pleasant working environment. A concrete example is the number of vacation days, which is significantly higher in Germany than in my home country, Mexico. These positive experiences made it easy for me to decide to build my professional future here in Bavaria.
What surprised you when you first arrived in Bavaria?
When I arrived in Fürth, I was initially surprised by the organisational challenges at the immigration office. At that time, there was no appointment booking system, and during winter, people had to queue outside early in the morning to have their concerns addressed. Fortunately, these processes have significantly improved over the past few years, which shows me how much Bavaria invests in improving efficiency and processes.
A truly wonderful experience has been the openness and friendliness of the people in Bavaria. I especially enjoy how many people take an interest in where I come from. Often, they share positive experiences or memories of Mexico with me – whether it is from a holiday or their enthusiasm for Mexican culture. The warm-hearted nature of the people here made it very easy for me to start my life in Bavaria.
What resources helped you settle into life in Bavaria?
Above all, the support from my colleagues was incredibly helpful. Some time ago, we switched entirely to using German at work. This was a big challenge for me, but thanks to the help of my German-speaking colleagues, I was able to improve my language skills quickly.
Another major advantage was that my employer hired a private tutor for international professionals like me. Weekly German lessons were organised for us. This support not only helped me express myself more clearly but also boosted my confidence in conversations.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was finding housing during my first few months here. Fortunately, my employer actively supported me during this process. They helped arrange viewing appointments and even accompanied me to viewings to assist with any language barriers.
Another milestone was obtaining my residence permit. Once I had it, finding housing became significantly easier.
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