Shobha Shalini, India
Shobha Shalini, India
- Age: 60
- Country of origin: India
- Living in Middle Franconia since: September 2003
- Place of residence: Nuremberg
- Occupation: Self employed – Shalini Living, Immobilien- und WG Management
How did you come to Germany and Central Franconia?
I came to Germany in 2003 for love. I had met my husband in Bangalore. He was also originally from Bangalore, but he had already become a German citizen and was living and working in Nuremberg.
After our wedding, I moved to Nuremberg to join him. It marked the beginning of a completely new chapter in my life. I had already started learning German while studying in Mumbai. After arriving in Germany, I resumed my language studies with great dedication and focused first on improving my German, finding my way in my new surroundings, and becoming part of the community.
What would have helped you upon arrival?
What helped me most was my openness. I was curious about my new country and eager to learn the language, understand the people, and get to know their way of life. That is why I focused strongly on improving my German, meeting new people, and finding my place in my new environment.
My husband and I also spent a lot of time traveling together, which allowed me to discover Germany and Europe step by step.
What I missed most was my family and my close friends in India. The long distance made it more difficult to stay in touch, and unfortunately, I gradually lost regular contact with some friends. At the same time, Germany gave me many new experiences and a completely different perspective on the world, helping me grow tremendously as a person.
Why did you stay in Central Franconia?
The defining moment came in 2016. After my husband passed away, I spent several months in India. During that time, I asked the heavens for a sign about where I should live.
Something happened on my flight back from Amsterdam to Nuremberg that I will never forget. The moment the wheels of the plane touched down on the runway in Nuremberg, my heart leaped with joy. In that instant, I simply knew: this is where I belong.
Since then, Nuremberg has been more than just the place where I live. Nuremberg is my home.
What do you wish for the future?
I hope to remain curious, continue learning new things, and keep bringing people together. Promoting exchange between different cultures is especially important to me.
I would like to share my experiences, preserve my own culture, and at the same time remain open to other cultures. To achieve this, I am involved with the association “Malayali Samajam Nürnberg e.V.”, which I co-founded in 2015 together with a dedicated team (www.malayali.de). I have been actively involved since its foundation and have served as its President since 2022. We are committed to keeping the culture and language of Kerala alive, sharing them with others, and at the same time promoting cultural exchange and community spirit in Nuremberg.
On a personal level, I wish above all for good health, inner freedom, contentment, and many more meaningful encounters.
