Things I've Realized from Living in Two Different Cultures (Europe vs. Asia)
Date: 11th of February, 2025
Different Cultures
Having lived in both a European country, Germany, and a Middle Eastern country, Jordan, as a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have experienced such completely different cultures at a young age. I spent the first half of my life in Germany and the other half here in Jordan.
As you may already know, these two places are vastly different in many aspects—region, race, culture, majority religion, and so on.
Childhood in Germany
As a child, you don’t really notice differences like race—you just want to play with other kids and have a good time. Spending my childhood in Germany was a great blessing and a wonderful experience. I never personally experienced discrimination of any kind, and in my memory, everyone was very kind.
In kindergarten, they don’t start teaching heavy subjects right away; they just let you be a kid, which is a bit different from what I’ve seen here in Jordan. It was also really nice to have an Arab community in the area where we lived—it felt like we were one big family. That sense of familiarity allowed us to hold onto each other and form great friendships that are still going strong to this day.
I loved everything about my childhood there. I truly cannot complain because I don’t remember a single bad memory.
Growing up is realizing....
Growing up, I came to realize that we all have different perspectives and ways of life—which isn’t a bad thing—but it became more noticeable in the way people treated me and looked at me. As kids, you don’t really notice or care that you come from a completely different region, culture, curiosity, and intrigue looked like. It was both exciting and terrifying, as with anything that takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you stand out from the rest. Nowadays, you don’t stand out as much due to the increasing number of Muslims in Germany.
Moving to Jordan
This was a big step we took for a number of personal reasons, and it turned out to be the best step we ever made. The first three years came with a lot of mental struggles that took a toll on us as a family, especially since I was extremely shy and didn’t speak to anyone at school, making me very unapproachable. But, as everything does, it got better over time. I started regaining my confidence and attracting amazing friends whom I now love more than anyone. Over time, we started speaking Arabic fluently and also became fluent in English and German. It truly was the best decision this family has ever made.
Living in a Muslim Country
Living in a Muslim country is all I want to do. Yes, we have our issues too, just like any other country, but the feeling of community and unity cannot be replaced by anything. Most people here are so kind-hearted that I feel like they don’t even realize it until they travel abroad. Personally, I would never willingly live in Germany again, although I loved my childhood there, because it’s very different here in Jordan. I feel like I can proudly be myself without having to justify anything. I can speak the language of the Quran with people, I can pray anywhere I go with no complications and without judgment, and I can feel the sisterhood among most women here—it’s truly something special. I feel like people here don’t appreciate this enough, but having traveled to many places, I can tell you it’s completely different.
The Best Things About Living in Jordan
As I’ve already mentioned, the people here are my favorite part, but there are so many other things I love about living here. For Muslims reading this, um… the FOOD! The community often jokes that Jordan is the perfect place for you if you want to gain weight because the food is so good. We have all kinds of foods, desserts, and services here—it’s amazing! Another thing is the tourist attractions, which locals also visit frequently if they can afford it, like the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and the Roman Theatre, just to name a few. It’s important to note that many people here don’t have the luxury to visit these places, so it’s truly a privilege and something to be appreciated and grateful for.
Something that distinguishes Jordan from Germany as well is that people here are usually much more relaxed compared to there. You might have heard this before, but yes, it’s true: Germans, or people who grew up there, are often described as rule-followers, serious, and a bit dry. In my experience, the people I’ve met in Germany are usually nice and polite, but compared to people here, there’s a huge difference. (Disclaimer: Everything I’ve stated is just my opinion and perspective based on personal experience.)
There’s so much to do here—it’s a diverse, culture-rich, and positive environment, especially for tourists. So, welcome to Jordan!
Conclusion
If you’re a Muslim considering moving to a Muslim country like Jordan, and you’ve got the financial capability, then do it! Obviously, it all depends on your mentality, but because I generally try to maintain a positive outlook on life, I genuinely love the community and life here.
If you have thoughts that could help someone out or just want to share your opinion, feel free to write it in the comments below.
