What is it like? To come to a foreign country without knowing anyone? Having to deal with German companies and authorities? We interviewed some of our expat members about it. Today you'll meet Kami.

 

ABOUT KAMI

  • Profession: Account Manager in Advertising
  • Hobbies besides CrossFit: hiking, creative writing, painting, yoga, reading, cooking, swimming

THE INTERVIEW

You can watch the whole video on YouTube (highly recommended) - or read it below.

Where are you from and what made you move to Düsseldorf?

Hi I'm from the Czech Republic; from a small tiny village by the borders. Then I lived for around three years in London and I moved here because I wanted a change in my life; started a new chapter, possibly learn a new language - still working on that one - and I'll be closer to my family.

What do you miss most when you think of your home?

The most I definitely miss my family. Now it's easier to visit them. I miss some of my friends for sure. Luckily plenty of the different aspects of the culture and the mentality I can still find in here and that was also one of the reasons why I picked Germany as the next destination.

How would you describe your first days in Düsseldorf?

I asked my family to help me move, pick up the boxes; I was quite nervous about this. I took a train and dealt with a transport company that was not one of the best ones and all my stuff was delayed for a week. So instead of removing and putting everything in place we actually ended up enjoying very sunny October days in Düsseldorf with my family. So better than I actually planned originally, but chaotic.

How did you hear about CrossFit 40477 and why did you decide to become a member of our box?

I always wanted to Try CrossFit. I was doing plenty of sports and I get easily bored when it's all the same all the time. So I googled where there is a CrossFit box; if there is a CrossFit box in Düsseldorf because I know it's not everywhere and then I came across a few and decided to check Instagram. This way I see the people who go there, see the coaches get the vibe and CrossFit 40477 happened to be the good one that I picked and the only one I picked and stayed.

If you have already trained in other boxes: What would you say distinguishes us from other CrossFit boxes?

I really like the sense of community and inclusivity in here. Sometimes when I schecked out boxes the vibe was a little bit... let's say: you felt like you're not always welcomed to enter and I don't feel this here. This is quite different and you can come just the way you wake up that day with greasy hair. Nobody cares and that's a really good feeling actually.

What did CrossFit 40477 mean for your arrival here in Germany/Düsseldorf?

It really eased the things. Because I like plenty of different sports I tried different courses at gyms. But whenever you go there the people are changing so even though you're with the same minded people you can't make any connections and because you just see them once and the second time they just don't come again. This is quite different here and it feels like a community . So it's good to do something that you like with the people you actually enjoy to spend the time with.

What do you associate with our box?

Certainly inclusivity and community. It is really great to meet with the same minded people, everyone here is super friendly. It really helps with starting a new life, it is a place I enjoy. It feels like home, I feel happy in the box, sometimes life brings a bit of a hard fall and you feel it even here. Nevertheless, everyone supports you and helps you and motivates you.

Anything else you would like to say?

That I am happy being part of this community that I have  the possibility to go here and it's very flexible to my of sometimes very crazy schedules. So that's really, really good. I appreciate the coaches and the people that go here and the variety of different classes that we have and the professionalism of everybody in here and the support. The support is great especially when you have a [ __ ] day those two filters here are okay... ;-)