As the corona crisis began, Kamal didn’t miss a beat. Her message on the Expat page, “Dear members, these are obviously extraordinary times and many of you are, no doubt, experiencing anxiety due to the novel coronavirus outbreak (I know I am). This is a global public health crisis and you are encouraged to use reliable sources to stay up to date. Don’t let Facebook comments be your only source of information.” She went on to ask that people follow all the official guidelines put out by government and listed useful links where people could get information.

Kamal first came to Bonn in 2009. It was ten years ago that she founded the page, she explained, so that people could “simply connect and share insights with others about settling in, navigating German bureaucracy, or figuring out which cell phone contract to get.” It has grown to 14,000 members since 2010 when it began and has been received very positively. During the corona crisis, it has been a place for exchange of thoughts and information. In general, members are good about helping each other, answering questions and sharing what they know. For some, she says “it helps them to not feel so lonely”. Even people who move away remain members because it “serves as a nice connection” to the time they spent in Bonn, she adds.

Kamal works in Bonn at a start-up that was spun off by DHL’ s innovation department. She says that since moving here, she has “married a nice German boy” and is feeling very settled. Perhaps that explains why her intention to stay in Bonn for only six months stretched out a bit longer!

GA-English: What brought you to Bonn and how long do you plan to stay here (or how long have you been here already)?

An internship at Deutsche Post DHL brought me to Bonn back in the year 2009. I had planned on staying for 6 months, possibly a year. 11 years later, I’m still in Germany and have embraced the country as my adopted home.

GA-English: What part of the lifestyle here has been easiest or most challenging to adapt to?

Bonn is an incredibly international city. You’ll hear multiple languages being spoken as you walk down the street which made me feel right at home. Aside from that, it’s a charming city with a low-key personality. I come from a city of 21 million people, so the pace of Bonn has been therapeutic and calming. I know that pace might not be for everyone, but the quality of life in Bonn is unparalleled. The most challenging thing to adapt to is that Bonn is a city for transients – people move here for a few years, and then move on to someplace else. This means that your circle of friends change every couple of years, and that can be really hard to get used to.

GA-English: How has the coronavirus crisis affected you personally and how do you think it has impacted other expats living in Bonn and the region?

I’ve been doing home office for the past 3 weeks, and have seen very few people except for my husband in this time. The uncertainty of how the pandemic will unfold, together with being isolated for an extended period of time, can really affect your mental health. I think for most expats, the question of how our families afar are doing in this current crisis is a constant source of worry. Compared to most places in the world, German healthcare is something we’re lucky to have access to. At the same time, difficulty in understanding how the authorities are handling the pandemic as well as a not fully appreciating how decisions are being taken, potentially due to a language barrier, can be a challenge for many expats.

GA-English: How do you think the crisis is being handled here?

With efficiency, pragmatism, and clarity. I have friends all over the world, and have doctors in the family that work in the UK, Australia, and Bangladesh. This has allowed me to compare to a certain degree the availability of information authorities are putting out and how healthcare workers are faring in these times. Germany is a positive example of how to handle a crisis.

GA-English: During this period of social distancing and #stay-at-home, do you have any insider tips for staying sane in Bonn?

Firstly, get some fresh air. Being cooped up at home and staring at your phone all day to stay up-to-date on the news can be detrimental to your mental health. Fresh air (while maintaining social distancing!) can do wonders to lift your spirits. Secondly, help your local businesses. Many are now offering delivery services, so use this opportunity to get books delivered and keep your local economy afloat. Thirdly, use reputable sources for information. It’s easy to rely on Facebook comments from strangers for information. But use trusted sources to stay informed but also remember to disconnect from time to time. And lastly, be kind. Many people are experiencing anxiety given the uncertain future, and it’s easy to tell people off or rant online about whether everyone should wear masks or not. But remember that there are real people on the other side of the screen and everyone’s experience varying degrees of fear or insecurity. Just be kind when dealing with people, both in person and on screen.

Interview: Carol Kloeppel