People at Sartorius: Febin Varghese
Febin Varghese from India had been on two international assignments before he decided to relocate to Germany permanently. Read about how he advanced his international career within the company, what challenges he experienced and what he would recommend to colleagues with the ambition to go abroad.
This article is posted on Sartorius Blog.
Febin, you have been working at Sartorius for almost ten years now, with two assignments abroad and now a permanent position in Germany. Tell us about your journey with the company.
I started working for Sartorius in Bangalore, India as an Automation Engineer in 2012. The first possibility for an international career opened in 2016. I was sent on an assignment to the Guxhagen site in Germany for three months. Within these three months I understood that it is hard to not like living in Germany. I loved the active work culture and the green landscapes around me. My next assignment was in 2017. This was a longer assignment – spending two years in Guxhagen again.
I really enjoyed the transparency among the work force and frankness of each person, along with the growth opportunities the company offers. The expatriation experience and my fondness for Germany inspired me to think about the possibility of working and living in the country permanently, so I started looking for open jobs at the German sites.
The expatriation experience and my fondness for Germany inspired me to think about the possibility of working and living in the country permanently, so I started looking for open jobs at the German sites.
Febin Varghese, Automation Engineer
Among the numerous vacancies, an Automation Engineer position based in Göttingen drew my attention. Where there is a will there is a way. After interviews at various levels, I was offered the job in 2019. I had taken specific and strategic steps to get there and for me it was really a dream coming true.
Check out Job Opportunities for Automation Engineers
Did you experience any challenges during your time abroad or in the relocation process?
Everything went smoothly in the first two assignments, but during the preparations for my permanent stay in Germany, one factor hit: COVID. Shortly before my visa interviews both countries closed their borders and the German consulate in Bangalore was shut as well. So, I couldn’t travel to Germany as planned. How did I overcome this challenge? Taking practical steps is the only answer. I accepted my job and, with the support of my manager and teammates, started working in my new position from Bangalore, India, but in German time zone. Finally in November 2020 borders reopened and I made it to Germany: happy to be finally there, but with the challenges of living in a new country ahead.
This sounds like it was a tough time. How did you tackle these challenges, and did you receive any help from the company during the assignments?
I tried to look at the problems from a different perspective and understand every challenge that I encounter as a rung of ladder ascending upwards. I enjoyed the moment and never allowed frustration to rule me. So, relocating permanently to Germany was my next challenge. At this point in time, the Global Mobility Office at Sartorius helped me.
Learn More About The Global Mobility Office at Sartorius
Aside from the local on boarding processes, local HR organized an additional third-party service to help me and other foreign nationals to open a bank account and supported us in finding an accommodation. On top of that, my manager, and colleagues here in Germany, are incredibly supportive and help with every small step that I take in the process of adjusting to a new culture, new weather, new bureaucracy, and further challenges.
Febin with his manager and some team members at the campus in Göttingen
Looking back at your personal experiences: Do you have any advice for people who want to work abroad?
My advice for people who like to go abroad is to change their whole outlook on life, to interact with the people around you and accept them, take in their goodness and acknowledge their values.
Febin Vargehse, Automation Engineer
The international assignments have offered me mobility across geographical and cultural boundaries. I do face cultural differences. The best way to overcome these challenges is to be a "highly culture flexible" person. The social support and the support from the company and from both the host country and the home country helped me to easily adapt during the assignment period. My advice for people who like to go abroad is to change their whole outlook on life, to interact with the people around you and accept them, take in their goodness and acknowledge their values. Find out how a stay abroad supports not only your personal development, but also adds value to the company.
