Relocating to Belgrade meant expat partner Silke Zänglein had to turn down an exciting job offer in Bavaria. But she would soon be presented with another (unexpected) opportunity.
Awkward timing
“I came home one day and my husband said: ‘Let’s move to Belgrade!’ I had known this was a possibility since 2020. The only issue was that I had just been offered a really interesting management role with a group that runs 94 kindergartens in Germany,” says Silke, an experienced kindergarten teacher and an education coach. “After some discussion, we decided to relocate, even though I wasn’t sure what I would do.”
Sneaky application
“I’m the kind of person who always wants to be busy. My husband knows this very well! So (without telling me) he emailed the German school in Belgrade, asking if there were any teaching vacancies. The director promptly responded – they weren’t just looking for a teacher but a head of preschool! My husband, after confessing that he had sent the email, said: ‘Well, I guess you should reply!’”
Big professional challenge
“When we went to Serbia for our ‘look and see’, I had more appointments lined up than my husband! I went to the school every day to learn more about what they required from the role. It was when I was told that there was a lot of in-house fighting amongst staff and a lack of team spirit that I became very interested in the job. This meant I would be able to employ some of my coaching techniques in a management role. It was a big professional challenge, which I relished. At the end of the academic year, parents, board members and teachers all told me the atmosphere at the school is much more positive. I am very proud of this achievement!”
Stress relievers!
“I will continue in this role as we are staying in Belgrade for one more year at least. But this year, I hope to have more time as I want to work with a coach to develop my own coaching career,” says Silke, who is also enjoying life in the Serbian capital. “Everything we need is near our apartment, so I go everywhere on foot. Whenever I walk home to or from work, whatever issue is on my mind resolves itself. I also took up kickboxing as a hobby, which has been another good way to get rid of stress!”
Photo: Silke Zänglein
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