Why I Left Germany to Move to the United Kingdom

Leaving Germany and moving to the UK was not a decision I made lightly, but it was one of the most defining choices of my life. 

Growing up, I often felt constrained by a culture that valued stability and predictability over exploration and innovation. While those qualities have their strengths, I realized early on that they didn’t align with my need for freedom, growth, and self-discovery. 

The UK offered me the chance to step into a world that felt more dynamic, challenging, and full of possibilities—a place where I could build the life I wanted on my own terms.

This shift from a structured, rule-bound culture to one that felt a little rougher around the edges was exactly what I needed to thrive and redefine my path.

Over the years, my decision to leave Germany has shaped not just my career but also who I am as a person. The UK has pushed me to embrace discomfort, challenge old habits, and develop skills I never thought I’d master. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been transformative in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

This is my story of why I chose to leave the familiar behind and how moving to the UK changed my life.

What made me realize early on that I wanted to leave Germany to start a business?

Tired of hearing NO from corporate

My first job was part of one of those university programs in Germany where you could study and work with a corporate company simultaneously, called corporate study program. I was super motivated because, honestly, I get really obsessed with my passions. I’m the kind of person who’s either all in or not interested at all.

So, naturally, I wanted to go all in with this job, learn as much as possible and be part of an exciting environment.

Having had no real work experience prior, I didn’t know what to expect, especially from the corporate environment of a multinational organization.

I tried to bring in creative ideas every once in a while but then I realized, all I heard was, "Oh, we can’t do that." It was like a constant no from people who had been there for 10, 20 years or more, with a different set of values.

For most of them, it was all about job security. I couldn’t quite understand security as a driving force behind a job at the time but certainly, in hindsight and more age, I get it. 

I think I’m a more sensitive and intuitive person by nature and environments can have a big impact on my mood and state of mind. That may explain my need for wanting to be in an uplifting environment or at least see a drive for a common purpose. I felt less of that in the setting of a corporate environment and realized quite early it may not be the right path for me.

I’ve always had a lot of energy and ambition, and I just couldn’t see myself in a place where the answer to most ideas was, "We can’t do that." It was frustrating because I wanted to do more, work on something meaningful and challenge myself.

I stopped the corporate study program after 2 years as I felt somewhat drained and didn’t see the future in that type of work setting. On the other hand, I have to be grateful for the opportunity, a lot of learnings and valuable life lessons. 

A desire for freedom

I later switched to a university in the UK which thankfully accepted my application. I was then able to credit the remaining study credits from my German corporate business course. 

Let me start by saying that the move to the UK was a pretty big decision for me, and it came from this deeper feeling that I didn’t want to just follow a path that was already set out for me. 

I mean, I’ve always been someone who questioned things, and by the time I was around 18 or 19, it really hit me that if I weren’t careful, I’d end up in a very traditional, maybe even boring, corporate role. And honestly, that kind of thing just doesn’t work for me.

For me, I think the drive to pursue more and take risks really comes from this strong need for freedom. Growing up, I didn’t necessarily feel free. I was in a pretty rigid environment, both in terms of culture and how I was raised. 

It felt restrictive, and I think that sense of being confined pushed me to develop this intrinsic drive to experience freedom—freedom to make choices, to explore, and to create something meaningful.

It’s hard to explain fully because there are so many layers to it. But I do feel like a lot of this comes from a place of struggle—like not having certain needs met early on. I was often afraid to speak up as I was a very quiet kid in school. That struggle kind of manifested in this relentless push to break out, to do something different and find a place where I’d be more accepted and find belonging.

And yeah, German culture played a part as well. It’s very rigid, and there isn’t much talk about entrepreneurship or celebrating success. Honestly, there’s a bit of envy in the culture, which I really don’t like. It’s quite the opposite of what you see in places like America, where people cheer for others’ success.

This drive I have—it’s both a blessing and a challenge. Sometimes it’s hard to channel it the right way. You can get lost in your own thoughts or caught in a spiral that isn’t productive. But when you manage to focus on it, when you get obsessed in a good way, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.

I guess, in a way, you could call me a rebel with a cause. It’s funny because the university I studied at in the UK, the University of Essex, actually had that as its motto—"rebels with a cause." 

I loved that mindset. It resonated with me so much because I’ve always been someone who can’t stand the idea of just accepting things the way they are without challenging them.

That’s part of why I felt such a disconnect growing up in Germany. There’s not much room for challenging norms or thinking outside the box. I wanted more than that. And I can totally relate to others who’ve felt suffocated by their environments. 

Whether it’s in Germany, Singapore, or anywhere else, I think we all need to feel like we have the freedom to carve our own paths.

That one fateful YouTube video

The real turning point for me, though, was this random video I watched on television.

At about 15 years of age, I discovered a daily business and news commentary show on CNN, called “Quest Means Business” by Richard Quest. I watched it on and off. I liked the broad insight into different parts of the world, economics and business, with a focus on the corporate business world

But I remember when I was 18, they had an interview with these two young guys who had started their own business. The segment explored entrepreneurship and startups based on the example of what these two guys have built. 

Before seeing that, I had never considered or even thought about starting a business. It was never discussed in school or in common TV shows. Also, my daily life in the German countryside had no exposure to business and entrepreneurship.

Honestly, I didn’t even know the word "entrepreneurship." But watching them talk about what they were doing—it just opened up this whole new perspective for me.

I was interested in many things—sports, other hobbies like aviation, just life in general—but I’d never connected that to the idea of building something of my own. That video kind of planted the seed for all of this, and from there, I started thinking seriously about how I could carve out a path that felt authentic and exciting for me.

Moving to the UK was part of that. It felt like a place where I could have more freedom to explore those ideas and break away from the rigid expectations I’d felt back in Germany. Looking back, I think it was absolutely the right call. It’s been challenging, sure, but totally worth it.

Nothing to lose

You know, this one interview I watched that really lit a spark in me. It was kind of a lightbulb moment where I thought, "Oh, yeah, why not? Why couldn’t I do something like this?" It was so clear to me at that moment—there was no real reason not to give it a shot. It was like, why not try? What’s stopping me?

Honestly, I never felt like I had much to lose. 

There wasn’t this huge risk hanging over me, and failing didn’t seem like the worst thing that could happen. It felt more like an opportunity to see what I was capable of, without all the fear of losing something significant. That perspective gave me the confidence to take the leap.

Long story short, in 2016 at 21 I moved to the UK and finished my studies with a BSc in International Business and Entrepreneurship, a course choice reflecting my grown interest in business and startups.

At age 20, I had already been learning digital marketing for a couple of years during my free time at University, both in Germany and the UK. When I was 22, a short time after graduating I then fully moved into business myself, joining a coworking and starting my first digital marketing agency, LeadCube Media.

My passion for entrepreneurship and drive to create my own path later led to me co-founding LeadGen App, a lead capture form, and LinkPanda, a link building and SEO agency focused on serving the SaaS industry.

What do I like about the UK?

Rougher around the edges

What I like about the UK is that it's a bit rougher around the edges. It’s not as polished or structured as what I was used to in Germany, and I think that’s actually a good thing. It forces you to fight a little more, to really push yourself.

That kind of environment, where things aren’t handed to you so neatly, can be tough, but it’s also where growth happens. You’re constantly being challenged, and I feel like that has made me stronger and more resilient. It’s not always easy, but I think it’s exactly what I needed to thrive and keep moving forward.

Entrepreneurial spirit

What I really like about the UK is the entrepreneurial spirit. You can just feel that people here are more pro-business and pro-entrepreneurship. Especially in London, there’s so much happening in the startup world and in the whole SaaS ecosystem. It’s like there’s this constant buzz of activity.

There are always events and opportunities—there’s just always something going on. That’s what I really appreciate about being here. Plus, London itself is just such a great place. It’s a leading hub for finding investors, raising capital, and connecting with clients. It’s a city full of energy and possibilities, which is super inspiring.

Connectivity

One of the things I really like about the UK, and London in particular, is how well-connected it is. From London, you can easily travel pretty much anywhere you want, whether it’s within the country or internationally. It’s just super convenient.

The London Tube!

Overall, the country has good infrastructure, reliable technology, solid Wi-Fi, good access to flexible office space and more. All of these things make life a lot easier and more seamless. It’s one of those practical aspects that really adds to the appeal of living here.

A less uptight bunch

One thing I really appreciate about the UK is how much more chilled people are compared to Germany. There’s definitely less focus on strict rules, and people are, I’d say, less uptight overall. They’re also less critical and don’t complain as much over simple things in life, just getting on with it. I’d say things move a little bit faster here.

I’m a HUGE F1 fan and just had to attend the Formula 1 exhibition when they were in the UK!

British people are generally reliable and easy to work with. They’re good about things like paying on time, and they have this easygoing approach to life that I really enjoy. As a society, they’re also quite tolerant.

Of course, silly things can still happen, like if you’re riding your bike on the sidewalk and someone tells you to get off. But even then, it’s much less intense or confrontational than what you might experience in Germany. Overall, it’s just a little more relaxed and easygoing environment, which I’ve come to value. 

Lessons learnt from immigrating to the UK

Personal development - do something uncomfortable

One of the most transformative decisions I ever made was moving to another country. Honestly, it wasn’t even about where I moved or how long I stayed—it was just the act of stepping out of my comfort zone and doing it. 

Every time I’ve felt stuck, like after living somewhere for a couple of years, I’ve moved again. Whether it was moving to another part of the UK or to a new city entirely, each move helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.

When you move to a new place, you’re forced to adapt. You learn independence, let go of the negativity from your previous environment, and get a chance to reinvent yourself. I’ve noticed this pattern in myself and others—it’s like being in a new space clears the slate, giving you room to discover new aspects of who you are. 

For me, it was learning how to be more flexible and adaptable in a place that’s less organized than Germany but still offers incredible opportunities to build resilience.

The UK, in particular, challenged me in a good way. It’s not as structured or welfare-driven as Germany. You have to figure things out for yourself because there’s less of a safety net. 

It’s also more of a class-based society, where people often think in terms of upper, middle, and working classes, which I personally don’t like. But navigating this has taught me to thrive in a tougher environment, building a kind of strength and resourcefulness I wouldn’t have developed otherwise.

I was finally comfortable speaking to an audience. This was at the Startup Demo Night in 2019 at the Google Campus London.

I also believe that discomfort and struggle push you to grow. Like, when you’re really bad at something, you have this extra motivation to turn it into a strength. For example, I used to be terrible at public speaking—nervous and self-conscious. 

But because I struggled so much with it, I put in the effort to get better than a person that never experienced the struggle. Now, I’d say I’m not just okay at it, I’m really good. I’ve spoken to large groups, done podcasts and interviews, and it’s a skill I genuinely enjoy now. It’s the same with moving abroad. You embrace new challenges, reinvent yourself, and come out stronger.

Living abroad gives you perspective—not just on different cultures but also on yourself. It pushes you to explore sides of yourself you didn’t know existed. I think everyone, if they have the privilege, should try living abroad, even for just a few months. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and become a more well-rounded person.

Do more, regret less

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the more you do, the less you regret. It’s really as simple as that. When I first started my business in 2017, I made it a point to attend a lot of networking events—whether it was local meetups or talks and presentations in London. 

I didn’t have a clear plan at the time; I just knew I needed to get out there and meet people. Looking back, I can trace my first deals and partnerships to those initial efforts. It all came down to being active and engaging with others.

I always tell my team that life is about more than just completing tasks or staying within your comfort zone. You need to step out, talk to people, and try new things. So many opportunities in my life wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t pushed myself to connect with others, even when it felt uncomfortable.

Hey! That’s me at the recent SaaSiest meetup in London!

For example, I still deal with social anxiety to some degree, but I’ve learned to manage it and take those first steps. Over time, I’ve realized that even small, random interactions can lead to meaningful opportunities.

It’s not always easy. At events, I can feel overwhelmed by stress if it’s a long full day at a venue, outside my regular, fast-moving work routine. But I remind myself that I’m there for a reason, and I make the most of it. 

I’ve also learned to balance action with self-awareness. Pushing myself to do more has been transformative, but I also know my limits. If I’m at an event for too long or away from my work and goals for extended periods, I can start feeling overstressed. Finding that balance is key to ensuring I can continue to grow without burning out.

Ultimately, it all comes down to taking action, even when it’s uncomfortable. The more you engage with the world and step outside your routine, the more doors open for you. It’s a lesson I live by and one I try to share with others—because those moments of discomfort often lead to the greatest rewards.

Embracing Change: How Moving to the UK Transformed My Life

Looking back, immigrating from Germany to the UK was one of the most challenging yet rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. It wasn’t just about changing my location; it was about breaking free from a culture and environment that no longer aligned with who I was or what I wanted for my life. 

The UK gave me the space to grow, adapt, and reinvent myself in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, embrace uncertainty, and discover new opportunities—both personally and professionally. The entrepreneurial energy, the diversity of people, and the chance to create my own path were exactly what I needed to thrive.

Of course, it wasn’t always easy. 

There were moments of discomfort, frustration, and even doubt, but those experiences taught me resilience and shaped me into who I am today. Moving abroad challenged me to become more adaptable and self-reliant, and it allowed me to explore aspects of myself I might never have uncovered otherwise. 

Leaving Germany wasn’t just about leaving behind a place—it was about stepping into a new chapter of my life, one filled with growth and possibility. I can confidently say that this journey has been transformative, and it’s a choice I’d make again in a heartbeat.