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When I first arrived in Western Europe, I truly didn’t expect to encounter such a diverse range of languages in everyday life. Like many outsiders, I had assumed that everyone in Europe could speak only fluent English which, in retrospect, was its own funny misconception. I quickly realised that Europe, much like Africa, is an amalgamation of nations, cultures, traditions, and languages.

As I was integrating into a new society, I was already prepared to learn a local language. But imagine my surprise when I discovered that Switzerland has four official languages! Based on population demographics, German was the best choice for me, spoken by over half of the country, followed by French, Italian, and Romansh (and of course, Swiss German dialects).

Before I explain how I managed to learn German in a relatively short period, it’s important to understand why language learning is so crucial in Switzerland especially for foreign doctors.

Why Learning German Matters So Much

Switzerland may be modern and efficient, but it still relies heavily on the postal system. Important documents contracts, insurance letters, confirmations, invoices all arrive in German. To obtain a B residency permit, you need at least A-level German. These are just a few everyday examples.

But the professional requirements go even further.

In 2018, the Federal Government introduced a major rule:
Foreign doctors must prove at least B2-level proficiency in one of Switzerland’s official languages before their medical degree can be recognized.

This requirement alone delayed my application for almost two years on top of the challenge of retrieving academic documents from war-stricken Ukraine. Learning German wasn’t optional; it was the gatekeeper to my dream.

So… how did I actually learn German?

What Worked for Me

1. Duolingo — My Gateway Into the Language

Believe it or not, I started with Duolingo on my iPad. I practiced for hours. It was interactive, fun, and helped me quickly grasp:

• pronunciation
• spelling
• basic grammar
• simple conversations

By the time my first notebook was full, I could already read signs and pick out words from train announcements. Duolingo gave me the confidence to continue.

2. Intensive Language Courses

Because I already knew the basics through self-study, starting at A2 level didn’t feel overwhelming.
But B1 German… oh, that was a different story.

B1 was the hardest:

• endless grammar rules
• cases and conjugations
• fundamental vocabulary
• listening AND writing tests

There were moments I almost gave up, but I reminded myself that I had no alternative. My dream depended on this language.

3. Immersion in Daily Life

To make German part of my everyday life, I began:

• watching German films with English subtitles (and vice versa)
• labeling objects with sticky notes
• listening to German radio
• practicing small talk whenever possible

My colleagues tolerated my broken German, and my then-boyfriend (now husband) was incredibly patient even when my sentences made absolutely no sense. We still laugh about those days! 🙂

4. Consistency Over Perfection

After completing B1, I took a short break because wedding planning and paying for language courses at the same time wasn’t realistic.
But after our honeymoon, I went straight into daily intensive classes at B2 level.

It was exhausting but by Christmas 2024, I was confidently holding German conversations at the dinner table. I definitely earned extra brownie points with my lovely in-laws!

Facing the B2 Exam: Failure & Redemption

In January, I signed up for the German B2 exam. Looking back, I probably wasn’t fully prepared but I didn’t want to start my first clinical rotation without it. I also wanted to finally submit my documents for diploma recognition.

I didn’t pass my first attempt.

What stung the most was missing the oral exam cut-off by just one point.

It was heartbreaking. But there was no time to dwell …I immediately registered for the next available exam.

With my husband’s help, we analyzed what went wrong:

• we practiced speaking every day
• we focused hard on written formal letters
• during my one-hour train commute I wrote essays on my iPad
• I sent every letter to my husband to correct the grammar

When the results of my second attempt finally arrived…

I passed.
Or rather: we passed. 😊

So, What’s the Take-Home Message?

1. Make German part of your daily life.

Don’t isolate it to a classroom, integrate it into everything.

2. Adjust your environment to support learning.

Films, radio, sticky notes, conversations… it all adds up.

3. Don’t fear making mistakes.

Your sentences won’t always make sense at first and that’s okay.

4. Practice truly makes perfect.

Small, consistent effort beats perfectionism every time.

5. Try, try, and try again!

Resilience is your biggest language-learning superpower.

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Happy German learning!

If I could learn German during war, relocation, wedding planning, and medical rotations…
so can you.
You’ve got this. 🇨🇭