TransferGo is a startup that allows for international money transfers without excessive banking fees. Founded in 2012 by Lithuanian entrepreneurs that now live in London, the company caters for over 47 countries and prides itself on supporting migrant workers who are sending money home to their families.
It was just over three months ago that Julia Ławniczak left her native country of Poland to come and work for the international company at their offices in Berlin, Germany. She was recruited to delve further into the Polish community living within Germany whilst also expanding the brand amongst Poles who send their money back home.
The further aim of the programme was to understand how expat communities work together, form relationships and work in a foreign environment; and how TransferGo could help them. It comes alongside blog posts on the TransferGo website that address the issue of ‘How to deal with homesickness,’ ‘10 colourful Polish phrases’ and ‘Best Polish restaurants in London,’ as the company strives to enhance cultural exchange and growth between its customer base.
The heroes programme has since drawn in a number of figures from newspaper editors to theatre producers from around Germany to join in with the Polish network and get their hit of home. The network allows for a broad array of Polish natives to join forces, speak their own language and make the connections that can provide a sense of stability. The highlight is that the programme doesn’t cater to only tech specialists and entrepreneurs, but instead ‘‘just people that are positive and active and they do something not-for-profits and for the community,’’ Ławniczak says.
Expat communities exist far and wide across the corners of the world. With globalisation, the potential to travel and work in other countries becomes single-handedly one of the most exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and something the community of Europe strives to protect in an increasingly nationalistic sphere. However, the realities of moving to another country, finding friends, speaking a foreign language, finding a home and re-learning an entirely new cultural approach does take its toll – which projects such as Berlin’s Community Heroes will ensure that the individual is no longer alone.
As a Polish national herself, the group coordinator speaks of the relationship she has since developed with her new home in Berlin as she reflects, ‘’I moved alone so I had no friends here and no family, but as I started the Community Heroes project I really felt like home.’’ Shifts in cultural differences and work ethics is another matter that international companies have to utilise and understand in order to add to success.
As more entrepreneurs and adventurers look to overseas opportunities for greater benefits in life experiences, as well as work, one may wonder what advice the leader of a foreign community group would have for budding expats.