World Women's Day Interview with Sammy

Hi Sammy, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Before we start, I would like to know a bit more about you. Please give us a little introduction about yourself. Tell us who you are, and what motivated you to share your story.

Hi! My name is Sammy, and I’m from America, from the beautiful state of Kentucky. I wanted to share my story today because living abroad was always my dream. And I want other women to feel that whether their dream is small or big, they can achieve it. Living abroad definitely has its challenges, but I want women to feel that everything is possible. Sometimes It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you are uncomfortable.

Which aspects of your life and personality define you the most?

I would say that I have a lot of grit and I’m very outgoing. Grit meaning, I may not be the smartest in the room, but I will try to be the hardest working. Doing theatre, speech and drama class has made me the woman I am today. Doing these things has been uncomfortable sometimes, but it showed me that it’s okay to fail. I feel comfortable failing and getting back up again.

What does the concept of womanhood mean to you?

First off, definitely strength. Women are often expected to fulfill multiple roles simultaneously – from caretakers to career professionals – and it's empowering to witness women taking on these responsibilities with grace and determination. Womanhood means breaking barriers and proving that women can do anything and be anything.

Starting a new chapter in a foreign country, especially as a young woman, can be quite intimidating. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first arrived in Germany?

One of the biggest challenges was the feeling of being misunderstood. A lot of eyerolls down the street when people asked me a question and I couldn’t respond in German. In addition, I moved at a challenging time. It was 2019 when the American election was going on and everyone only wanted to talk about that topic. I was trying to assimilate and be in this culture, and didn’t want to talk about that, I wanted to be my own person. Those topics you just have to handle with grace and move them aside. Learning the language was another challenge. I had no German experience when moving here and I definitely had my ups and downs with the language. Now I’m at a point where it’s not great, but I want to continue working on it.

Did you encounter any cultural prejudices or stereotypes about Americans or women that you had to navigate? How did you handle them?

The biggest one was “Oh, you’re American, you must only eat McDonald’s”. Don’t get me wrong, I love my McDonald’s, but there’s definitely more to life than that. When I came here for grad school, some people would say really harsh things about America as if I was not in the room. You know, I never felt super patriotic, but when you are in a different country and hear someone say not so nice things about where you come from, that pride comes up. So you have to be assertive but not mean. I learned that, it's essential to stand up for where you come from while fostering understanding and respect for different cultures in a graceful way. 

What advice would you give to other women who are considering studying abroad and possibly building a life in a new country?

Just do it! Some people see moving abroad and living abroad as something permanent – but it doesn’t have to be. It can be a part of your journey. Embrace the challenges and uncertainties, knowing that the worst-case scenario is returning home with invaluable experiences and lessons learned. Don't let fear or societal expectations hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

You have a reputation for having a positive attitude and a love for life. Are there any specific strategies or practices that help you stay positive?

Self-reflection plays a significant role in maintaining my positivity. My parents taught me that if you feel sad, if the world feels heavy and something feels not right, you really need to step back and self-reflect on the good things in your life. I know that’s easier said than done. But self-reflection and life reflection really get you through that hard time. Finding joy in the little moments and practicing gratitude helps me stay motivated and optimistic.

Can you share a favorite memory or experience that encapsulates the essence of your journey?

One of my favorite memories from my time in Germany was an spontaneous trip to Budapest with my best friend. Despite initial hesitations, we traveled there and ended up having an incredible time with people from different cultures. I realized “Wow, that’s why I love living abroad”, because you get to be with people from all different parts of life that you wouldn’t have normally met. So when you push yourself and put yourself in these situations it adds such value to your life.

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In our daily lives, how do you believe women can empower each other and foster a sense of unity and support?

Empowering women begins with understanding and empathy. By acknowledging and validating each other's experiences, we can create a supportive environment where women feel empowered to pursue their goals and dreams. I have so many friends who are going through different chapters of life – from being single to coming out of a tough relationship, from wanting to be a mom to getting married. Each of those things is challenging itself, and whether it's offering a listening ear or celebrating each other's successes, small gestures of solidarity can make a difference in fostering unity among women.  

What does World Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, World Women’s Day means to celebrate! It's a celebration of women's resilience, strength, and achievements. I went to an all-girls high school and our motto was “Women Making a Difference”. And that’s something that has stuck with me all my life. Women can make a difference, our voices can be heard. World Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress we've made and a call to action to continue advocating for gender equality. While there's still work to be done, I believe it's essential to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women around the world. That’s what World Women’s Day means to me.