Spiking My Way to Friendship: How Joining a Volleyball Club Helped Me Find Community in Berlin

Spiking My Way to Friendship: How Joining a Volleyball Club Helped Me Find Community in Berlin

Hey there! I’m Mia, and I want to share my experience of moving to Berlin from Brazil and how joining a sports club helped me make friends and improve my German. When I arrived in 2022, I was excited about the city’s vibrant culture and endless opportunities, but I quickly realized that making connections was harder than I thought.

At first, I felt pretty isolated. My job kept me busy, but after work, I often found myself sitting alone in my apartment, scrolling through social media and wishing I could meet new people. My German was basic at best, which made it tough to engage with locals. I knew I needed to do something to change that.

One day, while chatting with a colleague, she mentioned how much fun she had playing volleyball with her club. “Why don’t you join us?” she suggested. At first, I hesitated. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if everyone spoke too fast for me to understand? But something inside me pushed me to give it a try.

The next week, I showed up at the gym for my first practice. My heart raced as I walked in, but the moment I entered, I was welcomed with smiles and friendly hellos. The team was diverse, with members from various countries, and they were all eager to include me. We started warming up, and even though my skills were rusty, everyone was supportive and encouraging.

As we played, I realized that being part of a team not only helped me get active but also provided a fantastic opportunity to practice my German. During breaks, we chatted about everything from our favorite foods to weekend plans. It felt so good to be part of a group where everyone was learning from each other.

Over the next few months, volleyball became a regular part of my life. With each practice, my language skills improved as I picked up new vocabulary and phrases in a fun and relaxed environment. Plus, the friendships I formed were genuine; we started hanging out outside of practice too—going for coffee or exploring different neighborhoods together.

One of my favorite moments was when we organized a small tournament with other clubs. It was thrilling to compete and cheer each other on. By then, I felt much more confident in both my game and my German! The camaraderie we built made me feel like I truly belonged.

Looking back on my journey in Berlin, joining that sports club turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. Not only did it help me stay active and learn the language, but it also connected me with amazing people who turned into friends. If you’re an expat feeling a bit lost or lonely in a new city, don’t hesitate to join a local club or group that interests you. You never know how much it can change your experience!