Della Bii-Mai: For example, with work it's a little bit different with hierarchy the way colleagues interrelate is really different from Cameroon. If you get into a typical Cameroonian organisation you can see who is the boss – maybe from the way, he carries himself. But here at the Partnership with Africa Foundation it's really different because you hardly know who is in control. We have one working space and you just have your desk. And we have lunch together and everything is almost on the same level. So I find that interesting too.
And also the Cameroonians from my part of the region are very open. In the morning on my way to work in Cameroon I greet almost everybody. I get into the taxi and we have a conversation and that's just how we live. It's more of a community life. But here? Nein… it's like: “I have my space. And this is my space”. The tram is sometimes so quiet; nobody talks and you sit here and you don't even need to say “Hi”. That is how you do it. But if you do this in Cameroon, you might not fit in so comfortably. Also Germans are quite helpful. I was struggling with the map and somebody just walks up to me and asks: “Are you ok?” And even those who cannot speak English so well still try to explain something just to help you out.