"Find anything you are interested in and get involved" – Nina Metternich's Advice to Ukrainians in Austria

Nina Metternich, a native Austrian, has been at the forefront of providing support to displaced Ukrainians since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Over 85,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Austria, seeking not only safety but also support and housing. In response, thousands of Austrian citizens, including Nina and her husband Benedikt, opened their homes to these refugees, offering shelter and a sense of security. The couple welcomed 10 Ukrainians into their residence, demonstrating their commitment to aiding those in need.

As the person responsible for strategic communications at the European Centre for Freedom and Independence, Nina plays a pivotal role in fostering the integration of Ukrainians into Austrian society. Her extensive experience in this area offers valuable insight into how Ukrainians can effectively adapt to their new environment. We asked Nina for her perspective on integration, and she shared key practical and insightful advice.

My advice! Oh no… it will be very unsurprising and unnerving for you, because you will have heard it a thousand times and might find it hard to implement.

Learn German as well and as fast as you can!

It’s incredibly boring, but I firmly believe the key to integration is the language. I know most of you speak very well English and feel that, because most Austrians speak English too, that would be sufficient. I can see the temptation…! But the truth is: Austrians like to speak English only to an extent. At least as soon as there is another Austrian anywhere near, that could be spoken German to, they will soon switch to their mother tongue.

Work

In a setting of work, meetings probably won’t be run in English just because of you (of course that would be different in international companies with lots of foreign colleagues) or at least it would be a hassle.

Communications

In a group of friends, you probably already might have experienced that at the beginning everyone makes an effort to speak in English but in the course of conversation soon tends to switch back into German.

In fact, though English is taught throughout the school career, there are still a lot of Austrians who are shy to speak English as they had little practice and feel they cannot express themselves as they would speaking their own language. Of course that is also true for you! But if you learned German there is only one person struggling. And the more you convince yourself to do it the faster you will pick it up and lose fear. And I swear every Austrian will highly appreciate your approach!

I know there is always the option to only stay in your bubble and meet only with other, likewise, people who speak Ukrainian. You would not be the first foreigners in Austria to solve the problem this way. We already have big foreign communities with plenty of members, who have lived in Austria since decades, have Austrian citizenship, even vote here and do not speak the language. They live perfectly well in their rather separate world but are far from integrated. In fact, it is a problem for Austrian society as communication and sharing of values and ideas, discussing differences and challenges becomes very limited. A great junk of the reason for the rise of the extreme right party FPÖ comes from here. And most astonishingly: many voters for exactly this party also come from the secluded communities. This of course is taking things to the extreme. I am sure that won’t happen to the Ukrainians here.

Contributing to our own future

I also know that most Ukrainian displaced people do not plan to become citizens in Austria, but plan to go back as soon as possible. However, that might be also one of the reasons stopping you from eagerly studying German. It might not be worth it, because soon you might not need it anymore anyway. But believe me! No language is ever learned in vain! After going back your language skills might be key in building up your country again with the help of outside. And even if not – a language teaches you a different way to say and look at things and so a different way to think. Discover what we find important here in the way things are said, what is important to us in our beliefs? It tells you so much about a people and it is never bad to widen your own way of looking at things, don´t you think? It's just interesting! Guess what! I have another unnerving advice, that might be of help.

Find anything you are interested in and get involved!

If you want a society to take you in, the best trick is to give something from yourself. People might be surprised about that but appreciate it. If you can find some time, besides struggling to find your ways in Austria, find somewhere where you can contribute. No matter! Ideally you contribute with the talents you have, but even if it is just contributing by washing the dishes, carrying stuff from A to B or anything, it will be valuable to the society.

Usually, it is the less talent requiring, more the boring stuff done, that is appreciated the most by any kind of community. I think that is a rule independent of where you are. When I was new in my village and hoped to find my way into this society, I

found myself washing the dishes at the community feast in the community house, because the dishwasher was broken. 5h washing the dishes. I thought I must have gone mad, but it brought me friendship and recognition in a funny way. Of course, there are different ways, and it works differently in the city, but it is possible to contribute to any kind of society or small community. One actively goes for it!

Be inspired to conquer this new world!

If you want a society to take you in, the best trick is to give something from yourself. People might be surprised about that but appreciate it. If you can find some time, besides struggling to find your ways in Austria, find somewhere where you can contribute. No matter! Ideally you contribute with the talents you have, but even if it is just contributing by washing the dishes, carrying stuff from A to B or anything, it will be valuable to the society.

Usually, it is the less talent requiring, more the boring stuff done, that is appreciated the most by any kind of community. I think that is a rule independent of where you are. When I was new in my village and hoped to find my way into this society, I