Culture & Careers
- September 15, 2022Global Careers: From Cairo to Berlin, pursuing new opportunities.
In our series ‘Global Careers’ we talk to employees who have moved between different offices at Delivery Hero. We operate in around 70 countries, and that’s a great starting point for having a truly global career. In our latest edition, meet Esraa Eldemerdash.
Esraa works as a People Partner in our Berlin Headquarters. Originally from Egypt, Esraa worked in Delivery Hero’s Cairo team at talabat for one year. In 2022, she felt ready for a new challenge, new experiences, a new country – and decided to change jobs (and country!) within the Delivery Hero Group.
Read on to find out why!
Esraa, you moved from talabat to Delivery Hero’s central team. How did this opportunity come up, and were you hesitant to grab it?
Since graduating, I was keen to relocate to another country, move out of my parents’ house, and be independent. When I joined talabat, I knew I was getting closer to this, since talabat is part of Delivery Hero. This means there are internal mobility opportunities around the globe for employees. All I had to do was wait for the right time and the right opportunity.
Germany was on the top of my list as it was the second language I learnt in school and I had experienced the culture during my childhood. I remember the day I saw the Berlin-based People Partner role posted online, it took me only seconds to make the decision to apply. This is how I knew I was ready.
What did moving countries mean for your career?
It means a lot! I mean a lot! My position at talabat was a local role, mainly focusing on the Egyptian market while also working closely with our regional team in Dubai.
Being part of the Central team in Berlin and working with teams in the APAC region and Turkey, was a brand new experience for me. I needed a lot of support in my first few months, and I can’t thank my manager and my team enough for helping me navigate this.
What would you say is the biggest difference between Berlin and Cairo?
Cairo never sleeps! In Cairo, you can order food 24/7, go to cafes 24/7, go to the cinema 24/7 and much more. Back home, I could spontaneously call my friends at 12am to go out, and we’d have many options. In Berlin, I’d think twice if I want to go out at 7pm. This has made me an early bird. Waking up at 6am or maybe 5am is the new normal for me. I like to enjoy the streets, museums, malls, and flea markets of Berlin in the morning.
What do you think are the benefits of going abroad for work?
Going abroad expands your skills and experience, personally and professionally. It introduces you to things you didn’t know existed and pushes you out of your comfort zone, which I’d say is the key element for everyone’s growth.
What was the biggest challenge along the way?
For me it was being away from my family and friends. They used to be part of my daily routine, so coming to a new country, building a new home and making new friends was my biggest challenge. Yet, I love how fulfilling this is. It’s not as hard as I imagined it would be.
Is there anything you really miss from home?
Family gatherings on a Friday and a table filled with my Mom’s food is what I miss the most.
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