Juliane

It was a real strain on my relationship.

I moved from Brazil to Germany six months ago. My partner David had a new job here and I decided to come along. At first I enjoyed the new surroundings and the new people. I was very enthusiastic when I was able to start a doctoral program at a nearby university.

After a few months, it became more and more difficult for me to do my doctorate. German is not my mother tongue. That slowed me down a lot when reading research literature. I began to stay up late in the evening to do my reading. It was a real strain on my relationship with David. He worked late and I often came home to an empty apartment in the evening. When he came home, I was busy with my studies. So we spent less and less time together.

It felt like there was no one there for me

I missed my friends and family more than ever. It felt like there was no one there for me. I didn't want to bother David with my problems, but he obviously knew something was wrong. I had made friends at university, but compared to my friends in Brazil, they were more like acquaintances. I had no one to confide in.

I read an ad about an online program for cognitive-behavioral therapy

When I walked past the university counseling service, I saw an ad for an online program for cognitive behavioral therapy. I immediately thought that it might help me. Sometimes it was hard for me to keep up with the program. But I'm glad I hung in there.