Every morning, I walk into a classroom, not with my camera, not with a drone, not with my DJ gear, but with a pen, a notebook, and a mindset on improving my German. I am not starting from scratch. I have lived in Switzerland for more than a decade. I know the basics, I understand a lot, and I can manage the essentials. But managing is not enough anymore. Right now, I am working hard to reach the B2 level. It is a solid base I need to get this project off the ground. But of course, this is only the beginning. Further improvement will follow, naturally, as my work grows.

Improving my German is not just a personal challenge. It is a strategic move, an essential part of the creative business I am building. It is not just about integration, though that is undoubtedly part of it. It is about access, credibility, and connection. It is about ensuring that when I present my work or explain my vision, I can do it fluently, precisely, and confidently in the local language.

This is a personal journey, but it is also deeply professional. Here are four fundamental reasons why I chose to improve my German now, and how this decision fits into the bigger picture I am shaping for my future.

1. Because I am building something serious

I am not just trying to survive or make it work. I am preparing to launch something I care deeply about. A creative business rooted in quality, vision, and long-term relationships. It brings together what I have built in recent years: photography, music, and a growing practice in videography, all shaped by a refined sense of storytelling. But I need to communicate appropriately to turn that into a real service that speaks to local clients with confidence.

Improving my German is not about passing a test. It is about being taken seriously when I propose a video for an architecture studio, when I explain the intention behind a photographic concept, or when I plan a DJ set for a museum or cultural space. This project needs a solid foundation. German is part of that foundation.

2. Because language is access

I have lived in Basel for years, and like many people who arrive without fluent German, I got by with English and some local basics. It works. Until it does not. There is a limit to how far you can go professionally without speaking your clients’ language. You start missing out on conversations. You get left out of informal networks. People hesitate to involve you in specific roles because they assume you will not understand the details.

I am improving my German to remove that barrier. I want to be involved. Not tolerated. Not translated. Involved. I want to understand every nuance of a brief, reply to emails without checking every word, and be able to hold a creative meeting without switching to English. That kind of access makes a real difference, especially when your work depends on clarity and trust.

3. Because discipline creates momentum

Studying German while managing everything else in my life is not easy. The course is intense. It takes up every morning and two afternoons per week. It drains energy, and there are days when I wish I could just focus entirely on my creative work. But there is something valuable in this discipline.

Showing up every day, even when I am tired, is building something inside me. A kind of internal rhythm. It reminds me that big things are built step by step. It is the same rhythm I want to apply to my work. Improve a little every day. Refine my skills. Stay sharp. Stay in motion. Improving my German is not a side activity. It is part of my professional momentum.

4. Because this future is mine to build

No one is going to build this for me. I know what I want to offer, how I want to work, and who I want to work with. Local architecture studios. Real estate professionals. Museums. Cultural spaces, just to mention a few examples.

If I want to be part of that world, I need to speak its language. Literally. That is why I am pushing myself now. Because I am not improvising. I am preparing. This is not just about language. It is about building a life and a business that are coherent, solid, and aligned with my values.

And yes, part of this process is also about integration. I have lived in Switzerland for many years, and I want to go deeper. I want to belong, not only professionally but also socially and culturally. Improving my German is part of that, and so is my decision to pursue Swiss citizenship in the future. This country is not just where I live. It is where I want to contribute.

Final thoughts

Improving my German is not a romantic decision. It is a demanding one. It pulls energy away from other areas, forcing me to pause some creative activities I would love to pursue right now. But that pause is strategic. It is part of something bigger.

Because when the moment comes, and I launch this project publicly, I want to be ready. Linguistically, mentally, and professionally. I want to arrive not asking for space, but offering something tangible. Something finished, intentional, and valuable.

Curious to know more about what I am building?

Let us start a conversation in the comments below.