Vom syrischen Flüchtling zur Assistenzprofessorin in Hamburg

What does “in Deutschland Fuß zu fassen” mean in German?

Sarah came to Germany as a refugee and is now a professor. She says language courses, career counseling and integration programs helped her “in Deutschland Fuß zu fassen.” Word for word it means “to get a foot down” in Germany — but it really means to settle in, build a life, and start to feel at home in a new place. It is warm and hopeful here, the voice of someone who finally found her footing.

She says: “Sprachkurse, Berufsberatung und Integrationskurse haben mir und vielen anderen geholfen, in Deutschland Fuß zu fassen.” — “Language courses, career counseling and integration programs helped me and many others get a foothold in Germany.” “Fuß fassen” is a fixed phrase. You picture planting one foot firmly on new ground, so it means to settle in and start to belong somewhere new — a country, a job, a city. More examples: - “Nach dem Umzug hat sie schnell Fuß gefasst.” — “After the move she settled in quickly.” - “Es dauert, in einer neuen Stadt Fuß zu fassen.” — “It takes time to find your place in a new city.” - “Die Firma will in Asien Fuß fassen.” — “The company wants to gain a foothold in Asia.” Usage notes: You often add where, with “in” — “in Deutschland Fuß fassen”. It works for people and for businesses. The past form is “Fuß gefasst”.