Yik  | Bangkok, Thailand

1. Where do you work?

Today, I work in Berlin as an independent financial consultant, leadership coach, and workshop facilitator across cultures. My work sits at the intersection of people, systems, and international collaboration.
I support individuals and organizations in financial literacy and career strategy, particularly women, expats, and Thai professionals navigating life and work in Germany. 
I also teach people analytics and data-driven HR decision-making, helping organizations translate data into human-centered decisions.
In parallel, I work closely with academic and research institutions from Japan and ASEAN, organizing cybersecurity and cyber-physical security workshops focused on energy systems and digital infrastructure. 
Across all these roles, my intention is the same: to make complex systems more accessible and to help people grow with clarity and confidence across borders.

2. Why did you choose Berlin?

I chose Berlin during a phase in my life when I started thinking beyond job titles and career ladders. While working in Japan, I was planning to start a family and began looking for a place that supported long-term wellbeing.
Berlin stood out for its strong healthcare system, free public education, and social security — especially important when building a family. At the same time, the city offers a different relationship with work: more paid holidays, clearer boundaries, and space to be authentically me.
As someone who works between Germany, Japan, Thailand, and ASEAN, Berlin also felt like a playground. It is international, diverse, and open to different ways of thinking and living — a city where complexity is not only accepted but normal.

3. What do you love about Berlin?

What I love most about Berlin is its openness — to people, ideas, and change. Diversity here is not a slogan; it’s lived every day.
The direct way people communicate challenged me at first, coming from more indirect cultures. Over time, it helped me grow. I learned to express my needs clearly, to say no without guilt, and to stand by my ideas.
I also value Berlin’s strong sense of community. There are formal networks, informal meetups, and countless spaces where people exchange knowledge and support one another. Berlin gives you permission to redefine success and to build a life that fits your own rhythm.

4. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges was navigating cultural expectations across different countries. In Germany, I sometimes felt too reserved; in Thailand and Japan, I could feel too direct.
I worked through this by learning German, joining professional training programs, working with coaches and therapists, and observing carefully how communication works in different contexts. Over time, I stopped trying to “fit” into one style and instead learned to integrate them.
Today, I see my cross-cultural background not as something to manage, but as a strength — especially in roles that require mediation, translation, and trust-building.

5. Who or what helped you settle in Berlin?

Many people and structures helped me feel at home in Berlin. German language teachers and Weiterbildung programs gave me tools to navigate daily life and work. Coaches, therapists, and doctors helped me understand myself better in a new environment.
My husband, friends, and colleagues provided emotional stability and encouragement. Communities such as Talent Crunch Berlin and SINGA Deutschland were also important — they offered connection, exchange, and a sense of belonging beyond work.

6. What advice would you give someone new to Berlin?

Start by getting clear about what you need and what matters to you — and communicate that openly. Berlin values clarity more than perfection.
Asking for help is not a weakness. There are many support systems here: family centers, community spaces, counseling, newsletters, and online groups. Build connections through your interests and hobbies, not only through work.
And most importantly: allow yourself to choose what energizes you and to say no to what drains you. Berlin gives you that freedom — use it.