Sweet Easterbread and Christmas stollen on the beach
Every year, around 250,000 Germans emigrate to live abroad. One of them is Katja Pereira, who works in Customer Service at Nordmann Portugal. Katja has been living in Portugal for over 30 years now. Even before she graduated from high school, Katja had her mind set on living in Portugal at some point. The reason? Love, of course!
In 1984, Katja met her husband on the famous Sud Express train while on herway home to Germany after a vacation in Portugal. After graduating from high school, Katja took an intensive course in Portuguese language and culture in Lisbon. She went on to pursue a teaching degree, intending to become an educator at the German school in Lisbon. By chance, she met one of the shareholders of Nordmann’s then subsidiary – Neoquímica S.A. – in Lisbon. When he heard about Katja’s plans for Portugal, he promptly offered her a job.
In 1991, Katja emigrated to Portugal to work in the chemistry department at Neoquímica as a sales assistant. It was easy for her to adjust to her life in Portugal, and she was welcomed with open arms by her workplace and her husband’s family. She also felt appreciated working at Nordmann and liked how employees are retained and promoted in the long term.
Katja Pereira, Customer Service
Nordmann Portugal S.A.
Although her dream of living in Portugal has come true, she still wants to preserve her German roots and traditions. Every Christmas she orders a fresh Nordmann fir tree from Germany and is known to friends, colleagues and the neighborhood for her home-baked Christmas cookies and Christmas stollen. At Easter, her brightly colored eggs and braided Easter bread should not be missed.
Every now and then, she misses Germany – but she has to admit: “It’s not long before the sand, sea and sun make me forget the sad thoughts.”
Together with and because of Nordmann, Katja has been able to fulfill her dream.
