People from many different countries work together on German construction sites and in industrial companies. Poland, Romanians, Portuguese, Czechs – international teams are no longer an exception in the construction and assembly industry, but everyday life. This presents a special task for companies that coordinate such teams: How do you accommodate a group of people who speak different languages, have different habits and still work together and live together in a functioning way? Accommodation plays a greater role than is often assumed.
Why international teams make special demands
The challenge of international teams is less in the nationality of the members than in coordination. Different working hours, different eating habits, different ideas about how loud or quiet a joint evening can be – all of this has to work in a shared accommodation somehow. An apartment that is too small or offers too little retreat can increase these differences instead of mitigating them.
Well-planned accommodations solve many of these problems by themselves. Separate bedrooms give each team member their own area. A spacious kitchen allows you to cook at different times without getting in each other’s way. And a quiet location ensures that relaxation is actually possible – regardless of how the evening went in the apartment.
Language barriers when booking
A practical problem that is often underestimated by international teams is the communication when booking itself. Many fitters from other European countries speak little or no German – and English is not always the common language either. Bookings via portals are often easier in such cases because they are multilingually available. The disadvantage: Portals often do not reflect special requirements such as group sizes, company bookings or specific equipment requests.
The more practical solution is often that the German employer or a coordinator takes over the booking and clarifies the details directly with the landlord. This avoids misunderstandings – and the actual users of the accommodation can simply move in without having to worry about the booking details.
What accommodation has to do for international teams
The basic requirements are the same as any other assembly team – but some points are particularly relevant in international groups.
Above all the kitchen. If you come from another country, you cook differently. What is a matter of course for one person is missing for the other – certain spices, certain kitchen utensils, certain foods. A well-equipped kitchen with enough space, a large fridge and the necessary cooking utensils gives everyone the opportunity to eat as they are used to. That sounds like a little thing, but it’s a real factor for well-being in a strange environment.
In addition, the following points are particularly important for international teams:
- Plenty of bedrooms with single beds – privacy is particularly important if you don’t know each other well
- Stable WLAN connection – indispensable for contact with family and friends at home
- Washing machine – not negotiable for longer stays and physical work
- Parking for all vehicles of the team
- Self-check-in – facilitates arrival even if the arrival times vary
Proximity to shopping
Proximity to supermarkets is often more important for international teams than for German fitters who know the region. If you are new to a city, you don’t know where the next purchase is possible – and you have to rely on a walk or at least easily accessible supply. Locations such as Altbach, Ebersbach or Göppingen offer this infrastructure without having to search for a long time.
Living together – how it works
Living together in a fitter’s apartment works better when there are clear structures. This applies to all teams, but it is particularly relevant for international groups. House rules that are available in writing and, at best, are available in several languages, help to avoid misunderstandings.
Topics such as waste separation, rest periods, kitchen use or dealing with common areas are sometimes regulated differently in Germany than in other countries. A landlord who clearly communicates this information – ideally before moving in – makes the start much easier. If you don’t know that waste separation is mandatory in Germany, you don’t do it wrong out of indifference, but simply out of ignorance.
Long stays and changing team members
In large construction projects in regions such as the Ostalbkreis or the Filstal, it is not uncommon for international teams to be on site for several months – and that the composition is changing. Some members leave, new ones are added. This places demands on the flexibility of the accommodation.
A landlord who can easily handle such changes is worth their weight in gold in such situations. Anyone who books directly and communicates from the start that the team could change over the course of the project will receive a pragmatic answer from most specialized providers – and avoid the bureaucratic effort that arises when booking portals with every change of person.
One accommodation for everyone
Raumschmide Apartments offers fully furnished fitter accommodation in several locations in Baden-Württemberg – with enough space for teams of all sizes, self-check-in, fully equipped kitchen and direct contact for all questions about your stay. Accommodation that works – no matter where the team comes from.