For Hussein Mansy, a fascination with the German language began long before he ever set foot in Europe. Growing up in Egypt, he developed a deep interest in German literature and culture, seeing it as a gateway to a wider world.
That passion shaped his career. He studied German language, education and pedagogy, went on to teach in Cairo, and even built his own online German teaching platform, Germansy, sharing his knowledge with students beyond the classroom.
“I was born and raised in Egypt,” he explains. “I had my job, I had my private business, and I was well established. But this chance was something special to me.”
That opportunity came when he was encouraged to apply for a role at OneSchool Global’s Sotterbach campus in Germany. For someone who had spent years immersed in the language and culture, the chance to live and teach in Germany itself was deeply meaningful.
“I decided to come here and leave all this behind. I moved to Germany because of OneSchool Global,” he says. “It is a step I do not regret. I am really happy that I did.”
Today, that same passion continues to guide his work in the classroom.
“Being a teacher fulfils my desire to share knowledge,” he says. “For me, it is like being an actor on a stage, influencing the audience and teaching something new. You can see the feedback directly in the class.”
Arriving at OneSchool Global brought a new perspective on teaching and learning.
“What is very special here is the working atmosphere,” Hussein explains. “When you sit in the Learning Centre, you see some students working on assignments, others on assessments, and teachers offering tutorials. Everyone is active, focused, and engaged. That motivates me.”
He points to the Learning to Learn framework as a defining difference in his experience. The structure allows him to design lessons that are more targeted and responsive to individual students.
“It makes my work much easier because I can prepare lessons in a more differentiated way,” he says.
The impact is felt not only in the classroom, but in his day-to-day experience as a teacher.
“For the first time in my career, I have experienced work life balance,” he reflects. “We have small classes, and you have time to prepare your lessons the way you like. It is a win-win for teachers and students.”
Moving countries is never a small step, but Hussein describes the experience at Sotterbach as welcoming from the outset.
“My colleagues are always supportive,” he says. “I had a lot of questions when I arrived, and they answered everything patiently. They are open and ready to help.”
That sense of connection extends beyond the campus. As part of a global network, Hussein regularly collaborates with teachers in other countries, sharing ideas and learning from different perspectives.
“It is a big advantage to work in an international environment,” he says. “We have regular meetings with teachers from other countries, and we exchange experiences and ideas.”
For Hussein, the most rewarding part of teaching remains the students themselves.
“They are highly motivated,” he says. “They are interested in what I say and ready to learn something new. That motivates me to give my best.”
One moment stands out from his first year. On his birthday, he arrived at school to find his students waiting with a surprise.
“They were singing, and they made cards with lovely messages,” he recalls. “It was a very touching moment.”
A decision that changed everything
Leaving behind a successful career in Egypt was not an easy decision. But for Hussein, it has been one of the most important choices he has made.
“I feel comfortable. I feel appreciated,” he says. “It is one of the best decisions of my life.”
Looking ahead, he is clear he would not want to return to more traditional models of teaching.
“Here, I have everything I need. The digital platforms, the infrastructure, the Learning Centre, it all makes teaching not only effective, but enjoyable.”
For a teacher who once dreamed of Germany from afar, Hussein is now exactly where he hoped to be, doing what he loves most.
About OneSchool Global
OneSchool Global is an independent school network that has more than 8,000 primary and secondary students and 2,000 staff across the globe, in regions including United Kingdom, North America, Europe, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Our students come from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church community; however, OneSchool Global is not a religious school and only teaches religion as required in the curriculum.
