From Big Dreams to Big Pay: Adri's Journey from Ausbildung to Restaurant Manager in Munich

Many people think that working abroad is synonymous with ease and luxury. But did you know that achieving great things requires a strong mentality and hard work? This is the path Adri Subachtiar has followed in his career. A 2018 graduate of Rudi Russel Akademie, Adri is now both a Manager and Sushi Chef at the Thai restaurant 'Kaimug' in Munich, Germany.

Believe it or not, Adri graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from a university in Bandung. Initially confused about his future and wanting a high salary as a fresh graduate, Adri decided to join the Ausbildung program at Rudi Russel Akademie after graduation. Despite the significant career switch from his studies, Adri's enthusiasm never waned. He chose to study Gastronomy for the Ausbildung program in Germany.

“By September 2024, it will be almost 5 years since I started building my career in Germany,“ said the Rudi Russel Akademie alumnus. Before becoming a Manager and Chef at Kaimug, Adri had to start as an apprentice (Azubi) from 2019 to 2022, completing the three-year Ausbildung program in Germany.

Becoming a Manager wasn't easy. Adri had to overcome many challenges during his Ausbildung program, including adapting to German culture and mastering the language for effective communication. “Alhamdulillah, even though it was difficult, I adapted well by challenging myself to actively communicate with Germans at work instead of staying silent. I also explored Munich during my days off to meet people and practice speaking with them,“ he said.

Adri's journey to becoming a manager is a result of his personal perseverance and determination. He always emphasizes the importance of “Always put extra effort“ both in learning and working, driven by his high curiosity and passion for his profession as a Gastronome. This curiosity and eagerness to keep learning have yielded sweet results; Adri has gained the trust of his boss and been given the opportunity to become the first Indonesian Manager at Kaimug Restaurant, with responsibilities for overseeing and leading foreign employees from other countries.

This effort eventually enabled Adri to successfully complete the Ausbildung program smoothly. In the end, Adri was able to earn tens of millions, marking his greatest and most rewarding achievement thanks to his perseverance.

In 2019, Adri enrolled in Rudi Russel Akademieand attended a six-month German language course. He passed all tests at the Goethe Institute without difficulty and, in September 2019, left Indonesia for Germany. He traveled to Munich by high-speed train upon arrival. “When I first arrived in Germany, I was confused and nervous but also excited because I didn't know the routes, rules, transportation, or how to communicate well,“ he recalled.

“In 2019, Rudi Russel Akademie offered limited Ausbildung courses—only three options: Hospitality, Chef, and Gastronomy. I chose Gastronomy because it was a new course and I was curious,“ Adri explained. Adri is also the younger brother of Mr. Rudiniyadi, the owner of Rudi Russel Akademie, who played a significant role in motivating Adri to join the Ausbildung program in Germany. “Honestly, if it weren't for my brother's encouragement and motivation, I might not have thought of going to Germany. But I'm very grateful that I made the right decision to join the Ausbildung program. I've learned a lot and had the chance to build my career in Germany,“ he said.

Surprisingly, Adri didn't experience homesickness, attributing it to his frequent outings in Bandung and not traveling alone to Germany, as he was accompanied by another Rudi Russel Akademie alumnus.

Adri thoroughly enjoyed his time at Rudi Russel Akademie, praising the educators, supportive classmates, and his favorite learning program, German Travelling. “During the German Travelling program, we went out of town for three days and two nights, and we had to speak German the entire time. It was fun, especially when I got fined for speaking Indonesian,“ he laughed. Adri also mentioned that studying at Rudi Russel Akademie was enjoyable because all the students were motivated to excel and actively speak German.

As a successful young professional, Adri advises that achieving success requires self-reliance, a strong mentality, and the ability to make life decisions early on. To earn a high salary and improve one's future, one must be prepared to put in more effort than expected. “The Ausbildung program is perfect for young people who dream of traveling and living in Europe. For those who want to earn pocket money during their education and a substantial income after completing the program, it's worth it. Although the three-year Ausbildung program is tough, it's rewarding after graduation with a high salary as a fresh graduate and the freedom to travel around Europe,“ he concluded.

Leute, you also can achieve your dreams like Adri!

Good luck and keep it up, Adri!