Down South Latin America we stumble upon several German settlements. German even turns out to be the fourth or fifth language in Chile. In Puerto Natales, the main tourist attraction is actually a walk along several colonial style German houses. What a blast! Nevertheless the history of German culture in Chile is very interesting. In 1845 Chile took on the Law of ‘Selective Immigration’, which was meant to bring in middle and upper-class people from abroad, to colonize the south of Chile. Over 6,000 German families arrived in Chile during this period alone.
As you might be aware, migration is usually triggered by poor living conditions in the homeland. Therefore on average migrants are more often poor and not very suitably skilled. But the migration of Germans to Chile was something different. It turned out to be very important to the region in terms of quality. Amongst the German migrants were many skilled carpenters, furniture makers and enthusiastic beer-brewers. But they were also university graduates and academics, such as pharmacists, doctors, scientists and professors. The Germans became the most successful subgroup in Chile, especially in terms of housing, atmospheric and liveable villages and social-economic position.
Sensation seeking stories focus on the Second World War. During the war many German Jews settled in Chile. After the war, many Nazi leaders and collaborators took refuge in the south of Chili, the most infamous of which was Paul Schäfer who founded Colonia Dignidad. But luckily this bit is only a fragment of the very visible German-Chilean history. And although the Germans mix very well with the Chilean population today, they were very successful at maintaining their own subculture. A deacon in Valparaiso even described the South of Chile as a German time-bubble.
I wondered which cultural aspects, besides their obvious skills, made the Germans so successful? I could summarize some of the dimensions along which cultures vary, such as low context versus high context, monochronic versus polychronic, future versus past orientation and different perception of time and seasons. But that would only roughly describe differences between Northern Europeans and Latin Americans today. 150 years ago things were different. I feel it must have been the future orientation and the enterprising souls of the migrants that made most of the difference. These migrants set off to make the best possible future for themselves and for their children. They were consciously seeking opportunities, whereas the life of the average Chilean was nothing out of the ordinary.
It is similar to what some migrants and expats show us today, which I still find admirable and stimulating every time. On our trip we met many international hostel owners, several expats and loads of fellow travelers. What they seem to have in common is their open hearts and minds, plus a desire to make their own choices and pave their own path. Either you were here a 150 years ago - or just today - you would find yourself in very good company!
As you might be aware, migration is usually triggered by poor living conditions in the homeland. Therefore on average migrants are more often poor and not very suitably skilled. But the migration of Germans to Chile was something different. It turned out to be very important to the region in terms of quality. Amongst the German migrants were many skilled carpenters, furniture makers and enthusiastic beer-brewers. But they were also university graduates and academics, such as pharmacists, doctors, scientists and professors. The Germans became the most successful subgroup in Chile, especially in terms of housing, atmospheric and liveable villages and social-economic position.
Sensation seeking stories focus on the Second World War. During the war many German Jews settled in Chile. After the war, many Nazi leaders and collaborators took refuge in the south of Chili, the most infamous of which was Paul Schäfer who founded Colonia Dignidad. But luckily this bit is only a fragment of the very visible German-Chilean history. And although the Germans mix very well with the Chilean population today, they were very successful at maintaining their own subculture. A deacon in Valparaiso even described the South of Chile as a German time-bubble.
I wondered which cultural aspects, besides their obvious skills, made the Germans so successful? I could summarize some of the dimensions along which cultures vary, such as low context versus high context, monochronic versus polychronic, future versus past orientation and different perception of time and seasons. But that would only roughly describe differences between Northern Europeans and Latin Americans today. 150 years ago things were different. I feel it must have been the future orientation and the enterprising souls of the migrants that made most of the difference. These migrants set off to make the best possible future for themselves and for their children. They were consciously seeking opportunities, whereas the life of the average Chilean was nothing out of the ordinary.
It is similar to what some migrants and expats show us today, which I still find admirable and stimulating every time. On our trip we met many international hostel owners, several expats and loads of fellow travelers. What they seem to have in common is their open hearts and minds, plus a desire to make their own choices and pave their own path. Either you were here a 150 years ago - or just today - you would find yourself in very good company!
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