Nowadays, when migration is often reduced to headlines and numbers, it is important to remember that behind every number is a person. This article is an attempt to listen to them. Author: Maryna Betz. If you would like to share your story with us, please write to me at betsmaryna@gmail.com

1. Where are you from and when did you come to Germany?

Maher, 40 years old, Iraqi journalist. My story as an asylum seeker started in 2013, in Iraq, I was a 27 year old Iraqi journalist who was very critical of the Iraqi Prime Minister “Nouri Almaliki” and his entire government.

2. What was the main reason for your move?

As a journalist, I reported on politics and security. My work usually comes up against the political interests of powerful people who are involved in corruption and abuse of their positions. So the main reason for my flight was my journalistic work.

3. How do you see your way to DT? What do you remember most?

It was and is a very long, difficult road, unfortunately I could not feel any stability until today. The most difficult part was between my house in Baghdad and the border. My task was to reach the border safely and alive, as I was being chased and followed by the militias.

4. How was your first day in Germany?

My only wish was and is to see my mother again. I am afraid that the German authorities will not give me the chance to see her again.

5. What difficulties have you encountered in your new place of residence?

I’m afraid I’ll have to list all of the above: Obstacles to moving, starting a new life, isolation, stereotyping, bureaucracy … etc.

6. What helped you to adapt? My challenging personality, I am a person who never gives up.

* Author’s note: Thanks to his perseverance and constant thirst for knowledge, Maher managed to adapt successfully in Germany. At first he learned German on his own at home, later he started attending free communication courses organized by volunteers at Hof 7. He continued his studies at the language academy in Aachen and then attended the Volkshochschule Aachen, where he achieved level C1. Currently, Maher is studying at a German university to confirm his journalism education in Germany. At the same time, he works as a specialist journalist for an Arabic television station. His story is an example of how perseverance, education and continuous self-development can help to integrate into a new society.

7. Do you now feel part of German society? Why yes or no?

I no longer feel like I belong to a particular society or nation. After this long journey, I have become so different from the Iraqis and so different from the Germans.

8. What has changed for you as a person during your stay here?

I can say that nothing has remained of the old Maher.

9. What advice would you give to other migrants when they start their journey?

I would advise my fellow migrants to return home as soon as possible if they cannot build a good life here and if they have the opportunity to return.

10. How do you compare yourself with other migrants? What unites or divides you?

So far in Germany you are part of society if you have a job and don’t cause problems (I mean society in general, but not German society), but that might not be the case in the next elections.

Autor: Maryna Bets. If you would like to share your story with us, please send me an e-mail: betsmaryna@gmail.com