“My new home. Stories of refugees and migrants in Germany” - these are more than just stories about a move.

They are the voices of people who have left everything familiar behind to find safety, dignity and a new life.

Their stories are about loss and hope, fear and strength - and about how difficult, but possible, it is to feel at home again.

At a time 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.

What follows is a series of interviews with people who have experienced war, flight and culture shock - and who are now building a new life in a foreign country, step by step.

Many thanks to all the heroes for taking part, it’s priceless.

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

Interview 2

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


Srbukhi, 32 years old, Armenia, pharmacist. I am originally from Armenia and have been living in Germany for a year now.



2. What was the main reason for your move?


The reason I moved to Germany was to reunite with my family.



3. How was your trip to Germany? What experiences do you particularly remember?


My trip to Germany went smoothly and without any difficulties, but it was an important moment in my memory. The hardest part was saying goodbye to my loved ones - it left a deep mark. Although the journey was without adventure, there was a lot of excitement and uncertainty. I will remember that day for a long time.



4. How was your first day in Germany?


My first day in Germany was exciting and a bit anxious - everything was new and unfamiliar. Fortunately, my husband was there for me, which was very supportive.

5. What difficulties did you encounter in your new place of residence?


The first and most important difficulty for me was of course the language barrier. Although I had learned a little German before I arrived and had an A1 level, I had no experience in communicating. And when it came to saying something simple, the words just flew out of my head. It was very difficult: you felt deaf and dumb, as if you were completely incapable of doing anything.

6. What helped you to adapt?

The language courses helped me a lot to adapt. Especially at the beginning, when I couldn't attend an official language school, the classes at Hof 7 in Aachen (language course for all migrants, free of charge) helped me a lot. I was invited there without registration and without any difficulties - like a small family - and was welcomed with great warmth. We chatted around a cozy tea table, got to know each other, talked about life, told stories and discovered lots of new things - not only about Germany, but also about other countries.

7. Do you now feel part of German society?

Why yes or no?
No, I still feel like a foreigner here. I think that until I have learned the language to a good level and start working, I can't feel part of this society. But I believe that everything will work out in time - step by step. I am a pharmacist by profession and worked in this field in my home country for almost 5 years. Now I'm in the process of having my diploma recognized in Germany - we'll see what happens. Of course, I would also like to work in my specialty here. It's my profession and my favorite thing to do.

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


During my time here, I have become more resilient and internally stronger. Under such conditions, you are completely on your own and realize that you have to achieve everything with your own strength and perseverance. That toughens you up.

9. What would you like to say to other migrants who are just starting their journey?


I would like to say: never get discouraged. Always persevere and achieve your goals. Nothing comes easy - everything that is difficult becomes especially valuable. I compare everything we go through to a game: the more difficult it is, the more interesting it is. Easy games are not exciting. Failure is not a score. Try again and again until you win.



10. What is your relationship with other migrants?

What unites or divides you?
I have very good relationships with other migrants. We are all in a similar situation and can therefore understand, support and sympathize with each other better. That brings us closer together.

Interview 3

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

Maher, 40 Jahre Alt, Iraqi journalist. My story as an asylum seeker started in 2013, in Iraq, I was at that time 27 years old Iraqi journalist, who was very critical towards the iraqi PM “Nouri Almaliki” and his whole government.

2. What was the main reason for your move?

As a journalist, I used to report about politics and security. My work meets usually with Political Interests of powerful people, who were involved in corruption and misuse of their positions. So the main reason for my flee was my journalistic activities.

3. How was your trip to Germany? What experiences do you particularly remember?
It was and still is a very long difficult route, unfortunately i couldn't feel stability till now. The most difficult part of it was between my house in Baghdad and the Borders, my mission was to reach the borders safe and alive, since I was hunted and followed by the militias.

4. What was your first day in Germany?

It was and still is to meet my mother again, it is my only wish, I am afraid that the German authorities will not grant me the chance to see her again.

5. What difficulties did you encounter in your new place of residence?


UnfortunatelyI am afraid I have to choose all of the above: moving barriers, starting a new life, isolation, stereo typing, bureaucracy ... etc.

6. What helped you 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 successfully adapt in Germany. Initially, he learned German on his own at home, but later began attending free communication courses organised by volunteers at Hof 7, Aachen. He continued his studies at the language academy in Aachen and then attended the adult education centre in Aachen, where he achieved level C1. Maher is currently studying at a German university to confirm his journalism training in Germany. At the same time, he works as a specialised 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 like you are part of the German Society? Why so or not?

I do not feel that I belong to a certain society or nation anymore, after all this long journey, I became so different from Iraqis and so different from Germans.

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

I can say nothing has left from the old Maher.

9. What would you like to tell other migrants when they start their journey?

I would advise my fellow Migrants to return home as soon as possible, if they cannot build for themselves a good life here and if they have the ability to return.

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

So far in Germany if you have job and not causing traubles you will be a part of the society (I mean the society in general but not the german society), but that could not be the case in the next Elections.

Interview 4

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

Natalia, 34, from Kharkiv, Ukraine, economist. I came to Germany at the beginning of the war in 2022.

2. What was the main reason for your move?

Because of the war in Ukraine with Russia

3. How was your trip to Germany? What experiences do you particularly remember?

The journey took about two days, we traveled by trains with changes, and I was impressed by the people on the way to Kiev who arrived at the stops and gave food and water in the carriages.

4. How was your first day in Germany?

I was on my way to see my friend, so the first day was quite pleasant.

5. What difficulties did you encounter in your new place of residence?


The biggest scare is the news and the worry about those who have stayed behind.

6. What helped you to adapt?

People helped me and the realization that you are not alone. The organization https://www.newgorod.org/ in Munich was very supportive.

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

No, I don't think there is enough time for that.

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

My attitude towards myself and others has changed, communication has become more valuable.

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

It won't be easy, but if you really want it, anything is possible.

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

I hardly ever meet other migrants, only Ukrainians. Natalia now lives in Munich.