My life before the war: I was studying and working. I was studying journalism in Damascus University. I worked in many cafeterias, and as a clerk. I was summoned to join the military, but I refused. I escaped from Syria to Egypt, where I stayed for one year. From there I went to Algeria, then to Tunisia, then to Libya.  I found a smuggler in Libya, and crossed the ocean in a small boat to Italy. From there, the smugglers put me in a small van, and took me directly to Germany. From there I went to Denmark.
My life in Denmark started with language school for 10 months. After that, I got an internship in a construction company, which manufactures greenhouses. After that I got another internship at a launderette. After I had finished my language course, I got a real job in a supermarket called Netto.
My life now is very happy. I have no problems. I am integrated and happy in a positive way. I wish to continue my studies as an auto mechanic.
On a last note, I wish that politicians could view the positive sides of refugees. At all of the people who are working, and integrating themselves in the best way possible.

I left Syria on april 22nd 2014 and arrived in Denmark on may 25th. In Syria I was a journalist on Damascus radio, where I was in charge of two programs. One of the programs had a main focus on social topics and was for young adults. I have also educated young adults in journalism.
I have a .cand in Arabic literature and culture. In Denmark this education is approved as a bachelor degree. In Denmark I can not find a job as a journalist but I had to go through internships via jobcenter. One internships has been in maintaining green areas in the road and parks department of the municipality, but my fingers are not green at all, and the internship did not go well. I love to eat green, though. I would like a job where I can use my education, use my skills, and that is not a physical job, its about using my intellect. After the internship in road and parks I took a course at the integration department at Odense municipality for six months. After that I got another internship via my caseworker at a newspaper, Fyns Stiftstidende. After three months there I started working at the library at SDU (Southern Danish University).

I wanted to study masters at middleeast studies at SDU, and talked to a guide there who said I was welcome, but needed to study English at B level first. I asked my caseworker if he could help me, but he couldn’t. He thought it would take too long before I would be able to get a job. I didn’t understand his logic since this was my way out of the system to make money on my own. By taking English classes at B level, I would be able to go to SDU, and then continue my education, but he said no. Instead he wanted me to go to Esbjerg to learn how to drive a truck. It all seemed crazy to me. Why would my caseworker spend 80.000 DKK on a drivers license for me, when I am an educated journalist with a .cand in Arabic literature, with lots of experience on how to do radio and teaching? Even with a truck drivers license I wasn’t even guaranteed to get a job. I have also worked at a private school teaching Arabic.

So, I applied to enter the teachers education at VIA University College Aarhus and now I go there. And, I study English on my way to work and back home in the train from Nyborg to Aarhus. I am out of that system and can provide for myself. As soon as I finish studying there I will be able to work as a teacher. I am good at teaching young persons, as I have experienced through my work in Syria.

Finally, a comment to Inger Støjbjerg. She works against her own work. She makes a cake to celebrate its getting more difficult to be a refugee in Denmark? She is a minister of anti-immigration. Still I think of Denmark as my second country now. The future of my children is in Denmark. And, I have a goal, that Im working towards.