Adnan, 31, Syria
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: Master’s in banking and financial sciences, senior financial reporting officer, head of financial reporting department
My responsibilities at WU: Working on a research project at the Institute for Sociology and Social Research
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I went to work, met friends in my free time, had picnics and barbecues on the weekend, played soccer, or went camping with my wife and kids. If I hadn’t been forced to leave my home, I’d still be there, having fun with my friends and family.
I’ve been in Austria for: Seven months. I live in Wiener Neustadt with my wife and our two small children.
What I like best about WU: The university’s history
My plans for the future: I want to create a future for myself with the help of this internship. I’m looking forward to new experiences and to contributing my expertise to the academic community.
What I wish for: I hope that the killing and destruction in Syria will end. For me personally, I hope to get a PhD in finance at WU.
Muhamad Kamal, Syria
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: Bachelor’s in statistical mathematics
My responsibilities at WU: Data analysis and modelling at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I worked as a math and IT systems teacher and did data analysis in SPSS. I was very happy in my country.
I’ve been in Austria since: September 2015
What I like best about WU: WU is one of the world’s best universities.
My plans for the future: I want to gain work experience and learn more about Austria.
What I wish for: I’d like to get a PhD in statistics.
Alieu, 39, Gambia
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: I was a politician, here in Austria I completed the university preparation program for political sciences at the University of Vienna and I’m in my second semester of the bachelor’s program in political sciences at the University of Vienna.
My responsibilities at WU: Preparing teaching materials on globalization and social policy at the Institute for Social Policy
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I had a good life with my wife and children before I was forced to leave my country.
I’ve been in Austria since: 2004. I am currently living in Vienna.
What I like best about WU: WU is one of the best and most modern educational institutions in Europe. I like the people at WU, they’re always friendly.
My plans for the future: I want to learn as much as possible to improve my chances on the Austrian job market.
What I wish for: I would like to be an important politician, I wish my family could be here with me, and I hope to complete my studies.
Rouba, 22, Syria
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: I was just about to finish my bachelor’s degree in accounting.
My responsibilities at WU: General support and literature management, helping with the European Social Survey at the Institute for Macroeconomics
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I had a normal life. In the summer, I took vacations in the mountains or at the beach with my family. If I hadn’t had to leavy my country, I would have finished my degree and gotten a good job.
I’ve been in Austria for: Seven months. I live in Vienna with my family.
What I like best about WU: The new campus with its modern architecture. The people here are pleasant and friendly.
My plans for the future: I’m currently studying at WU as part of the MORE program. When I have learned enough German, I hope to be able to enroll in a regular degree program.
What I wish for: I want to graduate from WU and find a good job.
Mohamad, 24, Syria
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: I completed a bachelor’s degree in law at Damascus University.
My responsibilities at WU: Providing support for a comparative analysis of Syrian civil law at the Research Institute for CEE Legal Studies
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I spent most of my time at university, focusing on my studies.
I’ve been in Austria since: October 2014. I currently live in Vienna.
What I like best about WU: I’m very interested in business law. I enjoy working with the team and I like my colleagues here. The work environment is very good.
My plans for the future: I would like to make a comparative study of Syrian and Austrian civil law. I would also like to find out more about the Austrian university system, so I could have my Syrian degree recognized.
What I wish for: My greatest wish right now is to have my degree recognized, so that I can find work in the field of business law.
Soltan, 33, Afghanistan
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: I completed my bachelor’s degree in social sciences (philosophy and sociology).
My responsibilities at WU: Collecting data on social and business life in Afghanistan, interview support, translating materials for a pilot initiative on consumer education for unaccompanied minor refugees from Afghanistan at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development
My daily life before I had to flee my country: My everyday life was characterized by my studies. I went to English classes and lectures. Sadly, war was also a big part of my life. I’m happy to be living in a peaceful country with a future now.
I’ve been in Austria since: 2013. I lived in Graz for two years, now I’m living in Vienna with friends from ten different regions. Unfortunately, I have no family in Austria.
What I like best about WU: The variety of subjects taught at WU – business, economics, social sciences, and business law – offered at all academic levels.
What I wish for: I love WU and would like to be able to study here.
Mustafa, 29, Iraq
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: Studying computer and communication engineering
My responsibilities at WU: Producing an image video for a conference at the Institute for Produt Management
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I spent most of my time on my studies. If I hadn’t been forced to leave my country, I wouldn’t have had to leave so many people and places behind.
I’ve been in Austria since: 2013. I’m currently living in Vienna. Unfortunately, my family is not with me here in Austria.
What I like best about WU: I have a few good friends who studied at WU. I’m familiar with the architecture and the architects, I like the academic environment at WU and the feeling of warmth and security it gives both students and staff.
My plans for the future: Thanks to this internship, I plan to gain further experience and get to know many interesting people.
What I wish for: I want to keep learning, continue my education, have a career for a secure life, and start a family.
Maher, 34, Syria
My educational and professional background before coming to Austria: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, further studies at MBA level in insurance and tourism. I worked in research and development, accounting, and human resources.
My responsibilities at WU: Helping with research for the project “Meta-analysis of predictors of career success” at the interdisciplinary Institute for Management and Organizational Behavior.
My daily life before I had to flee my country: I worked for an internationally active company in the field of insurance. If I hadn’t had to leave my country, I would be in a senior position now and would have completed my MBA.
I’ve been in Austria since: I have lived in Vienna since 2013.
What I like best about WU: Its excellent performance in rankings, the large number of students and staff members, the wide variety of programs in its portfolio, the unique architecture, the friendliness of its employees, and the professional working environment
My plans for the future: I want to successfully master the tasks assigned to me and learn as much as I can.
What I wish for: I hope I can continue to work in an academic setting and I will be able to complete my master’s and PhD degrees.