Meet Ahmad Ibrahim, 27 years old, from Syria. He now lives in Bonn, Germany and he took part in our questionnaire.
What did you do before coming to Germany?
I have worked as a lawyer, human rights activist and journalist
How long have you been in Germany?
Since September 9, 2015. About a year and a half.
Life in Germany
How do you stay informed about news from home? What's your most important source?
Some Arab and local news sites, and also DW Arabic, BBC Arabic, FRANCE 24 Arabic
What is your favorite German word?
Vulkan (= volcano) because it seems to come from the arabic word burkan and has the same meaning. I’ve heard it in songs and thought “oh, that’s strange, I know this word”.
What do you like about Germany?
Freedom, law, privacy, calm
What do you not like about it?
I feel that I do not really live in Germany, but more in a society within the German society because I am mostly living with other refugees. In addition, when I arrived in Germany, I couldn't see or feel the equality and justice I thought I would find there. I also do not like the bureaucracy nor the weather in Germany.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
The perfect day for me : I can sleep quietly, undisturbed and without bad dreams. I wake up early and can enjoy my cup of coffee in privacy, while listening to the sounds of classical music. The weather is sunny.
What places in Germany have you visited?
I have been to: Ahlen, Borgengreitch, Bornheim, Bonn, Wuppertal and Köln.
Hobbies
What is your favorite band?
I love classical music like Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
What is your favorite film and what did you like about it?
This is a difficult question, I have many favorite films and they are very different from each other. Here is what I think they express:
Cast Away: humanity, unity, trauma
The Shawshank Redemption: How can a high-ranking educated person live in prison with his fellow criminals?
The Dreamers: Feelings are the same, but the culture is different.
The Terminal: being lost.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
When I was a child I made up a new language. Nowadays, I think we need a new kind of language that would show our real soul, a language made of sounds that you can't lie with.
I would like to be able to make time short or long, and write a poem that has no end.
I'd like to be able to speak to trees. I respect them because they always stand up and can't run away as humands do when they face danger.
About yourself
What's your favorite memory?
My first kiss
What's your favorite food?
(Kibbeh) Arabic: كبة
Wie gefällt dir die deutsche Küche?
I don't like German cuisine. They think too much about what is healthy instead of thinking in terms of what is delicious. Put more salt on your plates!
What five objects do you always carry with you?
Glasses, Pen, mobile phone, keys and wipes
What's your next goal?
To complete a Master's degree
Where do you want to be in ten years?
I am not sure. Maybe in Aleppo.
I have worked as a lawyer, human rights activist and journalist
How long have you been in Germany?
Since September 9, 2015. About a year and a half.
Life in Germany
How do you stay informed about news from home? What's your most important source?
Some Arab and local news sites, and also DW Arabic, BBC Arabic, FRANCE 24 Arabic
What is your favorite German word?
Vulkan (= volcano) because it seems to come from the arabic word burkan and has the same meaning. I’ve heard it in songs and thought “oh, that’s strange, I know this word”.
What do you like about Germany?
Freedom, law, privacy, calm
What do you not like about it?
I feel that I do not really live in Germany, but more in a society within the German society because I am mostly living with other refugees. In addition, when I arrived in Germany, I couldn't see or feel the equality and justice I thought I would find there. I also do not like the bureaucracy nor the weather in Germany.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
The perfect day for me : I can sleep quietly, undisturbed and without bad dreams. I wake up early and can enjoy my cup of coffee in privacy, while listening to the sounds of classical music. The weather is sunny.
What places in Germany have you visited?
I have been to: Ahlen, Borgengreitch, Bornheim, Bonn, Wuppertal and Köln.
Hobbies
What is your favorite band?
I love classical music like Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky.
What is your favorite film and what did you like about it?
This is a difficult question, I have many favorite films and they are very different from each other. Here is what I think they express:
Cast Away: humanity, unity, trauma
The Shawshank Redemption: How can a high-ranking educated person live in prison with his fellow criminals?
The Dreamers: Feelings are the same, but the culture is different.
The Terminal: being lost.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
When I was a child I made up a new language. Nowadays, I think we need a new kind of language that would show our real soul, a language made of sounds that you can't lie with.
I would like to be able to make time short or long, and write a poem that has no end.
I'd like to be able to speak to trees. I respect them because they always stand up and can't run away as humands do when they face danger.
About yourself
What's your favorite memory?
My first kiss
What's your favorite food?
(Kibbeh) Arabic: كبة
Wie gefällt dir die deutsche Küche?
I don't like German cuisine. They think too much about what is healthy instead of thinking in terms of what is delicious. Put more salt on your plates!
What five objects do you always carry with you?
Glasses, Pen, mobile phone, keys and wipes
What's your next goal?
To complete a Master's degree
Where do you want to be in ten years?
I am not sure. Maybe in Aleppo.