A recent study by the University of Glasgow on Syrian refugees in Greece, the UK, and Lebanon found that two thirds of young Syrians in the UK are in work or study and want to stay and contribute to the economy.
Two thirds of young Syrian refugees in the UK either work or study and most of them see the language as the main stumbling block towards work, the study found.
The results of the research project are based on 1,511 interviews with young Syrians granted international protection and asylum seekers between the ages of 18 and 32. The interviews were conducted in the UK, Lebanon and Greece between April 2017 and October 2017.
Better conditions in the UK
One of the most noteworthy findings noted by the University of Glasgow is that young Syrian refugees in the UK have higher skills and educational levels and want to remain and contribute to the economy more than those in Greece and Lebanon.
The study also found that Syrian refugees are better supported in the UK than those in the other two countries in consideration and that while refugees meet with hostile attitudes around the world, less discrimination was found in the UK.
Shared opinions about living 'a good life'
The University of Glasgow professor of international relations Georgios Karyotis and professor of philosophy Ben Colburn noted that young Syrians and UK citizens have different opinions on religion, politics and individual morality but they share opinions on what is most important to live a good life. They noted that this is in contrast with a common narrative that says that they are incompatible with Western or British values.
When asked what they wanted from Britons, the Syrians said that they wanted the skills and education necessary to begin a new life and to better help to improve the country as well as trust in their abilities and intentions.
The project "Building Futures: Aspirations of Syrian Youth Refugees and Host Population Responses in Lebanon, Greece and the UK" was funded by Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and managed by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Glasgow in collaboration with SolidarityNow (Greece), Educart (Libano)and the Scottish Refugee Council (UK).