Programme Erasmus + Europe on the move : Migration Biographies
Interviews
Q : It doesn ’ t mean anything . Turkey has been in the process of accession for 20 years . That could give you a hope , an incentive . It ’ s unacceptable to block the way to Europe . The government should do strict drug testing , prepare the ground , not being excluded so fast .
A : Because if people lose the motivation to improve themselves , they lose their way for sure . Q : In what ways has migration made you a stronger person ?
A : After high school I got to know myself better , I gained self-awareness , confidence , and I take diversity as something good , not necessarily different . I felt it very much this summer when I was working . They were some tourists around . One was probably from Romania and asked me “ where are you from ?” And I answered “ from Albania ”. Then he told me “ it looks like you are different from those working around here ”. At first it kind of annoyed me , it made a negative impression on me but then I realized that he meant it in a positive way and made me feel good for the first time .
Q : How do you see other people who are different in any way around you ? Do you feel close to them ?
A : Yes , very much . I have understood that we must not blame anyone . Everyone is free to do what he wants . I will look at the person and his character and if we agree , if the conversation goes well , I have nothing else to think about . To exclude a person , because he has an origin or a sexual orientation different from mine , doesn ’ t apply to me . No . While my parents are quite narrow minded because they grew up in Albania , I have no such issues , it ’ s something that doesn ’ t concern me . If I like a person , if he is a right man , I am not interested in anything else . I ’ ve met gays , let ’ s say , and we do a good job together . It doesn ’ t even cross my mind to think of something negative .
This has helped me to accept diversity as well . And to love it in the end , because I ’ m different as each of us is different .
If everyone could even feel for a second when doing an offensive comment how the other person felt , everything would be better . Not just for immigrants , for everybody . When we make a comment to deliberately tease someone , it is very bad . Doing it unwittingly , we can discuss about it , solve it , and end it . There is also a word I learned from you “ empathy ”. Getting into the other ’ s place , understanding what it feels like . Understand that the other person has not come here to disturb you , neither to disturb your privacy , nor to take anything that belongs to you . He came here for a better future for himself and his children . And understand that the best thing to do is to accept him as he is . And for some people that do not change their mind , I just want them at least try not to do harm others on purpose .
Q : Is that what you expect from the people who welcome you to a country ? To try to make your life a little easier ?
A . That ’ s exactly it . And if they can ’ t or don ’ t want to , at least not try to make it harder .
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