I love the word „Schrank“ and I
have no idea why.
Because it was the first word
which I heard in German and
which I learned in German.
After living so long in Germany
I am still confused how to
pronounce it: Wasey.
I’m doing my PhD in
social sciences.
That’s actually in sociology.
I’m working on biographies
of refugees from Pakistan
in Germany.
I wanted to pursue my education
and continue my education.
That was a gate to enter
into the academic world
ones again which I left.
That was the main reason
to go back to the
academic world.
If there wasn’t a
Gasthörerprogramm,
then I would say,
there wasn’t a chance to
go into the university for me.
Because that was the reason.
It gave me a gateway to
get into the university,
to meet people,
to make networking,
to meet professors,
take part in different classes,
and find a supervisor for me
who is entrusted in the project
on which I wanted to work.
That’s what I would never forget
because that was the first class
and that was actually very
motivating.
It was offered by
Prof. Dr. Elfriede Hermann from
the Institute for Ethnology.
And it was about emotions
and migration.
After a few weeks
I wrote my name in the list
of the Sprechstunde to meet her
in the consultation hours.
And I just give her the idea
that I want to do my PhD and
without even a second thought
she said: “Oh, I will try to
help you!”
First and most important I want
to speak very good German.
Because some of my friends still
complain that I don’t
give my best.
I want to finish my PhD.
That’s the bigger goal.
And...
I want to live in this City.
And that’s my plan to stay here
the next five years and the
rest of time.
Ironically, I don’t know, why I
love the word “Schrank” and
I have no idea why.
Because it was the first word
which I heard in German
and which I learned in German.
I can’t think of another word.
Sulah – Peace.
We have seen a lot of war,
dead bodies, devastation.
And we’re tired of it.
And now we have to teach
ourselves first and then
to the whole world.
I believe that not only us but
the whole world have suffered
from all of these things and
we need to learn
how to make peace now.
