Saeda Najafizada, 28, arrived in Germany in 2021 after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. She is an economist and an advocate for gender equality and cultural diversity. “I come from many things, but I come more from war, I was born in war, spent my childhood in war and went to school in war. For some parts of my education, I moved abroad in between, then I went back to war, but this time with a sense of responsibility and as part of the generation who perhaps wanted to move on from war to something else”. Saeda worked in Afghanistan as an economist and policy consultant with the public and international organizations including the Ministry of Finance and Asian Development Bank. She has studied economics and development studies in India and the United Kingdom.

Saeda’s first arrival in Germany was stressful “I spent my first seven days in ‘an initial reception facility’ for registration. Then they transitioned me to an apartment which was contracted to me based on my initial registration number, for only three months. With this tight timeframe, I had to secure a new job, an apartment, and to complete a backlog of paperwork – residence permit, insurance, bank account, etc. The looming three-month deadline added more pressure and intensified the challenge of finding stability. The clock was ticking, I was going through a lot. While I efficiently managed a portion of these tasks, some of them demanded time.” To take a break from all the stress, she decided to travel and reconnect with her family and friends. “This break offered me the mental relief I needed and served as a strategic pause to intensify my efforts towards resettling myself” Saeda says. 

For the past two years, Saeda has been living in Berlin. She is currently employed at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), located in the heart of Berlin. “I am with the macroeconomic department of DIW, where I contribute to the ongoing research projects, working with data and policy reports is a big part of my tasks at the moment’.

Saeda believes that Afghans who fled in 2021 crisis, bring various skill sets and qualifications with them to Germany which must be realized. She adds, “it’s unfortunate to have to leave one’s career and everything behind, but it’s also unfortunate to struggle to navigate the German bureaucracy and uncertainties here. I find it difficult to imagine how challenging it must be for someone who was a civil servant, development and/or policy expert for that region, to reestablish themselves in a similar way”. She emphasizes on the issue about the lack of demand for various professions to align the skill sets already possessed by the newcomers with the job market, which means they should either consider studying again or end up on the low-skilled jobs, or even remain unemployed. “There is a cost to it”. She believes a delay in the transition efforts to integrate this displaced labor force into the job market could have potential negative implications for the German economy. “Unfortunately, the integration courses are not facilitating this process efficiently.”

For Saeda, becoming attached to a new place is easy. “I am someone who has sort of lived abroad since I was 18, so I become attached to new places quickly. Yet, during the first year, I felt a little lost and stuck – it also bothered me that, among many journeys I had made in the past, I had to take this one unwillingly and unexpectedly. I landed on many things that I was not mentally prepared for. It took me some time and patience to get used to the new normal.” She is satisfied with her new journey, and she feels that she is moving forward. Her passion for economics, policy and art remains unwavering. She plans to continue what she is doing now and perhaps more. 

She appreciates the efficient public transportation and punctuality in Germany. “In my locale, Berlin, the vibrancy of the city appeals to me. Its rich history and multicultural diversity make it an ideal place for individuals with cross-cultural identities and diverse perspectives, something that resonates with me. But perhaps it can also be overwhelming sometimes, in the sense that life is super-fast, and nothing is permanent, you must be able to adapt to new changes more often which can be the case with all the big cities”.

Saeda has a diverse group of friends from different backgrounds, including Germans. “A common value that connects us, perhaps, is having global perspectives on things – and that is fostering tolerance and coexistence despite our differences. And then we have shared interests and hobbies that bring us together on weekends. I’ve forged these connections through social media, Sprachcafes, language courses, the workplace, and attending workshops and neighborhood events.” She considers herself an integral part of German society. Nevertheless, she misses the food and the hospitality in Afghanistan.

When we asked her what tips she would give to her peers, Saeda shared “work towards advancing your career. If you’re young, focus on your studies; if you’re older, resume your career from where you left off. In case your chosen career has limited prospects here, be open to exploring alternative paths. Have an appetite for work – let your employment become a defining aspect of your identity. While language courses are valuable, avoid lingering only in language courses for an extended period, because there is a high probability that you can learn the language faster at work. This does not mean skipping the integration course. Diversify your approach and broaden your circle of friends.” 

She added “one should recognize the potential within one’s capabilities. It’s undoubtedly challenging to leave behind your career and friends for an uncertain future, but initiating a new chapter in a different environment can also be rewarding. The experience can broaden your perspectives and how you see the world. However, it’s important to acknowledge that integration shouldn’t be a one-way effort: if the host society is not welcoming to newcomers, it can be difficult. There is an integration dilemma as well – many individuals sever ties with their past to fit into a new, diverse society in which some may, and others may not appreciate your efforts, leading to a potential feeling of isolation” She suggests “embracing both the past and the present requires a lot of strength. This, combined with their unique experiences and the constant pursuit of a new life defines the remarkable resilience of this group of individuals.”

Saeda takes pride in the person she has become. “Reflecting on my journey, I often contemplate whether, without my persistent determination to forge my path, even at the expense of others’ discontent, I would be where I am today. Perhaps not. Or would I have the autonomy to make independent decisions, regardless of others’ opinions, and the satisfaction of taking responsibility for myself and for those I help? Perhaps not.”

We asked Saeda if she had a magic wand, how would she use it? “I would have liked to use a magic wand to get rid of the vast economic disparities between different regions in the world. Perhaps a complete unification of the world into a single entity with peace and prosperity for all, if that makes sense.”