Amir Faiq is a lawyer who came to Germany in 2020 to work on a second Master’s degree in Global Public Policy and Administration at the University of Potsdam. In Afghanistan, he worked as a lawyer, prosecutor, and later as a project manager for justice reform projects that were funded by the German government. In his opinion, these projects had a positive impact on the judicial system in Afghanistan. “The status of the Afghan judicial system improved in the world. Development and progress in the judicial system resulted from the support of justice reform projects aided by the international community, including the German government.” At the time, Amir was involved in implementing projects through German Agency for International Cooperation.

When Amir was a student, his family reunited in Germany after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. At that time, he was working with GIZ as an expert supporting coordination and communication relating to the evacuation of Afghan staff and their families from Afghanistan to Germany. His first assignment in Germany ended after three months. Even though it only lasted a short time, he considers this experience the achievement of a lifetime. “Together with the team, we helped protect hundreds of individuals and families from the Taliban.”

Amir is married and has three children. He and his wife are both learning German in addition to working and taking care of their children. After graduating from university, Amir began working full-time at Omnicom Media Group and managing commercial compliance and legal affairs. “While my working language is English, I am dedicated to learning German. Every day after work, I attend German class. Although challenging, my commitment to learning the language and my perseverance have helped me overcome difficulties,” Amir says. He believes that being a student in Germany is helpful for securing a job. “Studying in Germany has had a significant impact on my life here. I believe that if I hadn’t studied at a German university, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work in my current position and I would have faced many other difficulties.”

Amir appreciates the educational opportunities in Germany and shares his experience from student life: “There are many educational opportunities in Germany. If you try hard, you will succeed academically. In student life, you meet many different people, you make friends from all over the world, and you meet and learn from experienced and skilled professors. I believe that there are more educational opportunities in Germany than in any other country in the world. Additionally, students have a special status in German society. They receive respect from society and are welcomed and supported by all public sector institutions.”

Amir believes that while support and livelihood are assured in Germany, the lack of social life can be difficult at times. He appreciates the comprehensive integration program for refugees and emphasizes that it is important for individuals to use it effectively. “Refugees receive financial support and housing, and they should view this as an opportunity for education, integration, and preparing themselves for living in German society by learning the language and acquiring practical vocational skills to successfully enter the job market. This support should not be an excuse for laziness or lack of effort at the expense of progress. Fortunately, the Afghan refugees who have come to Germany recently, especially after the fall of the previous Afghan government, are all professional and educated people who have made good use of these opportunities and are working hard to move forward.”

Amir urges the government to focus on utilizing the skills of educated, specialized, and experienced individuals instead of discounting them due to differences in academic credentials or origin. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing refugees’ expertise and making good use of their capabilities.

“My message to the world, especially to those in positions of power and decision-making, is that as human beings, we all have inherent human rights, such as the right to life and the right to live in peace. Please pay attention to the humanitarian crisis in the world, particularly the dire situation in Afghanistan. Let’s not turn a blind eye to Afghanistan and work towards helping its people escape their current suffering.”