The history of the praktikum goes back to the 17th century with it’s current purpose being to enhance education through practical work experience. At Heinrich Heine Schule 9th and 11th grade students spend two weeks in November volunteering with a praktikum, similar to an internship. My family and Experiment e.V. advisor/Betreuerin assisted me with the process of finding a praktikum allowing me to shadow AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt Bundesverband) social workers assisting refugees in Kronshagen Rathaus (https://goo.gl/zMUR8G).
AWO (https://goo.gl/oPFHne) is similar to the Red Cross in that "men and women come together as volunteers or in salaried positions to address social problems and challenges promoting the democratic, social state of Germany". Each town and city are given a certain percentage of the refugees with Kronshagen receiving 3% (ranging from 100-200) of the refugees assigned to Schleswig-Holstein. The Kronshagen refugees have all their documents settled and are waiting in flats or in the container village until more permanent housing opens up. Getting asylum can take from six months to three years with most Syrian refugees having the shortest wait time (since their plea for asylum is more credible - there are many others not from Syria seeking asylum). I observed that many of the refugees were not too happy being assigned temporary container living when a lot of others go straight to housing. They usually stay in the containers from four weeks to four months with families being placed in housing prior to single males (females almost never travel alone). The Red Cross provides food as, while living in the containers, they aren’t allowed to cook but there also is a coffee and tea room which is open the whole day.
AWO (https://goo.gl/oPFHne) is similar to the Red Cross in that "men and women come together as volunteers or in salaried positions to address social problems and challenges promoting the democratic, social state of Germany". Each town and city are given a certain percentage of the refugees with Kronshagen receiving 3% (ranging from 100-200) of the refugees assigned to Schleswig-Holstein. The Kronshagen refugees have all their documents settled and are waiting in flats or in the container village until more permanent housing opens up. Getting asylum can take from six months to three years with most Syrian refugees having the shortest wait time (since their plea for asylum is more credible - there are many others not from Syria seeking asylum). I observed that many of the refugees were not too happy being assigned temporary container living when a lot of others go straight to housing. They usually stay in the containers from four weeks to four months with families being placed in housing prior to single males (females almost never travel alone). The Red Cross provides food as, while living in the containers, they aren’t allowed to cook but there also is a coffee and tea room which is open the whole day.
Each container is approximately 10’x15’x6’ dimension, allowing living space for two people. If you have a family of four, they will be assigned two containers; if five, three containers. The containers are furnished with two beds, a storage cabinet for clothes and such, a table and two chairs. They also receive their own cleaning caddy.
During my two week praktikum I daily traveled by bus to Kiel, taking a connecting bus to Kronshagen Rathaus, a 45 minute trip one way (https://goo.gl/HtQTlv). I shadowed Gina, meeting her at her town hall office. Daily she assisted the refugees with job searches, obtaining medical appointments, school enrollment for the children, etc. Gina, her coworkers and volunteers daily were assisted by full time translators as many of the refugees do not speak German or English.
A typical day could include:
During my two week praktikum I daily traveled by bus to Kiel, taking a connecting bus to Kronshagen Rathaus, a 45 minute trip one way (https://goo.gl/HtQTlv). I shadowed Gina, meeting her at her town hall office. Daily she assisted the refugees with job searches, obtaining medical appointments, school enrollment for the children, etc. Gina, her coworkers and volunteers daily were assisted by full time translators as many of the refugees do not speak German or English.
A typical day could include:
- Assisting people with their requests for clothing, taking sizes and types requested to then be “shopped” at the warehouse where gently used or new items have been donated to be given to the refugees. Same for bikes, school supplies and toys.
- Sitting in on German classes, from basic alphabet to writing and practicing conversation with the dads, moms and children. As the men often do not have the added responsibility of child care, or are single, I noted they have more time to learn and often are speaking German relatively soon.
- Acting as an English to German translator for some men from Eritrea who had just arrived and were filling out entrance papers.
- Playing with three children, ages under six, as their pregnant mother went to an obstetrician regarding her concerns about possible genetic problems with the baby because she is married to her cousin. This doesn't happen everywhere in Syria but some families still follow that tradition.
- Accompanying some to the bank as legislation passed in late October made it easier for asylum seekers to set up basic bank accounts. (Registered asylum seekers receive about $360/month for living expenses. However, while in the villages, they receive about half of the allowance since their food and utility bills are covered.)
While my praktikum was two weeks long, I only spent one week specifically with the Kronshagen Refugees. It was amazing to see them so happy and full of life, even through all the hardships they have endured to get where they are today. I learned a lot more about the situation in Syria and a lot of my ignorance was brought to light. For one, I did not know Syria had a high model of education and that many of the refugees from Syria are middle class. While volunteering in the container village I was surrounded by teachers, business men, electrical engineers, IT workers and other degreed workers. Another was learning that the war is made up of more than three parties - Isis, Assad loyalist, the Citizens, the Kurds and other groups, as well as hearing more about the increasing problem of European youth joining ranks with Isis. My praktikum, daily exposing me to a variety of emotions, provided a tangible learning experience as I heard first hand the refugees stories about how they came to Kronshagen, their hopes and dreams for the future.