Außenseiter

Die Grundtvigs Højskole ist eine traditionelle Volkshochschule in Hillerød, Dänemark.
Jedes Jahr kommen mehr Flüchtlinge nach Europa. 2016 wurden in Dänemark ca. 6.000 Asylanträge eingereicht. Um sich auf diese Situation einzustellen, hat die dänische Regierung an den Volkshochschulen in ganz Dänemark ein spezielles Flüchtlingsprogramm ins Leben gerufen. An diesen Schulen lernen junge Flüchtlinge die dänische Sprache, Kultur, Geschichte und Literatur. An diesem Programm nimmt auch die Grundtvigs Volkshochschule teil. Im Frühling des Jahres 2017 wurden dort 10 von 150 Schülerinnen und Schüler im Rahmen des Integrationsprojekts unterrichtet.

Auch wenn die Regierung Dänemarks nun mehr auf diese Prozesse achtet, bleibt die Integration in die Gesellschaft des Landes für Flüchtlinge eine Herausforderung. Egal, wie lange einige Flüchtlinge schon in Dänemark leben – viele können (oder wollen) sich noch nicht als Dänen sehen. Die Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Sprache, Religion und Kultur sind zu groß, was dazu führt, dass sich die Menschen einsam fühlen und sich auf gewisse Art und Weise aus der Mitte der dänischen Gesellschaft zurückziehen.

Though the Danish government has started paying more attention to this processes, integration into Danish society remains a challenge for refugees. No matter how many years some refugees live in Denmark, many still can’t – or won’t - call themselves Danish. The language, religion, and culture gaps are too big. This causes loneliness and a sense of detachment from mainstream Danish society.

Mohammed came to Denmark 20 years ago. He left Iraq with his elder brother after the first American invasion when he was only 8 years old.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Reshan is 25 years old. She grew up in Quamishli, Syria. A brutal civil war and increasing oppression of Kurds forced her family move to Denmark 6 years ago. They chose Denmark because her elder brother already lived there for a few years. Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Mohammed and Reshan met at Grundtvigs. They often spend time in the living room with other refugees after classes.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Reshan is showing her arm. “When my family moved to Denmark to join my brother, I remained in Beirut. I felt very lonely there. I tried to commit suicide three times, and every time somebody saved my life."Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Mohammed went to Grundtvigs via a program for ex-prisoners, sponsored by the Danish government. “The first time I went to jail I was 16 years old. I stole a car.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Reshan in her friend Mariam’s room. Mariam came to Denmark from Palestine. Refugee students normally live with Danish students for full language immersion. Mariam doesn’t have a roommate now so Reshan often stays in her room at night.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
The folk high school does excursions to Protestant churches for refugee students to learn about foundations of Christianity, which is the predominant religion of Denmark. Mariam had never been to a Protestant church before.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Two days ago the police called Mohammed with a demand to go to a prison for a week for an earlier charge of driving a car without a license.He was very upset about it, because 8 months ago he made up his mind never to go to a jail again.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Grundtvigs folk high school has a tradition: every day students share news during lunch. Mohammed took this opportunity to tell everyone the story of his life.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
Mohammed and Reshan.Von Yaroslava Tarasova
“I’ve lived in Denmark for 20 years already, but I still can’t call myself Danish. I certainly borrow some traits from Danish people, but nevertheless, I will always remain a Muslim in foreign country.”Von Yaroslava Tarasova