I learned from home that you are there for each other in the world. My mother always helped others, including many Syrian refugees. As a result, I already had a friend from the asylum center in our village at primary school.” Siena grew up in Drenthe, where this was not self-evident: refugees were spoken negatively and often racist. However, this mainly fueled her sense of injustice: “Everyone deserves a chance at a normal and pleasant life, in peace.
Please note: this article was translated using a translator app
“I learned from home that you are there for each other in the world. My mother always helped others, including many Syrian refugees. As a result, I already had a friend from the asylum center in our village at primary school.” Siena grew up in Drenthe, where this was not self-evident: refugees were spoken negatively and often racist. However, this mainly fueled her sense of injustice: “Everyone deserves a chance at a normal and pleasant life, in peace.”
“As I got older,” Siena continues, “I met Essam through my mother. A Syrian boy who has really become a friend. He found a job at TomTom through Refugee Talent Hub, and that's how I ended up here.”
Why so loud and mean?
When you speak to Siena, you feel the passion and you immediately understand that her drive to make the world a little better really comes from her heart. “Why are people so harsh and mean to each other? That's not necessary at all. People don't seem to know how to interact with each other anymore. Are we still interested in each other as people?” she wonders out loud.
“And on the other hand – although well-intentioned – people with a refugee background are also often portrayed as 'pathetic'. Of course I'm not saying that refugees don't need help, they could really use some support. But they are also just strong people. Who have a lot to offer.”
Facts and personal encounters
Now, she says, she has become calmer than before. In conducting discussions, for example. “I no longer get emotionally carried away, but try to look at it from a distance and see where misunderstanding or a different perspective comes from. Because everyone has their own reality. That is why facts are very important, so that everyone can then place it. Sometimes that does change an opinion.” “I see around me, both in society as a whole, and in my work at Refugee Talent Hub, that understanding and knowledge helps. If you have the right information, it will make a big difference. In addition, a personal meeting is often worth its weight in gold: familiarity makes one loved. Suddenly someone is no longer an anonymous refugee, but just a human being.”
It is important to look beyond the label 'refugee', Siena emphasizes. “All people, whether you grow up in the Netherlands or somewhere else, need opportunities. Unfortunately, there are unconscious and conscious prejudices, systems that work against you if you have a 'different' name or a gap on your CV... My appeal is therefore: see the person, see the talent and see the possibilities. And although we have really great programs with Refugee Talent Hub and our partners that make a difference, we as a society can still take steps in this regard.”
Later when I'm bigger
Siena is now going to graduate first (she is doing her Masters in International Relations & International Organization at the University of Groningen), but is already thinking about the next steps. “When I grow up,” she begins with a smile, “I want to work hard for opportunities for refugees. You can start working immediately, for example, after you come to the Netherlands. I really miss a vision on this from politics and that affects me. I feel like something is on fire in our society, but hardly anyone seems to realize what is going on. I want to combine that sense of urgency, almost activist, with quickly making an impact in my work when I graduate.”
Refugee LinkUp
Her best experience at Refugee Talent Hub? A difficult question, it turns out, because she has learned a lot in the past period. “If I have to choose, two things stand out: first of all, the team, because that is really very special. How everyone supports each other, how open everyone is, that you can really be who you are... Working together towards a better world while learning a lot from each other and having so much fun together - really great!”
“And the second for me is the Refugee LinkUp campaign . As part of the campaign team, I organized everything for the participating status holders. I was allowed to guide them, provided the LinkedIn training together with Bunchmark, was present at the photography, was in a WhatsApp group with the participants... And I immediately noticed the impact that the campaign had: it offered them hope for a future. Suddenly they were standing next to a CEO or HR director – without distance, just person to person. Beautiful. I thought the whole campaign was very hopeful. All the personal stories, the overwhelming amount of warm responses we received. That meant a lot to me. I felt the connection, and that is ultimately what drives me: connection between people and equal opportunities for everyone.”
NB Are you also looking for an internship with impact ? With the best team in the Netherlands ? Refugee Talent Hub is always looking for passionate interns. Send us a message for more info!