As refugees flee into Germany, how are students being integrated into schools?
When the war in Ukraine began this year the immediate images and stories of bravery, destruction, takes of strength and unity and the evidence of evil really hit me. As the war has continued it’s been easy enough to follow what is happening, but also just go about life, some days not even thinking of it at all. Thousands of others do not have that luxury. Germany has been welcoming Ukrainian refugees as soon as they began fleeing, and the evidence of this is everywhere. From flags flown everywhere, to signs in train stations in Ukraine pointing to needed services, the compassion and care the German people are sharing is palpable.
To dig deep into the legalese of Germany's immigration and asylum policies is a slightly daunting process. The bottom line is that by the middle of 2021, Germany reported almost 1.24 million refugees and 233 000 asylum seekers, making it the biggest host country for refugees in Europe. Half of the refugees are from Syria. Germany also hosts 27 000 stateless persons. This number has most recently risen due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Once in Germany refugees can apply for asylum and work towards permanent residence. This article explains some of the most recent changes to this process.
Evidence of Support
Evidence of support for Ukraine was everywhere throughout towns and cities alike! The colors of the Ukrainian flag were on banners, stickers, and street art. Flags were flown on top of government buildings and personal residences. Here are a just a few images of visual reminder of Germany's support.
A flag flies high above the Altes National Gallery
A candle-lit memorial for those lost in the war outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin. In fact, the entire road in front of the Russian Embassy was closed to pedestrians and cars.
Signs helping direct Ukrainian refugees to help centers. These signs were in several key locations in the Berlin HBF (train station) and written in both German and Ukrainian.
Helping Ukrainian Students
We have been learning about the programs and procedures schools have in place to help students acclimate. Martin Oppermann, from the Education Ministry, lead us through the three week timeframe they worked within at the beginning of the war to prepare for students. Immediately the Education Ministry began to ask itself three guiding questions to help form a plan for the students arrival:
1. How many refugees will be arriving? 2. How long will they stay? 3. What will we do?
First an email strongly supporting Ukraine was sent to all teachers. This email also included initial information and teaching materials. Teachers and admin alike worked together to address topics such as teaching the German language quickly, making integration into a school a positive experience for the student, and organizing their first days of school. The program not only helps with language and school topics, but has a heavy focus on helping students emotionally and psychologically. I know it is an ongoing process as more students arrive into various part of Germany, but so far the efforts made by the entire education system seem to be making positive steps forward.
Postcards for Peace
Before the end of the school year my students created postcards full of positive messages and artwork in hopes I would be able to find students or children who had fled Ukraine. My students wanted them to know that they are loved and supported in this horrific time in their lives. I know small papers may not mean much to someone who has left behind their home, friends, everything that made their life normal. But we hoped they might bring at least a smile.
Hardtberg Gymnasium, my school placement, did not have many Ukrainian students. Instead I gave the postcards to several of my fellow TGC teachers to pass out at their schools. I hope they brightened the students days!
Want to help in your classroom?
Check out Any Refugee, a postcard writing project.
Read a book with your class. The Unwanted: Stories of Syrian Refugees, by Don Brown is a graphic novel about the Syrian crisis, and even features Germany's response.
Check out some other graphic novels that deal with the refugee or immigrant experience. Chicago Public Library has curated a list of them here.
become a Letters of Hope classroom
Protesting in Munich
My time with the TGC program officially ended in Berlin. I stayed in Germany for a few more days, traveling to Rothenburg ob Der Tauber and Munich, nursing a pretty decent earache along the way. Once I reached Munich I got to experience a small portion of the German health care system as I tried to find a doctor open late on a Friday night to treat my ear. While waiting for my appointment I began to wander the city center and managed to walk right into a large protest/rally full of Ukrainian support. I stayed for quite some time listening to the speakers and reading signs in the crowd. A fw of the people taking the stage spoke in English, but even when they didn't their passion, anger, and hope poured through their voices in a way that transcended any language barrier. Two pre-teens wove together traditional music and rap to share their thoughts. Many people in the crowd were in traditional dress, while many others carried a wide variety of protest signs. It was an atmosphere charged with infectious energy, and I was disappointed to have to leave to head back to the doctor.
Wether shown by flying Ukrainian flags and banners on public buildings and residences, or through protests in the streets, it's clear that support for Ukraine is strong in Germany.
If you want to learn more about how one university is trying to help refugee teachers find classrooms in Germany, check out this post from Potsdam.
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