Petar Atanackovic : “personal migration story”

1. May 2013 PetarAtanackovic:“personal migration story”

2. Emigration country: Serbia (city of Novi Sad) Immigration country: Germany (city of Potsdam) Migrated in November 2010 (at Age of 31) Migration from family reasons through Marriage-Visa (ger. Eheschließung) Migration: when, why, how

3. Approx. 9-12 Months for preparation: a) Informing about necessary documents and procedures b) Collecting the documents (both in Serbia and in Germany) c) Testing the Language-skills (A1 Level) (Goethe-Institute in Belgrade) d) Applying e) Waiting, waiting, waiting… Preparations

4. Procedure in the German Embassy was more-less uncomplicated The biggest Challenge were procedures in Serbian Institutions (just to find out who’s in-charge for which procedure in which institution was extreme stressful and sometimes chaotic) The most problematic part of preparation was Inquiry of German’s Office for Foreigners (Ausländerbehörde), which wanted written Report about personal relationship → deep interfering in personal Life Preparations: remarks

5. a) Finishing the Procedure about Marriage (Meeting in Office for Weddings, Document translation etc.) b) Informing in the Office for Foreigners about further steps c) Opening the Bank-Account d) Applying for Residence in Potsdam After Marriage (in January 2011): e) Health-Insurance Contract f) Meeting in Office for Foreigners First steps in new surroundings(November 2010 – January 2011)

6. Lack of basic information about first steps: What one should do as first, when arrives in new country? What are the second, third and other steps? Which documents are needed for which procedures? Which institutions are in-charged for which procedures? IMPORTANT: Lack of information where to ask when one doesn’t know what to do! (Beratungsstelle is just one additional unknown Term) ↓ Alternative strategy: ask the Friends and People with experience → Advantage: didn’t came in unknown Environment and had Friends Lack of information

7. Personal Status: 3-Years Limited Residence Permit (Next Meeting in Office for Foreigners: January 2014) Unlimited working Permit Obligation to participate in so-called “Integration-Course” At this point was necessary to develop certain Strategy for “the new start”. The start

8. Using the first months for learning the Language and getting the info about University degree recognition, studying and working possibilities ↓ Financial means (scholarship, small honorarium contracts and savings) enabled “Luxurious Life” without need to search for Jobs for 1 Year ↓ Integration Course (February-June 2011): Certificate B1 ↓ Upper lever Language-Course (September 2011-June 2012): Certificate C1 Personal Strategy (1): orientation

9. Process of Language-learning demands a lot of time and personal effort (from approx. 20 members of my course group from integration course, I was the only one who finished upper-level Course) ↓ Postponement or abandonment of the idea to continue with studies Issuing of University Certificate in Serbia lasts too long (waiting since April 2011 i.e. more than 2 Years) Dilemma about which from 2 University Degrees to Recognize ↓ Postponement of recognition of the University Degree → Focus on the Employment Problems and challenges

10. Since November 2011 sending applications for Jobs ↓ Problems: a) Not knowing how proper Application (on German) should be written b) Lack of knowledge about Job descriptions, Employment terms etc. (Time-work, Mini Job, Job-mediation, Description of working places…) c) Lack of knowledge where could be possible to inform about it ↓ 95% of Applications were rejected or not answered Only 2 positive answers on approx. 40-50 applications → 3 Months work on Mini Job as Postman (for approx. 4,50 €/hour) Personal strategy (2): Employment

11. “Employment Adventure” wasn’t successful (Especially with Translator Job) ↓ Applying for social help (ALG II/Hartz 4) after 2 years living in Germany ↓ New Strategy was to search for some kind of additional Qualification through some of the Programs of Employment Agency ↓ February 2013: founding of the REA Project Personal strategy (3): social help

12. PLAN A Engagement through REA Project: Gaining practical experiences in “administrative work” in Project House (which could enable taking over a responsible position in the House next year) Using the time to fulfill postponed Plans (recognition of the University Degree, gaining the Language Certificate C2 etc.) PLAN B Continuing with the Plan for PhD Studies Developing Idea for the PhD Work, searching for possible Mentor, Gaining Access to University, Applying for Scholarship → If scholarship, then studies New strategy?

13. Many measures, knowledge and info came too late Social conditions: Social decline and trap of “vicious circle” of precariousness Personal position: Low motivation, pessimism, no big plans Plans for Future: Stay here and see what will happen… And at the end?