Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: Master’s in Banking and Financial Sciences, Senior Financial Reporting Officer, Head of Financial Reporting Department

My activities at WU: Collaboration in a research project at the Institute for Sociology and Social Research.

My daily routine used to be: I was working, meeting friends, going on picnics and barbecues on weekends, playing soccer, watching matches and going camping with my wife and kids. If I had not been forced to leave I would still be having fun with my lovely friends and family.

I have been in Austria for...: Seven months. Now I am living in Wr. Neustadt with my wife and kids.

What I like about WU...: The history of WU. My plans include...: I am planning to build my future at this university. I would like to make new experiences and serve the academic sector with my expertise.

If I had a wish: I hope the killing and destruction stop in Syria. Personally I hope I can get a doctorate degree in Finance and Banking at WU.

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: Bachelor’s in statistical mathematics

My activities at WU: Data analysis and statistical modelling at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development

My daily routine used to be: I was a teacher and I was working with data analysis in spss. I was happy in my country.

I’ve been in Austria since...: September 2015.

What I like about WU...: One of the best universities in the world.

My plans include...: Gaining work experience and getting to know more about Austria.

If I had a wish: Get a PhD in statistics.

Country of origin: Gambia, West Africa

My field of expertise/I was studying: Professionally I am a politician, at the moment I am studying political science at University of Vienna.

My activities at WU: Development of educational material in the subject area “Globalization and Social Policy” at the Institute for Social Policy.

My daily routine used to be: I had a good life, I was working and happily living with my wife and children.  

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2004. I am currently living in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: WU is one of the smartest and most modern educational institutions in Europe. I like the people at WU, they are very friendly.

My plans include...: My main plan at WU is to learn, to achieve knowledge and enter Austria´s job market.

If I had a wish: I would like to be a big politican, I wish to have my family with me and I wish to complete my studies at the university.

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I was studying economics at the university of Latakia, my specialty was accounting.

My activities at WU: Assistance and working with literature and the European Social Survey at the Institute for Macroeconomics.

My daily routine used to be: I had a normal life, I used to go to the mountains or to the beach every summer with my family. If I had not been forced to leave Syria, I would probably have graduated from university and maybe found a good job.

I’ve been in Austria for..: About seven months, I am living in Vienna with my family.

What I like about WU...: I know that WU is a new university, I really like the buildings. They are designed in a perfect modern way. Everyone here is nice and very kind.

My plans include...: I am studying at WU as a MORE student and I am planning to become a regular student once I have learnt German.

If I had a wish: I really wish to graduate from WU so I can have a good job for my future.

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I have a bachelor’s in law from the University of Damascus.

My activities at WU: Supporting a comparative analysis of Syrian civil law at the Research Institute for CEE Legal Studies.

My daily routine used to be: Most of my time I spent at university, concentrating on my studies.

I’ve been in Austria since...: October 2014. I am currently living in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: I am very interested in business law. I like working in a team and I like my colleagues here. The working environment is very good.

My plans include...: I would like to make a comparison between Syrian and Austrian civil law. Also, I would like to get to know the Austrian university system better and gain formal recognition for my academic title.

If I had a wish: My biggest wish at the moment is to gain recognition of my academic title in order to find a job in business law.

Country of origin: Afghanistan

My field of expertise/I was studying: My field of expertise is Social Science. I studied Philosophy and Sociology for five years at Kabul University. I got my bachelor’s degree in 2009.

My activities at WU: Surveys on social and economic life in Afghanistan, assistance with interviews and translation of materials in a pilot initiative for consumer education of unaccompanied underage refugees from Afghanistan at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development.

My daily routine used to be: I had an academic daily routine in Afghanistan. I always participated in English classes and university lectures. Unfortunately, 40 years of war were a part of our life. Now I feel good to live in a country with prosperity and peace.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013. I lived in Graz for two years but now I live in Vienna. I am living with friends from ten regions but I do not have any relatives in Austria.

What I like about WU...: WU teaches Economy, Social Science and Business Law. WU offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

If I had a wish: I love this University!!!!! It is my eternal wish to be a student at this university.

Country of origin: Iraq

My field of expertise/I was studying: I was studying Engineering and Computer & Communications

My activities at WU: Production of an image video for a conference at the Institute for Production Management.

My daily routine used to be: It was basically about my studies. If I had not been forced to leave, I would not have had to say goodbye to many people and places.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013. I am currently living in Vienna but my family is not here with me.

What I like about WU...: I have a few good friends who have studied at WU. I know the architecture and architects. I like the academic atmosphere and how it gives a feeling of warmth and security for students and staff.

My plans include...: Thanks to my internship I hope to gain more experience and get to know interesting people on campus.

If I had a wish: I want to expand my knowledge, to continue my education, secure my life with a career and start a family.

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I have a bachelor’s in Business Administration & studies in insurance, tourism & now I am studying for an MBA.

My activities at WU: Research for the project “Meta-analysis of predictors of career success” at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Management and Organizational Behavior.

My daily routine used to be: I was working for an international company and doing studies in the same field (insurance). By now I would have a senior position, got the diploma in insurance and progressed in my studies.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013, in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: Well ranked, massive number of students and employees, wide range of academic programs. WU got a unique architecture, friendly administration staff, and a professional work environment at the IVM.

My plans include...: I want to fulfill all the internship tasks and increase my knowledge in the academic field.

If I had a wish: I wish to keep working in an academic work environment, to get  support in researching for my upcoming master’s thesis and to get support for a future PhD program.