6.11.2023
I am Ahad Maroufi, 42 years old, from Iran.
I was born in the small city in the northwest of Iran, Mahabad. I studied primary and high school there and moved to Urmia to study mathematics in Teacher`s Training University. After 2 years while I was a teacher, I changed my study field to physics and graduated in nuclear physics for Bachelor of science and Atomic and Molecular physics for Master of Science.
I was a teacher for 17 years in schools and universities. My dream was to study PhD in physics in one of the high-ranking Universities, but unfortunately it did not come true while my life situation totally changed.
A few months after marriage we had to move to other country, because of some problems we had reached. We did not know where we should move, just knew we have to move somewhere else than stay in our home country. Finally we decided to move to Finland and directly to Rovaniemi in September 2017.
My wife was pregnant and we needed protection. New country, new culture, new people and new, new, new things all the time, in the other side stress and loneliness. We did not know what is going on. Fortunately we got first daughter in the safest situation in February 2018 in Rovaniemi.
All that I talked to others about our tough situation, made me forget even the most important dream of my life for 2 years. Step by step I understood where I am or probably, what should I do. I was dreaming days and nights: “I will go to one of the best universities to study PhD.” They welcome me asking why did not you come earlier. And I will answer them:”I had some problems, but now I’m ready for all new possibilities”. That would I tell them! And they could see how good background I have, and guide me: “Now you can continue your studies and get your passion.” All these words I wanted to hear. These words were my dreams.
With all those sweat dreams I went to Oulu University, got an appointment with one of the professors, who was a group manager. I knew they had got a huge grant and in this big project might be a chance they will give me a position. He observed all my documents and asked way I did not come earlier, 2 years ago? Instantly, my eyes sparkled, I was happy, saw that my dream is coming true. So I said to myself. The man said he will need more time to look my document and being touch with me. The result was, he did not do anything. I sent an email, called him, but nothing happened. I thought maybe we have different fields, so I tried second and third time. Nothing and nothing.
I realized that there was a big obstacle in front of our lives, it was resident permission. Was this discrimination? Yes, it was. Why? I had many documents and even experience. Why they did not believe me? Anyway, I did not wait and looked around to see what is coming to me.
I started to study Finnish language, took some evening courses in the Lapland University. We did not have a right to take formal language courses, like Rovala or others.
In 2021 we got second child. Bigger family means bigger problems plus the big obstacle, which I wrote. My wife had depression and her situation was not good. We were still wating for permission to stay in country or no. Every year they invite us to Migri. Every time we were thinking, this one is going to be the last one. And we will get what we deserve. But every time regardless of the family conditions they say, we do not accept you and you must leave Finland or we will do it by policeforce. But we did not know where? When? Why? I was thinking myself, I was a teacher, I had my own home and everything, but now nothing. I lost them all.
During those years I realized, what is racism for the first time in my life.
When you go to market or you are in public place, the people don’t look at you same as others. When your child is alone, the others don’t play whit her/him. I was educated, I had work experience, I was speaking 4 languages. I deserve more than this what I see and feel.
In may 2022 after four years and eight months of waiting, we got a resident permission to stay in Finland. All the family was happy. I said, now I can do everything; study, work, entertain. But I realized, there was not just one obstacle, there were more. Now I have to start to overcome all challenges one by one.
But while I was preparing myself to be powerful to pass the obstacles, sometimes I was stressed if all them will take a long time like the first one.
I started language course in Rovala. After 4 months I got a part time job for one year in Arctic Immigrants AMA ngo in Rovaniemi as a coordinator. I must find a new job after that. I cannot stay without a job, I do not like be an unhelpful person. I know this job now is not the same as I had, but sometimes you have to change yourself, your plan, if you can’t change the situation. I like my job, have very good friends and colleagues, but still Ido my best to achieve my goal.
No one knows what is happening in world. We should be kind with each other, especially with those people who have had to move to a new society. Maybe one day it will happen also to us.
Ahad Maroufi
This article was published first in Just Nyt! newspaper in autumn 2023 with the title ”New Country, Old Dream” .
