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Hello Saleh,
tell us, when did you come to Germany and what was it like for you?
I came to Germany from Palestine in 2017 because I had to flee my home country. Then I first attended an integration course and then started my training in Plauen.
Speaking German was really difficult at the beginning. But I always asked questions when I didn't understand or know something.
You trained as a hairdresser at Mod's Hair in Plauen. Why did you decide to do that?
Even earlier in my home country, I wanted to become a barber, i.e. a hairdresser for male customers. My father's best friend had a barbershop and I always helped out there. When I was in Germany, I asked the Chamber of Crafts if I could do an apprenticeship in this trade. But barbering is not an apprenticeship in Germany, so I learned to be a hairdresser. And Mrs. Rothe gave me the chance.
In Germany we have the dual system for training - that means you have a constant change between vocational school and training company. How was that for you?
The dual system was good - because it is very varied. It doesn't get boring because of the change between work and vocational school. German was quite difficult at the beginning, but I learned it during the training. You just have to take the first step and find a company that supports you. Every day you learn a little bit more.
That sounds great! You passed your apprenticeship in September - congratulations! What does your working day look like now?
I have my own room in the salon that I can use as a barber. There I mainly serve male customers and cut hair and beards. But women with short hair also sit in my chair. If I don't have any customers at the moment, I help the other colleagues.
Dyeing hair, for example, is not really my thing. What I like best is taking care of the barbers. I'm particularly proud of my own barber's chair. A while ago, my boss told me that she had a surprise for me. A few days later, there was a huge box in the salon - the chair was in it. And now I have my own barber room. That's great!
And for the future - do you have plans?
Yes! In the future, I want to get my master's degree in hairdressing and then open my own barbershop.
What does your life look like besides work? Have you settled in well in Plauen?
Yes, I have. I have a large circle of friends here now. It's a colourful mix - Germans, Armenians, Albanians, and so on.
In my free time I like to play billiards or table tennis. When the weather is good, I like to go to the Pöhl Dam with my friends.
I like it here in this region and I would like to stay here. When I came to Germany, I lived in Berlin for a while. Sure, it's cool there, but it's also pretty stressful. Then I moved to Plauen and here you have a good mix of city and nature. There's everything here and if you want to go to a big city, Dresden, Leipzig or Berlin aren't far away.
I'm glad you've arrived here so well! Thank you for the interview Saleh!