Hundreds of Moroccan students who escaped the war in Ukraine to the Netherlands now face a new struggle: deportation.
Redouane, a 29-year-old Moroccan student, told news outlet Omroep Flevoland that his dream of studying in Ukraine was shattered by the war. After fleeing to the Netherlands, he now faces the challenge of deportation.
Redouane, like many other third-country nationals who fled Ukraine to the Netherlands, is losing his right to stay in the country.
These individuals, who were working or studying in Ukraine before the war, are being told to return to their home countries despite the potential consequences.
Redouane, who spent three years studying Chemical Engineering in Kharkiv, Ukraine, feels a strong connection to the country and has built a life in the Netherlands.
He has a job, friends, and a sense of belonging. Returning to Morocco would not only mean losing his progress towards his degree but also facing cultural shame for not succeeding abroad.
Hailing from Agadir, Morocco, he recounted how his parents had sacrificed and saved diligently to finance his education in Ukraine.
Pursuing a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in Kharkiv, he found himself caught in the chaos of war upon graduation.
For the past two years, Redouane has called Almere his home, finding solace and stability amidst the turmoil.
However, the recent deportation decision has thrown his life into disarray once again.
Despite the option of returning to Morocco, the prospect seems daunting, as there is the cultural stigma attached to returning empty-handed and the challenges of obtaining his academic credentials from Ukraine.
Redouane expressed his fear of losing everything he had built in the Netherlands. He longs for the same rights as other Ukrainians, emphasizing his deep connection to the country despite his Moroccan roots.
“Of course I’m scared. I lost two years of my life here in the Netherlands. I don’t want to leave with nothing,” Redouane.
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