Afzal (26) came to Austria from Afghanistan at the age of 17 and has already had many different jobs. Afzal enjoys learning new things, loves children, interacting with people, and French and Spanish pop music.

Place of birth
Logar, Afghanistan

Education/profession
→ SAP expert at Porr
→ Studied applied electronics and technical computer science at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna

If I hadn't come to Austria in 2016, I would probably still be in Afghanistan. By fleeing to Europe, I have been able to build a better life for myself. What I appreciate about Austria is the equal opportunities for men and women, whether at work or in leisure time.

     Since 2022, I have been studying applied electronics and technical computer science at the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna. After that, I can work either as an electrical engineer or as a programmer. Before that, I studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University for two years. In terms of time and subject matter, it was too much for me. I am better off at the University of Applied Sciences. I have one more year to go if everything goes well.

     In addition to my studies, I work full-time at Porr as an SAP specialist. I support colleagues when they have problems with the programme. We have a great team. I feel really comfortable there.

     I've already had a few different jobs. I've learned something everywhere I've worked. I started out in the
kitchen and in service.

»I learned something everywhere.«

You learn how to deal with customers, but also how to become more independent. I was a carpet salesman. Then I worked in a pawn shop for three and a half years, where we bought and sold electronic devices. There, I mainly learned how to deal with stress. For a year, I was a working student in purchasing at Knorr-Bremse. Now, in the office, I mainly need to be a team player. I've always progressed in my job. Let's see how things go.

     Because of my full-time job and my studies, I have to give up a lot in my private life. I work until 4 or 4:30 p.m. Then I'm at the university until 9 p.m. Working, studying, sleeping – there's not much time for anything else.

     For me, integration doesn't mean putting everything you bring with you from your home country behind you. For example, I don't drink alcohol. Nevertheless, I can still have fun with people who drink. On the other hand, in Austria I naturally shake hands with women when greeting them. In Afghanistan, men don't do that. Learning how to deal with cultural differences – that's what integration means to me.

»Learning how to deal with cultural differences – that is what integration means to me.«

It wasn't difficult for me to get in touch with people in Austria. Kicken ohne Grenzen helped me with that. I joined Kicken ohne Grenzen in 2017. It was very important to me right from the start. It's a great place to learn the language. We went on lots of trips and played matches with Austrians. Football makes it easy to strike up a conversation.

     A few years ago, I founded the Marefat integration and charity association together with others. We provide private tutoring and help with filling out forms and submitting applications. About 60 people, most of them from Afghanistan, have visited us at least once. I give private lessons in maths, German for beginners and Dari/Farsi for Afghans who are growing up here. We are allowed to use the office of another association. Unfortunately, we do not receive any public support.

     I live with my wife. We are not yet officially married because I am missing documents from Afghanistan. My family lives in Afghanistan. They are doing well so far. I support them financially. My father works, but the situation in Afghanistan is generally not very good.

     I jokingly tell my boss that I see myself in his position in ten years. I will definitely try to get a better position. I would like to have a management position where I have the freedom to realise my ideas. And I want to be married and have children.

»Football is an easy way to strike up a conversation.«

Fotos: Karo Pernegger
Interviews: Birgit Riezinger

Diese Geschichten wurden im Rahmen des 10-jährigen Jubiläums von Breaking Grounds protokolliert.