Hossna (21) likes to take on responsibility. At Kicken ohne Grenzen, she is a youth leader and part of the child protection team. Born in Afghanistan, she has been living in Austria for 14 years and speaks better German than her native language, Pashto. Hossna describes herself as helpful, sociable and ambitious.

Place of birth
Kabul, Afghanistan

Education/profession
→ Child protection officer and youth leader at Breaking Grounds
→ Studied business informatics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business

My life would have been completely different if I hadn't come to Austria from Afghanistan in 2011. I wouldn't have a higher education, I wouldn't be studying. I'd probably be at home and not working.

     I'm in my fourth semester studying business informatics at WU Vienna. Although it's challenging, I enjoy it. I would like to start my own business and support companies with security issues and digital transformation.

     It is important to me to make my parents proud. They left their country, their culture and their families behind so that we children could have better educational opportunities and a better future. It would be a real shame not to take advantage of these opportunities.

     So far, all the stages of my life have helped me progress. I was shy at primary school because I didn't know the language. But a teacher helped me a lot. The lower years at secondary school were challenging.

»It is important to me to make my parents proud.«

Then I stepped on the gas, came out of my shell more and felt more comfortable with myself. After graduating from secondary school, I worked in sales at H&M. There I met many different people. There were people who, despite health problems, had worked hard in the warehouse for 30 years. I have great respect for that. I saw what real life is – that you have to work to live.

     I also worked in a call centre. There I learned how to approach people and how to keep them on the phone. At university, I realised that it's completely different from school. But I'm studying voluntarily, and that helps motivate me.

     In the ÖH at the University of Economics, I organise intercultural events for students every month in a team of six people. You have to think about a lot of organisational things and I've learned to take on even more responsibility. That means a lot to me because people benefit from it. I benefit from it myself because I'm developing myself further.

»Here I can clear my head.«

At Kicken ohne Grenzen, I learned to take responsibility. I learned to communicate better and become more courageous. My role has changed over time: from a shy player, I have become someone who motivates others to be more confident. I enjoy connecting people with each other. For me, Kicken ohne Grenzen means solidarity, lots of fun and not being judged, no matter what your background is.

     Although I am very busy, I still go to training regularly. Playing football calms me down. It's fun. And it's a balance to the stress of everyday life. Here I can clear my head.

     As a native Afghan who wears a headscarf, I am unfortunately often the victim of racism. I've gotten better at dealing with it now. I would like to tell xenophobic people in Austria that we are not very different: we are both human beings, we both feel pain when we are hurt.

     As an Austrian citizen, I have voted many times. It is important to me to use my voice. What bothers me about politics in Austria is the propaganda against Muslims. There are xenophobic statements that make me think: Are you serious?

     In ten years, I would like to have a partner and be an independent entrepreneur. Later, when I have the means to do so, I would like to set up an NGO or an aid fund – for children in Afghanistan who have no families and don't have as many opportunities as I do.

»Playing football calms me down.«

Fotos: Karo Pernegger
Interviews: Birgit Riezinger

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