Arwa Nafea (38) and Raad Jaleel (40) are trained nuclear physicists. When they flee from Iraq to Germany, they have high hopes. However, starting a new career proves to be difficult. At Prokon, they find more than just jobs. This is their story.
"For me, the red carpet was not rolled out," says Raad Jaleel. Today, the 40-year-old can laugh when he says this sentence. He and his wife Arwa Nafea (38) have since built a new life in Itzehoe. Both work for Prokon: she in quality management, he in quality assurance. They have even become German citizens for about two months now. But the path there was rocky. In May 2015, Raad fled from the Iraqi capital Baghdad to Germany. Arwa and their two children initially stayed there. Initially, Raad not only faced difficulties with the language but particularly with job searching.
"The authorities recognised my degree, but I did not receive a work permit," Raad recalls. Months passed, yet despite working as an engineer in his home country, Raad only received offers from the job centre for supermarket or restaurant jobs. "I am a qualified nuclear physicist – of course, I wanted to work in this field, learn about modern technologies here, and further my education," he explains. The frustration is immense, but Raad does not let it discourage him. For nine months, he toiled for 60 hours a week: during the day in German classes, and in the evenings in a restaurant. His big goal always in sight: to bring his family to him.
"The topic of energy connects us. We also talk a lot about it at home, exchanging ideas about new developments."
Raad Jaleel, Quality assurance of large components
In August 2017, Arwa and the children Naya (9) and Ramyar (13) can finally come to Kiel. "Being separated from each other for so long was very hard," says Arwa, who is also a nuclear physicist. The two met in 2003 during their studies at the University in Baghdad. "It was love at first sight," says Raad, grinning. "The topic of energy unites us. We also talk a lot about it at home, exchanging views on new developments." And they also rethink their opinions. In their new home in Schleswig-Holstein, they notice the numerous wind turbines. Raad explains that there are hardly any in Iraq. There is too little wind and too much sand that would damage the gearboxes. The more they engage with the white giants in the fields around them, the more their attitude towards nuclear energy is influenced.
"Just like in medicine, there are side effects with energy too. CO2 is like a cancer for the world. And operating nuclear reactors is risky and by no means emission-free. I want a healthy Earth for my children and future generations - without side effects. That's why wind energy is the right way," says Raad. He wants to complement his expertise with another, more sustainable aspect. When he applies for a master's degree in wind energy, he gets the okay from Flensburg University - but not from the authorities. "I was at least allowed to retrain as a mechatronics technician," he says. The nuclear physicist is able to bring many of his study skills into this new field.
"All colleagues have supported and helped us wholeheartedly. For that, we are very grateful."
Arwa Nafea, Quality management
A big support for Raad is his trainer and current department head Tobias Wolff. "Tobias has helped us so much. He is our guardian angel," says Arwa, laughing. He also helped her to start at Prokon: "My degree was recognised directly: I didn't have to do any extra training, I could start right after my German course." Arwa has been working in quality management for 14 months now. There she supervises and manages the inspections of equipment. "These can be levers, cables or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the employees - for a smooth and safe process, it's important that the quality is right," explains Arwa. Even outside the office, Arwa and Raad can rely on the support of Prokon: "When we had problems with our residence permit, Tobias Wolff, our department head Karsten Brandt and the other colleagues stood up for us," says Arwa.
Now she and her husband are officially German citizens - and completely settled in their new home. The doors to the lecture hall are now open to Raad. However, if anything, he would only study alongside work: "We want to stay at Prokon." He has been in the workforce for quite a while, but he has never worked in such a nice team before. "All colleagues have supported and helped us from the heart. We are very grateful for that," says Arwa. And Raad adds, "Of course we miss our families in Iraq. But we have found a new family here. And it's called Prokon."
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