Friday 9 Mar 2012 12:10 h
Chances to find a job a very few
Michael's experience is not surprising, considering very high unemployment level in Spain (even in comparison with some other European countries, where it is also high).
My experience can be called 'a…
BrightMugabe
NORWAY
Sunday 12 Feb 2012 22:01 h
SHOCKER
Monday 6 Feb 2012 08:27 h
The hero is in you
I remember back then went i was in Africa i use to think that Europe is the answer to all problems,and tso i thought too that the white's heart's are just as they look,hmm what can i say after few yrs in europe i was close to tears,close to tears not because i was unable to make a success out of the trip,but because for so many yrs i have leaved in fantansy and immaginations of things that never existed,.
Thursday 26 Jan 2012 18:16 h
Multiple Degrees
It is not uncommon to find an African student in Belgium with multiple masters degree. Is it just an unquenchable thirst for knowledge or a means of survival...
Thursday 26 Jan 2012 16:52 h
African Students in Hasselt ( Belgium)
Studying in the Flemish region, where many people are still finding it difficult to come in terms with the reality of Globalization....
Maritvansplunter
Nederland
Wednesday 14 Dec 2011 05:24 h
In response to forum Q: "Is it harder to make a mixed relationships work?"
The reasons from within the relationship and from the outside world. Plus a personal story:
I believe there are many challenges to any relationship, though intercultural ones do hand you an extra set of challenges on top. In my personal opinion there are two different kinds; those between you and your partner and those that the outside world (your environment) puts onto your relationship.
Anni
United Kingdom
Tuesday 6 Dec 2011 14:10 h
Senegalese Migrants in Seville
Hi everyone. I want to say I really like this site and its a very good initiative. It allows people like me to better engage with migrants experiences. There is…
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ChrisAmani
Monday 24 Oct 2011 14:39 h
I want to go back: Part III
My life in Europe has been good and bad. In part three of my blog posts, I would like to give some advice to people who are thinking of migrating.
Ssuuna
Thursday 20 Oct 2011 12:28 h
I almost joined criminal gangs due to lack of jobs
I thought by travelling to Europe I would overcome all the problems I had in Africa, but the situation in Europe was almost the same as in Africa. Sometimes I would feel so desperate that Ithought of participatinginto risky ventures that would mean a life of crime. Luckily I always controlled myself.
ChrisAmani
Monday 17 Oct 2011 14:22 h
I want to go back: Part II
When I was a student my life was pretty much arranged for me: I had accommodation, friends and was learning a lot of interesting things. But once my Masters was over, I got to know the difficult part of Europe. Part II: my life in Europe after studying.
ChrisAmani
Thursday 13 Oct 2011 16:40 h
I want to go back: Part I
After living in Europe for two years, I have decided to go back to my country. My story will tell you why. My Europe experience started off good. I had a visa in order to study and no problems in finding friends and a house. But when my Masters year ended, things took a change for the worst. I will tell my story in different blog posts. This week part I: Leaving Africa and studying in Amsterdam.
SEteam
Monday 10 Oct 2011 16:30 h
Undocumented in Holland get training to start a business back home
In Amsterdam, Holland, a new organization helps migrants who want to return how to set up a business plan to make a good start back home. “The Dutch government should invest in training for returnees, not in immigrant detention”, they say.
Ssuuna
Wednesday 5 Oct 2011 11:12 h
My wife warned me against traveling with a big suitcase
I had enough time to organize and prepare for my trip. I knew what was involved and the immediate consequences like missing my family and friends from the start. The trip arrangements involved so many things including looking for money to travel with, buying some stuff, bidding farewell to my people and packing suitcases among others. In all the preparations I was such a joyful person and I was so eager to go to Europe to fulfill my dream of becoming a rich man in society.
Thursday 29 Sep 2011 05:38 h
Finally Africans Telling The African Experience In Europe
thisisafrica
Netherlands
Tuesday 27 Sep 2011 11:09 h
Avoiding Europe's detention centres
It's the most desperate cases that make the headlines, such as the overcrowded boats sinking between the Tunisian coast and the Italian island of Lampedusa - and more than 5,000 have died in this manner since 1996...
Saturday 24 Sep 2011 19:00 h
African spouses in Europe
Dear editorial staff, I have been noticing that everywhere in Europe there is lots of "lucky" African origins how actually have residental permit to EU, but who are…
thisisafrica
Netherlands
Tuesday 20 Sep 2011 15:57 h
Why undocumented Africans in Europe should have the right to work legally
You'd like to work legally, but you're not allowed to. You can't not work, not if you wanna eat. That leaves you two options, work illegally (grey-economy jobs, cash-in-hand, false name, no paperwork, etc.) or "legally" (above-board jobs with papers) by illegal means. Those are the choices faced by undocumented African migrants in Europe. Which would you choose? I'd probably go with legal work by "illegal" means. But what does this entail?
mikeangkey
United Kingdom
Friday 16 Sep 2011 17:23 h
Praying for a Cat to be healed by God
As a child I have dreamt of living abroad far away from home, that I have achieved but the rest of my expectations are yet to happen and I hope they will.
Ssuuna
Friday 16 Sep 2011 10:14 h
Europeans are less hospitable
It’s an African culture to welcome each and every person who comes to you no matter his/her race, colour, religion or whether there is an appointment or not. We even have the saying: ‘There is no road in the house, every person who comes is a visitor’. I figured out it's not like that in Europe.
thisisafrica
Netherlands
Thursday 15 Sep 2011 14:05 h
Racism and other culture shocks
A group of skinheads screaming "These are 'white' seats!" at two female African bus passengers while all the other white passengers keep staring out of the windows as if nothing…
Wednesday 14 Sep 2011 23:29 h
Happy with this tv show
Finally there is good information about how migrants experience their journeys to Europe from Africa. I I was looking for something like this for a long time. At the…
Wednesday 14 Sep 2011 08:47 h
Australia
I am so happy that Aljazeera is informing people about the risks of migrating without proper documentation.
SEteam
Tuesday 13 Sep 2011 14:01 h
'I thought I would be protected here, but instead they locked me up'
In episode 6 of the Surprising Europe TV Series, Samuel from Sierra Leone tells about his life in a Dutch detention centre. In this item we only get to know a part of his story. He fled his war torn country to start a new life in Europe, but his asylum procedure failed. Because he had no papers, he was put in a special detention center in the Netherlands. This is Samuel’s whole story.
AfrykaConnect
Europe
Wednesday 7 Sep 2011 18:23 h
Europe connecting Africa (http://afrykaconnect.pl/)
Greetings to everyone. Before i embark on posting stories here, i would like to introduce you to our African online magazine that isbasically promoting Africa in Europe as well as…
Tuesday 6 Sep 2011 17:08 h
Stereotyping Africans: But How are We Branding Ourselves?
Since setting foot in this cross-continental country, I have heard many prejudices and stereotypes about Africa and Africans from Turks, many, if not all, of whom have never set foot…
Ssuuna
Thursday 1 Sep 2011 16:27 h
Some whites live poor conditions like Africans
Africa is known all over as the poorest continent in the world because most of its countries are still under developed. To be honest, in my own country Uganda you find some people sleeping in dilapidated structures, on streets, under sewage pipes etc with nothing to eat and proper clothes to put on. However like many other Africans still in Africa, before I travelled I had a different picture for Europe and I never imagined at any one time that there are people living under very poor conditions comparable to those in Africa. It was a shock to me to find beggars on European streets and other people with no proper sleeping places, no food and good clothes.
Comrade
The Netherlands
Thursday 1 Sep 2011 00:46 h
WATCH ME ON DUTCH NEDERLAND 1 (EenVandaag) TV ON SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER @ 18:15
Fellow friends and well wishers, some or all of you may be aware that I was arrested by the Dutch Police last February and detained for 14 days for charges…
thisisafrica
Netherlands
Tuesday 30 Aug 2011 13:36 h
Sex At The Margins of Surprising Europe
Imagine trying to survive without the permission to do any kind of work. You've got to eat, which isn't free, and you've got to sleep somewhere, so you need money…
Comrade
The Netherlands
Sunday 28 Aug 2011 23:33 h
THE DUTCH CULTURE STYLES THAT SHOCKED ME WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED
There are some Dutch cultures that truly shocked me when I first came into this country. A few noticeable life styles of the Dutch where quite strange to me; while…
SEteam
Thursday 25 Aug 2011 15:14 h
Photo contest: post your 'Surprising Europe' picture!
When our reporter Ssuuna Golooba from Uganda arrived in Europe he was surprised by many things. Why, for instance, do dogs carry passports and go to the hair dresser?! What do you find surprising about Europe? Grab your camera (or mobile phone), take a picture and post it on our website or Facebook fanpage! Ssuuna Golooba himself - photo journalist and initiator of Surprising Europe - will choose the winning picture.
Wednesday 24 Aug 2011 18:28 h
The other man: An experience observation of my study visit in Germany
The Other Man - Observations from my stay in Germany - a letter to a friend by Girma Gebrewold from Ethiopia
Tuesday 23 Aug 2011 12:47 h
Not good enough?
I'm Lucky - White, English speaking, got the papers, but still.... African?!
Tuesday 23 Aug 2011 03:31 h
African we should learn and make a move toward the mountain in the future
My name is Simba Mfuesse Eduardo, my story take place in American and not in europe but I saw many sorry similar to mine. I always dream to been in America, for studying and be part of this great country.
Ssuuna
Thursday 11 Aug 2011 14:44 h
'I sacrificed my house for Europe'
I struggled and almost exhausted all means of raising money for my trip but all was in vain. I contacted several people to lend me the money but I never succeeded. I was under too much pressure and the visa dealer was on my neck to pay the balance or else to lose $4000 I had deposited in advance. I was stuck until when I realised that I could sell my only house to bail me out. It was not my wish to sell the house but when I realised that when I reach Europe I would make much money to replace it, I went ahead with the plan.
PepeSoup
Italy
Thursday 11 Aug 2011 13:40 h
PepeSoup's SE-track: This is Africa Out now on "Domo Adama" Ep
Domo Adama featuring Moustapha Mbengue is a freestyle song, a message of peace and equality all over the world.
All religions should come together and live as one. We should all fight against racism and violence.
Surprising Europe\'s track is about the african migrants in Europe, the long struggles they pass trought. living in this country with
faith, In the hope for a better life. Check our Music Label on www.soupumusic.com
Tuesday 2 Aug 2011 10:54 h
Students
Comrade
The Netherlands
Monday 1 Aug 2011 15:37 h
"I didn't Know the Difference Between Holland and The Netherlands."....A Nigerian Lady
I was on my way back to Amsterdam Schiphol airport after a trip outside The Netherlands when I saw a stern disappointing looking Nigerian lady at the Immigration border point…
Comrade
The Netherlands
Monday 1 Aug 2011 14:15 h
THE DUTCH BICYCLE CULTURE!!!
My first visit to Amsterdam Central Station in 1995 was overshadowed with the number of bicycles that I saw; different shapes, sizes and colours. I must be very honest because…
Friday 22 Jul 2011 17:43 h
MY FIRST SHOCK OF EUROPE!!
I come from Cameroun, from the forest of Ebolowa. I only saw white man on TV once in a while, but never for real. When I arrived in the Netherlands,…
K-Nel
Germany
Thursday 14 Jul 2011 21:49 h
Lonely Death- The Sad Story Of A Kenyan Woman In Cologne/Germany.
What a coincidence. So I paid my mother a visit and I have to say " what a coincidence?". My mother had informed me of a Kenyan organisation in Cologne…
K-Nel
Germany
Wednesday 13 Jul 2011 20:53 h
Word Of Gratitude
As a presenter of this classic project, I am taking this opportunity to thank everyone who has really supported me on this hard and tough journey. Me, Rogers and Jean…
SEteam
Wednesday 13 Jul 2011 18:04 h
Ssuuna's interview in New African Magazine
The Suprising Europe project is getting quite the attention in the press! Ssuuna Golooba, initiator of the project, is interviewed by Femi Akomolafe for the prestigious New African Magazine. Read the interview below!
Comrade
The Netherlands
Tuesday 12 Jul 2011 20:10 h
My First Discotheque Experience.
My first day at the Dutch night club was in Rotterdam with two of my friends. I have always heard and read about gays while in Nigeria but had…
Comrade
The Netherlands
Saturday 9 Jul 2011 21:45 h
My First Europe Shocker Was The Dead Trees During Winter!!!
When I first arrived in Europe from Nigeria, it was in the tick of the winter and there was snow all over. It was my first time to see the…
Scorpio
The Netherlands
Tuesday 5 Jul 2011 12:12 h
#3 Scor.pi.o's debut single 'Surprising Europe' OUT NOW on iTunes!!!
This soundtrack is the very first single of the rapper Scor.pi.o and is NOW available on iTunes. The proceeds from the single will benefit a future project of Ssuna Golooba, founder of Surprising Europe.
Buy the single on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/surprising-europe/id447063738?i=447063754&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Watch the official music video for 'Surprising Europe':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVOH99L7i4Q
Scorpio
The Netherlands
Friday 24 Jun 2011 15:15 h
#2 Scor.pi.o: This week on my blog: Debut Single ''Surprising Europe'' Cover Shoot!
This soundtrack is the very first single of the rapper Scor.pi.o and will be available on Itunes. Follow the videoblog weekly to find out about the realease date and more!
Scorpio
The Netherlands
Friday 17 Jun 2011 18:01 h
#1 Scor.pi.o
This soundtrack is the very first single of the rapper Scor.pi.o and will be available on Itunes. Follow the videoblog weekly to find out about the realease date and more!
Ssuuna
Thursday 9 Jun 2011 14:39 h
Revealing the tricks of visa scammers
In my home country Uganda and many other African countries, visa scams are on the increase. Many people have been robbed of huge amounts of money by visa dealers.
K-Nel
Germany
Tuesday 31 May 2011 01:12 h
My New Music Video: Respect The K.I.N.G
I have decided to spice up this section by posting my new video titled "Respect The K.I.N.G", a track produced by a Kenyan producer called Kaki (Flag42). The statement is…
K-Nel
Germany
Monday 30 May 2011 21:41 h
A Sad Week For Africans In Germany: 2 Murders Within 4 Days. Read This Post!
Working on this project Suprising Europe, I was last week stunned by the loss of 2 young African lives on 2 separate incidences. A young 22 year old Congolese died…
PutoCossa
Wednesday 25 May 2011 18:21 h
Puto Cossa: Rising Kuduro Star
Kuduro, an originally Angolan music style, from the 1980's got a new life in the mid 2000's when Angolan diaspora in Lisbon, Portugal started to mix kuduro with mobile phone and computer samples. British artist M.I.A. gave the style with a fast pumping beat and rapid vocals international recognition with the Portuguese Buraka Sound Sistema in 2007 and now Yury Fontes da Cruz (23) a.k.a. Puto Cossa is one of the rising stars in the kuduro scene in Lisbon.
PutoCossa
Wednesday 25 May 2011 17:03 h
Puto Cossa's SE-track: Vida
This is track that Puto Cossa produced for Surprising Europe in their own Kuduro style!
PepeSoup
Italy
Monday 7 May 2012 13:11 h
PepeSoup New Video! Shooting in Rome , Italy, talking about how sometimes life is hard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEWdziB9beM
SEteam
Friday 13 May 2011 16:21 h
Farouk Daku: A boxing dream come true
Farouk Daku, a 26-year-old middleweight from Uganda, comes from a boxing family. But practicing his sport professionally was difficult in his home country. Daku moved to the Netherlands, where he is now boosting his career.
ljohnv
Finland
Sunday 29 Apr 2012 06:37 h
A feeling of loneliness
PepeSoup
Italy
Wednesday 4 May 2011 16:01 h
PepeSoup's SE-track: This is Africa
This is the track the Italian/Liberian duo PepeSoup produced for Surprising Europe. Check out their website!
Ssuuna
Wednesday 4 May 2011 14:40 h
To the UK on a Schengen visa?
Before applying for my visa to Europe, I had no idea what Schengen meant, or which countries were in the Schengen region. I asked Richard the visa dealer how to get into the UK and he abused my ignorance to plan a fake trip for me.
K-Nel
Germany
Thursday 21 Apr 2011 18:14 h
K-Nel's Surprising Europe track
Ssuuna
Wednesday 20 Apr 2011 12:19 h
Money talks in the visa dealer's office
I was green about everything in the process of obtaining a European visa. But then I witnessed it myself, when my best friend took me to the office of a visa dealer in Kampala.
SEteam
Friday 1 Apr 2011 16:22 h
Fortress Europe, a deadly exodus?
A shocking interactive map by owni.eu shows the numbers of immigrants that died in Europe, during their journey or their stay, since 1988.
SEteam
Friday 1 Apr 2011 13:05 h
Surprising Europe TV: the trailer!
From July 8 (NL, Ned2, Human), and August 8 (Al Jazeera English), the Surprising Europe series will be broadcasted. Watch the trailer!
PepeSoup
Italy
Wednesday 30 Mar 2011 18:10 h
PepeSoup: Africa and Europe in the mix
PepeSoup, the Afrotech/Uk funky House duo of Miss Annie from Liberia (vocalist and singer) and DJ/Producer Francesco Cucchi a.k.a Cukiman from Italy. Annie and her family feature in the Surprising Europe tv-series.
Londonboy
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
'You have to work so hard to make ends meet'
My migration experience has been relatively good I say relatively because even with a working visa, life here is not a bed of roses like we are led to believe before you travel to Europe.
D-avis
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
Is Europe good fortune?
D-avis wonders: Is it good fortune to be in Europe?
K-Nel
Germany
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
Make it in Europe
I made it in Europe, so if I did you can do it too, let’s go!
Ssuuna
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
Finding a house
Finding a house in Europe is hard without papers. People sleep in a lot of strange places.
WondaWendy
France
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
Wonda Wendy: French/Gabonese grooves
Wonda Wendy was born in France, but her parents are from Gabon. Growing up she was surrounded with Gabonese music as her father is also a musician. Now, she combines the best of two worlds in her own tracks.
Ssuuna
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
Inspired by friends to migrate
I was a freelance photo journalist in my country and enjoying an average standard of living. I could survive and also support my family with the basic necessities of life on the small salary I was earning. I can say I was content with what I had and life was okay until I saw the richness and the luxurious life of my friends who had migrated to Europe. I admired them and their richness so much to the extent that I started regarding myself as one of the disadvantaged people in society.
SEteam
Friday 26 Mar 2010 14:30 h
A journey through hell?
Travelling by boat from Africa to Europe in a small boat can be dangerous. But most of us never really experienced it. This video gives a small insight into the horrors that some people have to endure on their journey from the African to European shores:
Sierra
Friday 26 Mar 2010 13:30 h
‘In Ghana doctors would certainly help a pregnant woman and don't ask for an insurance number first.’
I am a proud black woman from Ghana. This is a beautiful country in Africa. I had heard that in Europe everybody is rich and you could earn a lot of money. So when I turned forty years old, I left my husband and five children behind in Ghana. I went to the Netherlands to earn money so that my family would have a good life. I wanted a better future for them. My name is Gina and this is my story.
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