VOICES From Migrations | Ammar Mehjazi's story
- Changemakers
- Dec 29, 2025
- 2 min read
"VOICES From Migrations" is a project co-funded by the European Union exploring untold migration stories. Ammar is 26 years old and moved from Latakia, Syria, to Thessaloniki in 2017. He is currently living in Glasgow, Ireland. This is his story:
“My life in Syria was a good one. Back then, I lived with my family, my two brothers, and my two twin sisters. My dream was to be a sea captain since I lived in a coastal city. However, back then, men above 18 years old were forced to join the military. So when I turned 16, I left the country. Otherwise, I would have had to join the army, which I didn’t want to do. I left when my sisters were 7 months old and have not seen them in person since.
My destination was Germany, as most of my friends had gone there. I planned to go first to Turkey, work for some time to save money, and then continue through Greece. Travelling from Turkey to Greece was complicated; the only option was to take small boats provided by smugglers at a very high price. There were around 45 people in a boat that barely fits 30 people. When I arrived in Greece, they wouldn't let us in. However, on my third attempt, I got in. Since I was a minor, I had better chances than others.
Once I settled, I fell in love with Greece. I started seasonal work. But I left Syria not just to work, but also to study and to become a sea captain. They told me that in Thessaloniki, there was Perrotis College, which would be happy to accept me. So I studied International Business there.
As for my documentation, I received help at the beginning, since I was underage. But I never became a citizen, despite fully integrating into society. Such issues led me to leave. I needed to go somewhere where I could work with my diploma and hope for getting citizenship. This is why I am currently in Glasgow. Even though I love Greece and would love to come back at any chance I get.”
Interview by: Hilal Taha, Liman Zhang, and Claudia Castel Gallart.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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