NEW FACES OF SLOVENIA
Read Antoine’s story.
Who am I?
I am Antoine Nshimimana, a 40-year-old psychologist from Burundi. I studied psychology at Hope Africa University and have worked as a clinical psychologist and a volunteer with the Red Cross in Burundi, where I helped in hospitals and also in a refugee center. Additionally, I worked as a cook in Burundi and later at the Nigerian embassy.
I speak as many as 7 languages: English, French, Slovenian, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kefera, and Kiforero.
Road to Slovenia
In 2015, I left my home due to political problems. My refusal to join a political party made me the target of persecution. I was tortured and beaten several times. I was hiding in different cities in Burundi for 7 years and I didn’t see my family for 3 years. In 2022, I left Burundi. The path took me through Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and after two months I arrived in Slovenia, where I received the status of international protection and was reunited with my family after three years of waiting. During this time, I learned Slovenian and reached the B1 level.
Despite all the obstacles, I learned the language, got a job, and now I am building a new life in Slovenia with my family. I am convinced that every individual deserves the opportunity for a decent and inclusive life.
Challenges and solutions for better integration of newcomers to Slovenia,
according to Antoine:
- 🧠 Language: Slovenians value knowledge of the Slovenian language – learning the language is key.
- ✅ Solution: more free courses, learning in communities, more mentorship.
- 🏠 Housing: it is difficult to rent an apartment as a foreigner.
- ✅ Solution: more transparent rental policies, greater protection for tenants.
- 💼 Employment: discrimination in the labor market – as soon as they find out you are a foreigner, they do not want to cooperate.
- ✅ Solution: more companies should provide opportunities for people with a migrant background.
- 🤝 Stereotypes: some Slovenians believe that refugees are criminals.
- ✅ Solution: more intercultural programs and events where Slovenians and migrants spend time together, get to know each other and break down prejudices through personal contact.
Let’s fight the stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination. Every individual deserves the opportunity to participate in society on an equal footing. Let’s stand together for a more inclusive and equitable future.
“The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 “𝑩𝑶𝑫𝑬/𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒛 𝑶𝒗𝒊𝒓 𝑫𝒐 𝑬𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊” 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝟒𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 – 𝒕𝒐 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
You can read more about the BODE+ project HERE.
In cooperation with ADRA, the project is also on this page.
