Who am I?
I am Mahmoud Mohamed Yehia, a 27-year-old dentist from Egypt. I am trained as a dentist, and I still work in the field of dental medicine today.
Coming to Slovenia
Life circumstances — or rather my wife, who comes from Slovenia — brought me to Slovenia. When I moved here, I saw this decision as an opportunity for a new chapter in life, for personal growth, and for discovering the world from a different perspective. Today, I can say that I am very satisfied with this decision, because every day here I learn something new.
A New Beginning in a New Country
Like most people who move to a new country, my beginning was not easy. One of the biggest challenges was the social aspect — adapting to life far away from family and friends, with whom I had spent most of my life.
The language was also a major challenge. Since Slovenian is not a widely spoken language, it is difficult to find high-quality and accessible online resources for learning it. In addition, without knowing the language, finding employment and dealing with administrative procedures become very difficult.
Although, because of my wife, who comes from the local environment, some things were easier for me than for many others, I still faced challenges when it came to integrating into society and entering the labor market. Starting over in a new country always means dealing with bureaucracy, adapting, and finding your place in a new environment.
Life in Slovenia
Today, I am grateful for the life I have in Slovenia. After the initial difficulties, I feel that the effort I invested is slowly paying off. The people around me, their closeness, and their support give me strength. I find joy in Slovenian nature and in outdoor sports activities.
My greatest motivation is my wife. At the same time, I am guided by the desire to be a good representative of my identity and culture, and to leave a positive impression through my actions in the community in which I live.
Challenges Faced by Immigrants in Slovenia
📌 Language and access to learning Slovenian:
The Slovenian language is not easy to learn, and there are still not enough accessible online learning materials available.
✅ Solution: More open, high-quality, and accessible online resources for learning Slovenian.
📌 Bureaucracy and administrative procedures:
Without a good knowledge of the language, dealing with documentation, administrative procedures, and finding employment is often very complicated.
✅ Solution: Clearer, faster, and more transparent administrative procedures that would allow newcomers to integrate more easily and quickly into society and the labor market.
📌 Integration begins in schools:
Children should feel accepted in the school environment, and their needs should be considered at all levels. Food is one of every child’s basic needs, so it is important that schools also provide meals that children are able to eat — whether for health reasons, cultural background, or religious beliefs.
✅ Solution: A more inclusive school environment in which children learn from an early age that we are equal in dignity, even if we come from different backgrounds or may appear different from one another.
I believe that society can progress only if we work with one another, not against one another. That is why it is important to learn acceptance, respect, and mutual support from an early age.
My message to the people who will read my story is simple: every person faces their own struggles in life. Therefore, let us try to be something good for one another. Let us strive to leave a positive impression and be remembered for the good we have done.
You can also learn more about the project on the following websites:
MKD: https://www.mkdia.org/sl/projekti/impact-4-values/
ADRA Slovenija: https://www.mkdia.org/projects/impact-4-values/
The project “BODE / Without Barriers Towards Equality” is co-financed by the Impact4Values programme in Slovenia. The project is focused on promoting equal treatment, reducing inequalities, strengthening human rights, inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by migrants and other vulnerable groups in Slovenia.
“The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) 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 EACEA can be held responsible for them.”
