Syrian Migrant Journey by Max Geenen - RTM Student

Aleppo, Syria

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:51:37 UTC

I’m leaving Syria because of the ongoing war and violence that has destroyed my home and put my family’s lives in danger. I’m traveling with my wife and two children, hoping for safety and a future outside of this warzone.

Ankara, Türkiye

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:52:18 UTC

We are considered refugees because we are fleeing violence and persecution. Our first stop is Turkey, where we hope to seek asylum and get closer to a safer destination in Europe.

Athens, Greece

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:52:47 UTC

The journey is dangerous and expensive. We cross the border into Turkey illegally, paying smugglers for help and later take a boat to Greece, risking our lives to escape the war.

Patras, Greece

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:53:15 UTC

We end up in a crowded refugee camp in Greece, facing poor conditions and waiting for our asylum applications to be processed. The camp is overcrowded, and we struggle to access basic necessities. Greece isn’t our final destination; we aim for the Netherlands, hoping for better opportunities and safety. We travel through several countries, facing border controls and difficult conditions along the way.

Koper, Slovenia

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:56:14 UTC

We left Greece on an illegal boat up too Koper Slovenia, we hope to sneak onto a train to the Netherlands

Ljubljana, Slovenia

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:57:38 UTC

After Hitchhiking through the country we arrive in Ljubljan, we snuck onto a train headed for Munich

Munich, Germany

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:58:45 UTC

We arrived in Munich but go stopped by the police for our identification, we ran and hopped onto another train headed for Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht, Netherlands

mgee270982_1 — 2025-01-24 14:59:03 UTC

We arrive in the Netherlands and are placed in a refugee reception center, where we wait for our asylum claim to be processed. While things are better here, we still face challenges, including the long wait for a permanent solution.