Personal stories

The Escape Diaries: 'I feel hurt; my education and life have been shattered'

In the second part of her story, Ghanaian medical student Dorcas Djabatey, who was studying in Ukraine before the war broke out, talks about her escape from Sumy, why she feels let down and her future.

The Escape Diaries: 'Family would also expect you to have a better life almost instantly'

It is almost automatic for your family to expect you to succeed while living abroad, says Collins Okoro, who moved to Ukraine from Nigeria to study at university. He speaks about the pressure of such family expectations.

The Escape Diaries: 'The thirst to be successful led me to Ukraine'

Nigerian student Collins Okoro came to Ukraine with the hopes that it would catapult his career but now the war has changed that. But could Berlin offer better opportunities? Here is his story.

The Escape Diaries: 'Consider family, for better or worse!'

For Nigerian student Olawale Abdulmajeed, becoming a doctor has always been his dream. Though his family wants him to succeed, he knows that it needs to be his own inspiration that drives him forward.

The Escape Diaries: 'I want to return to Ukraine'

Nigerian student Olawale Abdulmajeed fled the Ukraine when the war broke out in February 2022. While leaving the country halted his studies, it also opened his eyes for new possibilities in future. This is his story.

The Escape Diaries: 'Going to Ukraine was a life-long dream'

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Ghanaian student Dorcas Djabatey decided to wait it out. But as days turned to weeks, it became clear that she had to get out of the country, putting her dream of becoming a medical doctor in limbo. Here's her story of escape and hope.

Ayoub's story: A long and winding road to independence

InfoMigrants first spoke to Moroccan migrant Ayoub in April 2021. He had spent more than a year traveling through 13 countries to reach France. Since then, he has kept in touch with our reporter, Dany Mitzman. This is his story.

Lebanon: Syrian doctor delivers healthcare to refugees in mobile clinic

A Syrian doctor, who fled war in his homeland, has set up a mobile health clinic in Lebanon's Bekaa valley, offering free services to refugees. He is hoping to expand his services.

Pamela's story: 'I treat Italian patients but I'm still a foreigner'

Pamela Malvina Noutcho Sawa is a 30-year-old born in Cameroon who has lived in Italy since she was eight. An ER nurse and boxing champion, she lives in Bologna and is still waiting to become an Italian citizen after 22 years in Italy.

'I could already see myself dead': Serge, a Congolese migrant, recalls his crossing to the Canary Islands

Having been pushed back by the Spanish authorities to Morocco, Serge decided to try the 'Atlantic route' to Europe. But once at sea, the boat lost its motor, and Serge thought he was going to die.

'Since I arrived in France, I feel joyful:' Relief after years of hardship in Greece

Two years ago Franck* was living in difficult conditions in a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos. Now, he and his family have been offered a home in a welcome center in France and they have a future to look forward to at last.

'By night I sleep under a bridge in Ventimiglia, by day I moonlight in the fields'

Ahmed Qatib is 33 years old and from Morocco. He has been stuck in Italy for four months. The border with France is impenetrable. With few options available, he has taken to sleeping on the streets in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia and working in agriculture where he is paid a pittance. This is his story.