What was your path like?

At the end of 2015, I fled from Syria to Germany. First, I obtained a secondary school leaving certificate here, then completed a one-year internship and finally began training as a hairdresser. After my apprenticeship, I qualified as a master hairdresser, which made me eligible for university. So I didn’t take the traditional route via A-levels, but via the so-called ‘Bachelor Professional’. It was never easy – but I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved.

What motivates you?

I love helping others and passing on knowledge. That’s why I want to teach at a vocational college later on. I want to train people who are training to become hairdressers themselves. I want to leave something behind, make a difference. And I hope that my path will encourage others to follow their own. Anything is possible – you just have to stick with it.

What has been your biggest challenge in your studies so far?

General chemistry. As a hairdresser, you learn a little chemistry, but in my studies, we got straight into it. I failed twice, but I passed on my third attempt. I invested a lot of time, but it was worth it because now my studies are more practical and interesting. I realise how much fun it is once you get into it.

Now you’ve settled into your studies. What else do you do at university?

I’m involved in the student council, I’m a member of the appointments committee and the advisory board – where I represent the students. This allows me to see how decisions are made at the university and what happens in the committees. I’m also active in the buddy programme. This means I support students as they get started – with timetable advice, campus tours and everything else that goes with it. This helped me enormously back then, and now I’m happy to pass it on.

(Janina Balzer conducted the interview with Mohamed in April 2025.)

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