A Decade of Transformation
Ten years transformed Karam Shatara’s life — from fleeing war in Yemen, searching for hope in Egypt and Germany, to finding belonging and inspiration during his Erasmus+ experience in Rome. As a first-generation MSc Marketing student at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University, Karam’s journey shows how every challenge can lead to strength and new perspectives.
The Bridge Between Two Worlds: 2015–2025
Reflecting on a decade-long journey from Yemen to Germany often feels like looking at an impossible map. In school I suffered from stutter that I couldn’t even pronounce my name. I struggled since childhood with this. I lived in a shell, terrified of the simple question, “What is your name?” because I knew the words “I am Karam” would get stuck in my throat.
In 2015, my world shifted overnight from the vibrant life of a student to the harrowing reality of war, where bombs replaced books and the streets of Aden became a landscape of grief.
I didn’t just lose my home; I lost my voice. I was Traumatized and lived in a self-imposed silence, terrified. When we returned to our city to find our family home in ruins, it felt as though my future had been crushed under those same stones.
However, resilience is built in the most unlikely places. Being selected as one of 18 finalists out of 700 for the U.S. Department-funded Aspire program in Aden by AMIDEAST Yemen was the turning point. It was the first time I realized that while the war could take my home, it couldn’t take my potential. That program gave me back my confidence and the courage to pursue a life in Germany. I am no longer that boy in the shell; I am a survivor who found his voice and refused to let it stay silent.
The Journey to Germany: Resilience and Integration
After I finished my program, I held onto a dream of studying abroad. I was determined to come to Germany, though our financial situation was difficult following the war. I took the initiative to contact schools in Germany and eventually convinced my parents to support my goal. My parents, relatives, and family members rallied together to support me with the best they could afford, and a friend of my father living in Germany also provided crucial support to help make my dream a reality.
Because the German institutes in Yemen were closed due to the conflict, I left my family behind, and I travelled to Egypt to learn the German language. When I couldn’t find a visa appointment in Cairo, I travelled to Muscat, Oman, where I was finally granted a student visa.
Arriving in Berlin felt like a dream come true, though the war still lived inside my soul. I moved to Leipzig, where I volunteered with the Volkssolidarität Senioren-Büro to practice my German and serve the community. As someone who had lost his home country, I felt a deep need to belong to a new one. After completing my Studienkolleg, I moved to Cologne for my Bachelor’s degree in International Business at TH Köln.
The transition wasn’t easy. The German education system and academic expectations were entirely foreign to me. While local students already understood basic concepts and academic writing, I had to start from scratch. I did not despair; I kept learning. Eventually, I passed my exams and even secured a position at TH Köln as a research assistant for the Sustainable Society Index.
The American Dream and Global Milestones
In my fifth semester, I faced a mandatory semester abroad. I applied to Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA, fearing my nationality might be a barrier. To my amazement, I was chosen as the only nominee from my university.
This was a life-changing experience where I studied on high-quality American campuses and was taught by American professors. I made friends from America, Spain, Australia, China, Denmark, the Netherlands, Mexico, and many other nationalities. These connections have lasted; many of these friends have since visited me in Cologne, where I enjoyed showing them around. During my time there, I explored New York, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Delaware, and Atlantic City, enjoying every second.
Returning to Europe, I finished my Bachelor’s degree within the standard “Regelzeit” period — a feat that not even all local students achieve. I finally graduated.
Finally, the goal I dreamed of in 2015 was achieved.
Rome: The Golden Chapter
Since then, my life has flourished: I found work, got married, and enrolled in the Marketing MSc program at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. For my Master’s exchange, I chose Rome for its history, culture, and vibrant life. This “golden
chapter” at UNINT allowed me to study Global Leadership and Fashion & Luxury Management. There is a beautiful irony in the fact that a boy who once couldn’t speak his own name is now studying how to lead people on a global scale.
Beyond the classroom, I lived the culture through late-night conversations with people from Italy, the Middle East, and South America. I learned that culture isn’t found in movies; it is found in eating real Neapolitan pizza with people who have completely different mentalities than your own. These connections taught me the real meaning of life: to understand, adapt, and be sensitive to others.
A New Life and Future Hope
As I conclude this journey, I got the German citizenship after years of integration. I am starting a new professional role in Digital Campaigns and AI-supported product promotion at Leidel & Kracht GmbH, where I will also write my Master’s thesis. My personal life is equally blessed: my wife is pregnant, and next month we will welcome our first child. When I graduate in October 2026, my daughter will be there to see it.
The languages I’ve learned, the friends I made, the cultures I experienced, and the presentations I’ve given have helped me heal from my stuttering. I now speak loudly and proudly. I am no longer just a survivor; I am a global citizen. Looking back at this decade, I realize that the journey from the bombs of Yemen to the historic streets of Rome was paved with more than just miles; it was paved with the courage to find my voice.
What began as a struggle for survival has blossomed into a life of global connection, professional success, and the ultimate joy of becoming a father. This report is my testimony that hope is never lost, it is simply waiting for us to step out of our shells and embrace the world. I feel a sense of immense wealth not of money, but of experience and friendship. To anyone struggling to survive: there is always hope. I have navigated the path from war to the world, and for the first time, I truly feel successful.