Facing uncertain future, Ukrainians struggle to adapt in Germany

Many of students face the frustration of not having their professional qualifications recognised in Germany

More than one million Ukrainians have fled to Germany since Russia invaded their country in February

In her previous life in southern Ukraine, Tetiana Chepeliova was an accountant. 

In Berlin, she is unemployed, like the 16 other Ukrainian women with whom she is learning German in a course aimed at helping them integrate into society.

The influx has put huge pressure on local authorities with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently describing the situation as "tense". 

Instead, a key challenge is turning out to be the "major uncertainty" faced by the Ukrainians, said Benjamin Beckmann, who oversees integration programmes at Germany's federal office for migration and refugees.

- Qualifications not recognised -

When AFP visited, she was learning basic terms to express herself during a visit to the doctor.

"The are extremely motivated," said teacher Petra Schulte.

"They have worked for years... and suddenly, their qualifications are not recognised, and they cannot practise" their professions, the teacher said.

Her 12-year-old son found German school difficult at first but "after spending a weekend with his class, it is as if a wall fell -- he was no longer frightened of speaking German".

"None of them seem happy in the role of housewife," observed Schulte, 63.

For now, while the Ukrainians weigh up their future in Europe's biggest economy, Schulte and others like her can only support them in their journey to adapt in Germany.

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