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RANYA, Kurdistan Region – In Sulaimani's Ranya district, young men gather to unwind at Shar Park. Many here are weary, and planning their escape from the Kurdistan Region to Europe.
A lack of career prospects is one of the main factors driving the young to leave their hometown.
"One hundred percent I've thought about leaving for Europe," said Hedi Mohammed, a young man from Ranya. "Why? Because there is no life here, no salary, no jobs or employment. Young people all leave for Europe."
Some locals head to Europe via Turkey, after getting a Turkish visa. Those who don't secure the visa seek illegal entry to Turkey via Iran.
According to the state-run Raparin Youth Center, nearly 800 people from Ranya have left for Europe in the last month alone.
But life in Europe is far from rosy, said Ranya-born Hemin Qadir, who migrated to the United Kingdom in 2000.
"Europe isn't like it used to be," Qadir said. "You have to try hard to make a living. It’s a lot like here. If you don’t work, you can’t live. Kurdistan is a better place to live. In Europe, you have to start at zero."
Translation by Sarkawt Mohammed
A lack of career prospects is one of the main factors driving the young to leave their hometown.
"One hundred percent I've thought about leaving for Europe," said Hedi Mohammed, a young man from Ranya. "Why? Because there is no life here, no salary, no jobs or employment. Young people all leave for Europe."
Some locals head to Europe via Turkey, after getting a Turkish visa. Those who don't secure the visa seek illegal entry to Turkey via Iran.
According to the state-run Raparin Youth Center, nearly 800 people from Ranya have left for Europe in the last month alone.
But life in Europe is far from rosy, said Ranya-born Hemin Qadir, who migrated to the United Kingdom in 2000.
"Europe isn't like it used to be," Qadir said. "You have to try hard to make a living. It’s a lot like here. If you don’t work, you can’t live. Kurdistan is a better place to live. In Europe, you have to start at zero."
Translation by Sarkawt Mohammed
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