Dzana Islamagic

When we had to flee from Bosnia, I was pregnant, so both our children were born in the hospital in Silkeborg. It was a difficult situation, and we were vulnerable. We could not understand what was happening in our country. And what about the future? Would a refusal of our asylum application mean that we would be sent back? There was war, and we had young children. But we were granted asylum and became Danish citizens.

Denmark has supported us from the start, and we are grateful for that. We are Danes and not strangers. And our children are now adults, and with their upbringing in Denmark they are truly natives. But they seek knowledge of their cultural background. It is great, and they can both read and write Bosnian. It does not change the fact that we are a Danish family. This is our identity today.

I am a trained sales clerk, but have never worked in this field. I started to work as a childcare assistant, and later on I cleaned and prepared cars in the auto industry. But I thought, “I want an education in Denmark”. So I took an education as a social and health aide. It developed me professionally and personally, and

now I have worked at Funder Nursing Home for 14 years. They are like a family to me at the nursing home. When I come back after the holidays, I am greeted with a: “We missed you”. It’s a very warm and lovely feeling. The first uncertain years are far behind us. Now we live the good life here in Denmark. I have both Danish and Bosnian girlfriends. It makes life rich. And in my spare time, I paint like I did in Bosnia. It gives me a special calm. Then I am completely myself.

52 / female / married / children / social and health assistant / Silkeborg / from Bosnien / came to Denmark in 1991 / residence permit in 1995