For anyone to choose to live and work in a different country from their place of origin, it is often assumed that economic status, internal displacement, war, the love for a different region or greener pastures shaped their determination. Indeed one of these factors influenced the decision for Mohammad Ghozlan a Syrian dentist to move to Ireland in March 2018. From Damascus the city that never sleeps to Ireland the home of the welcoming people in Europe, Mohammad had dreams. Well before his arrival in Ireland, his strategy was mapped out, determination to work hard and succeed being top priority. But the circumstance in Ireland prevented him from achieving his dreams as a successful dentist. His first attempt got him knocking on several doors just to find the right way out. “I visited the department of justice, employment affair and social protection department, further education centres, citizen information centres and some Irish dentists but unfortunately, they all had just one answer for me”. The requirements they threw at him were difficult to achieve. “The Irish dental council informed me they had to get my certificate recognised and most importantly I needed 3 years of practising/training as a dentist in EU or Ireland”. That devasted Mohammad, he had no EU experience though armed with a degree from Damascus University of Dentistry. While Mohammad has nothing to fear and willing to share his story, his narrative says a lot about how circumstances can make a difference between an EU immigrant and a refugee from outside the EU.

Unfortunately, after 3 years Mohammad is still struggling to find that right way out. “They (Irish government) haven’t refused me registering as a dentist, but they haven’t given me enough information either on how I can get the 3 years practising experience required”. He further expressed that “After I contacted the Irish refugee council, I was referred to an Irish dentist who started inviting me for dental conferences, so I could stay in touch with the dental field and find the right way”.

Mohammad’s story says a lot about how time and location has made a difference in his life as a refugee from a country still under certain sanctions by the EU. His findings that the Irish and Syrian have similarities gives him hope “I have visited many Irish dentists and found that we have the same strategies of treatments. I think there is no difference between my country’s and the Irish dental practice. In Syria, we follow the EU and American dental association studies and scientific rules”, and to buttress this he also explains that “some Irish dentist who have visited Syria before admits that there is no difference”. But despite this Mohammad still hasn’t been able to get a grip of the system to get a proper job or start his own dental practice. “I haven’t started any business yet. Before now I used to attend dental conferences and meetings but that has been suspended because of the pandemic”.

And with this instability I asked how Mohammad sees himself in 5 years. “If I could start the training, I would be a successful dentist after 5 years”. Despite the huddles, Mohammad believes Ireland is a good country for entrepreneurs specially for dentists, “the country needs a lot of them right now”. Mohammad may be missing the Mediterranean lifestyle but the fact that life in Ireland happens on the streets filled with bubbly places he loves the country. For the native Irish and other immigrants he interacts with daily, he says “They are nice, friendly and welcoming and they feel sorry about the difficult rules”. As Mohammed realises 3 years has passed without achieving much he’s lamenting for help. “The government can help me facilitate the rules and provide me with a place for training/practising in a dental hospital or clinic, and they can also provide me with a clear guidelines to get my qualifications recognised”. Mohammed’s transition from a refugee to an immigrant was complete when he acquired Irish citizenship in 2019. While one can categorically say Mohammad wasn’t assigned to Ireland by any employer, nor attracted by family members, he appears to fit the category of a self-initiated migrant whose intention was to employ his professional skills in another country. As he tries to actualise his dream and settle down in Ireland, he looks forward to a bright future. “I like it here. It’s a good country for entrepreneurs”. Mohammad chose Ireland and he’s determined to stay.