‘Having the editor-in-chief bring a cup of coffee is unthinkable in Syria’

Meanwhile, Besan Zarzar (1990) is Dutch. At last, she has a nationality. Although she was born in Syria, she did not have Syrian nationality. She was only a refugee because her parents are Palestinians. When she has to describe herself, all these identities come up: Syrian, refugee, Palestinian and also Dutch.

‘I became the journalist Besan through all these identities. Mainly because I wanted to be myself, not a mouthpiece for what others want to say through me. This desire arose after I finished my journalism studies in Syria, and worked as a radio presenter for a while. I quit after a few months because I didn't feel free to say what I thought.’

This has slowly but surely changed since she fled to the Netherlands in 2015. ‘For me, journalism is not a profession, mainly a passion. In the Netherlands, I got the chance to fully exercise my passion.’ Yet it was not a foregone conclusion that Besan would end up in journalism in the Netherlands. From the first day here, I had to study hard, meet many people and, above all, seize opportunities. That's how I created the Dutch Besan.’

Acceptance

This new Besan feels much freer through her experiences in the Netherlands. As a result, she also learned to accept ‘others’; people with a different religion, culture or background. According to her, this was a kind of ‘culture shock’. ‘Although I came here as a refugee, I was generally accepted. Even though I am very different. The people I met let me do things my own way. That in turn helps me to understand and accept the other person.’

This ‘lesson’ makes Besan feel at home in the Netherlands. ‘Here I can invoke my rights. I can also express my opinion. And above all, I can be myself. And that still feels special every day.’ But Besan could only learn this lesson by coming out of her ‘shell’. ‘If I don't dare to have new experiences, how can I get to know the Netherlands? All newcomers should try to crawl out of their shells - and Dutch people themselves, actually. Only then can they see others of different colours, hear their opinions, communicate with them, accept them.’

Refugee Council

That is the secret of her success in the Netherlands. ‘I started here in 2016 as a columnist at the Haarlems Dagblad newspaper. There, I wrote about integration, about the difference between Syria and here, about the feelings of a foreigner, among other things. I got to know the newspaper's editor through Refugee Council. If I had not contacted this organisation, I would not have had this opportunity.’

Bridge builder

The experience at Haarlems Dagblad was a kind of ‘identity card’ for Besan. ‘Through my columns, Dutch people got to know me. Who Besan is, where she comes from and what she can do for Dutch society.’ She also grabbed the opportunity to work as an editor and translator for broadcaster NTR's platform Net In Nederland with both hands. ‘There, I tried to build a bridge between newcomers and Dutch people. Especially with a video series telling newcomers more about the Netherlands. That was incredibly popular.’

Journalistic atmosphere

‘It was a great experience,’ Besan stresses. From this experience, she saw how important it is for Dutch employers to offer opportunities to refugee journalists. ‘I got to know the journalistic atmosphere in the Netherlands at NTR. The editor-in-chief sat next to me, offered me a cup of coffee and then came to bring it. That is unthinkable in Syria. That's how I interacted with other colleagues too. I was allowed to say everything. That made communicating a lot easier.’

Freedom and independence

After working in Hilversum for a year, she started a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern studies at Leiden University. She is still working on that. ‘I saw how important it is to get a Dutch degree. And it is interesting for me to know how Dutch people think about the Middle East. Besides, my biggest dream is to work as a correspondent in either the Middle East or the Netherlands.’

Meanwhile, Besan works as a freelance journalist, including for an Arabic TV channel, and makes Arabic-language podcasts and YouTube videos. Before that, she worked for three months as a freelance editor at a TV channel in France. That experience was not entirely positive. ‘There were aspects of the editorial policy that I did not agree with and that prevented me from doing what I liked. That is why I submitted my resignation. My freedom and independence as a journalist are most important to me.’

Proud

Journalism, according to Besan, is ‘an unusual profession’. You share your principles and ideas. ‘I can't do this within a system with policies and rhetoric I don't believe in. In Syria, you have no choice. There is only one line, the government's line. As a journalist, you have to stick to it. In the Netherlands, so far, I'm not doing anything I don't believe in.’

Besan hopes she can one day bring the ‘Dutch journalism model’ to Syria. ‘Journalists like there are in the Netherlands Syria desperately needs, as well as freedom of speech and respecting and accepting the other. That would be a very good example for my future Syria.’ The main feeling Besan has after all her experiences in the Netherlands is ‘pride’. Especially because she has not given up despite all the difficulties. ‘Never did I dream that I would live or work in the Netherlands, but it has come true. It is an opportunity, but also a big challenge. That's why I remain open to all possibilities. That's my strength, and that's what makes me who I am today.’

Photo by Negin Zendegani

This interview is taken from the Handbook of Journalistic Integration.