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For women with refugee and migration backgrounds across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Kiron’s THRIVE program offers hope, belonging, and a chance to rebuild. Through upskilling in high-demand areas like data analysis and applied AI, the program is designed to open doors in today’s competitive job market.
Tuba, Viktoriia, Olena, and Nur each brought their own experiences and challenges to THRIVE. Their stories show how hands-on learning and meaningful support can transform confidence, skills, and career paths.
Originally from Türkiye, Tuba joined THRIVE with a wealth of experience. With both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mathematics, she moved to Germany to pursue a doctorate in applied mathematics and computational fluid dynamics. In 2021, Tuba completed her PhD and became a refugee in the same year. “I joined Kiron at a time when I was about to lose hope in myself,” she says. “I couldn’t believe that such an opportunity exists for refugees and migrants like me.”
For Tuba, THRIVE provided a deeply supportive learning environment. Being surrounded by women who had gone through similar upheavals was invaluable, and she was continually motivated by the learning they shared together. “We heard from inspiring panel speakers, scientists, and more. Whenever I felt I was losing my motivation, I was uplifted through these sessions.”
The program also provided Tuba with clarity in a new job market. “For the first time, I was able to understand the work culture and company settings in Germany,” she explains. Today, she works as a Data Quality Assurance Manager and continues to apply what she learned through THRIVE. “I still consult my notes all the time.”
With a background in computer science, applied mathematics, and software engineering, Viktoriia had already worked as a programmer for five years in Ukraine before relocating to Germany. “THRIVE felt like a natural next step to prepare for a new professional path in Germany,” she says. “I joined so I could build modern skills in SQL, statistics, and data visualization.”
The program offered more than technical training. Viktoriia gained guidance on analyzing and interpreting data for real-world problems, and learned how to communicate her findings clearly to non-technical audiences. She also developed essential skills for professional life in Germany, including time management, goal-setting, and strategies for overcoming challenges when the material became difficult.
After leaving Türkiye to rebuild her life in Switzerland, Nur drew on her background in biology and botany to build a new career, working as a lab analyst at both a university and a pharmaceutical company. “Working in a lab taught me precision, teamwork, and the importance of data accuracy,” she explains, “which later inspired my interest in data analytics.”
Keen to upskill and pursue a new career path, Nur joined THRIVE and quickly built skills in SQL, statistical analysis, and Power BI. “Kiron helped me gain new skills in data analytics and stay motivated to achieve my career goals,” she reflects.
But it was the people she met along the way who kept Nur motivated. “THRIVE introduced me to a supportive learning community that boosted my confidence and motivated me to keep improving,” she says.
Before moving to Germany, Olena had built a strong career in sales management, gaining experience in data analysis while working for some of Ukraine’s largest companies. Entering a new job market without strong German skills, however, was overwhelming.
“When I first applied to THRIVE, I doubted whether an organization could genuinely offer free support to immigrants,” she admits. “But once the program began, I quickly realized how much I could learn and grow.”
Through THRIVE, Olena deepened her skills in data analytics and AI, applying them in practical projects and earning certifications through DataCamp. She also benefited from live sessions with instructors and weekly language cafe meetings, which helped her improve her German and connect with other learners.
“The final projects were especially interesting and provided excellent practical experience after learning the theory,” she says.
Overall, Olena reflects, “the program truly empowered me to believe in myself and continue pursuing my goals. Kiron helped me gain confidence in my own abilities and knowledge, despite the challenging circumstances around me.”
