Well, almost ten years ago, I came to Germany to join a workshop on, um, um, politically empowering women and to meet and to get to know some german female politicians. Um, this trip coincided with the egyptian presidents’very, visit to Germany, which was a time marketed by heated discussions about the human rights situation in Egypt, particularly the attack on journalism and freedom of speech and the oppression against activists. Well, I got involved in some relevant discussions and part what I said was recorded later, I learned from some egyptian relatives that my name was listed at the airport, which meant, uh, a possibility of being arrested. Upon returning to Egypt, I had one month to decide whether I stay in Germany, um, return to Egypt or move to turkey. This decision was the most tormenting experience I’ve ever had. With fear of the rise of the right wing here in Germany, uncertainty and feeling of being lost. After talking to some friends, my parents, I decided to stay in Germany. Well, uh, as for whether I made the right decision or not, I will never know for certain. While I really, genuinely appreciate every second of my life here in Germany and the help I received from the german state and my german friends, I believe it’s so difficult, uh, to definitively judge a decision as long as we are alive. Therefore, we will never, um, truly, no. Uh, all we can do is ensure that we follow a logical and rational way of thinking when making our decisions, because also this judgment subject to our feelings about the world around us. But if you ask me, I think I have made the right decision.
Band 7+: Part 2 Describe an important choice you had to make in your life. You should say • when you had this choice • what you had to choose between • how you felt at the time and explain if you now think you made the right choice.
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Almost ten years ago, I had a pivotal decision to make. I had traveled to Germany to participate in a workshop focused on empowering women politically and to connect with German female politicians. This trip coincided with the Egyptian president's visit to Germany, a time marked by intense discussions about the human rights situation in Egypt, particularly the suppression of journalism, freedom of speech, and the persecution of activists. I found myself involved in these discussions, and some of my comments were recorded. Later, I learned from relatives in Egypt that my name was on a list at the airport, indicating a potential arrest upon my return. Faced with this reality, I had a month to decide whether to stay in Germany, return to Egypt, or move to Turkey. This decision was the most agonizing experience of my life. I was consumed by fear of the rising right-wing sentiment in Germany, uncertainty about the future, and a profound sense of being lost. After consulting with friends and my parents, I ultimately decided to stay in Germany. Looking back, I can't definitively say whether it was the right decision. While I deeply cherish every moment of my life here in Germany and am grateful for the support I've received from the German state and my German friends, I believe it's impossible to truly judge a decision while we're still living. We can never know what might have been. All we can do is strive to make decisions based on logic and reason, recognizing that our judgment is inevitably influenced by our feelings about the world around us. However, if you ask me, I believe I made the right choice.
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