Tunisia 2012: A Transition Period

I know that physically, I look like a completely different girl to the one who left Edinburgh in March.  My level of attention to my appearance is probably about 10% of what is was.  Gone are the days of fake tan, false eyelashes and skyscraper heels. Gone, and good riddance I might add! 

Even in my personality I'm told there is a change, but it's been harder for me to recognise.  I've always known who I am on the inside, it was being comfortable enough to reflect that on the outside that was difficult.  

The pressure I felt as a young woman in the U.K was not only about aesthetics, although that in itself is enough to make anyone crumble quicker than a dropped compact.  It was the daily rat race to perfection, to have a dazzling night life, dream job, dream wardrobe, planned holidays, sporadic weekends and of course, not forgetting to photograph every single moment for Facebook, just in case others were in doubt that you do in fact love your life.  Or not.   

I probably fooled most.  Thank God I didn't fool myself.  Coming to Tunisia was one of the best decisions I've made in my life.  

One of the first things that struck me about Tunisia, is the lack of advertisements.  Where on earth was all the stuff I HAD to buy?  And where were those perfect half naked women that were put on this earth to make the rest of us mere humans feel bad about ourselves?  Everything that was so real, so part of my everyday life at home, had dissolved somewhere between the North Sea and North Africa.  There also isn't the same culture of celebrity and gossip magazines.   After 6 months without it, when I was faced with a copy of 'Heat'  magazine, I remember feeling genuinely offended by what was being said to me, both implicitly and explicitly.   Telling me 21 ways to have higher self-esteem whilst humiliating the poor reality TV star who has put on a few pounds.    

Now it goes without saying that there are pressures on women here too, each society has it's own problems. However as a 'westerner' coming here, it's like a cleansing of the mind.  I feel like I've regained a human sense of reality, with real human values at the core.  So what's important?  The same things that deep down we all care about in the U.K, family, friends and being a good person.  The difference is that here, these things take priority, without exception.  The western world teaches us to focus on the things on the surface and that that will make us happy on the inside.  In Tunisia, it's the contrary.

I watch teenage girls here going to school, in their trainers, jeans and blazer, looking liked fresh-faced children, which is what they are.  They're not plastered with make-up and dressed like girls in their twenties.  We need to take a good look at our youth in the U.K, at our young women and ask ourselves, how does our society nurture them?  Because as long as we continue to churn out images of unrealistic beauty and scathing attacks on women deemed 'too fat' or 'ugly', the '21 ways to better self-esteem' will be lost in the bottom of the make-up bag.  And I think, they deserve better.


This post is dedicated to my dear friend Lucia Spata.  'Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not discovered until they arrive.'


Interestesed in doing something similar?

Useful Links  - British Council - European Voluntary Service
                      - AJMEC Association, Tunisia
                       - Xchange Scotland

Which way next?

 Young Tunisians share their hopes for the future.

There has been much written in the news recently amid growing concerns about the increasing numbers of Tunisians risking their lives in search of a better future in Europe and beyond.  In September, a fishing boat carrying between 100 and 140 people, sank 12 miles away from it's final destination, the Italian island of Lampedusa.  Only 56 people survived.

In my time in Tunisia, I have met many young people who dream of going to Europe, Canada and America.  When I read about tragedies like this, it makes me think of them.  Their names, their faces, their hopes and expectations about a life outside of Tunisia.  The people who lost their lives last month, all deserved far more than what life has dealt them.  It's all too easy to judge their situation, to assume that their bad fortune in life is solely down to themselves.  The question I ask myself is, if I was born into their circumstances, would my choices be any different?  When you risk your life to find employment, is that really a choice at all?  Or the last and only option you feel is available?  A young man interviewed by the BBC said that risking his life to get to Europe didn't scare him, 'I'm already dead here'.

Unemployment is currently at 17.6% and the impact is not only on the financial circumstances of young people as we see in Lampedusa.  The  situation in Tunisia is not one which can change overnight.  However if people choose to leave, they should be able to do so safely and full informed about the realities of where they are going.    Associations like AJMEC are providing an invaluable service to young people and Tunisia as a whole.  Giving them an opportunity to travel, see different cultures and share life experiences with young Europeans by taking part in exchanges and programs like European Voluntary Service.  

Talking to friends here about incidents like Lampedusa, I wanted to know their thoughts and feelings about their future as young Tunisians.  All agreed that there is a lack of opportunities for young people here and all had friends or family who had left themselves to find work elsewhere.  Some wanted to stay in Tunisia, others want to go to America or Europe.  'Inchallah'  (God willing) they will find their way.

Here are their stories.

Haroun is 20 years old and currently studying to be a nurse.  He's one of the few young men that I've spoken to who wants to stay in Tunisia.  Fiercely proud of his home city, Sousse, he is under no illusions about life outside of Tunisia.....

Recently a boat carrying around 100 Tunisian people trying to reach the Italian island Lampedusa capsized and 44 people lost their lives.  What do you think about young Tunisian people risking their lives to go to Europe?

H:  Going to Italy is something that most of Tunisian youth crave for. First and foremost, the current situation in Tunisia is kind of deteriorating and miserable. Secondly, they unfortunately think that money would be given easily there and life would be easier.

What was your dream job when you were growing up?

H:  When I was a kid, I always dreamt of a perfect and bright future as a plane pilot or a doctor. But then,when I saw the rotten situation in the country, I started losing hope and lost my dreams..

What do you want to do when you finish your studies?

H:  Had I finished my studies, I would struggle to find a position that fits my level of studies, however it might be difficult. Meanwhile, I would try to look for an alternative job instead of remaining jobless.

What do you think are the main challenges facing young people in Tunisia?

H:  First of all, the level of education in Tunisia is mediocre and incomparable to education in other developed countries so one wouldn’t achieve anything of a use. Then, it’s a little bit tough and not everyone is able to finish their studies. And finally, family ‘s situation may be one of the hindrances that oblige one to assume responsibility within his family and let go of his studies.

Do you have friends or know people who have left Tunisia to live somewhere else?

H:  I know a few. Some of them got married with an older lady and he’s not quite happy in his new life. I know some who paid to go there and practically lost all his money. I also know someone who went there illegally and now he’s having a tough and shameful life.

Do you see yourself living in Tunisia?

H:  Well, I like this question. You may be surprised of my answer after what I’ve stated, yet, I’m happy to a point that you can’t imagine in here. I adore my city, Sousse. Everything I need is available. Some people may envy us for the life we’re giving here. Anyway, I’m grateful for the life I’m leading and I don’t want to force myself to cope with some difficult living standards for I am a reasonable person

What do you think the government can do to improve opportunities for young people?

H:  I personally think that the government can’t do anything actually, It’s not like it’s got a magic stick or something to make the situation brighter and better in overnight. However it can help them to act creatively instead of turning them down or at least try to work with other foreign programs synchronically. Politics is not really my thing so I can’t fully give my opinion about what the government can or can’t do it or what should happen.

Arij 

Recently a boat carrying around 100 Tunisian people trying to reach the Italian island Lampedusa capsized and 44 people lost their lives. What do you think about young Tunisian people risking their lives to go to Europe?

A:  well, first of all may their souls rest in peace and may God be with their families! However, I think it’s stupid beyond words to risk their lives to go anywhere illegally! Not to mention so unfair to their families who will never recover from their loss. I’m a huge believer in staying home. I think everyone should try his best to succeed and make the best of his life at home; without having to flee to any other country where he may or may not get the life he always hoped for! 

What was your dream job when you were growing up?

A: I always wanted to be a teacher or a pilot ( ok to be honest I wanted to BE a teacher and MARRY a pilot) 

What do you want to do when you finish your studies? 

A:  after finishing my MA I’m hoping to be an English university Teacher, an American civilization teacher to be specific.

What do you think are the main challenges facing young people in Tunisia?

A:  Well I think the main challenge facing some of the young Tunisian students is THEIRSELVES! They need to change their mentalities and work on themselves first to turn the country into a better place. To be fair though, Tunisian students don’t have THAT many job opportunities. I think Tunisia needs more investments so that more jobs can be provided. Currently though, I think the country is headed for the right direction and hopefully we’ll get there. 

Do you have friends or know people who have left Tunisia to live somewhere else?

A:  I have some cousins who left the country a long time ago to live in France.  I think they left the country, legally of course, for better job opportunities. They are happy I guess, but they’re always homesick!

Do you see yourself living in Tunisia?

A:  Of course, where would I else be? As I said previously, I’m a huge believer in staying home. I think if I’m working to become a university teacher, I better be a successful one I my own country!  If I could leave, I would! But only temporarily. I would never leave the country for good. I think I would go to the US only to make some research for my PHD, god willing, and then I would be back to Tunisia.  I think the government should look for better investments so that youngsters won’t look for jobs elsewhere!

Maali

Everyone knows very well the problem of unemployment in Tunisia, and every day this problem is repeated so because of all that the Tunisian unemployed always think outside he will find the good work and good conditions of living.

We can say that it is a dream to travel and improve the financial situation of the unemployed and same for his family.  I am against this act and at the same time I'm not sure that Tunisian government will help this people and this young persons to stay here.  These people are not passive they are so ambitious but with the wrong way because they didn't have possibilities and solutions to find a good way for their future.

In the future i want to be a professor of Spanish.  I would like to work in the unviersity and learn another language and I want to create an agency of travel.

I think that we face unemployment , lack of entertainment and societies and an absence of encouragement from the Tunisian government.

I have some people of my family who live in France and Belgium, they are working there.  I want to live in Tunisia but I would also like to travel and see a new people , enjoy my free times, my life with other cultures.  Only I would like to continue my studies in Spain but then return home.
In the reality sometimes I say 'I think that I want to leave Tunisia' but sometimes I don't because there is my family, my life, my friends. 

I  think in this politic and economic environment the Tunisian government cant do any thing for its people and maybe we should wait for our political future because there is relation between economic life and political life in this country. 

Melik

I think young Tunisian who are risking their lives to go to Europe are a little bit stupid because if they studied and had their degree they won't think bout that they'll go to Europe with a normal way. 


My dream job when i grow up is to be a physiotherapist and a professional basketball player .

After finishing my studies i want to Marry have a family to care about a nice job and of course playing basketball all day long. 

The main challenges facing young people here in Tunisia is to find a job you know, many students finish their studies then spend 5 or 6 years searching for a job and they don't find it so the only solution is to go to other countries.

After finishing my studies i want to marry have a family to care about a nice job and of course playing basketball all day long!  I know some people who left Tunisia to study in Europe and they are happy.  I see myself living here but i think it's better if i try to live out of Tunisia for a bit first.

If i could leave i won't hesitate, my dream is to go to USA and to play basketball there.