EUth.Perspectives

Texte:

Ängste

I found myself becoming the breadwinner for my family at 20 and I made the pretty hasty but also necessary decision of dropping out of college, sacrificing my educational goals to make sure there’s always food on the table for my little family. Don't get me wrong, I love them to bits and I don't regret it, but it does get lonely sometimes. It's weird to say, but I miss my parents so much more than I thought I would and also just being a carefree kid. I’ve really never been the envious type, but seeing my peers enjoying the college experience, partying and “only” having to worry about grades and exams pains me. I wasn’t prepared to become an adult and on the really tough days, I need to remind myself not to feel resentful towards my family. I think that's my biggest fear right now, to feel bitter and resentful about it all. Not to mention, with the ongoing economic instability in the EU, I fear that I won't be able to secure a stable job or career without formal education. The increasing cost of living and social benefits being cut are a constant source of stress for my partner and I. And I often wonder if I made the right decision in dropping out of college to support my family, since I now lack the security of a college degree.

Sergio, 23, Italy

There are a lot of hopes and dreams I hold surrounding my future in the EU. However, sometimes, fears can occupy my mind more than hopes do. When I think about what scares me the most about me living in the EU, I would say it is the constant conflicts between countries, which could lead to very serious consequences. These consequences could range from economic crisis to big wars. Though some complications may not sound that alarming, they could impact any individual on a personal level. And impact them in a serious way. My biggest fear considering the above mentioned issues, is understandably my own future. I constantly wish I could know for certain that I can just live life without fearing that I may not be able to purchase my own home, or even put food on the table. Even now, with there being frictions and wars between big countries, it has impacted our economy and we, the people are struggling. The prices of essential groceries are constantly rising. When it comes to housing arrangements, the prices are skyrocketing and the landlords are abusing their power. Many families have been kicked out since they were not able to pay the outrageous prices defined by their landlords, and I fear that this trend will not only continue, but even get worse. The thing is, our salaries are not changing, and have not changed for a long time. The only way this can be fixed so that we can go back to normalcy, is if the bigger countries conflicts’ can come to an end, or at least be solved in a calm manner.

Maša, 22, Serbia

I often think about the future. I was raised to believe that the future can, to a greater extent, be controlled. For example, if I study for an exam, I will pass it. If I get good grades, I will be successful. If I prepare well enough, there's no chance that anything will go wrong, right? Since living and studying in the Netherlands, my fears about academic success have become even greater. The closer I get to the career I want, the more I'm afraid I won't succeed. What if I'm just another face in the crowd of psychology students who think they're special? At least to me, as a psychologist, it's clear that ruminating doesn't solve problems. Let's be specific. I don't want to disappoint myself and the people around me. I don't want to spend years away from my family just to get a diploma that won't lead to a job. I'm afraid of failure and poverty. I'm afraid that inflation will ruin us and that the time I invest in education will be useless. The economic situation in Croatia is bleak, and in other European countries, language can be a barrier to employment. If Brexit hadn't happened, maybe I would have gone to the UK and tried to use my English skills. And after all this analysis, it still seems to me that analysis is useless. While I plan, prepare, and try to control my fate, life passes me by. I don't want to live solely for my career. Tomorrow a train might hit me, and I haven't told my loved ones that I love them because I'm thinking about other things. I need to focus on the present moment, on things that genuinely make me laugh. Otherwise, my twenties will pass me by as I plan for my thirties, and the future will still be uncertain.

Brina, 22, Netherlands

Hoffnungen

Europe is a continent with a rich cultural diversity, an abundance of languages, and a long history. However, Europe also faces many challenges that require cross-border cooperation. I believe that the youth and young adults will play a crucial role in making Europe a better place. Crucial to this is networking. Today's younger generations are so-called „digital natives“ and are accustomed to communicating via social networks or messengers. This gives them the opportunity to quickly and easily connect with people from other countries and cultures. Technological developments offer a chance to strengthen the common European consciousness and promote solidarity between countries. There are already many initiatives and programs that promote exchange and cooperation between young people, such as the EU's Erasmus+ program or European Youth Weeks. These programs offer young people the opportunity to learn about other cultures and countries, make new friendships, and work together on projects. This helps to break down prejudices and create a better understanding of the diversity of Europe. I would welcome further expansion and support of these initiatives. Europe has the potential to become a place of diversity, solidarity, and sustainability. If we seize this opportunity, we can together create a better future for ourselves and future generations.

Marina, 23, Germany

I’m a very family-oriented person, my greatest priority is to spend quality time with my loved ones. I believe that a fulfilling job should not only provide financial stability, but also allow me to spend enough time with my family. Nowadays though, with the increasing demands of work, it can be challenging for many individuals to strike a balance between work and family life. Even when there are new parks, soccer fields, and museums being built, many people find it difficult to take advantage of these opportunities because they are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. The current state of the economy, including high inflation and low salaries, only exacerbates this problem. It's frustrating to see how many people are struggling to provide for their families and have to sacrifice precious time with them in order to make sure their family is fed and safe. I truly hope that the economic situation improves soon, and that more people are able to enjoy the benefits of finding a job that leaves room for the pursuit of goals beyond basic human needs. In the meantime, I remain hopeful and determined to find a job that allows me to prioritize what’s truly important in life.

Dávid, 18, Romania

Despite the negative connotations associated with the word „future“ in my mind, I am still hopeful about what lies ahead. Despite my worries about the state of our planet and the well-being of future generations, I am optimistic that we can make positive changes, even if it's just on a personal level. By taking action now and making conscious choices, we can create a brighter future for our children. It's important to acknowledge that big corporations and governments have a major role to play in the fight against the damage we are doing to the Earth, drowning it in garbage. However, I try to remind myself that my own actions and choices matter too. Everything I use has to go somewhere and every product I buy has an impact on the planet. Due to industrialization, overconsumption has become a serious problem. It's time for us to shift our priorities and realize that material goods should not hold more power than they deserve. I am encouraged by the growing awareness among people and hope that more and more individuals are waking up to the reality that our planet is in crisis. We cannot continue to profit from destruction, and being disrespectful to the Earth and the living beings on it will only lead to more suffering. I’m looking forward to a future where people will work with the Earth and not against it, even if it sounds surreal at the moment and will probably not fully manifest before my time on the planet ends. 

Rebeka, 23, Hungary

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