We visit the Syrian National Association when the Ornina choir has a rehearsal. Nouha Bazerji came to Sweden from Aleppo 30 years ago. She thinks it feels good to meet and help other Syrians who have come more recently. At the same time, there are advantages, she says, with being one of the first to come from Syria. She had to learn the language faster.

- The difference is that when we arrived, for example, there were no Arabic channels, there were not many people who spoke Arabic. So for us it immediately felt like we only had the Swedish language to speak, she says.

"Sweden needs to be better at utilizing skills"

She works at a preschool. In Syria, she had an agronomist education. She knows many highly educated Syrians who have come in recent years.

- I think Sweden needs to be better at taking advantage of the skills that one gets. If you think they should integrate, of course that is the language first, but then you should take advantage of their skills.

The Ornina Choir has a rehearsal with the Syrian National Association. Photo: David Boati

"Of course the Swedish people react"

For a long time, the opinion in Sweden gradually became more and more positive towards refugee reception. But after the refugee crisis in 2015, the Swedish people became more negative again. Nouha Bazerji understands that, even she felt that many came at the same time.

- We noticed this. Because there is less chance of getting a job, more difficult to get a home, all this. Even with medical care, now you have to wait a little longer at the doctor. All this affects the Swedish people, and it goes without saying that they react, she says.