broke out four years ago, more than 4 million refugees have fled the country. Thousands

more are fleeing conflict African nations like Nigeria and Mali. For many migrants,

the final destination is Europe, specifically Germany. So why are refugees heading to Germany

and what is life really like for them when they get there? Well, while many other EU

nations have remained reluctant to take in asylum seekers, German Chancellor Angela Merkel

has welcomed them. Germany is one of the top choices for migrant settlers as the wealthy

nation offers an unparalleled refugee package with free housing, schooling and strong job

prospects. As such, it’s expected that up to 800,000 refugees will arrive in Germany

this year -- that’s four times more than in 2014. But getting there is not easy. Syrian

refugees have to travel more than 2,000 miles, crossing up to 9 borders to reach Germany.

African asylum seekers face an even longer more hazardous journey.Those who do make it

to Germany, have to register as an asylum seeker with the State Office of Health and

Social Affairs. The line is long and hectic and many refugees are unsure of the process,

but as one Syrian woman in Berlin put it, “I am so happy to finally be in Germany.

I do not care how long the registration takes... And I hope that in the near future I can start

working here in the city until the war in Syria is over.” Once registered, refugees

are dispersed across Germany’s 16 federal states, housed in asylum centers, which are

kind of like college dorms, often with families of 5 to one room who share common spaces with

others. But these centers are overcrowded, and some live in tents. Thankfully, the German

people have been welcoming and dozens of charities designed to help refugees have sprung up.

Charities like Refugees Welcome help refugees find private accommodation if they can’t

find rooms in crowded migrant housing. Germany’s workforce has also welcomed refugees. Many

companies see the influx of people as an opportunity to fill the shortfall of skilled workers,

which is set to worsen due to Germany’s aging population. Recent figures show that

foreign workers - refugees included - generate around 22 billion euros in tax revenue per

year for Germany, a figure that the government hopes will continue to grow. However, not

everyone has been hospitable. Protests, and attacks on asylum centers are a problem -- according

to German Police there have been at least 200 incidents in 2015 so far. Some refugee

homes have even been burned. This tension is a concern particularly as some Germans

wonder if the country’s infrastructure is really prepared for the sudden influx of people.

Experts have commented that charities are helping to fill the gaps in aid and organization

that the government is failing to cope with. One charity organizer thinks the government

isn’t doing enough on the ground saying “This is an utter failure from the state.

We are practically doing the job of the state – with our own money and in our own free

time.” Others blame the EU as a whole. Check out

this episode on our sister channel TTN to examine if The EU is really To Blame For The

Migrant Crisis. Thanks for watching. And if you haven’t already, please subscribe.