Hamzah Eiz Aldin (29, from Syria) came to the Netherlands in 2015 with a degree in Dentistry. But to be able to work here as a dentist, he first had to complete the medical assessment, a long process with many exams. Five years later, the time has finally come: Hamzah has passed all the tests and works as a dentist in a practice in Zaandam.

'I chose this profession in 2009. I wasn't sure what I wanted to study, but my brother, who is older, studied Dentistry. He told me about the study and I went with him to the university to watch. It was important to me to work with people. A job with computers and numbers is not for me. “This is fun,” my brother said enthusiastically. “You work with people, you are always busy.” That convinced me. As a dentist you can mean something to people and make something beautiful with your hands. I enrolled at Al-Baath University and studied in my hometown of Hama.'

Five years later, in 2014, Hamzah graduated. The civil war had been going on for a long time by then. 'It started in my second year. At first I thought maybe it will pass soon. But it wasn't. It was especially difficult in the fourth year, when I started treating patients. Sometimes the power went out or there was no water and we had to cancel the lessons. I considered moving during my studies, but ultimately decided against it. Then I would have to start all over again.'

Once with a diploma in his hand, Hamzah was given a choice: join the army or flee. Hamzah: 'That wasn't really a choice. I'm against violence and don't want to kill people.'

'I had a goal'

In the Netherlands, Hamzah did not change his goal. He wanted to work as a dentist, also in this new environment. 'It came as no surprise that I would have to study again for that. That's the case everywhere. That's why I decided to learn the language as soon as possible. On the first day at the asylum seekers' center in Hoogeveen, I said to a COA employee: "I want to learn Dutch, where can I go?" The employee laughed and told me to calm down. "It's only your first day."

'In the beginning I found Dutch very difficult. I really thought I would never succeed. Your language sounds complicated and the grammar is illogical to me. But I had a goal. I wanted to become a dentist and knew that the language is a requirement for that. In the end I set aside two years for it.' In that period, Hamzah moved from Hoogeveen to Amsterdam, where he joined a volleyball club. 'That helped me a lot. Making friends, a social life, that was really the key for me to settle here.'

Study twelve hours a day

Once at the right language level, Hamzah, supported by the UAF, started his medical assessment. The steps that awaited him: a General Knowledge and Skills test, the NT2 exam and then study hard to get his BIG registration.
Hamzah: 'In 2018 I did almost nothing but study. Sometimes twelve hours a day. It was tough, but you know yourself. Deep down you know if you can do something or not. I wanted to fight for my dream and decided to sit down and study until I could make it. Very occasionally I played volleyball to keep fit, otherwise I did nothing. Sometimes friends would ask, “Are you alive, are you okay?” Don't ask, I said. If I wanted to be a dentist I had to do this.'

How many tests did he have to take? Hamzah thinks. 'A lot, really a lot. For my BIG registration alone, I took four theory tests, four practical tests, one treatment and one oral.' After two resits, his BIG registration was received at the end of 2019, just under five years after his arrival in the Netherlands. 'Beforehand, people said that I would become depressed, that it was too difficult. That prediction has not come true. Yes, the journey is difficult, but it is possible. The most important thing is that you believe in yourself.'

A private practice

To prepare for professional practice, Hamzah worked for nine months in the final phase of his medical assessment – ​​in between studying – as an assistant in a dental practice in the Jordaan district in Amsterdam. 'I wanted to learn how things are in the Netherlands and gain confidence. I hadn't seen a patient in years. How do you talk to a patient in the Netherlands? How does the administration work? Everything is different here. Communication with patients in particular is beyond compare. Dentists in the Netherlands explain everything to the patient, every step. Syrian dentists put the chair back and immediately start drilling. The Dutch way suits me better.'

With a BIG registration and nine months of work experience, Hamzah found a job at a dental practice in Zaandam quite easily at the beginning of 2020. He applied and was accepted, he says with a smile. It makes him proud. It wasn't an easy road, but I didn't give up. That I have reached my goal is also crazy somewhere. It feels strange. That's why I've set two new goals for myself. In the short term I want to further develop and specialize myself, so that I can also handle difficult cases. In the long term I want my own practice.' With his brother? Hamzah laughs: 'I have already shared the thought with him, but he works as a dentist in Germany. I don't want to go there, because then I have to learn another language. I am happy in the Netherlands and I think Dutch is better than German. So the question is whether he wants to move to the Netherlands.'

Interview: Job Hulsman
Photography: Suzanne Blanchard