Goodbye Germany! The Emigrants – Struggle for Survival in Sicily
Two women risk everything for a fresh start abroad. Janina follows love to Turkey, but her dream turns into a nightmare: After a breakup, she suddenly finds herself alone, penniless, and homeless. Svenja also leaves Germany with her young daughter to build a better future in Ireland. But lack of money, bureaucracy, and loneliness quickly threaten her dream. Two courageous decisions – and the question of whether hope alone is enough to survive. Janina Wilhöft, Turkey: Janina Wilhöft from Düsseldorf has fallen head over heels in love – with a man she met on her last vacation in Turkey.
Fatih is 25, ten years younger than Janina, and works as an entertainer on the Turkish Riviera. The two have only spent ten days together. Now Janina has decided to move to Side to be with him. Her family and friends are skeptical – but the social work graduate is planning a future with Fatih. She quits her job, gives up her apartment, and flies to Turkey with all her belongings.
The reunion with Fatih is romantic; the 25-year-old has prepared a huge surprise for his girlfriend. Janina tries to get a foothold in Turkey. She studies vocabulary and finds a job as an entertainer. But just two months later, things start to go wrong: Fatih doesn't trust Janina and reads her emails. Janina is also jealous: Fatih doesn't get home from his job as an entertainer until after midnight every day. And then comes the shock: Fatih breaks up with Janina.
From one day to the next, the 35-year-old has to move out of his apartment. Janina is homeless, has hardly any money, no friends, and speaks only a few words of Turkish. How will Janina manage on her own in Turkey? Svenja Gronau, Ireland: Since 23-year-old Svenja did an internship in Ireland six months ago, she has had a dream: She desperately wants to live on the Emerald Isle. Together with her five-year-old daughter, she leaves her hometown of Siegen, full of hope for a better future.
In Germany, Svenja has no job; she lives as a single mother in social housing. In the small coastal town of Lisdoonvarna, however, she finds a job as a cashier in a supermarket. She seizes the opportunity to offer herself and her daughter a better future. Svenja goes to Ireland with no savings. But barely on her way, she receives a message from her Irish landlady. A security deposit is due. Svenja's job doesn't start for another three months.
Until then, she plans to live on unemployment benefits. For the German authorities to transfer the money to Ireland, Svenja has to obtain documents from the Irish authorities within seven days. But there isn't enough time, and Svenja's dream is shattered. For her life in Ireland, Svenja has made a bitter trade: she had to leave her best friends behind in Germany. When things get really bad, she feels alone. Svenja doubts her decision. Has she made a huge mistake?
Broadcasting on 23th of January 2026 at 08.15pm on VOX
Music: POPVIRUS Library