It felt as if everyone in the class had drifted away from one another, says Ghadir Nessayif. But recently, since the pupils returned to the classroom, the feeling of belonging together has grown.

– It felt as if I would be spending my last time at school with a class I didn't know. But it didn't turn out like that. I've shouted myself hoarse, I've had such fun. It's as if we've regained our sense of belonging together.

She and her classmate Sabrin Al Sanji have just completed the social sciences programme at Österängs upper high school.

In the autumn she wants to start studying in Gothenburg. Her first choice of subject is political sciences.

She has several reasons for choosing to study.

– This is how I see it: There's a pandemic, you can't really travel around. Well, you can, but my family can't really afford it.

She has got her first summer job, working in home care in Kristianstad. She has started already. This has convinced her of the importance of an education.

– It feels as though they are being made use of because they don't have a proper education. So I think I must must have an education, so that I'm not exploited. Particularly since I have an immigrant background.

What is your dream?

– Just like everyone else, I want to make a difference, of course. I've come to Sweden as an immigrant. I came when I was five years old. As I've grown older, I see that the state and the welfare system do not help everyone, says Ghadir Nessayif, who is a member of the socialist youth organisation SSU in Kristianstad.

Is there anything difficult about leaving school?

– Everything is scary. You're grown up, you have to manage all on your own. I'll be leaving home in a few months. There are so many new things. I must google to find out how long to boil an egg, Ghadir Nessayif laughs.