Disadvantaged by a foreign surname

This can happen to a lot of people when they meet someone who they presume comes from a different cultural background because of their name.

Jelena Stojanovic works with numerous people with a migration background: “There is discrimination in many areas of life when you have a foreign name. It doesn’t matter whether you were born here or not. It starts when you're looking for a house and a job, and affects children and young people in school and training too.” Your name has a significant impact and is one of the first impressions you get of a person, alongside their appearance and clothes.

“It’s important that you notice and examine your own first reaction if it is negative or discriminatory. What does it mean for me, and does it actually tell me anything about the other person?” Jelena Stojanovic and her husband have also experienced hostile reactions. “It’s always important to me that I talk to people about it and hear from them honestly what their problem is. “Then you can talk about it and possibly clear it up.”

The counselor advises everyone who has to fight against prejudice to do the same. Then you have the opportunity to reflect and to question the lack of sympathy or even reluctance.

If you want to talk to a professional about this topic, please get in touch to arrange a free counseling session at one of the specialised counseling centers in Austria. You can use our search engine to find one.

Our interview partner

Jelena Stojanovic studied psychology. In addition to her counseling work, she is also head of the VIELE counseling center in Salzburg.

VIELE Verein für interkulturellen Ansatz in Erziehung, Lernen und Entwicklung
Rainerstraße 27
5020 Salzburg
Website VIELE

The interview was conducted in September 2021.