Despite Border Closures, Syrians Determined to Reach Europe

Clutching an English phrase book, Mohammed Sawadi is preparing to head north.

Syrian student Mohammed Sawadi (C) looks across at other migrants at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, on March 11, 2016. AP Photo/Derek Gatopoulos

PIRAEUS, Greece—Clutching an English phrase book, Mohammed Sawadi is preparing to head north.

The 23-year-old university student traveled from Damascus with his two cousins. They knew Greece’s borders were closed before leaving home but say nothing will stop them getting to northern Europe.

“We made a vow: We will get to Europe, and we will stay together,” said Sawadi, wearing a Batman T-shirt and holding a map of central Athens.

We made a vow: We will get to Europe, and we will stay together.

— Mohammed Sawadi, Syrian student turned refugee