( CNN ) Editor 's Note : Ines Dumig was recently announced as a CENTER Grant Recipient . Sahra , a Somali refugee , left her home at 14 years old . Throughout her journey in search of asylum , she managed to overcome dangers and discomforts . But she never gave up , and she continuously reminded herself to keep going . She 's the focus of Ines Dumig 's photo series `` Apart Together . '' Dumig met Sahra through a photo workshop at Refugio , a shelter in Munich , Germany , for refugees and torture victims . What drew Dumig to Sahra specifically was her strength and her ability to effectively reflect on all of her experiences . `` It really impressed me how she deals with everything , '' Dumig said . `` She 's strong in her way of connecting with the culture here and also reflecting on what happened , the culture where she comes from . '' The number of refugees seeking asylum in the European Union increased by 25 % last year , with Germany receiving the most applications . One of the reasons Dumig decided to photograph Sahra is because growing up in Germany made Dumig realize that she lived a fortunate lifestyle . Another reason has to do with Dumig 's interest in people 's emotions and finding one 's identity . `` I realized so many people want to come to Europe , and I always had the feeling to disappear or to go away , '' Dumig said . `` Seeing how people live in other parts of the world made me realize how privileged I am . '' `` Apart Together '' serves not only as a documentation of Sahra , but as a far-reaching story about people from all backgrounds . The title of Dumig 's work refers to the fact that although people may be physically apart from one another , the comparable feelings they experience are what link all people together . `` Sometimes we feel strong , sometimes we feel lost -- that 's kind of universal , I think , '' Dumig said . `` That 's why I want to universalize ( Sahra 's ) story as well , not only make it about her . '' The underlying themes of `` Apart Together '' include the feelings of isolation and `` otherness '' and the search for a valuable human dignity . Social media . Follow @ CNNPhotos on Twitter to join the conversation about photography . `` Every one of these ( refugees ) have strong stories , and in the bureaucratic system , they are just a number or a document , '' Dumig said . `` But they are a person , they are people with emotions and lives . '' Sahra is currently under the status of `` suspension of deportation , '' meaning German immigration officials may grant her discretionary relief from deportation . Dumig describes Sahra as someone living through an unresolved situation . Regardless of the challenges Sahra faces as a refugee in Germany , she is a survivor and the embodiment of resilience , determined to establish a new life for herself . She has learned to speak German fluently , and she has started working in the nation as well . Like an unsolved photographic puzzle , each photo within `` Apart Together '' provides a piece of insight into Sahra 's experiences . There is no certain and clear way in which to arrange the pieces , because they are a representation of the fragmented nature of Sahra 's life . Many of Dumig 's photos are not of Sahra herself , but instead show her surroundings . This makes `` Apart Together '' rich in symbolism and challenges viewers to develop their own perceptions . The photos are powerful because of this symbolic nature , as there are infinite interpretations attached to each one . `` I think everyone interprets by themselves , by however way they perceive it through their own experience . That 's up to the viewer , '' Dumig said . `` It depends on who looks at the pictures . ... Everyone will see something different . '' `` Apart Together '' allowed Dumig to share various special moments with Sahra , and they were both able to learn from each other . `` It was just something we both got something out of , '' Dumig said . Ines Dumig is a photographer based in Germany .
Ines Dumig 's photo series `` Apart Together '' follows a Somali refugee living in Germany . The underlying themes include isolation and `` otherness '' and the search for human dignity .