Interview Subject
Files
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Contributing Organization
TSOS
Home Country
Somalia
Description
Idiris is an 18-year-old Somalian refugee now living inUtah. He describes his life, mentioning that he only lived in Somalia for six years then moved to Ethiopia, where he stayed for seven and a half years.His life inEthiopia was peaceful and happy in comparison to Somalia, where Idiris and his family witnessed continuous violence. Idiris’s father eventually learned of the opportunities and education available in America and decided to move his family there for a better life, leaving behind family and friends. Coming to America, Idiris and his family did not know what their new home would be like. They faced hardshipsthe moment they stepped off the plane, the most hindering of which was the language. Although Idiris has now nearly perfected the English language through the help of a translator,the initiallack of fluency caused him to fail his classes and his sister to drop out of school. Idiris has since graduated high school and aspiresto join the marines while further continuing his education. His biggest piece of advice to a new refugee in America is to learn English and to study, sincethatcombination can openopportunities for integration and success.
Document Type
Interview
Interview Date
2016
Interview Location
Utah
Included in
Digital Humanities Commons, Diplomatic History Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Human Geography Commons, Immigration Law Commons, International Relations Commons, Islamic Studies Commons, Islamic World and Near East History Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, Oral History Commons, Photography Commons
