Rafal Thaher
(She/Her)
Optional audio recording of the text in Part A.
Rafal Part A.m4aDirections: Read Part A below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “Why did this person leave their home country?
Directions: Read Part A below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “Why did this person leave their home country?
Part A
Part A
Born in Iraq in 1995.
Born in Iraq in 1995.
Came to United States in 2009.
Came to United States in 2009.
Age 13
Age 13
Life in Iraq
Life in Iraq
I had a happy life in Baghdad. My father helped the United States military during the Iraq War. We learned that my father’s life was in danger, so one morning we suddenly had to leave. My family left Iraq for a nearby country called Syria.
I had a happy life in Baghdad. My father helped the United States military during the Iraq War. We learned that my father’s life was in danger, so one morning we suddenly had to leave. My family left Iraq for a nearby country called Syria.
Optional audio recording of the text in Part B.
Rafal Part B.m4aDirections: Read Part B below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “What was this person getting used to?”
Directions: Read Part B below. After you are done reading, think about the question: “What was this person getting used to?”
Part B
Part B
Life in Transition
Life in Transition
We lived in a refugee camp in Syria for four years. During that time, we applied to live in Europe. Unfortunately, Europe was not allowing refugees, so we then tried the United States. It was a long process, but our application was accepted, and we moved to Lowell.
We lived in a refugee camp in Syria for four years. During that time, we applied to live in Europe. Unfortunately, Europe was not allowing refugees, so we then tried the United States. It was a long process, but our application was accepted, and we moved to Lowell.
Life in Lowell
Life in Lowell
It took me a while to learn English. My father had to translate everything for me. One day I was sitting in my English class. I didn’t talk, but a student came over to me and asked where I was from. When I told him, he said, ‘You’re a terrorist!” I started crying and ran to my teacher. She talked to him and told him how my family had to leave Iraq. He apologized and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know your story.”
It took me a while to learn English. My father had to translate everything for me. One day I was sitting in my English class. I didn’t talk, but a student came over to me and asked where I was from. When I told him, he said, ‘You’re a terrorist!” I started crying and ran to my teacher. She talked to him and told him how my family had to leave Iraq. He apologized and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know your story.”