Due to the unfortunate circumstance of war that occurred in my country (Iraq). My dad had to make one of the most complex decisions to migrate to Jordan leaving away his mother and youngest siblings behind. My father had sacrificed his education and dreams of becoming a lawyer, his hometown, and his culture just so he could find a job and provide for his family back home.

Being born and raised in Jordan and the first of my siblings, away from my relatives, away from my traditions, and away from my homeland was something that I had to adapt to because both of my parents are not from Jordan, meaning I had to adapt to both the Iraqi lifestyle at home and the Jordanian lifestyle outside of the home.

Financial difficulties and access to resources were very challenging in Jordan. Due to the lack of no useful education in Iraq and the war that occurred, education was not a tool that my parents could obtain and use to help them build a better income source for their families. From then, my parents decided to apply and come migrate to the US in hopes of finding a better stable environment so their kids can grow up and pursue any dream they wish as the US is known as “ The dreamland!”

After a long 7 years of waiting, I remember the day we got accepted to be interviewed by the immigration officers who were white people, and that was my first encounter with a white person. At the time I was about 11 years old. I remember there was a translator who translated to us what they were asking us. At that moment, I know that I have to learn and adapt to yet another new culture/country.

May 2012 the month we arrived in Seattle, Washington. Being the oldest of my 4 younger siblings, the pressure was on! At a very young age, the responsibility of becoming my parent’s interpreter was something I never imagined doing. It was challenging for me to fit into school, I couldn't speak or understand basic interactions. I was modest and wore the hijab, which stood out from the students at the school. The language barrier and cultural shock were mentally draining.

10 years later, I’m now the first to graduate from college and transfer to a 4-years degree in Health studies/ minoring in biology at the University of Washington Bothell which was my dream school to study and graduate from, and to also have the Luxury of studying as a pre-medical student; who one day hopes to become a physician and stand for the underserved population in healthcare and provide basic needs which it could be as simple as translating in Arabic for the Arab immigrant population because due to the lack of provides that looks like me.

Everything my parents had gone through in the past 25 years was for theses moment for their kids to grow up in a stable country and pursue what they desire to be. Leaving home, family, and friends behind.