My favorite classes in Iraq were geography, history and sociology. I always wanted to study other countries’ civilizations, especially how they lived. My teachers were not great. Our curriculum was pretty outdated. There was special treatment of those students who could pay for additional classes. But like the other kids, I found the subjects that interested me and made the most of those classes.
My family fled Iraq in 2011 and sought refuge in Turkey. My dad found us an apartment in an old building, totally occupied by Iraqi refugees. He registered us with the local non-governmental organization (NGO) and initiated our refugee-status application.
I remember when he came back from the NGO and told me I would not be allowed to go to school while we remained in Turkey. I had just completed my ninth year. We knew from speaking to other Iraqi families in our building that getting refugee status could take years. I was so sad and disappointed. Since the war in Iraq, so much had been unknown and constantly changing. School was the one constant. My mother pulled me out of my sad state and convinced me time would go by fast and there was plenty she could teach me. I learned a lot about cooking and sewing from my mother. I also began to paint and found I had a good talent and great passion for it.
Two years later, we were admitted to the U.S. refugee program. We were assigned to Kent, Washington. Jewish Family Service was our agency and the caseworker met us at the airport, brought us to a furnished apartment and took care of all of our immediate needs. The caseworker talked to me about school and took me to be tested for level placement. I was so nervous! And, so excited!
The first day of school in the U.S. was not what I had pictured. I had pictured something similar to my school in Iraq. This was much better and much worse. First, I got on the wrong bus and went to the wrong school. When I did get to my school, I was amazed at how beautiful it was! The library was huge and had so many books! The cafeteria was so clean, and there was so much food! And, there was a ceramics class! And, jewelry making class! But, I didn’t know anyone and couldn’t understand what people were saying.
I can’t express how much the teachers helped me that first year. I was so behind and overwhelmed. Learning English felt so hard and slow. Everyone was patient. It took me a while to make friends, but I did eventually. And at some point, I started to catch up and began to feel like I fit in.
This coming fall, I’ll be a junior. I am very excited for this next year of school and cannot wait to start! I am not sure what I want to study for the future. For now, I am enjoying the history and art classes best. I still have so much to learn and want to catch up on those years I lost.
Article and feature drawing by Adhraa Al Arab
Adhraa Al Arab was resettled by JFS in 2013. She and her dad, mom and two brothers live in Auburn. Adhraa is a junior at Auburn Mountain View High School. When she isn’t in school or studying for school, Adhraa is drawing or baking. Her specialty is baklava.
