DEPARTED FROM
Karachi, Pakistan
ARRIVED IN
West Palm Beach, Florida
YEAR
1992
AGE
27
NOW LIVES IN
Durham, North Carolina
Who met you when you arrived?
My best friend who I’d known since around middle school.
What made you immigrate to the United States?
Freedom: this desire to escape from that sense of lawlessness and lack of structure to a place that had a higher quality of life.
What was your first impression of the place you arrived to?
I had lived in Britain for some time so it wasn’t too shocking.
What were some of the things that surprised you?
Nothing much.
What did you do on your first day?
Settled in, I had a room in the apartment with my friend so I was getting used to that. Went out to eat.
What was your initial reaction upon arriving in the United States?
Excited to see my friend as it had been a long time.
How did you feel during your first few days in the United States?
Anxious, there was a lot to learn, wanting to excel in order to succeed and live a good life.
What were some of the biggest cultural differences and similarities you noticed between the United States and your home country during your first days in the U.S.?
Clothing and fashion was different and that type of freedom was missing back home.
Did you face any challenges or barriers in your first days in the U.S.?
Not really, transportation was a bit of an issue.
Did you have any support or resources available to you during your first days in the United States?
Friends who had already settled in were a major help.
Did you have any presumptions about American culture that were challenged during your first days in the United States?
Not really.
What advice would you give to other newly arrived immigrants in the United States?
Be open minded to people and customs, learn the local ways while still maintaining who you are and your beliefs.
