Park Voices: Overcoming Obstacles to Live in the U.S.

Editor's Note: This is the last in a week-long series of articles on St. Louis Park residents who moved here from all corners of the globe. Everyone we interviewed was in an Adult Options in Education class at . Adult Options in Education offers a variety of programs geared toward people looking to improve their English writing, reading and speaking skills. For more info on Adult Options in Education, visit its website.

Name: Nihaya Semrin

Age: 31

Birth Country: Jordan

First Year in United States: 2003

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St. Louis Park Patch: Talk about your move to the United States.

Semrin: I moved to Minnesota in 2006. Before that, in 2003, (I went) to visit my sister in Boston ... I stayed here three months, then went back to Jordan because I was at the university (back home). At that time, I said I wouldn’t come back to live here, because it’s too hard to leave my family. I said if I will come, it will be just to visit or study here. But after I graduated, I met my husband in Jordan. He lives here, but he was just visiting family there. He was looking to find somebody from his culture to be a part of his life.

St. Louis Park Patch: What have you enjoyed about life here? 

Semrin: There are a lot of nice things here. It’s different from my culture. Sometimes I feel it’s hard to live here because you live by yourself. For 25 years, I was surrounded by my family, my neighbors and my friends. Now it’s just my husband and my son, but usually I like how life is quiet here. Missing family is different, but I enjoy life here.

St. Louis Park Patch: How is the culture different?

Semrin: Just the relationships. In Jordan, you could see all your neighbors. You could know who lives one block to like six seven block (away) … We were always together. If you needed any help, you’d find someone around you. You don’t have to call anyone. This is different to me. Here in the United States, sometimes it’s hard. One time, I had a problem with my car. I couldn’t start my battery. I was alone. I asked many of my neighbors for help. Four of my neighbors said, “Sorry, I can’t.” That surprised me. I felt lonely. The people here are very nice, but they live by their own selves … In my culture, everybody visits each other, without appointment. We have a big family. I’m number 14, the youngest (nine sisters, four brothers). If each one has just one friend, see how many friends we know?

St. Louis Park Patch: How was your English when you first moved, and how is it now?

Semrin: Now, it’s better. Before, I spoke (some) English. We learned English at school, since fifth grade. Mostly, it was dialogue between two people. Some people (back home) graduated with bachelor degrees, but didn’t speak English. For me, I was interested in learning English. When I came here, I could understand people, but the hard part was speaking with them. I have to get the grammar correct, and find the right words.

St. Louis Park Patch: Talk about your Adult Options in Education classes.

Semrin: In 2007, I was thinking I needed to study English. Even when I went shopping, I needed a few words for the cashier ... I went to Hopkins schools and went to night classes. After that, because my son was like 7 months, I couldn’t continue. Then I heard I could come to school with my son, the family learning program in St. Louis Park. They put my son in preschool, and I’ve been here for like two years.

St. Louis Park Patch: What have you learned from your classes?

Semrin: I’ve learned a lot. Jeannie (Radatz), she’s a nice and good teacher ... Now, I have more confidence to talk. I don’t have any problems talking to anybody.

St. Louis Park Patch: Do you work currently?

Semrin: Sometimes I go to help my husband.

St. Louis Park Patch: What does he do?

Semrin: He opened a restaurant. Like a year ago. I go there to help them. I went to college to take a food professional class. So I’m the manager of the restaurant.

St. Louis Park Patch: Do you have other family here, or do they still live in Jordan?

Semrin: My side is in Jordan. But my husband has brothers here. All his family comes and goes.

St. Louis Park Patch: Do you stay in touch with your family?

Semrin: In the six years, I went (back) twice. I was planning on going this summer, but because I’m pregnant now, it’s hard to go … I told them next year I’ll come, with a new baby.

St. Louis Park Patch: What do they think of you living here? 

Semrin: They are happy for me, because this is my choice. But they miss me a lot. I always tell them, “I miss you more than you miss me.” When I hear my sisters are together, I feel jealous.

St. Louis Park Patch: Do you feel you’ve been welcomed here?

Semrin: Yes (now). I’m going to tell you something. When I came with my husband, before that I had a visa for five years. So when I met my husband, I came to the United States with him because I had a visa and I was here before. At the airport, when we reached Minnesota, they had to ask me some questions ... We told them the truth: I told them, we are married, and I have the visa and he’s going to do the papers for me. But because I have the visa, I can come with him. The guy said, “That’s OK. And you were here before.” Then, his boss came, and said, “You will go back to Jordan.” I said why? Because I told you the truth? He said you have to go back in the same airplane you came—it’s going to leave in three hours. It was so hard at that time, because I didn’t do anything wrong … I was so tired. I came like 24 hours on my trip. I said just let me stay here, like one night at any hotel. He said, “No, you have to go.” It was so hard when I told my family I was coming back. At that time, I felt unwelcome to the United States ... My husband started doing the paperwork here. I didn’t feel upset. I just said, “Something can happen with anyone" ... Then I came here, and I was welcomed, because I had the papers.

St. Louis Park Patch: Do you feel more welcome now then you were originally?

Semrin: Yeah. I feel more welcome. I don’t have any problem talking about this ... Now, I feel I’m so welcomed. On Feb. 21, I got my citizenship.

St. Louis Park Patch: What are some of your goals? Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

Semrin: I have many goals. The thing I think about most is I want to continue my (education). I want to get my master’s degree. It was my plan for this year, but because I became pregnant, it changed. I have a bachelor's degree in special needs, so I’d like to continue something like that. Or psychology. The other (goal) is to help my husband grow our business.