Me: kindly let us begin our interview by knowing your personal details.

I mean your
name, age, and country of origin?
Interviewee: Okay, thank you for your invitation. My names are Mohammed Zabrain,
and I am 35 years old, and my country of origin is Syria.
Me: Alright, Mr. Zabrain. When did you leave your country, and what were the main
reasons that made you be an immigrant?
Zabrain: I left my home country on July 26, 2016. Actually, the primary reason that
made me an immigrant and decided to flee home is the fierce war that was ongoing in
the country. There was no peace, male people were targeted and persecuted, and
every man’s life in Syria was at risk by then.
Me: how was the experience of you leaving your country of birth and coming to a new
country? Did you come with your family members?
Zabrain: at first, it was a tough decision to make, but I had no alternative since
I could not continue staying and putting my life at risk. By the time I came to the
United States, I had one son, and my wife was expectant with the second born.
Me: how was the immigration process?
Zabrain: (smiling) the immigration process of the United States is one of the
toughest. An individual has to pass along the channel with many explanations why
they are coming into this country. The process is not a simple one, especially for
a people like “us.”
Me: do you mean the process is different for people from different nations?
Zabrain: the process is the same, but for a Muslim, especially from a war-hit
country, the process of verifying the immigration papers is strict. The American
authorities don’t take anything for chance. The other challenge I faced in the
immigration process is the language barrier. By the time I was entering this
country, I was not fully conversant with English. I had to have an interpreter to
assist me in filling the papers as well as in my immigration process interviews. As
a Muslim, you have to prove your full agenda of coming to this country. This
country takes the issue of terrorism with a lot of weight; hence, you have to prove
to be an excellent person to be granted to be in this nation.
Me: how did you accomplish what was needed?
Zabrain: Fortunately, I had all the required details from my home country. It was
also a time when nations where calling an end to the war in Syria. The issue was
known throughout the world, and different nations were receiving immigrants daily.
I was one of the lucky people to be accommodated by this country. Secondly, I have
my relatives who have lived in this country for a long time. They were of great
help to me.
Me: did you face logistical confusion?
Zabrain: (laughing). Definitely yes. Due to the pressure placed on me, I found the
process tricky for me. There were so many papers to fill, many interviews to
attend, and many details to provide.
Me: What about any cultural misunderstandings?
Zabrain: there was a substantial cultural misunderstanding in the immigration
process. There are things that we practice in Syria that are not allowed in this
country. Additionally, there are also cultural practices in America that are not
practiced in Syria. For example, I could not find time to pray as I could be busy
with the process throughout the day. I had to learn various English term and how to
do certain things, like greetings. It was hard for me, but I struggled and made it
through the process.
Me: Lastly, how are you finding life in this country?
Zabrain: it was hard at first, but right now everything is running smoothly and
have adapted to the almost everything practiced here.
Me: Okay, thank you for your time, and wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Zabrain: thank you too.