Destiny and Dentistry
So I was born in 2004 in Iraq. I moved to Syria when I was around five. So I only went to preK in Iraq.
Do you still consider yourself from there, though, since you were born there?
Absolutely, yeah. Especially when your parents are Iraqi and you kind of visit, it stays in there.. But I know, for example, peers of mind that are also originally from Iraq. They were born over there, but they moved here when they were like two. So I feel like the first five years of living in Iraq and the next two years of living in Sira, for example, really exposed me to this Arabic community, the culture.
And then when did you come to the U.S., just for school?
I came to the States in 2014. I came here as a refugee because of war from there.
What’s that situation like?
Um. It’s frightening, but I would honestly say that pressure was mostly on the parents. As children we were not really as scared because we don’t really know the consequences of things happening. But the parents are the ones that their children are their responsibility, so they have to take care of that. But it is a very different experience and it exposed us to so many different lessons. I’m very grateful for it. They were tough lessons, but at the end of the day, they trained us to be the people that we are today.
Yeah. So, I think I have a perfect question that I’d love to know. The question is: the kid you were when you were dealing with all of this and moving around, coming here from such a difficult situation, that kid, what would you say to him right now if he was in front of you?
Um. I would honestly hug him at first. A big hug, like an older brother. I’m probably gonna tell him everything will be fine. I’m a strong believer of destiny and a strong believer of “what’s meant for you will find you, no matter what”.
I had no idea, but at five, at even eight years old, I had no idea that I’d actually end up in the United States in a 180 degree switch from my home environment. So it was meant for me, and it found me. So just kind of… seek for what you want, but at the same time, let go.
Do you think that if you had stayed. If you hadn’t come to the United States, do you think you would have found your love of dentistry? Do you think that it’s because of all of that, that you’re here and you found that?
That’s a very good question.. I’m not sure, honestly. ‘Cause I know currently in Iraq, dentistry is actually one of the most aspiring fields, many students are going into it.
Really?
Yeah, especially since so many private schools opened up.
The criteria to enroll in dentistry is not as competitive as it used to be, but it’s kind of backfiring because the government isn’t prepared for this excess amount of students coming into the field. So there are no jobs really. But at the same time, for example, it takes five years to be a dentist over there, it takes eight over here.. So maybe, possibly. But different places, different situations, different outcomes, for
sure..
So, do you like the more artsy reconstruction side of it, or just the typical cleaning things, like the upkeep side?
I’d say it’s a combination of both, for sure. You have to kind of love both things. It’s a two in one package.
Do you ever consider maybe art or something more technical?
For sure, yes. There’s art in everything. Any job that you do, there’s art in it. So it doesn’t necessarily mean, “oh, I’m good at art. I should just be a dentist.” Everybody would be a dentist then.
Everyone has a different sort of artistry in them, and they kind of just choose what best fits them.
How would you describe your artistry? ‘Cause I agree. I think everyone has a very specific little artist in them.
I would honestly say very elegant and organized. For example, if something is a little disordered on my desk, I will focus on it, and I can’t really get my work done. In high school or during the first three years of my university experience. I’m a very heavy user of the calendar. I wrote down every assignment, every deadline. But at some point during my senior year, I wasn’t so strict on myself, might be because I got seniorites… in a way. But it kind of opened this door that nothing has to be perfect all the time. Things can go wrong and that’s okay.
