A Syrian Immigrant: In Search Of Belonging — A Story of Saudi Arabia & Canada
How can a place be called home if one can never be allowed to stay without cause?
Growing Up — Saudi Arabia
I am ethnically Syrian, but I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia until I was 18 years old.
At 18, I left to Sharjah, a city in United Arab Emirates, to study, and a few years later, I started working in Dubai.
In 2017, I was accepted as a Syrian refugee to Canada.
Saudi Arabia — Home?
I am only Syrian based on ethnicity, I rarely visited Syria, so I couldn’t fit in within the Syrian community.
I was also not ethnically Saudi, and although I was raised there, I never felt I was Saudi.
My family, at the time I was born, had been living in Saudi Arabia for over 40 years.
Regardless of the time a foreign national spends in Saudi Arabia, the government does not grant citizenship to any foreign national.
Canada — Home, Finally?
As soon as I entered Canada, I was given a permanent residence.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t have to fight to be where I wanted to be.
With this new status, I was given healthcare and the opportunity to study again, and explore career opportunities that weren’t available in Saudi Arabia.
Most importantly:
I was given individuality.
I was given the chance to think about things, and expand my mind with perspectives I was oblivious to.
Saudi Arabia — No Hard Feelings
I have nothing against Saudi Arabia, I am in fact grateful that I had the opportunity to be there, I know there are worse countries to grow up in.
My family and I also undoubtably gained from the transaction, let us be honest, that is what it is.
Regardless, I will always love Saudi Arabia, it is where I took my first steps and met my first friend.
Canada — Grateful
I cannot pretend that there aren’t many issues with Canada. There are a ton of issues, starting with its living expense…cough.
And, of course there is a benefit to the government that I immigrated here, but:
I can build a family in Canada.
I can stay indefinitely and build a family that lasts generations. I can call it home and my kids could as well:
I don’t have to explain why I am here.
This made me want to learn the Canadian ways, and adopt their culture and traditions.
In an expression of my gratefulness, I wanted to return the favor.
Home — Definition
Sure, home is where your family and loved ones are, but in the Middle East, everyone is searching for better opportunities, and that often takes them to different countries.
You will often find scattered Middle Eastern families across the world.
People from Bilad al-Sham, Levant Area (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, etc...), often immigrate to the Gulf for economic prosperity, until they have to leave.
Conclusion
There are different experiences and I don’t aim to throw a blanket judgement on either countries.
This is just my experience with both countries and the feelings I had living in them.
I think everyone strives to belong, to be accepted and respected. The above is my story in search of that.
