By KALEY GILBERT
Moving from one country to another is a huge change in one’s life, but while some might run from the change, freshman Ola Khalaf chooses to embrace it.
“I miss all my family and friends, but you have to try new things and be open to change,” Khalaf said.
Khalaf certainly has her share of the moving experience. She was born in Egypt and lived there until she was four years old before moving to Saudi Arabia where she lived until she was 15. Her family then moved to Florida where she has been living for the last three months.
Life in America differs in various ways, one example being education.
“We moved here because the schools there aren’t as good. I wanted a better education than what Saudi Arabia offered,” Khalaf said.
In Saudi Arabian schools boys and girls are in separate rooms with very little contact. Khalaf cites this as one of the main things she disliked about Saudi schools along with the teachers.
[In Saudi Arabia] I had teachers fall asleep in class. All the teachers here [In the United States] are so nice and helpful,” Khalaf said.
Other differences are the Muslim traditions such as wearing a burqa. A burqa is the full dress black cloak that women are required to wear in public. The only exception is when women are among their relatives. Life in Saudi Arabia is also more restrictive to women than in America. They are not allowed to drive, get a job or go out in public without the accompaniment of men.
“I don’t like the way women are treated in Saudi Arabia. They deserve to go out on their own. I feel bad for the women back in Saudi Arabia,” Khalaf said.
Now that they are living in the U.S., Khalaf and the women of her family are looking forward to the greater opportunities.
“My hopes are that my daughters will be well educated and become whoever they want to be in the future. Because all I care about now is there happiness and success. I’m trying to study something and get a job [as well]. I hope I’ll get the job I want,” Ola’s mother, Samah Khalaf, said
But despite their happiness over moving, assimilating to a new culture is still difficult for the family.
“I felt a little upset [about moving] because I’m not used to America’s culture. It’s kind of hard for me to accept the fact that I live here, but at the same time I was excited to start a new life,” mother Samah Khalaf said.
Overall, Khalaf keeps a positive attitude towards moving and embraces the opportunity for new experiences.
“Be open to new experiences. It can be really hard but moving is amazing,” Khalaf said.