HAROON SAFI

I’In the 1990s, due to the civil unrest and conflicts in Afghanistan, my family and I immigrated to Pakistan. I went to a private school there, but I didn’t understand the local language, Urdu, at first It was tough, but through hard work and determination, I overcame those challenges and succeeded academically.

In 2001, after the fall of the Taliban regime, I returned to Afghanistan and started working there In 2014 my family and I were granted an SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) to come to the United States.

We arrived in St Louis, Missouri, in 2014, and the adjustment was a big challenge I was prepared for life in the U S , but it was much harder for my wife and children They weren’t familiar with Western culture or the English language, and I found myself juggling full-time work while helping my family adjust to their new life. At one point, I even thought about going back to Afghanistan because the transition was so overwhelming for them I remember my initial resettlement in St. Louis was not easy or straightforward for my family and me. The only organization I knew about at the time was the International Institute, the resettlement agency. Our Afghan community was relatively small back then, and there wasn’t much collaboration or support Thriving and finding our way in St louis was something I had to work hard for

Since 2014, St. Louis has become much more welcoming to refugees and immigrants; it’s a city rich in diversity and multiculturalism.

I’ve discovered that St Louis has multiple nonprofit agencies helping refugee and immigrant populations In March 2023, I took a job with Monarch Immigrant services as a program coordinator. I also have many friends and former colleagues who work with the immigrant population in other states

When we talk about the experience of immigrants and refugees, I can confidently say that St. Louis, Missouri is one of the most welcoming and respectful cities. This sentiment supports what I hear from others across the country Additionally, the cost of living here is significantly lower compared to other states, I firmly believe there are more job opportunities and resources to help people thrive than other urban areas

One of the reasons we chose St. Louis was because our family members have lived here for decades St Louis has been a welcoming place for us, and there are many things I’ve come to love about it. The weather here reminds me of home because we also experienced all four seasons in Afghanistan I enjoy the beautiful parks and greenery in St Louis, which is a nice contrast to my home country, where natural beauty comes from the majestic mountains rather than lush parks

In conclusion, my journey from Afghanistan to St Louis, Missouri under the SIV program has been filled with challenges, resilience, and growth Despite the initial hardships of navigating life in a new country, St Louis has proven to be a welcoming and supportive city for refugees and immigrants. My personal experience, along with my work supporting immigrant papulations, reinforces my belief that St. Louis is a city that truly embraces newcomers and offers a path to success through hard work and determination.

Life in the U.S. offers many freedoms and opportunities, but what I miss most about my homeland is the strong social bonds In Afghanistan, family life was much closer-knit and brothers, sisters, parents, and extended relatives lived closely together Unfortunately, because of the conflict, my family has scattered across the world

I still prefer traditional Afghan dishes like Qabli Palau, Mantu, and Bolani, which remind me of home, but I’ve also come to enjoy pizza!

Despite everything, I am grateful for the journey that brought me here St Louis has become home, and I’ve learned to appreciate the little things, like a peaceful walk in the park or watching my favorite sports MMA and cricket

Thank you for listening to my story. I hope it inspires you to appreciate your own journey and to embrace others who may be walking a different path