How can we help new immigrants integrate?
Throughout history, immigration has been a constant. Whether escaping from war, political and religious persecution or searching for a better future, there is no doubt that leaving the comfort of your home for the unknown is exciting, stressful and challenging.
With the current situation in the Middle East, immigration among Arabs has soared to the point where it is almost cliché. In my own personal experience, any new immigrant that arrives in the US is facing a host of unknowns such as dealing with new people from different backgrounds, beliefs and moral values; different work environments; and new financial realities.
Fresh immigrants really have two choices at this point. They can either try to figure all these unknowns by themselves, making a number of mistakes along the way, or they can rely on the support and help of established family members and friends, who through their own experience and mistakes can provide helpful advice.
Which brings us to the question - what kind of responsibility does an established community bear towards new immigrants?
After all, established immigrants have gone through the entire immigrant experience. They should know better than anybody else how new immigrants feel, the kind of questions they have and what kind of information they would need, as well as the difficulties they will face.
When I arrived five years ago in a city where I knew no one, I appreciated every little bit of help I got along the way. I believe that the community could have played a vital role and responsibility in helping immigrants like me. To give a few examples, they could help in navigating the whole credit card and credit history system, which does not even exist in the Arab world, provide information about housing accommodations and even explain what a 401k is. These are just a few examples.
So, now it is your turn – how would you like to see the established Arab-American community help new immigrants?
With the current situation in the Middle East, immigration among Arabs has soared to the point where it is almost cliché. In my own personal experience, any new immigrant that arrives in the US is facing a host of unknowns such as dealing with new people from different backgrounds, beliefs and moral values; different work environments; and new financial realities.
Fresh immigrants really have two choices at this point. They can either try to figure all these unknowns by themselves, making a number of mistakes along the way, or they can rely on the support and help of established family members and friends, who through their own experience and mistakes can provide helpful advice.
Which brings us to the question - what kind of responsibility does an established community bear towards new immigrants?
After all, established immigrants have gone through the entire immigrant experience. They should know better than anybody else how new immigrants feel, the kind of questions they have and what kind of information they would need, as well as the difficulties they will face.
When I arrived five years ago in a city where I knew no one, I appreciated every little bit of help I got along the way. I believe that the community could have played a vital role and responsibility in helping immigrants like me. To give a few examples, they could help in navigating the whole credit card and credit history system, which does not even exist in the Arab world, provide information about housing accommodations and even explain what a 401k is. These are just a few examples.
So, now it is your turn – how would you like to see the established Arab-American community help new immigrants?
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This entry was contributed by NAAP-Boston member, Tarek Abu Jabarah. You can reach Tarek through NAAP-Boston at naap-boston@naaponline.org.