“My name is Abdikarim Hassan. I am from Somalia and came to Rochester, Minnesota, in 2016. When I arrived in America, it was a great opportunity for me to start my new life. I had a rough upbringing during my childhood back in Somalia, so it was a dream come true when I arrived in the United States.
“For me, coming to Minnesota was about working hard and making a living for myself. For example, right now I am a volunteer for Family Service Rochester, where I help refugees who arrive in Rochester with language translation and other services.
“Living in America has opened my eyes to various things, including how America operates with 50 states and has a great foundation to the country. Sometimes, I wish Somalia could have that same foundation of operating like America does. If that was the case, I wouldn’t personally be in the United States.
“My wish for other refugees is to find peace from the wars they have escaped from. I want to remind them to never give up on the problems they will face in their new countries. It will be hard adjusting to an unfamiliar environment, but with hard work and dedication, new refugees will find true success.”
