Yasmin

Yasmin

Oral history from Cairo, Egypt to Overland Park, Kansas

Yasmin is from Cairo, Egypt. When she was interviewed in 2021, she was a third-year student at the University of Kansas studying behavorial neuroscience and Spanish. She speaks about her experience as the only Egyptian in school classes, her connection to her Egyptian culture via family and trips, and how her identity influenced her future career goals.

2000s

Overland Park, Kansas City

Yasmin (Y)
Radhia (R)

Y: So my name is Yasmin, and my pronouns are she, her, hers. I'm originally from Egypt. I was born in Cairo and I moved to the United States with my parents when I was really young, like a few months old. I have had lots of different times that I have been able to visit Cairo, so I'm very grateful for that.

Y: But most of my life I lived in Overland Park. When I first moved, I lived in Kansas City, Missouri, and then moved to Iowa a little bit. And then moved to the Kansas City metro area where Overland Park is.

Y: So I've been in Overland Park most of my life and now I am an undergraduate student. I'm in my third year at KU and so I’m [living] between Lawrence and Overland Park now. And I'm studying behavioral neuroscience and Spanish. Yeah. I'm involved with lots of service organizations at KU. It's something I'm really passionate about. That's a little bit about me.

Y: I guess the reason why my family and I moved was because of my dad's work. He wanted to do a fellowship in rheumatology and he got matched with the University of Missouri, Kansas City. So that's why we moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

R: Okay. So do you want us to talk about your childhood and what it was like being an Egyptian American? And that move from Cairo to Overland Park?

Y: Yeah, for sure. So I guess my–in my childhood, like I said, I was in Kansas City. I don’t have much memory of that period of my life because it was just for a few years like right when I was born and then moved to Iowa.

Y: So I remember a lot about that and I was like around four at that time. And I remember obviously being the only Egyptian person like that I ever was in my classes. I didn't have any really interaction with other Egyptians except through a couple of family friends that we had.

Y: So when I was in preschool at that time, like, I was the only Egyptian student, so that didn't really create many opportunities for me to become closer to my Egyptian culture.

Y: But at home, my parents spoke Arabic to me and we had lots of close ties to our culture obviously because we had just moved from the–from Egypt. So we didn't know anyone in The States. So there was–it was hard for us to kind of get used to what the Midwest is like and the weather.

Y: Like I said, we didn't know many people, so I was still watching, like, Egyptian TV shows and movies and listening to Arabic music. And so I was very attached to my culture in that way at home, but at school I didn't really get to interact with other kids my age that had similar experiences to me; they are just people who weren't white in general. Like it was very difficult in that sense.

Y: Then I would say, when I moved to Overland Park, I went to his school–I went to Indian Valley for elementary school for half– half [of] my time in elementary school and that also like I wasn't in…I got to meet different Muslim students, which I'm Muslim, so that was a very, very cool experience for once. But again, not many other Egyptians students…

Y: I’m trying to think what else?

Y: I was really– I remember growing up like I was really excited to tell people I was from Egypt. So that's something that I was definitely comfortable sharing.

Y: Definitely like my parents and I had our fair share of racial profiling and discrimination because especially when we moved it was like right after 9/11. So there was things like that that were difficult. Having to hide–I’d hide behind my parents–they have thick accents so they didn't want to share where they were from.

Y: Just like at the grocery store, people asked you where you're from, all this kinda stuff. That's information that they didn't even feel comfortable sharing. So I definitely remember experiences like that, especially within our first years of living in the States.

Y: So I’m trying to think what else..

Y: What was the question again? What else–what else are you asking me to elaborate on?

A: Honest like, I mean, I'm just curious to know about like how your Egyptian identity like influence you living in a state like during your childhood and stuff. I'm like, I understand the whole Islamophobia and all that, and I got that too because, you know, it's the hijab and stuff.

A: But like, I mean, growing up, how are you able to kind of maneuver that and deal with it as you got older?

Y: Yeah. So let me think on [sic] that. I guess as far as like how it shaped my identity is a very big part of my identity for sure. Because like I said, I was, like, the only Egyptian student. So I talked a lot and I would like I remember–I gave presentations in school about Egypt.

Y: I did visit Egypt like in the beginning. When I was first in school, we would go in the summers as much as we could. And it helped me. Helped me…What’s a good word? I don't know it–it helped me really understand different perspectives at a young age, which I know a lot of people don't have, especially people in the Midwest. Often they don't get to go to other countries.

Y: But it was very interesting to see very contrasting cultures like I was living in Overland Park where it's like majority white, very–lots of privileged people. It was a very developed community compared to when I would visit Cairo and there would be lots of homeless people I would come in contact with. And it was just a very different experience. And it also has to do with a lot with history.

Y: I got to learn a lot about history with in relation to other countries like Britain and all of these different–different stories with the other countries. You know, I'm saying like?

Y: My dad growing up would always be like, yeah, so this monument is from the war of whatever. And he would tell me these stories and I learned about a lot of different history like at a young age. So that was like–I really enjoyed that growing up because it would be such a shock to me to hear people who said that they didn't have those experiences and that they were only–they were only familiar with like Johnson County.

Y: So…I’m trying to think…

R: I love that you were raised to celebrate your identity instead of like to hide it. And you were kind of brought up in an environment where you had the opportunity to learn about your cultural history because like Egyptian culture is really rich and interesting culture is like it goes way back. You know, so I'm really glad that your parents did that for you.

Y: Yeah. Me too. I'm really grateful that I especially like having them speak to me in Arabic because knowing your book was the way for me to connect to all these different parts of the culture like movies, speaking to my family at home, like in Egypt because they mainly speak Arabic.

Y: That whole part of it was a really great way for me to connect to them. And yeah, they always like–I was always very excited to tell people. So I was never scared to talk about being Egyptian. My experiences with that. But there's a few times where people are like weird about it, but also it's like something that I was really excited about.

Y: I'm trying to think. What else in specific, more about… how it changed my identity. So I guess it encouraged me to learn about other cultures because they understood the value of doing that at a young age.

Y: So like when I'm studying Spanish now in undergrad, like it's very it's something like I take from those other experiences I had because I understood the value of that at a young age.

Y: So now that I am learning more about Latin culture and learning the Spanish language, it's something that I really value in life in general. So…

R: Now, I'm kind of curious. What was it like going back home to your family in Egypt? The contrast between your culture, your Egyptian American culture, versus their Egyptian–Egyptian culture like what was that like?

Y: Yeah, I'm sure a lot of people have a similar experience to mind because it was something where I didn't really feel like I was fully like Egyptian when I would visit; like people would always like I was always like features like the American.

Y: It's like weird because I remember when I was young, I always, I felt like I was 100% Egyptian. Like I felt I was, I was different from other people. I've had this whole other experience, but then I would go and I noticed my Arabic wasn't as good and I didn't know, you know, all the different foods I got. I was like, I didn't like all the different foods, like, because I was picky at the time. It was something I wasn't used to.

Y: So in that sense, like it was hard because I just felt like I didn't completely belong, but I never–but it wasn't in the case that other people; I know other people experienced that way worse. I'm grateful that I was able to have parents who are very–were almost always talking about the culture at home. So trying to think…

Y: Yeah, it was like–it was weird because I remember just like I remember really not wanting to leave [Egypt] when I would go like I felt I would like when I would leave like I'd be sobbing like I really, really didn't want to leave. Because we would go for a while like we would when we would go back and I was like in middle school, elementary school, we would go for like two months. So that was a long time.

Y: I guess a big part was like family. I was really connected with my family. I still am, but like way more back then. I think it's maybe because I didn't–I had friends growing up–but it's like there's nobody that I was like die-hard like wanting to see during the summers.

Y: I liked didn't have other plans like that. So that was like my main thing that I really enjoyed. Leaving was really hard.

Y: But it was always so fun. It was literally like visiting there [Egypt] was the highlight of my whole year. It was the only thing I was looking forward to. Because again, like, I was just growing closer to something I really loved about myself– just like me.

Y: So that kinda explains, I mean, it's like it definitely taught me at a young age to be humble and appreciate what I have because if you–if I just grew up in Johnson County my whole life without ever seen Egypt like, I don't know what kind of person I would be now, because you see just people like…

Y: Egypt is very diverse. There's lots of different parts of its parts are very developed and like, you know, are similar to like areas in Johnson County in a way, but there's also places where people are really struggling–and it's very structurally just looks very different. Like it's so weird to be like somewhere where there's like, you know..

Y: It looks so different from Overland Park. In my head would always be like this picture perfect town that I like envisioned and I was like coming there's like, you know, it was broken but, you know, it, it had a lot of culture. I really, I also really like being able to interact with just like other Egyptians in general.

Y: Like because they're just like there's something about them. They're like they're all, they're not all the same, but it's like a really good energy that everyone has. And everyone's just very like “go with the flow.” Like they're not, they don't stress out too much. It's a very different culture from here where everyone's like very focused on their work. There, they value family time and they value, you know, having–having a life outside of work. So now it's something that I really enjoyed.

R: I love that and that's actually so heartwarming to hear that. You have that sense of community, you have that sense of identity when you went back home and you could relate to yeah, yeah, he found yourself there, so I think yeah, that was really nice to hear.

R: I mean, like, how did you like–because, you know, based on what you said, this happened a lot in like your early life.. How did you take that and grow from that and influence what you were feeling back in Egypt? And how did you kind of use that as your into more of like your early adult late teens in your college years?

Y: Yeah. Well, I really I like I knew I wasn't gonna be in each of the whole year. I needed to make sure that I was in like, even when I was getting older, like I couldn't go to Egypt as long anymore, like I'd have stuff to do over the summer. So. I knew that in my personal life I wanted to just make sure that I was interacting with more people who like were Egyptian were Arab or Arab in general because we do have similar cultures and other people who are Muslim. Even though it was hard to find people like that at school.

Y: But I remember I never had like one type of friend in high school are now. Like I have very diverse group of friends from cultures that are very similar to mine. So that was my way of kind of growing closer and obviously like–and like meeting you [Radhia]. I was like, Hey, experience for me. Because you like, you know how to pronounce my name like simple little things like that. Like really allowed me to step into my identity more.

Y: And now that I guess my sophomore year, I was in ESO, which is the Egyptian Student Organization which like I didn't even realize there's other Egyptian students other than the three that I knew from Blue Valley. So that was a really, really, like, transformative experience for me because I was around, like, eight Egyptians all at once. Like I was crazy and still getting to talk to them was really fulfilling for me.

Y: So yeah, that's kinda the ways [sic] that I was able to manage that. Again, just kinda like at-home learning more Arabic, watching more movies that are Egyptian movies or Arabic movies. It was my way of kind of growing closer, if that makes sense.

R: No, that doesn't make sense. Yeah. Yeah, That actually makes a lot of sense because I feel the same way with, like, my Somali– my Somali-ness, like whenever I find people who either like they're Muslim Somali or they just share that little bit of identity that is at the forefront of who I am, then it forms a bond.

R: And I feel like yeah, that is what happened with us. That's what happened. If like me, you may arise like people who I like trust because fundamentally you know–we’re the same, but I don't know. So you're saying that you can see my camera is off, but I was smiling the whole time. Yeah, I get that.

R: So okay. So I mean, like obviously you can't speak on your parents’ experiences because you have not lived them but like growing up, like, you know, being around them and their Egyptian-ness, like they're American is like, I mean, like how is your, from your point of view, watching them interact? Like the Johnson County Community…How is it to see your parents kind of maneuver the systems in North America?

Y: Yeah. I was very impressed with my parents because it's just like they–they of course had an advantage. They knew English when we came in. They yeah–I guess I was just always was definitely impressed with them because…they…It's hard to navigate things here.

Y: I'm trying to think like early, early on because that's probably one of the most change was happening. I felt I definitely felt sad for them for sure because the main issue with coming here and navigating everything is like not having your family and back then we didn't have time or anything.

Y: It was very sad to see, like, my mom who was just spending time with me only because my dad would work a lot. So I was I felt that very deeply because like, I knew that they were very close because when I would go visit [Egypt], I would see the bond that my grandparents have with my mom and vice versa. Same thing with my dad.

Y: So I think that definitely sticks out to me…Hmmmm…I’m trying to think..I mean, let's see. I don't know…

Y: My dad…let me try to think about him…because he went to work. He interacted with a lot of people here and like users navigate everything. So I definitely know that his coworkers and everyone was like very–they valued him a lot, especially because from Egypt and practicing medicine, Egypt gave them a lot of valuable experiences that people always were wanting to know about. So he's very valued person where he, where he still works now. So that's something that I always proud of him for.

Y: Like even when, you know, like like I always like, notice that he had a hard time like letting his guard down here because he really likes Egypt–like he like both my parents like he was the one who like, you know, when we would have things here like he's, he's very hard to get into like American TV shows, like American Idol, very attached to Egypt in that way. So it was, like, hard seeing him kind of try and it was hard seeing him not to let his guard down if that makes sense.

Y: Because he–there was [sic] times where people like Midwestern culture, people, like, talk to each other about, like, the weather or something like that. Like he wasn't for it like you literally this is not something he's like comfortable with, especially back then.

Y: So yeah. If that answered your question. I can talk about it more if you just let me know what else you're wanting.

R: No. I mean, like that makes sense. I was just curious like that intergenerational pieces. Like you and your parents, like… Oh, what about your siblings? Like how–how is it for your little sister?

Y: Yeah. So she like–she is a different experience for me because she was born when we lived in Iowa and then we moved to Overland Park. So she never was—she wasn't born in Egypt, but she still got to go to Egypt. And I think she–she's like attached to the culture and different ways for me. Like she really likes, like, Arabic music and different music artists. But it’s not like I don’t but, I don't, but I just not in the way I'm don't like in the way that she does.

Y: So it's interesting to see that because her Arabic, although she can understand very well like she does struggle speaking and she does have a very thick American accent when she says words. So in that way it was kinda hard for her to connect to the people in our family who would just talk to her about stuff in the culture and stuff. So I think it was hard for her in that sense, definitely.

Y: But she's still she–she still had a very similar experience to me because she was able to visit Egypt and although I was born there, I still didn't get to live there for an extended period of time. I think. I think we're similar in that sense, but again, it's a little different.

R: No, I get that. Yeah. Like I feel like when you're older and you keep going back-and-forth, back-and-forth in your the–because you're the eldest daughter, right?

Y: Yeah.

R: Yeah. And it's like, you know, you kind of are that person you know when your grandma calls you on the phone first-person, we'll talk to you as you like. I didn't ask you: “How's your sister ? How's your family?” and then it's like because person like me to like, I'm the one who knows more Somali than my siblings and like my cousin because I was the one who had to talk on the phone. I was the one who is like going back-and-forth and family like a lot more when I was younger in life and I grew up with it a little more than likely siblings does. And it's just like I don't know, like I wouldn't wash them all even though they go.

R: But yeah, I think it's really interesting how many similarities we have, even though, you know, we're rich from two different cultures, you know, our stories are so kind of similar.

R: I don't know, like, do you think your identity, whether it'd be like your immigrant identity or you're watching muslim identity, female identity, whatever it is, has influenced what you wanna do in the future and what you see yourself doing down the line?

Y: Yeah, I think it has because I always knew I wanted to go into a career where I can help people in some way and make change. So whether that is getting an MPA [Masters of Public Administration] and navigating that, I feel like you're just from my experience is now being in service oriented organization like that definitely has influence, has been influenced by my Egyptian identity and my immigrant identity as well.

Y: Because like I've gotten to interact with a lot of people who are in disadvantaged situations. And like, I do want to help people like that, help marginalized identities. I'm fine there, their path and create change in that way. So I think it's definitely influenced it. I like yeah..

Y: I definitely–I pay attention more to issues surrounding people of color like immigrants, a lot, like especially undocumented immigrants. Like that's something that I also want to kind of work towards, like amending their situations when I'm older because it's a very sensitive topic for me because I understand like how on its own, how stressful immigrating to [the United] States can be. And on top of that, their experiences are like really, really traumatizing, like scary for most of their lives.

Y: That's, like, definitely an example of one way that my immigrant identity has shaped what I want to do in the future. Like I do really want to find a profession, profession where I can help them.

R: You know, I think that's really inspiring. It's extremely inspiring.

R: Is there anything else that you wanted to share, any specific life event? Or anything you want to share about whatever you feel comfortable sharing about?

Y: Let's think… Let's see…I think no.

R: Do you have like [unknown] or something? I don't because I definitely want to help out as much as I can with this.

R: No, actually answer all the questions I had. I know we talked about your parents a little bit. What did your mom be down to also be interviewed?

Y: Yeah. I've–I've interviewed her before for things like this and I think she would be down because he has a lot of stories like she has a lot of other experiences that I don't remember. I think she would be good for them.

R: Okay. Perfect. Okay. Well, thank you so much. I appreciate your participation in this project.

R: So we also are going to be documenting the stories and preserving your family's history and putting this all in an archive. So if you had any pictures, or like letters, are important, like cultural objects that you also wanted to share. Feel free to let me know and we can find ways to get that no document and archive for you.

Y: Yeah.

R: Like your story is really important and you're like your Egyptian identity. I think that's so cool because as time progresses and as we get older, there's gonna be things that changed and shifted between like our generation versus their parents' generation rights, things like archiving is really, really cool and really interesting.

Radhia Abdirahman

Yasmin

English

Video

Overland Park, Kansas

Cairo, Egypt

Kansas City, Missouri

Overland Park, Kansas