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Author Archives: Nancy Kalow

Interview with Mona

Interview by Leyla Rasheed ’26 Mona Al-Merstany currently lives in Montreal, Quebec with her partner, Nazir, while working as an Arabic tutor for NaTakallam and singing in the Assaaleek Band. Mona grew up in Damascus, Syria; the youngest of three daughters, Mona felt like she got many of the qualities that her parents (a photographer … Continue reading »

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Interview with Saeed

Interview with Saeed by Abdou Diallo ’26. Saeed currently lives in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Saeed was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. He has had many jobs since he got to Brazil from working at various restaurants, driving Uber, and now a partner with NaTakallam as a Arabic language tutor. Saeed grew up with two … Continue reading »

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Interview with Abdul

Interview with Abdul by Ricky Figueroa-Carillo ’26 Abdul is a Syrian refugee currently living in Berlin, Germany. He is the only person in his family to leave Syria. He is thankful to be able to connect with them through various social media platforms and to have made many friends, both native Germans and fellow Syrians. … Continue reading »

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Interview with Shadi

Interview with Shadi by Geethika Korrapati ’26 Born and raised in the city of Qamishli in Northeast Syria, Shadi presents his unique experience growing up Kurdish under the Syrian regime, not being able to speak Kurdish outside the home. Qamishli is home to a plurality of ethnic groups, but no longer has the same diversity … Continue reading »

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Interview with Rasha

Interview by Ishita Vaid ’26 Rasha is in her twenties and is originally from Homs, Syria. She is married and has two children, Mohammed and Jamal, who made frequent appearances during our conversations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Al-Baath University. Due to the conflict in Syria, Rasha and her family … Continue reading »

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Interview with Haidara

Interview by Sherman Criner ’26 Haidara is a translator from Ras al-Ayn, Syria, currently residing in Lebanon. His family is part of a religious minority in Syria; they still reside in various rural areas of the country. Haidara studied biology in Syria and is currently applying for laboratory positions in Lebanon. Growing up, Haidara enjoyed … Continue reading »

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Interview with Kinda

Interview by Rex Evans ’25 and Karianna Klassen ’25. Kinda is a Syrian refugee currently living in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Before moving to Jordan, Kinda grew up in a large household with nine siblings and studied Economics at Damascus University. Her family stayed in Syria for a few years, hoping to wait out … Continue reading »

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Interview with Faisal

Interview by Matthew Paul ’25 and Michelle Schultze ’25. Faisal is a refugee from Darfur, a region in South Sudan. The war and ethnic genocide broke out in 2003, so Faisal and his family were forced to run. He made it to the border between Sudan and Chad, where he reunited with his sister and … Continue reading »

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Interview with Tarek

Interview by Sami Jinich ’25 and Aline Malek ’25. Tarek Zakanda works as an Arabic tutor for NaTakallam language service in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to teaching Arabic and spreading his Syrian culture, Tarek works as a freelance graphic designer. His artwork is heartfelt and reflective of his displacement as a Syrian refugee and issues … Continue reading »

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Interview with George

Interview by Alexandra Ahdoot ’25 and Blaze Gambla ’25. George is a Syrian refugee who currently lives in Beirut, Lebanon. He was born and raised in Zabadani, a suburb of Damascus, but was forced to flee Syria nine years ago upon experiencing his home being bombed and his city’s devastating destruction. The only family members … Continue reading »

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