"From Resilience to Empowerment"
From Somalian refugee to U.S. Senate intern, Kamar’s story highlights the importance of perseverance and the necessity of support from ones community. When Kamar’s family came to the United States in 2017, one significant aspect of her experience was the sense of belonging she found in the Refugee Dream Center’s youth program. Being surrounded by others who shared similar backgrounds helped ease her transition to the U.S. and alleviate feelings of loneliness. This underscores the crucial role of support networks in empowering individuals facing challenging circumstances.
The Refugee Dream Center became a safe haven for Kamar, a place where she could connect with others who understood her journey. Through the program, she formed deep friendships with fellow refugees and developed a support network that became her second family. The center provided language classes, mentoring, and counseling services that helped Kamar rebuild her life and set her sights on a brighter future. Her first job at Dunkin’ Donuts provided her with valuable insights into U.S. work culture and equipped her with essential skills.
While in school, she applied for an internship in the U.S Senate and to her delight, was accepted. The internship was a transformative experience for Kamar. She immersed herself in the political process, attending hearings, drafting reports, and witnessing the inner workings of democracy. Her preconceived notions about politicians were changed as she observed their dedication to effecting change for the betterment of the country.
The internship not only deepened Kamar’s understanding of the political process but also opened her eyes to the power of psychology in driving social change. She realized that the intersection of psychology and politics could be a powerful force for addressing the needs of marginalized communities, particularly refugees and immigrants. Inspired by this realization, Kamar set her sights on pursuing a master’s degree in psychology and becoming an advocate for the mental health and well-being of displaced individuals.
Kamar’s story exemplifies the power of embracing new experiences, challenging preconceptions, and remaining open to learning. Looking ahead, she aspires to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and get involved in politics. She dreams of securing an internship with UNICEF and working closely with refugees and immigrants. She also hopes to travel extensively, immersing herself in different cultures and providing a unique cultural perspective within the field of psychology.
Having experienced the challenges faced by displaced individuals firsthand, Kamar is driven to make a positive impact and offer assistance to others in similar situations. She takes pride in her own professional achievements and aims to help other refugees reach their full potential, ultimately contributing to the thriving refugee community.