Interviewee: Ibrahim Mohamad
Interviewer: Helena Cruz
Relationship: Friend of family
Date: January 15, 2002
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A man comes to America because of a change in regime in The Sudan

What is your full name?

My name is Ibrahim Mohamad.

What is your nationality

Sudanese

What is your date of birth?

January 1, 1958.

Where were you born?

I was born in a town called Mian that was on the west coast [side] of Sudan.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I moved to Philadelphia in the year 1990.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

Political reasons, there was a change in my country and I was forced to leave.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

The one thing that I didn't like was that each time the political situation changed, your ideologies have to change because you're either with them or against them.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

First, I came to New York, then I moved to Washington because I had a couple of friends there, then I had my brother and one friend that lived in Philadelphia that visited me. That's why I moved to Philadelphia.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

To Philadelphia? I took the plane from Sudan to London, it took about seven hours, then from London to New York about nine more hours, then from New York to Washington, D. C. I took the train for two hours and a half from Washington to Philadelphia.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Because my brother, he moved first before I came here. So I knew I would come live with him when I moved.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

Alone in fact, from my country.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I remember my family there, the last day they were saying good-bye to me when I left my country. I just miss them, that's why I remember them the most.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

The differences is that here, when the political regime changes, the whole government [doesn't have] to change. That wasn't the case in my country. I liked that. I miss the people and my family the most.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected stability, I expected my career to move on, and I will continue my vocation, that's what I expected.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I come up here to complete my education, makes money, lots money.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

The difference is when I came here first Philadelphia, it wasn't a huge city as it comes to be now - a - days, as if it was ten years ago.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My career, my family, which I miss them the most.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

First, I tried to start all over from scratch. That was my biggest problem.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I would say a thousand dollars. I was lucky because my brother was here. He sent me the money. But not too many people will come with a lot of money.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

By changing to a new environment. I said I have to adapt for me to continue the career that I wanted to continue. So I made the hard work to adapt to the new environment.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because the sacrifices I made and because of the opportunities that I finally have.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I was having a master degree in African communications before I moved here. When I moved here in 1990, I put another graduates diploma in psychology and then I stayed.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, I do not regret moving in here because of the opportunities I had over the years. I really miss my family that's all.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

When the regime changed up there, the economic properties began to filter to my country. I think that would be a good reason to go back there.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

It wasn't a pleasant job. I was a cab driver in Washington DC. It wasn't that great, I tell you that.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I would say that it is a lot of sacrifices here to move to a different country, a different continent, and come with all the hopes and try to make the most out of it, but with hard work and sacrifices you will be able to achieve your goals.

I didn't know a lot of English when I came here because we were being colonized by the British, so I was more accustomed to the British accent, than to the American accent. That was a problem for me when I moved here. Eleven years since I saw my family, I am planning to go back in February of 2002.

1/4/2001