The Road Since Syria

Wisconsin Public Radio features a special series of programs called “Not From Around Here.” The programs will air Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning on May 22. The series is produced by UW-Superior student Olivia Shalaby. Shalaby has been working as a reporter for KUWS-FM (91.3) Wisconsin Public Radio in Superior.

The series of programs will feature interviews with six international students studying at UW-Superior and the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Students hail from Italy, Japan, Syria, Guatemala, Nigeria, and Peru.

The series kicks off with a one-hour interview with a UMD student from Aleppo, Syria. The Syrian international student, known only as “I,” declined to give his name out of fear for himself and his family still living in Aleppo. “I” shares his experiences studying in the U.S. and what it was like after living in a war zone for two years.

“Last day for me in Syria, before I leave the country, I was going to get my international driving license,” recalled I. “I used to take a certain street, but somehow I changed my mind and I took another one, which is a little bit longer. Anyways, when I got to the stop light and I was waiting to cross the street, a bomb dropped there – where I was supposed to be if I took that street. But, lucky I didn’t.”

The students share their experiences abroad, cultural differences, stereotypes and views about studying in the Twin Ports and the U.S. They also share their opinions on the current political climate towards foreigners.