Salman’s Story: A Young Pakistani Refugee Finds His Calling in Healthcare

Life in Malaysia as Refugees

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Salman and his family were forced to flee to Malaysia when he was just seven years old. “I never went back to Pakistan,” he says.

Life in Kuala Lumpur was challenging: “As refugees, you are not allowed to work, so my family had many financial issues.” Thankfully, Salman’s family found a supportive community, who helped make sure he could complete his schooling and enroll in college.

The Long, Uncertain Road to the U.S.

For years, Salman and his family hoped for resettlement in the United States, but after multiple medical exams, little communication, and fourteen years of waiting, they doubted the chance would ever come. “I had given up,” Salman reflects. “Then one day, we received a call. I was shocked.” With just two weeks to prepare, Salman, his parents, and his two younger brothers said goodbye to friends, teachers, and neighbors and boarded a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai, then another to New York, before finally driving to their new home: Lowell, Massachusetts.

Coming to the U.S. was an incredible opportunity, but those early days were still tough: “When we came here, we didn’t have a car, and it was snowing. I was so down. I was not the same Salman.” He missed his community and the familiarity of his previous life. Thankfully, he didn’t have to navigate this transition on his own.

Discovering a New Career Interest

IINE was there to support Salman and his family from day one. Case workers helped them secure housing and get settled in their new home, and then introduced Salman to IINE’s Refugee Youth Program. The program provides case management and educational and career support for youth ages 16-21, ensuring young refugees succeed in school, build job skills, and connect with their peers and community.

Salman dove headfirst into every opportunity available to him. He became a regular at IINE’s youth workshops and yoga sessions, always a smiling face and active participant.

He was also eager to continue his college education, but as a refugee, he had to wait a year before becoming eligible for tuition assistance. During this period, IINE’s Youth team learned of Salman’s growing interest in healthcare. Last fall, they encouraged him to enroll in IINE’s free Certified Nursing Assistant training program. When he sought to gain more hands-on experience, IINE’s Employment team helped him find a job at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility as a personal caregiver. By spring, Salman’s hard work had paid off. He passed the licensing exam to become a registered Certified Nursing Assistant.

Finding Sunnier Days

Salman says that if he were to take away one lesson from the obstacles and opportunities he’s encountered, it’s that “the dark clouds are not going to always be there.” These days, he finds there’s more sunshine.

With IINE’s support, Salman has secured a scholarship, enrolled at a local college, and is now pursuing a degree in biology. “I count my blessings every day. Going to school and attending lectures is a blessing to me. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and helping my residents is a blessing.”

Salman hopes to work in medicine one day, potentially as a general practitioner or civil surgeon. Whatever role he lands on, he knows it will be in service of others: “Serving, volunteering, and helping people—that’s my hope for the future. I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t even be able to speak English, if other people hadn’t helped me when I needed it the most.”

- - -

Біженці та іммігранти здійснюють довгі, важкі подорожі, щоб уникнути насильства і почати нове життя в США . Ви можете надати їм допомогу, якої вони потребують.