Ali. A lee

To people from my refugee community. Be patient during the time you are settling in your new home here in the United States. Things take time including your immigration documents like green card and citizenship applications, especially during these days of Covid-19. Be productive, volunteer, show acts of kindness and tolerance.

Ali Tinai is from Eritrea, a small country in East Africa. He left his home country at a young age to avoid being drafted in to the indefinite life of militarism after high school. He walked across the border to neighboring Sudan and then to Egypt where he became a refugee. During his time in Egypt he made the best out of every opportunity he got in front of him. He learned English and helped his refugee community. He came to the US in November 2014. He went to high school for a year and 6 months and then went to college. He has studied International Politics. He made many accomplishments during his time in college. He was a presidential scholar from the political science department at Western Michigan University when he graduated in April 2020. He plans to attend graduate school in George Washington University and study security policy. He wants to work in the field of diplomacy for his future career. Currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he work for a nonprofit organization.

Facebook: Ali Tinai

Instagram: @batinay2009

Twitter: @batinay2009

Topics covered:

the refugee experience: Eritrea, East Africa to Sudan to Egypt to America

living in a refugee camp

transitioning into school from being a refugee

transitioning into giving back and living in different countries

to reach the host: https://www.facebook.com/catalystforchangestories

[email protected]

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWXiilXqrHS4YhmkVc8hBg/