العربيةIn 2015, when I started my first in London I had no idea what to expect. A terrifying doubt lingered in my mind about whether my work experience would hold up in the land of world leaders. I wasn’t confident in my accent, pronunciation, or English vocabulary. Not to mention my apprehension about the cultural shock we were raised to fear as children. All of this and more made me start my job with my head down, fully focused on my work, determined to give my best.
The winds of change have blown once again, and I decided to leave my job, bidding farewell to clients and colleagues. Their reactions and messages were beyond heartwarming. I exchanged phone numbers with some, promising to meet again, while others were genuinely eager to stay in touch. Some managers even offered me opportunities in their companies whenever I was ready. All of this softened my hardened heart because I never expected any of it.
Now, as I look back on this short adventure, I feel deeply grateful for the kindness I was met with from day one—kindness that played a crucial role in helping me break out of my shell. Had patience and warmth not been the prevailing traits here, I would have been in a very different place today. My gratitude is mixed with pride because every time I was asked where I was from, I answered, “I am a Syrian refugee.” I enjoyed the puzzled looks on their faces as they struggled to reconcile what they saw on their television screens with the ordinary, everyday person standing before them. My humble success had a small role in reshaping how Westerners see us—something I never dreamed I could have an impact on.