Becoming American: Teenagers and Immigration

My parents left Egypt because they wanted their children to have more opportunities. They have been very successful, but being a Muslim girl in America is hard. I am 18 years old, and I’ve never had a boyfriend. I also don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. When I was young, like in ninth grade, kids didn’t understand me. Now they respect me and want to be my friend. I hope to be a dress designer and have my own classy line of fashion wear.

— Engie Hassan, age 18

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