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IMMIGRATION Iraqi searches for the American Dream Baghdad native, Texas A&M student, Green Show veteran makes return visit Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News When he came here from Iraq three years ago to read Shakespeare in the Green Show, Aws Al-Shalash already knew he longed to get his graduate degrees in engineering in this country and become an American. He’s well on his way, having started his master’s degree earlier this year at Texas A&M, earning a full scholarship as long as he gets perfect 4.0 grades and carries a half-time job for living expenses, which he does as a teaching assistant. Al-Shalash in 2012 fell in love with Ashland and its people, especially his host family, husband and wife Bill Heimann and Annette Lewis, who hosted four Iraqi male students. He is staying here with them for a month on winter break. He came with a group of Shakespeare buffs from American University of Iraq in Sulaimani and performed four Green Shows at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. “It was fascinating how friendly people are here,” says Al-Shalash in virtually perfect English. "It was great seeing the Fourth of July parade, the government officials walking down the street and the jets flying through the sky. The jets amazed everyone, but I was used to them. I promised myself I would come back. I’ve always had that dream.” Al-Shalash, 24, was born on the day that “Bush the father,” as he is called, launched the Desert Storm war. Ashland — people out on the street, smiling and enjoying life — reminds him of his native Baghdad, he says, before the war to oust Saddam Hussein began in 2003. “In Iraq, the community has changed a lot. People are afraid and don’t make eye contact on the street,” he says, while enjoying pasta with his host mother. Now, Iraq is fractured into many religious groups, each jockeying for and amassing status and power, while oppressing and forming hit lists for the others. This prompted his family’s exodus from Baghdad, he says. “It’s real sad, but it’s the story of my life now. There is no opportunity or future there. It’s very corrupt.” Upon graduation with his bachelor’s degree, Al-Shalash was offered careers with American corporations in Iraq, including General Electric, but he said no. “I had to live in America. The main thing is the American Dream of equality and opportunity. It’s the best model in the world. I want success. Family comes first, then education is second. That’s the key to success. These are the values I will secure my life with and take care of my family.” Getting there is a long series of hoops and hurdles, which, so far, Al-Shalash is navigating. His master’s program is two years but he secured only a one-year visa here. He must get another year’s extension and keep his grades perfect. He is working on campus in robotics, helping develop an anthropoid robot about the size of a 12-year-old, mobile on two legs and verbal, with facial expressions. He is slated to finish his master’s in spring 2017, and wants his Ph.D. in the energy sustainability field offered by Texas A&M. However, Al-Shalash notes concern over immigration issues raised in the U.S. presidential campaign that could stall his education and citizenship. Adjustment to life in red-state Texas has been “challenging,” he says. Al-Shalash, who prays to Mecca five times a day, laughingly tells the story of being at a movie theater in Corpus Christi with two Muslim friends, when it was time to pray. The movie was in progress, and a side hall was seemingly deserted. They got on their knees to pray and were spotted by someone who told security. Two armed guards showed up, put their hands on their holstered pistols and asked what was going on. Al-Shalash and friends explained they were only praying. It was a tense moment but, he says, the guards were satisfied and went on their way. Al-Shalash is being shown the winter sights of Southern Oregon by Bill Lewis, a longtime bicycle shop owner, and Annette, a retired teacher who now leads Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes in Shakespeare. They pedal on many cross-country trips and, after quizzing Al-Shalash about biking Iraq — and finding that the “regular folks” of the back country are friendly — Bill Lewis says he plans to do it next March. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 25, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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