Ahmad Saad
Get to know us
The question of where I am from has been hard to answer for much of my life. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, but my family relocated to the United States when I was a few years old, spending time in Kentucky and Illinois before we eventually settled in North Carolina. I grew up mainly in college towns as my parents are professors, but I often struggle with identifying a specific hometown. Some of my extended family continues to reside in Cairo, and my parents have made a point to emphasize and familiarize my siblings and I with our cultural heritage, but I recognize that I don’t feel at home when I am in Egypt. I currently reside in Durham, NC, where I have cultivated a community of friends who I can rely on, so I consider myself to be from Durham, but I know that can change over time.
I joined the ACCESS Project in order to better serve the immigrant and refugee community in the greater-Greensboro area. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to integrate into a new community, and I believe that by teaching English classes, I can have a direct and positive impact on the lives of local vulnerable populations. As we continue to witness the villainization of immigrants by some elected representatives, I believe it is critical to be on the side supporting people who came to this country seeking a chance at a better life.
After completing my AmeriCorps service, I will be in the final year of my academic program, planning to graduate with a Masters Degree in Social Work. I hope to become a licensed clinical social worker, specifically supporting immigrants and refugees who are working to integrate into a new home. I plan to be a resource for people of all ages to build skillsets and gain a sense of self-empowerment.
I would like to find a similar organization that supports the needs of vulnerable populations after completing my AmeriCorps year. I recognize that there is no shortage of ways to be helpful, and I am open to trying new experiences in order to build positive relationships and establish myself as a trusted resource for those experiencing oppression.
In my free time I like to explore the outdoors: hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, anything to be outside and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us. I play soccer when I’m able to and I love spending time with my wife and family. I love to read and watch movies, so my ideal day probably involves one or both.
A fun fact that may surprise others is that I attended boarding school from the age of 17-19, living in New Mexico and going to school with people from more than 75 other countries. I lived in a castle in Montezuma, NM during my enrollment, and sometimes I still feel like the entire experience was a strange fever dream.