My father came to America not knowing he would build a life here. Originally attending American University at Cairo, he broadened his interests in the new, growing field of computer science. As he developed a relationship with one of his professors, a material engineer, he fell in love with the idea of advancing his studies in America. To him, the United States was the home of innovation in computer science, and could offer him a lot more in terms of education in that field. He was especially fond of MIT, which he knew because of his professor, and their international reputation for advancements in sciences and technology.
While he was ultimately unsuccessful in going to MIT, he was still able to pursue computer science in New York. My father, brushing off decades-worth of dust, showed me his old freshman year textbook on computer algorithms. He told me how, since computer science was a relatively new field when he was studying it, he was able to find a job that offered him residence within the United States. Living in Long Island at the time, my father took the job. And, pretty soon after, in 1999, he met my mother for the first time on the Long Island Rail Road.
America was originally a place to learn and benefit from flourishing industry. My father admitted to me that, in another life, he might have even returned to Egypt after his education. But, as he placed more roots, America became another home to him.

– I

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