Gais Zifa had lived a relatively normal childhood in his home country in Damascus, Syria up until 2011.
The Syrian conflict began in early 2011 with demonstrations demanding President Bashar al-Assad’s resignation, as his family had held presidency over Syria since 1971. Over the course of the following two years, Gais focused on earning good grades, as the last few years of high school are known to “make-or-break” a Syrian’s future. But even with the intent of successfully graduating high school, Gais and his family’s future was already in danger.
As the demonstrations turned more violent, the Syrian army went head-to-head with demonstrators and the country descended into a civil war. “Between 2011 and 2013, I tried to attend to my education to the best of my ability, considering the awful circumstances and events happening at the time,” said Gais. “After I graduated from high school, I wanted to enroll in the architecture school at Damascus University. However, during that month in which we were supposed to register for classes, things in Syria escalated significantly. I remember seeing photos and videos of bombs falling on that same University in different parts of campus.”
Meanwhile, Gais and his family had planned to visit their family in the United States in summer of 2013. He explains, “We only came to the United States to visit family for a few weeks, perhaps even a month. But while we visited, the civil war in Syria escalated to unimaginable levels, with bombings gradually moving toward Damascus and Aleppo.” With very few options left and already out of Syria’s devastating war, Gais and his family decided to stay in the U.S. to escape the horrifying aftermath of the conflict.
The UN estimated that 90,000 people had been killed in the conflict by June 2013, with figures climbing to 250,000 by August of 2015. Gais explains, “I think a lot of people believe refugees are in the U.S. to take advantage of the situation, which is very far from the truth. They don’t realize the hardships you have to endure. Anyone can become a refugee in an instance. A natural disaster or political conflict can lead to an influx of refugees at any instance, no one is immune.”
In fact, a UN commission of inquiry found evidence of that all groups involved in the conflict have committed war crimes—including torture, rape, murder, and enforced disappearances. They have also blocked international relief organizations from providing aid, such as food, water, and access to medical emergency services.
Gais explains, “Most of my family who stayed in Syria live in relatively safe areas but due to the brutal consequences that follow war, they’ve been lacking the essentials in life such as gas, electricity, water, etc..”
Like millions of other refugees across the world who have been displaced, Gais would eventually want to go back to his home country, once the conflict is resolved. “I’ve been separated from my family and close friends for the last several years and have had very little mobility or certainty about my future. The reality is that I can’t go back to Syria right now, even though the situation is getting a lot better,” said Gais. After having to flee Syria, Gais went on to pursue a degree in biology, with a minor in chemistry, and will earn a Master’s degree in bio molecular science. “I’m grateful to be in the U.S. and am giving back as much as I can.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.