Children of immigrants: Nadia Romhen on feeling connected to family and the Middle Eastern community

Written by Aneta Molenda

New York City has served as the hub of the Syrian diaspora community for many decades. In the late 19th century, there was a strong and vibrant enclave known as Little Syria in Manhattan. Within a few short decades, Syrian-Americans created over 300 businesses and community organizations throughout New York City. Families who became financially stable started leaving Little Syria’s tenements and moving to Brooklyn neighborhoods, particularly around Atlantic Avenue. Similar to the fate of many immigrant enclaves in Manhattan, what led to the eventual demise of Little Syria was displacement—in the 1940s the construction of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel displaced many local residents. Twenty years later came the World Trade Center and with it came more evictions and the end of Little Syria.

Today, there are more than one million Middle Eastern and North African immigrants living in the United States, and more than 154,000 people across the country report Syrian ancestry—one of whom is Nadia Romhen, a native New Yorker and a second generation Syrian immigrant. 

Though Nadia currently resides in Los Angeles, where she works full-time as an assistant designer, she was raised between New York and Syria. She credits both cultures as having contributed to her personal growth and experiences, particularly the strong family dynamics in her ancestral home of Syria. Here, Nadia discusses her experiences as a second generation Syrian immigrant in NYC, including how she’s maintained family and community ties.

 

How did your family end up in the United States?

My father came to New York from Syria at the age of 18 — all alone, not knowing the language and not knowing anyone. He graduated from college and got his bachelor’s degree in engineering.

I was born in Brooklyn and moved to Syria to learn the language when I was 6 years old. After living there for 4 years I came back to New York.

 

In what ways did growing up in Syria and New York shape you as a person? How did you adjust between the two countries?

In the village I resided in back in Syria, everyone was family; ten aunts and uncles from my mother’s side and eight from my father’s. I was always around people, always socializing. It turned me into a social butterfly — I made friends left and right. People there are friendly and welcome you with open hands. I have no problem approaching people and talking to anyone and I’m very grateful for that.

Leaving all that behind was challenging. It was definitely a culture shock coming back to the United States for me. Especially the busy, concrete city of New York out of all places. I guess you can say I never fully adjusted, I just adapted to my new surroundings. Nothing will compare to the life I had there for that short period of time.

 

What makes these two very different places special to you?

[In Syria] life isn’t about materialistic things. As long as you had your friends and family around that’s all that mattered. Someone always had my back and I never felt alone. I was really close to everyone around me and it’s made me an open-hearted and caring individual.

Shortly after moving back to New York my parents split up. My mom’s side of the family was kept away from me and I felt like a huge chunk of me was missing. Adapting to being independent and relying on myself as well as taking care of my sister was a huge part of my growing process. New York taught me how to be the independent woman I am today.

 

Can you tell me about growing up bilingual? In what ways do you feel connected to the immigrant community and does your ability to speak Arabic affect that connection?

I speak, read and write Arabic and it’s something I take a lot of pride in. It’s not an easy language to learn and with the help of school and my family I am currently fluent. I can tell when someone is Middle Eastern and I usually approach them with a marhaba, which translates to hello in English. It definitely makes me feel more connected to the Middle Eastern community because their eyes light up when they find out I speak the language.

Syrian culture is so beautiful and different than any other culture. The food, language, music, attire, mannerisms. It’s always comforting to bump into someone from back home.

 

Have current events, particularly the war, shaped the way you identify or relate to your friends, family, and even strangers who live in Syria?

Absolutely. Having my siblings, mother and other family members currently residing [in Syria] has had an impact on me like nothing else before. Living in fear of what might come next is never a good feeling. My heart and mind are always with all those who are struggling with the terrible things going on.

 

What stereotypes or generalizations do people make about you when they find out you are Syrian-American? What’s one thing you wish people understood about where you come from?

I always get asked, “Are you Muslim?” People associate terrorism and religion with my nationality, which I despise. I used to tell people I was Syrian and they would have no idea what or where that is.

Stereotypes also come from Middle Easterners that I meet. Having tattoos and piercings are two things that aren’t accepted in my culture, so when I meet a Middle Easterners they are always shocked to see that and I tend to get stereotyped as a “rebel” or “bad egg.”

 

You’re also an artist. How does your art and your approach to life reflect your background as a New Yorker, as a child of immigrants?

Growing up on the East Coast and spending a lot of time in New York has definitely molded me to be the successful artist that I am today. Everything from clothing stores, to the graffiti, art galleries, people watching…I can go on forever.

Many people take being an “immigrant” as a negative thing. People aren’t always welcoming of that and it’s so unfortunate. My father, after immigrating here, eventually opened up three successful electronic stores in the heart of Manhattan. He is a person that anyone can look up to and learn from. Open your heart up America, we have just as much to offer you as you do to us.