Faik Finds Common Language in Soccer

Ahmed Faik arrived in America with his mother in 2006.  For the Iraqi native, it was an example of being a stranger in a strange land. 

Then Faik found a common language…..soccer.

“I spent a lot of time playing,” said Faik.  “It helped my language and it helped my social life.”

It was soccer that allowed Faik to make the transition from Iraq to America.  He arrived in Ambler with his mother in 2006 and went on to high school at Upper Dublin.  Faik recently completed his second year at and will head to Rosemont College next fall.  He will be focusing on a business degree, but it is soccer that has been Faik’s lifeline in America after growing up with the sport in Iraq. 

“People over there play every single day,” Faik said.  “The play soccer in the streets, on the field and in the garage.  They just play.  When I was back home, I used to play every single day after school for two or three hours in the streets.  Whenever I would hang out with my friends, we would have a ball around us.”

Faik was a sophomore when he arrived at Upper Dublin.  He quickly became friends with several of the school’s soccer players and was encouraged to try out for the team.  He played soccer at Upper Dublin before getting a chance to play at Montgomery County College.

Faik had taken English lessons in Iraq, but was still apprehensive about coming to the United States.  Faik knew there would be challenges, but he was also eager to begin his life in the U.S.

“We were excited,” said Faik.  “It was a new thing.  We were kind of scared in the beginning with a new language.  It was a new life for us, but we were excited at the same time.  I personally like exploring new things, so it was exciting for me.”

Faik has not only found a home in the area, but he has also found an escape from a difficult life in Iraq.  The simple pleasures that many students take for granted were a sharp contrast to what Faik experienced in his war-torn country.

“It was simple and easy before the war,” Faik said.  “After the war, it got harder.  The situation got more dangerous.  I was at an age when I should have been going out like any teenager does.  I couldn’t do it because it was risky, so my social life was kind of restricted to certain places.”

Faik went through his adjustment period and eventually settled into his new surroundings.

“It took me about four to six months,” said Faik.  “That’s when I was fine.  I knew the area and I got more comfortable with the system here.  People were friendly and I was welcomed.”

Faik was used to playing soccer differently in Iraq.  There were more individual games featuring on four to six players.  In America, Faik learned to adjust to the team concept with a larger group of teammates.

“It was kind of new to me,” said Faik.  I was playing a different style of soccer.  Playing three-on-three isn’t much of a team game.  I had to develop some of my skills.  I improved with my team play.”

Fiak’s love for soccer brought him to Montgomery County College, where he continued to thrive both on and off the field.  He was named team captain and quickly became popular with his teammates.

“I made so many friends,” Faik said.  “The coaches there were great coaches.  I started every game and I had a lot of fun.  I made a lot of friends and I got to do what I love.”

Faik originally embarked on a career in engineering, but his interest soon turned to business.  He learned about the academic opportunity at Rosemont and was also offered the chance to play soccer on the Division III level.

“I was doing engineering,” said Faik.  “But classes started getting difficult and I started looking at schools that have business.  My friend told me that Rosemont was one of the best business schools in the area and I also knew I could play soccer there.”

Faik plans to keep soccer in his life after his college days are done.  He is hoping to play or coach in some form.  However, Faik has a dream of opening his own business, either here or in another part of the globe.

“It may be overseas or it may be here.” Faik said.  “I would definitely like to open my own business.  I like it here, but if there is a good opportunity in another part of the world, I would take it.”