Thirteenth

“The number “13” bears significant importance and value in my life. It denotes how old I was when my parents, two brothers and myself, left our home country of Pakistan and immigrated to the United States. We came to this country knowing no one except for my uncle and his family. It was a completely new atmosphere with unknown surroundings and a way of life that we had only seen pictured on TV. My dad moved us to this part of the world in order for us to have stronger educational opportunities, as well as for my mother to receive better medical treatment (she had been afflicted by stroke). Now, whenever I think of the number “13,” it reminds me of the efforts and sacrifices my parents made to bring my brothers and I here. It makes me reminisce back to that young, nervous Naveed who was so scared when coming into this new environment. It makes me thank God for having bestowed me with the wonderful opportunity to live and study in the United States. And lastly, it gives me the motivation to excel in all that I do to make my parents proud, to make their efforts and sacrifices worthwhile!” – Naveed Noordin

Bio: Naveed Noordin is a current sophomore at the Oxford campus. He is from Memphis, TN and plans to attain a major in Chemistry and a minor in Sociology. He was born in Karachi, Pakistan but immigrated with his family to the USA at the age of 13. He is currently involved with Oxford MSA as the events chair. He loves playing cricket and soccer and plans to pursue medical school in the future with a specialization in cardiology or neurology.