A Guy Came from Yemen to Become a Dentist, and in 10 Years He Almost Became Belarusian

"I learned about the existence of Belarus from the Internet"

At the very beginning of the conversation, Said admits: he first read about Belarus on the Internet. He was looking for a place to study, and here both the tuition fee was acceptable and the level of education was good. As the dentist himself notes, with our diploma, you can then work in various countries.

Yemenis are not uncommon in Belarusian medical universities. According to Said, most of his compatriots study in Gomel, while in Vitebsk, during his time, there were about fifteen of them. He came alone, without a group of friends.

Initially, the plan was simple: get a diploma and leave. But with time, it became clear: the young man really wanted to stay here. His relatives supported the idea.

Павялічыць

Said dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood, specifically a dentist. His uncle, also a dentist, is "to blame" for this.

"I was still a child when he took his instruments and explained to me what he was doing and why. I was so interested! Even then I realized: I would only be a dentist. In Yemen, it's one of the most respected professions. There are many people with dental problems there. Here there are fewer such people. It's all about the water — in my homeland, it's very bad."

Said, by the way, takes care of his teeth: he practically doesn't eat sweets, only some special dishes that remind him of home, and even then in minimal quantities.

Павялічыць

Preparation for enrollment was not easy for the guy. All exams had to be taken in English, and then continued to study in a foreign language. He mastered Russian from scratch on the spot. By the way, Said now speaks Russian without problems. He also knows some words in Belarusian: of course, "bulba" (potato), and also "pryhoža" (beautiful) and "pačakaj" (wait).

After starting work, he had to adapt quickly: interacting with patients was now in Russian. If misunderstandings arose, colleagues came to the rescue. But now Said manages without "translators": he says that in dentistry, much is understandable even without words.

The interlocutor admits that, on the contrary, problems have arisen with his native Arabic.

"I'm starting to forget it. I meet an acquaintance, he wants to talk, but I can't. I'm used to answering in Russian."

Павялічыць

Patients themselves periodically ask where the doctor is from. However, not everyone can immediately find Yemen on the map.

The country is located in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman. The population of the country is approximately 43 million people. Only a third of locals live in cities, the rest in rural areas.

Since 2014, the political situation in Yemen remains very unstable: there is a civil war.

"If someone has heard of my country, it's usually from the news. And then they immediately start asking about the war," says Said.

He himself is from the city of Taiz, near the Red Sea. As Said says, it's relatively far from the conflict zone — his loved ones are safe. By the way, he calls his relatives every day. The family is very large: eight brothers and sisters, Said is the youngest. He already has more than 20 nephews and nieces.

Павялічыць

"The first year I played in the snow like a little child"

When asked to recall his first impression of Belarus, Said answers with one word:

— Snow.

— Never seen it before?

— Never. I arrived in winter, and on the very first day it snowed. I really liked it. All I did was look at the snow. The first year, the second year I played in the snow like a little child, and then I stopped. I got used to it.

Павялічыць

Last winter, the snowiest and coldest in 30 years, no longer surprised him: after all, he's an experienced person. Although for a guest from a hot country, Belarusian frost is quite a challenge.

"In Yemen, the average temperature is plus 30 degrees Celsius. All year round. If it's plus 25 there, the day is already considered cool, everyone puts on jackets.

When I call my parents, they ask: 'How do you live there? Isn't it cold at your home?' And I'm sitting at home in normal clothes. I explain that there are radiators, that it's warm at home."

Said admits: he would really like his relatives to come and see Belarus with their own eyes. He has invited them many times, but so far no one has dared: they cannot leave work for long.

Павялічыць

By the way, despite the constant heat, Yemen also has its conditional weather "features": it's the rainy season, when for four months in a row not a single day passes without precipitation.

— We have few forests. But there are mountains, very large ones. You look at them — it's so beautiful. But here everything is flat, it's hard to get used to that.

— Have you already gone mushroom picking in the forest?

— No, no one has invited me yet. But soon I'll have a vacation, and a friend promised to take me fishing.

Said's circle of communication is roughly 50-50: he already has Belarusian friends, but there is also a large company of fellow Yemenis. We ask what still surprises him about us — he says, the calmness of Belarusians and the quietness in the streets. This is especially noticeable after a long life in his noisy hometown.

"I think now I wouldn't be able to get used to that anymore. Now I love peace and quiet," Said smiles.

Павялічыць

Said calls Belarusians friendly, although he partly agrees with the stereotype of some reservedness:

"There are very pleasant people. There are, of course, also cold ones, especially with strangers. At first, it seemed strange to me."

Said has traveled extensively around the country: he has visited all regional centers. He studied in Vitebsk, did his internship in Orsha, and is now settled in Minsk. He has his own ranking of favorite cities: Minsk is first, then Grodno, then Mogilev. But Gomel didn't work out: the city wasn't for him.

Said has a warm relationship with Belarusian cuisine, but with reservations. He especially loves borscht and potatoes. However, it is difficult to come to terms with the abundance of pork and alcoholic beverages on the menu: Said is a Muslim, he does not consume such products.

However, there are no Yemeni restaurants in Belarus. He often goes to Turkish establishments with friends.

At home, Said cooks dishes from his own cuisine and teaches his girlfriend to do so.

Павялічыць

What Said truly misses is fish. At home, seafood was on his menu every day.

— Do you miss the sea?

— Of course. Although, unfortunately, I don't know how to swim.

For now, he manages to fill the longing for the sea by visiting water parks once or twice a month. There, he says, you don't even need to swim.

"I have never seen such beautiful girls. This is not a compliment, it's the truth."

As for his personal life, Said has a girlfriend, a Belarusian. They met through mutual friends. Sitting on social media or using dating apps is not his style; he can't stand texting. And he has no time: he usually spends from morning till late evening at work.

"It's easy to meet a girl here. But it's very difficult to find someone you truly like, who will stand by your side, with whom you will think about the future."

Said specifically notes the beauty of Belarusian women:

"I have never seen such beautiful girls. This is not a compliment, it's the truth. Such girls should be cherished, loved, not offended. They are simply wonderful."

Павялічыць

In Yemen, it is still customary to marry early — around 18 years old, while men marry closer to 25-30 years old. So there is usually an age difference in couples. Families still have many children: five or six children would surprise absolutely no one. But Said himself is moving away from such traditions: he believes that one or two children are quite enough.

"Why more? It's too hard!"

We also touched on the topic of religion. Said explains: it's not necessary for his wife to be a Muslim. The main thing is that she respects his religion and culture.

Павялічыць

He himself has genuinely fallen in love with Belarusian culture — this topic comes up repeatedly in the conversation. He unexpectedly names City Day as his favorite holiday, and New Year only comes second. Said was also delighted by the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk."

"It's cool there. We were there for two weeks — not boring at all. I would even be willing to sleep on the street, it's that much fun."

In a few months, Said will be applying for a Belarusian passport. But even now he behaves like a local: he reads Belarusian news, and watches TV series only in Russian. One of the last he watched was "Chernobyl."

Aside from cuisine, one of the strongest "threads" that still strongly connect him to his native culture is heavy oriental perfume. Said simply adores it, and it's what his relatives most often send him in parcels.

Finally, we asked what he would send to his relatives from Belarus.

"They have everything there. If I could, I'd send snow. They don't have that," the interlocutor laughs.

• 9
• 2
• 0
• 4
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 0