Samar Al-Areqi is originally from Yemen and is a software engineer at Shell. She participated in the successful IT program that Refugee Talent Hub and Shell organized together. As part of Diversity Day, she was interviewed by the SER.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

Driven

 Although the start in the AZC in the Netherlands was tough, Samar made the best of it: she started with the Dutch language through an online course and sang Dutch songs to better remember the language. She also got to know many different people and, through the stories they told each other, their cultures.

 After a year in the AZC, Samar got a house in Spijkenisse. She worked and studied hard to find a job quickly. She was able to use her business administration studies in Yemen and her experience at an oil company there to apply the new knowledge. She signed up for several courses and soon became a SalesForce administrator. Through Refugee Talent Hub she entered the IT learning program at Shell, where she started as a software engineer at the beginning of October.

My move changed my fate

 “I think my move to the Netherlands changed my destiny. Because in Yemen a woman usually becomes a housewife after her marriage. She takes care of the housework and cooks. But I never wanted to be a housewife, I wanted to develop myself. I never wanted to depend on others, so I applied for jobs myself. My friends also helped me a lot. One of them gave my resume to the oil company I worked for in Yemen. I learned a lot there, not only work skills but also many life lessons. The general manager of that company was an American man in his eighties. While working in Yemen, he tried to learn Arabic and even fasted during Ramadan. He was the only one of the foreign leaders to do so. I respected him very much because he made an effort to understand and respect our culture.”

We are all equal

 “I find appreciation for other cultures and acceptance of diversity not only beautiful in people but also in companies. At Shell, for example, they have created a meditation room where people can also pray. There are two rooms right next to each other: one for men and one for women. I was really surprised when I saw it. There was a carpet to pray on and running water for people to wash with. Just what I'm used to from mosques.”

 “Many of my colleagues have a different cultural background. We all come from different countries and different societies, but we are all equal at Shell. It's not about where we come from, but about our personal talents and how we can help each other grow. When I first came to Shell, they said it was important to support each other. Because they believe in diversity and that no one should feel like a stranger in another country.”

This is a shortened version of Samar's story from the Living Labels series. Read the entire article on the SER - Diversity Day website.

 Also read the story of Khaled and Ali, both participants in the Shell IT program:

I believe we can make a real difference