Aram Deragobian, a 22-year-old biology/pre-dentistry student at La Sierra University, has an amazing story of determination, courage and focus.
Aram is an Armenian Iraqi and attended a Catholic elementary school, followed by Baghdad College High School, which prepares its graduates for medicine. The curriculum is intense, but most difficult aspect was that most of the classes were taught in English. “I did not speak a word of English before I took those classes,” shares Aram. “My mother speaks English, and with her help I began to understand and actually get good grades.”
It was at this school that Aram first encountered the Iraqi regime, enforced by Saddam Hussein. At the beginning of Aram’s eighth year, Uday Hussein, Saddam’s son, became principal and created an educational system to recruit those younger than 18 into the Iraqi army. In Iraq, once a boy turns 18 he is Fidaee Saddam, meaning he will join Saddam’s army and serve two years before assuming a civilian position. Uday felt that boys in seventh grade and up should participate in “Sons of Alliance of Saddam,” a month-long summer training session.
At age 15, Aram and the rest of his schoolmates went to the desert to train in the ways of the Iraqi army. “Our only water source was a pond next to our barracks with algae growing on the surface. We would scoop the water off the top to not get the algae or a frog in our cup,” explains Aram. “There were also poisonous snakes and scorpions. We slept with our AK47s next to us with a knife attached at the end, and whenever we heard something near us we would stab and often came up with a lizard or scorpion at the end of our gun.”
“A usual day meant getting up at 4:30 a.m. for physical training, eating breakfast after a rigorous workout and then performing drills and handling weapons for the rest of the day,” says Aram. “We were not allowed to wear shoes or hats, because we were expected to be tough and brave the heat of the desert. When we did push-ups, we would burn our knuckles on the ground. It wasn’t meant to be a form of torture; the army was just trying to toughen us up.”
Once Aram came home, his father became restless. He did not like his son dealing with the harassment from Saddam’s soldiers. He wanted his family to be safe, and decided to take them to America.
In 1996, Aram’s parents began to plan their move to America. The preparation was long and tedious. Besides the paperwork, arrangements had to be made for the family business, a shoe factory that his father and uncle co-own in Baghdad. Also, care for their house and belongings had to be set up. “We couldn’t sell anything, because the government would take over our house and land,” says Aram. “If it is obvious that no one is living in a house, the government will take it over. We even had to leave separately so our neighbors wouldn’t know we were leaving. My mother and I left first, followed by my father and two sisters two days later.”
The family landed in Los Angeles in August 1998. “I will never forget that day,” says Aram with a smile.
Aram’s mother’s two brothers, Imad Thomas, D.D.S., Ph.D., and Munther Thomas, a civil engineer, helped them get settled. The brothers have been in America for more than 22 years and have helped his family understand American culture. “My uncles still come over every weekend and ask us if we have any questions or if they can help us out in any way. Without them it would have been difficult,” reveals Aram.
Aram’s family was introduced to many new things in America, but perhaps the most important introduction was to the Adventist Church. Although Aram’s entire family is Armenian Orthodox, they decided to attend the Arabic group at the Loma Linda University Church headed by Pastor Zaki Hannway. “Pastor Hannway took care of us and taught us the Bible,” says Aram. “In Iraq, you are allowed to read the Bible and practice any religion you want, you just aren’t allowed to tell others about it. I have always been interested in the Bible and was excited to have an opportunity to read it and study it with a pastor.” Aram, his mother and two sisters were baptized in 2000. Aram’s father is still Armenian Orthodox, but he is not against his family’s choice of religion. “My father comes with us to church and asks questions during Sabbath school,” emphasizes Aram.
In June, Aram completed his biology degree with a 3.62 GPA in three years. “I decided at the beginning of my second year that I would complete my degree in three years. It would save me time and money, and I will become a dentist sooner.” He started at Loma Linda University as a dentistry student this fall.
Dentistry fits in to Aram’s picture of his future. “[Dentists] are not very sophisticated in Iraq. It is not a lack of knowledge; it is because many of the patients cannot afford a root canal, so the tooth is pulled instead,” discloses Aram. “Seeing a lot of middle-aged people with dentures because all their teeth have been pulled was the reason I wanted to be a dentist. I want to make a difference to give my patients healthy teeth.”
Aram has not returned to Iraq since his family immigrated almost five years ago. Sometime this year, Aram and his father may return to work on the shoe business. “My father told me he was going, and I asked if I could go. He said sure, as long as the travel advisories allow,” says Aram. “My parents work so hard for me and my two sisters. I am so thankful for all they have done.”
Aram finds time to put himself in situations where he is able to learn more about American customs. “I volunteered at the Loma Linda University Medical Center gift shop after summer school last year to hear American conversation and understand the system. I worked the cash register so I could interact with the customers. I love being with people, and I want to learn how to talk with them correctly,” Aram says. “My father came to America for me, and I want to make the most of it.”
