Asim's American Dream

The Motivation
Asim Badar, 28, moved to the U.S. in 1999 when he was 20 years old. But the journey started well before that with his father, Major Badar Uz Zaman, who visited the U.S. for the first time in 1985. Major Zaman videotaped his trip to the East Coast and showed the video to the family. In the video, Asim saw a building with an iconic image that he associates with the U.S.

“It was the biggest building I had ever seen at the time,” Asim said.

The sign on the building pictured cowboys and horses and read, “Welcome to the Marlboro Country." Although he has never been a smoker, Asim is familiar with the American cigarette company from its distinct commercial advertising.

One of the motivational factors that lead Asim to the U.S. was watching American movies. "Road Trip" in particular showed Asim the social aspects of American college life and inspired him to start planning his American future. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, corvettes and hamburgers also influenced Asim's planning.

“All of these things that I liked that happened to be from the U.S.,” Asim said.

Asim landed in John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Aug. 19, 2001. Roughly three weeks later, the World Trade Center was hit and Sept. 11 went down in American history.

"What will happen now?" Asim said.

Rumors spread around that Middle Eastern people would not have any job opportunities. But Asim wasn’t bothered by them.

“Things have changed but I don’t blame anyone,” Asim said.


His family wanted him to come home but Asim was determined to finish what he came to do.

“My family was worried, especially my mother,” Asim said. “I’ve never lived on my own so of course she was worried.”


The American Dream
“The American dream means having a good life, a very comfortable life and security," Asim said.

Asim stayed in school and graduated with a degree in international business. He now works as a business system analyst for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Asim has a work visa and hopes to get his green card soon. He will stay in the U.S. for a while but doesn’t know what will come in the future.

“Coming to United States was a personal decision,” Asim said. “It wasn’t economic or that there was [anything] lacking in Pakistan.”

Asim came to the States looking for the American dream. After traveling around the world he is pleased he chose the U.S. to further his education.

“America is the one place that people are free,” Asim said.

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Photos courtesy of Asim Badar