Ram Mustafa is a foreign exchange student from Palestine, experiencing his junior year at Greeley West High School.
As a sports aficionado, Mustafa has gotten involved with tennis at Greeley West, as well as many other activities outside of school. This year he has experienced, for the first time ever, golf, pickleball, table tennis, and ax throwing.
Tennis coach Ryan Pace has become a mentor of Mustafa, not only supporting him as a coach, but also as someone who can listen to him and answer questions. Pace finds his adaptation to the U.S impeccable. “On our team, he transitioned to not just a team member, but a leader within days. He is naturally so outgoing and friendly that it was easy for him,” Pace stated.
To help him get acquainted with his new residence, senior Michael McCoy has become very good friends with Mustafa. McCoy has introduced him to the Denver Outlet Mall, American football games, and bowling. “I have really tried to help him get the American experience,” McCoy responded.
Although having an amazing time in the U.S, Mustafa finds it very difficult to be here while his country is at war. He has family in Palestine, fortunately staying safe outside of the war zone. Mustafa said, “It’s not easy seeing my people at war and getting killed.”
Along with this struggle, Mustafa has faced words of judgment. Words of misconception and ignorance have been screamed towards him because of his ethnicity. “I am not a terrorist just because I am from the Middle East,” said Mustafa.
Mustafa hopes that he can change the perspectives of the apathetic people who speak this way. Mustafa stated, “I just want to leave a better print for my people.”
Along with Mustafas’ hopes for himself, Pace hopes that Mustafa gets to see what a valuable experience this is and how much bravery it takes for someone to take an opportunity like this. “My hope is that Ram gets to create relationships with people that will last forever, learn and enjoy American culture, and bring stories back that he can share with his family and future kids,” Pace said.
