Deserts and Soccer: A Story of Kareem Shoukih
While some students have the opportunity to visit another country, few of them have actually lived in one. Kareem Shoukih ´20, lived in the UAE for much of his life. Now he enjoys life in the US by hanging out with friends and playing soccer.
After eight years in the United Arab Emirates, Kareem Shoukih ’20 moved back to the state he was born in, Iowa. An avid soccer player, Shoukih meets many of the typical features of an average 15-year-old. He likes hanging out with friends and watching movies. However, Shoukih explained to me what life was like in the United Arab Emirates. While he likes the down-to-earth lifestyle of the Midwest, there are still certain things he misses about the place he lived so long. “I miss my friends the most,” he said. Shoukih also mentioned some of the cool things he would do while he lived there. “We would go to the mall, trips to Dubai, Water World, Safari World.” But the UAE does not have just any old mall.
Malls in UAE are an experience all to themselves. While some have aquariums or indoor ski resorts, they also have much more. “Like, they literally have half of Adventureland in a mall there,” he said. While the country was fun, he mentioned some of the adjustments that had to be made when moving here. “There is way more homework, but all the teachers are amazing.¨
Moving back to the United States was a unique experience for Shoukih. His family had considered moving to Saudi Arabia but decided to move here when his siblings enrolled at Iowa and Iowa State for college. Shoukih had attended English-language schools while living in the predominantly Arabic speaking United Arab Emirates, so schoolwise, the transition was not hard. He has not gone back to visit friends yet, but hopes to in the future.
However, Shoukih’s life is not just a transition back to America. While he likes playing most sports, his real passion is soccer. Last year, he was a member of the JV team. “We were in a game against Prairie, we were beating them 3-0. It was around the 69th minute (our games are 70 minutes long), and we had just scored our fourth goal. They were at the center line, ready to start their last play of the game. They started, but the second they started, I ran to the center line and this guy started to do this trick, but I ended up taking it from him. It wasn’t really a decisive act, but it showed me I could do something for the team.” This was what he considered his greatest moment in his history playing soccer.
His friend Zach Morden ‘20, says this of him, “He’s nice, as he’s always there for you and he’ll play sports with you, able to help you study or play.” One would understand a lot when having a conversation with Shoukih. He is that type of friend who is always in a good mood, and always there for you. While many of you have never had the opportunity to meet him, if you ever come across him, you are certain to find a smile and an energetic response.