The Global Story: Abdi’s American Dream

**Tristan Redmond** (0:00)
Hey there, it's Tristan Redmond, one of the hosts of the Global Story Podcast from the BBC. The United States is marking 250 years since its founding. And since the Global Story is a show about where the world and America meet, we're dedicating a whole week of podcasts to some surprising tales of American influence on the world stage. We've had some very special guests, like Roman Mars, host of the hit podcast 99% Invisible. We've delved into the shadow world of the CIA.
And we've heard how the United States helped the rise of a rival superpower. Today, as a bonus for your feed, we're bringing you an episode from the series. So for this episode, we look at the American Dream. It's one of the most successful exports the United States has ever sold the world. That tantalising promise of a better, freer, richer life.
In this episode, we tell one incredible story of the journey of an American dream seeker and ask whether that dream is still attainable. To hear more of the series, search the Global Story wherever you get your podcasts. Now enjoy the show.

**Asma Khalid** (1:10)
Millions of people have moved to America's shores with the belief that if you work hard, anything is possible.

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (1:18)
I did not see America as a place. I saw it as an idea, the idea of freedom.

**Asma Khalid** (1:25)
But is the American dream fading?

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (1:29)
I feel like the American dream is alive, but not well.

**Asma Khalid** (1:32)
For more than a decade, the BBC has been following the extraordinary story of one dream seeker, someone who grew up loving America, who literally won a lottery, a golden ticket to come to the United States, and believed deeply in the promise of America, but now has somewhat complicated feelings. From the BBC, I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, DC. And today on The Global Story, Abdi's American Dream.
Abdi Noor Eftin grew up in Somalia in the 1990s during a civil war.

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (2:10)
I don't remember peace. All I remember is war.
I have had so many bullets flying, droughts and all that stuff. So there are many situations where I almost died.

**Asma Khalid** (2:19)
He experienced a life that no child should have to. When the war led to a famine, he and his siblings ate sand and tree bark to try to relieve their hunger. And when his baby sister died, Abdi remembers helping to dig her grave.
It was in the middle of this crisis when Abdi had his first encounter with Americans.

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (2:39)
I was in Mogadishu. It was really one night. I think I was like seven or something. My father was talking to my mother.
I was like, what? What do the Americans look like? Who are they? And I was thinking like giant people, you know. But then that was the night United States forces were landing in Mogadishu. There was a smile on their faces, you know what I'm saying? And I went around these white people and every one of them looks like Rambo.
I shouted, Rambo, Rambo, Rambo! And all of them turned back and just looking at me, smiling. They were just talking. They were feeding us with jam. They gave us butter, bread. They gave us sweets. It's the tastiest food that I have ever eaten. Wow.

**Asma Khalid** (3:22)
Abdi began dreaming of America. He would go to the one house in the neighborhood with the television and watch Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, taking a paper and pencil with him to jot down words so he could teach himself English, minus the Austrian accent, of course.

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (3:36)
I'm in love with the American culture. I'm in love with the American education.
I'm in love with their beautiful roads and streets. I'm in love with the American language. I'm in love with everything, everything in the United States.

**Asma Khalid** (3:54)
These clips of Abdi come from a documentary the BBC made with him back in 2014 Back then, he was just about to move to America to begin his American dream. So with the 250th anniversary coming up this Saturday, we thought, who better to talk to? And I gave Abdi a call.
Abdi, it's a pleasure to meet you and a pleasure to have you on The Global Story. I've heard about your life. I've listened to some of the reporting. I know the BBC had been following your life going back more than a decade. So it's a real pleasure to meet you, albeit virtually, but still a pleasure.

**Abdi Nor Iftin** (4:30)
Indeed. You are also famous, I ask myself. I'm famous.