Atta Arghandiwal

When I escaped from my native Afghanistan in the stealth of darkness back in August of 1980 (nine months after Soviet Invasion), I was scared, alone and had no idea what was ahead. I knew if I stayed I’d probably end up dead like many or imprisoned by the Russian invaders.

Reflecting back on these four decades, I marvel with deep gratitude where my journey has taken me. After almost two years in a refugee camp in Germany, I finally landed in America in December of 1981 with $10 in my pocket and a slip of paper with a friend’s phone number on it. Blessed with tremendous kindness, support and mentoring that surpassed any academic degrees, my journey from novice teller to vice-president of one of the country’s largest banks was phenomenal. During those years, I never stopped reaching out to help many others come to America from Afghanistan and other countries.

What has happened to my beautiful country of birth, once the “Jewel of Asia?”

Answering a job ad in the newspaper for a teller, I thought it was for a storyteller and was confident in my ability to weave a yarn. Amused, and sensing a potential in me, the amused bank interviewer hired me. This begin a 28-year career from teller to senior vice-president and regional manager of one of the US’s largest banks during which I was blessed to have a long string of supporters, coaches and mentors that gave me a grass-roots, hands-on education and training that was more than the equivalent of some advanced education programs.

I pivoted to consulting role in 2009 while to fulfilling my life time dream of writing and providing resource guides for migrants. I published my first book, a memoir (Lost Decency, the Untold Afghan story) a first year Benjamin Franklin finalist in 2010. The book is now under consideration of potential film project. I later authored Immigrant Success Planning (A resources guide for Immigrants of North America in 2013. My personal and professional experiences as a refugee and then ultimately a prominent American banker, humanitarian and mentor to youth, the lessons I learned along the path have come together in my jut published book The Self-Sufficient Global Citizen (Guide for Responsible Families and Communities) This is the only-book of its kind, empowering and helping refugees and immigrants navigate their lives successfully within the new environment.