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Abstract

in Iran. If you graduate at 28 with a Ph.D. — in case you can get a Ph.D. that fast — then military service is still waiting for you. Two years of it. And you cannot go outside the country after the age of 18 until you have served in the military for two years.If you’re lucky enough to leave the country before the age of 18 like I was, you will have to serve in the military whenever you get back to the country unless you pay a huge fee to the government to be exempt from your service. And you’re not guaranteed of being exempt even after you pay them.<h1 id="844c">I Hated the Military Service Ever Since I Was a Kid</h1>I’m not really good at following bullshit laws.Ever since I was a kid, I hated that I would one day have to serve in the military. I didn’t understand why I was forced to do this, especially for two years. And as you can imagine, two years is a lot for a six-year-old, so I would get really worked up by the idea that I would have to serve in the military one day for two years.I remember when my cousin had to go to the military.He shaved his head, as you have to do when going for your service, he put on his uniform and left his family. My aunt was crying as he got on the bus that would take him to his base.He would be allowed to visit home every 6 months for a couple of days. He had to spend new years in the military.When he got back at 25, he was depressed for a couple of months.He had witnessed his friend get murdered by someone while on duty. Someone was trying to cross the border illegally and had a gun. My cousin’s friend, a 24-year-old guy was killed in front of my cousin as a result.I can only imagine how big of a scar that must leave on your soul at that age.When you ask people from North America what they do at 24, they’ll probably

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tell you that they work, spend time with their friends at bars and nightclubs on the weekends, and that they’re looking forward to the rest of their lives.But my cousin was depressed for months after finishing his service at 25.I can’t believe that if my parents hadn’t taken the huge step of moving to Canada I would have had to serve in the military like many of my friends and family had to.<h1 id="7226">I Miss My City and My Family</h1>I love Canada. I love that I can travel freely, I love that I have so many opportunities because I live in this beautiful country, but I miss home.I miss my city in particular. I’m from Shiraz which is a beautiful city.Here’s a picture of one of our tourist attraction sites:<figure id="9d16"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*7B1PBu_pldsaIApS"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@fkaymak?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Faruk Kaymak</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>We have a rich culture and kind people. But I can’t go back there because I would risk having to go to the military if I do.My cousin is getting married soon and I can’t be there when he does.Why isn’t my country free? Why can’t I go back to my country?Why do I have to choose between staying away from my city and my family and giving up my freedom?I hate what the Iranian government has done to my country.I love Canada. And Canada is now my home. But I just wish I could go back to my family freely. I want to go back there to spend time with my cousins and my grandmother. I miss my city, I miss my country.I want my people’s freedom back. I want my freedom back.</article></body>

I Can’t Go Back Home Anymore

I really miss my country and my family, but I can’t go back because I’ve been stripped away from my freedom to do so.

I moved to Canada at the age of 13 from Iran. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

My parents have made huge sacrifices to make this possible and I’m forever grateful for them.

Canada has provided me with so many opportunities.

I can dream of doing whatever and becoming whoever I want because I live in Canada.

I have the freedom to choose what I want to do at every stage of my life. I’m free to express my thoughts.

I have the opportunity to write on the internet and make money.

I’m allowed to hold my girlfriend’s hand in public.

And I don’t have to go to military service for two years as an 18-year-old.

I am free. I am free to dream, to love, and to express myself, my thoughts, and my feelings.

I love Canada. But I miss my country.

I Can’t Go Back to My Country Because I Might Have to Serve in the Military if I Go Back

In Iran, every man has to serve in the military for about two years as soon as they turn 18 unless they’re going to attend university.

Imagine having to study for years to get a Ph.D. to delay the military service as much as you can, which is what a lot of people do in Iran. If you graduate at 28 with a Ph.D. — in case you can get a Ph.D. that fast — then military service is still waiting for you. Two years of it. And you cannot go outside the country after the age of 18 until you have served in the military for two years.

If you’re lucky enough to leave the country before the age of 18 like I was, you will have to serve in the military whenever you get back to the country unless you pay a huge fee to the government to be exempt from your service. And you’re not guaranteed of being exempt even after you pay them.

I Hated the Military Service Ever Since I Was a Kid

I’m not really good at following bullshit laws.

Ever since I was a kid, I hated that I would one day have to serve in the military. I didn’t understand why I was forced to do this, especially for two years. And as you can imagine, two years is a lot for a six-year-old, so I would get really worked up by the idea that I would have to serve in the military one day for two years.

I remember when my cousin had to go to the military.

He shaved his head, as you have to do when going for your service, he put on his uniform and left his family. My aunt was crying as he got on the bus that would take him to his base.

He would be allowed to visit home every 6 months for a couple of days. He had to spend new years in the military.

When he got back at 25, he was depressed for a couple of months.

He had witnessed his friend get murdered by someone while on duty. Someone was trying to cross the border illegally and had a gun. My cousin’s friend, a 24-year-old guy was killed in front of my cousin as a result.

I can only imagine how big of a scar that must leave on your soul at that age.

When you ask people from North America what they do at 24, they’ll probably tell you that they work, spend time with their friends at bars and nightclubs on the weekends, and that they’re looking forward to the rest of their lives.

But my cousin was depressed for months after finishing his service at 25.

I can’t believe that if my parents hadn’t taken the huge step of moving to Canada I would have had to serve in the military like many of my friends and family had to.

I Miss My City and My Family

I love Canada. I love that I can travel freely, I love that I have so many opportunities because I live in this beautiful country, but I miss home.

I miss my city in particular. I’m from Shiraz which is a beautiful city.

Here’s a picture of one of our tourist attraction sites:

We have a rich culture and kind people. But I can’t go back there because I would risk having to go to the military if I do.

My cousin is getting married soon and I can’t be there when he does.

Why isn’t my country free? Why can’t I go back to my country?

Why do I have to choose between staying away from my city and my family and giving up my freedom?

I hate what the Iranian government has done to my country.

I love Canada. And Canada is now my home. But I just wish I could go back to my family freely. I want to go back there to spend time with my cousins and my grandmother. I miss my city, I miss my country.

I want my people’s freedom back. I want my freedom back.