David Shammas is Chasing the Dream

By Cal Abbo

In the Middle East, war seems to follow you like a monster from a Stephen King novel. It’s unrelenting and always a step ahead; a story told by many Chaldeans who arrive in the bright and beautiful lands of America. The story of David Shammas is no exception.

There was no way to stay in Baghdad after the United States invaded the country of Iraq in 2003. The Shammas family had seen it before—it happens to Iraq every decade or so. But this was David’s first experience with war. This time, his family fled to Syria while they applied for a visa to the U.S. to find a better life.

Syria’s stability wouldn’t last long. Its ruler Bashar al-Assad, who has served as president of Syria since the year 2000, took power when he was only 34 years old. He had opponents who were armed, dangerous, and ready to make revolution.

David often woke up from the sounds of explosions. He wondered if he should go to school each day, or if he would return home, or if there might not even be a home to return to. “School is supposed to be a safe place,” he said. “Kids are supposed to go there and play and have fun and enjoy learning. For me, it was dangerous.”

During his years in Syria, he often felt worried and distressed, questioning his family’s decision to stay in Syria. Should they go to Jordan or Turkey, which are more stable, and apply from there? Ultimately, his parents decided to stick it out.

One day, rather than a stray rocket, a miracle struck. This was what his family had been waiting for, and it finally came—a golden ticket to the United States, more than six years after they first applied and moved to Syria.

David called it one of the best days of his life. “I think people need hope,” David said, “and they should not lose it no matter what happens. For me, this was the light at the end of the tunnel. I was off to a whole new life.”

By the time the Shammas family settled down in the U.S., David was already 17 years old. The wars, however, had aged him. His wisdom, compassion, and propensity for learning new things went far beyond his own years. As an immigrant who had seen hardship incomparable to anything in the States, he was set to excel in such a safe and promising environment.

David had enormous pressure on his shoulders as an only child to support his parents, whom he calls his “best friends,” and he delivered.

David got his first job as a waiter at a popular Chaldean restaurant in the community. He began to cement himself within it, meeting people, learning English, and pursuing his greatest passion, education. He finished high school, learned English, and planned to study Software Engineering and Computer Science—- topics which fascinated him.

David quickly grew out of his role as a waiter and began to take leadership positions. He began planning events and supervising other waiters. His peers looked up to him, and in a new country, he finally got the space to grow as a person, find his dreams, and chase them.

In 2021, David earned his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University in computer science. This was just the beginning for him, however, as he is currently halfway done with a master’s degree. Once he finishes, he plans to go for a Ph.D.

Right now, David works as a software engineer for General Motors. He enjoys his job and thinks the company is in a prime position to make great leaps in technology. “I believe they have a unique vision and amazing goals,” he said. “They want to accomplish things that align very well with what I want to do.”

David’s childhood was mostly devoid of the technology he would have grown up with had he been born in the United States. In Iraq and Syria, his schools didn’t have computers, and he didn’t own a smartphone. Only when he came to the States did he become fascinated by technology.

“I was so interested in how all these things work,” he said. Now, he leads projects developing software and applications for one of the largest automotive companies in the world.

David’s parents are instrumental in his life. “They are my number one supporters, from Day One. They offer me advice and tell me to focus on my career and education,” he said. Education, according to David, enables your potential. It makes you aware of what you’re actually capable of doing.

While David inherited a passion for education from his parents, he still needed to account for the hefty cost of tuition. This is why he sought help from the Chaldean Community Foundation, which awarded him a $5,000 scholarship, allowing him to go to school without having to work full-time. In his own words, this escalated his education journey.

David exemplifies an extraordinary level of poise and prudence for his young age of 26 years. He comes across as twice his age in wisdom, foresight, and maturity. He humbly attributes much of this attitude to his father’s steady influence, and he uses it to mentor others. In fact, he came ready to the interview with a motivational message.

“Assign tasks to yourself,” he said, emphasizing consistency. “If you go to the gym once a week, you’re not going to see much results. If you go five days a week, you start to see results.” It’s this kind of routine that empowers people to achieve large and distant goals.

For David, it’s very important to believe in yourself and your abilities. “There might be obstacles along the way, but with determination and perseverance, you can overcome any challenge,” he said. Think ahead, plan your goals, and dream. Either way, it’s not just about the final outcome. Enjoy the journey, too.

David also talked about a circle of an established comfort zone that represents your life. He constantly pushes himself to move beyond its edges – by traveling, learning new things, challenging himself intellectually and physically, and inspiring others based on his story.

David Shammas earned his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University.

“I’m going to tell you a story,” he said, bright-eyed and eager. “I was in high school, I had just moved to the States. At that time, my English was broken. I was starting this new life. I didn’t know what to do. And I saw a picture on social media of someone in cap and gown, graduating from Oakland University.”

The young man in the photo held his degree in his hand, smiling with pride, showing it off to the world. “If he can make it, then I can make it as well,” David said. “This picture never left my brain.”

Years later, David saw the graduate at a gathering. He approached him and introduced himself. “I told him all about his picture that I saw,” he said. “The picture was a great way for me to picture myself and stick to my goals, to get to the place I want to be in.

“I invite you to embrace your own journey and the challenges it brings,” David said. “Rise above the obstacles and never lose sight of your dreams with perseverance, determination, and belief in your own potential.

“One day, you might be sitting at a restaurant or a café or a party and have someone approach you the way I did. Someone will be inspired by you. You can create a motivational story that inspires others and leads to a future full of success,” he added. “Success is not limited by circumstances. It’s borne out of determination to overcome obstacles. It’s about how you’re impacting others, how you’ve changed the lives around you.”