Family afar

Bosnian couple achieves citizenship after making home in Bowling Green

By Alicia Carmichael, acarmichael@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3234

Saturday, May 29, 2004

In Bosnia, Aida Kurjak cried because of war. Her husband, Midhat, fought. So did her son, Muric, now 31.Its something neither man wants to talk about now. This was trouble, Aida Kurjak said for her husband, since he is uncomfortable with his English speaking skills sometimes. Its better not talking about it. In the United States, Aida Kurjak cries because shes happy. On May 21, she and Midhat became official U.S. citizens at a ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Louisville. This was a dream coming here, Aida Kurjak said as she wept softly Monday. Muric Kurjak and the couples other son, Mirza, 22, are each saving up the nearly $400 to pay for the naturalization process. Here, theres nobody asking nothing of you, or telling you anything to your family. Theres nothing bad to us. Everybody was really nice to us and tries to help us. The Kurjaks road to naturalization hasnt been easy. After they fled Bosnia in the mid-90s, they were refugees in Croatia for six months. Finally, in 1996, the family made their way to an Austrian airport, hoping to come to the United States. We asked God for to help to us, to get us someplace, Aida Kurjak said. God, she said, answered their prayers. At the airport, someone from an immigration organization told the Kurjaks about Bowling Green, where refugees from around the world are welcome. The Kurjaks were soon on their way to Kentucky. Marty Deputy, director of the International Center in Bowling Green, picked the family up at the Nashville International Airport. The Kurjaks say they couldnt have felt more welcomed. When we came here, we were a very happy family, Aida Kurjak said. But the Kurjaks life here would not be easy. They didnt speak English. They didnt have jobs. Theyve had to work hard, Deputy said. The Kurjaks learned English mainly by listening to the radio, watching TV and talking to those fluent in English. The hard work helped them get good jobs. Now, Midhat Kurjak works at Eagle Industries. Aida Kurjak works full-time at Scott Tobacco and part-time at Morningside of Bowling Green, an assisted living home. The couple are grateful for the work. Theyre also thankful for the home they own at Park Hills. And theyre happy they have made friends here. Everyone is like family here, Aida Kurjak said. I have a nice house. I have two jobs. I like everybody there, and they like me. My husband has a job and he likes the people, and they like him. He feels great. He has lot of friends here. He goes with his friends hunting, fishing. Friends give him the nickname Big Man because hes tall. Aida Kurjaks boss at Scott Tobacco is happy for the Kurjaks. She is a great worker, said Scott production manager Rex Smith. Im tickled to death for her. Shes just a great girl, and they seem like great people who deserve to be over here. Now, the Kurjaks are looking forward to all the benefits of citizenship, including the fact they can now visit Aida Kurjaks parents, who live in England, easily. God bless America, Aida Kurjak said from work at Scott Tobacco on Friday, while Midhat Kurjak was painting their home.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700