Abeer Hoque
Nigerian-born, Bangladeshi-American
Author + Photographer
Interview: with Defining Cultures
Website: olivewitch.com
Instagram: @olivewitch
Born in Enugu, Nigeria and raised in Nsukka, Abeer Hoque is the daughter of Bangladeshi-born parents. Her father was recruited to teach in the geology department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1973, just three years after the Biafran War (Nigerian Civil War) ended.
By the time Abeer reached 13, military coups and strikes were prevalent in Nigeria. This political situation was deeply concerning, prompting her family to move out of the country. Her dad received four job offers outside of Nigeria, in totally different places: Oman (in the Middle East), Papua New Guinea, Tampa, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He chose the latter because he knew some people in the area.
Abeer would go on to struggle through her teenage years and beyond. Not only was her cultural identity in limbo, but she was trying to learn the "American" way of life. As a teen, she had to deal with high school, which was/is heavily defined by pop culture. In college, she didn't know what she wanted to do with her life in terms of a major or future job. And her parents' Bengali views on life and dating were draining. Her mental and emotional states were compromised, causing a mental breakdown and being involuntary committed to a psych ward.
Abeer hit the refresh button of life at 25. She started her first job at an Asian internet startup in Philly. Her first time meeting South Asians that were different than the ones she was used to at the university of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of business (Wharton). One was most memorable: an Indian-Kenyan lady. When Abeer asked her, “Where are you from?” She responded without hesitation, “Kenyan.” This was one of many pivotal moments for Abeer.
After a few years at the startup, Abeer finally took heed to her talent of writing poetry. So she moved across country to start a master of fine Arts (MFA) program at the University of San Francisco. Four years later, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship – providing her with an opportunity to travel for one year – but this turned into seven! From Bangkok, to Bangladesh to India, and a total of over 30 countries across 5 continents, Abeer's resilience and ability to persevere shines through her life.
In addition to 'Olive Witch,' Abeer has published a coffee table book of travel photographs and poems called 'The Long Way Home' (Ogro Dhaka 2013) and a book of linked stories, photographs and poems called 'The Lovers and the Leavers' (Bengal Lights Books 2014, HarperCollins India 2015), which she wrote on her Fulbright. She has since received several other fellowships and grants; and her writing and photography has been published in Guernica, Outlook Traveller, Wasafiri, Zyzzyva, India Today and the Daily Star. Abeer has a bachelor's and master's degree from Wharton, and an MFA in writing from the University of San Francisco.
Sources: Abeer Hoque and olivewitch.com