While in United Nations-run refugee camps in Sudan, Omer worked as an interpreter.[2] This work led to suspicions of spying, and he was retained by authorities until the United Nations intervened.[6][5] He arrived in New Zealand in 2008, through New Zealand's refugee quota.[7] Omer says that his time in New Zealand began with cleaning and scrubbing floors;[8] this period included working as a cleaner at Victoria University of Wellington where he would study and earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2016. Omer described working until 4am cleaning the university, then attending a lecture at 10am in a room that he had cleaned the night before.[9]