My biggest fear was the decision of whether to stay in Guatemala with my mother and sister, or move to the US with my father to seek better opportunities. One decision meant keeping the usual deposits from my father, while the other involved a cut in half of this child support. The harsh choice to leave my mother with a living spend of 500$ a month or stay in Guatemala and somehow convince my father to keep on sending 1000$. Both of these horrified me to no extent, but a decision had to be made. I did not have any other options, but only to decide between my mother’s warm and familiar wing, and my father’s cold and unfamiliar presence. Luckily, maturity sprouted out of my chest as a butterfly out of a cocoon, and I concluded that sacrifice was necessary for success. I overcame this fear by making the decision of leaving everything in Guatemala to move to Miami. This fear started to surge when I was in my senior year in high school, and it all started when my mother asked me, “What are your plans after graduation?” The response to this question was, “I do not know”. But deeply in my heart I knew, as if it where my destiny, that I wanted to start my college studies in a U.S university. The reason for my ostensible ignorance towards my mother was due to the fact that I knew what would happen if I proceeded to study in the U.S. I was going to go live with my father, and because to these new expenses, he was going to cut the monthly deposits to half; 500$ for each child. It may seem rather extreme for my father to send only $1,000 for my sister and me, but he also assumed our private school’s expenses. Graduation day came closer, and my decision had to be revealed as soon as possible. I finally got the courage to tell my mother tha... ... middle of paper ... ...o Miami, but before boarding the plane, I hugged my mother as if it were the last hug I was going to give her in a lifetime, and told her, “Don’t worry mother, I will take care of you and my sister”. Upon arriving to my new household and starting a new life, I knew that I had started a new chapter of my life, and although it was a new beginning, the promise of taking care of my mother and sister was still top at my priority list. As a current Miami Dade College student I had to overcome an uncommon fear that meant the fate of me and my family, and I could joyfully say that moving from Guatemala to Miami has been a journey in which I have seen to be the best option I could have ever made so far. Conquering this fear has made me a person thriving success and ready to overcome any obstacle coming my way. Now I can dauntlessly say, “It’s going to be me and my family”.
Enrique, someone who has hands on experience with this, went to the United States to find his mother and start a new life with her. Enrique was very sad leaving his old life behind. He had a girlfriend, Maria Isabel, whom he loved very much and later he found that Maria Isabel was pregnant with their daughter. Enrique knew that he left Honduras for a reason and he knew he had to deal with missing experiences such as his daughter’s important moments.Enrique accepted the obstacles he had to overcome by remembering that in Honduras his life was for the worse. In Honduras, money was scarce, life was sad, and his family depended on him to send money back to them by working in the United States.
Her face was priceless; Her happiness was my source of happiness at the moment. I came home to my parents in the living room and decided to approach them with my decision, as I did to tell them I would like to apply to University of South Carolina - Upstate as well; they were just as happy as Kaylee. I have a very close-knit family and they were exited I would consider a school only 30 miles away from home. My mother said in Arabic “Just think, you can still come home to a good meal whenever you desire”. I know I would be homesick if I was too far away. As the youngest of 3 sons and the last one at home, my parents depend on me to help around the house and with some communication or translation as needed. My parents are Egyptian and I have always been there when they needed me. Also, George and Androu (2 older brothers) graduated from University of South Carolina – Columbia so I knew my parents would approve and support the decision of mine, just to gradually see me end up like my brothers as George is now a pharmacist, and Androu a computer engineer in California, both seemed to make it out
After reading The Book of the Unknown Americans, I realized how difficult immigrating to the United States can be. I am an immigrant also, so just reading the story makes me relate to many problems immigrants experience relocating to a different country. Immigrants often face many issues and difficulties, but for some it is all worth it, but for others there comes a point in time where they have to go back to their hometown. Alma and Arturo Rivera came to the United States to better their life, but also so that Maribel could attend a special education school. While Arturo had a job things had gone well for the family, but once Arturo lost the job and passed away the two of them had to go back because they felt that that was the best option for them. Reading this book made me realize how strong an individual has to be to leave their own country and relocate somewhere else not knowing if this will better your life or cause one to suffer.
In the book Letters to My Daughters, poet Maya Angelou wrote “I am a spring leaf trembling in anticipation of full growth” (163). Anticipation is a good description of how I feel about being a thirty-six year old college freshman. Anxiety, self-doubt, and dogged determination are on my list of emotions alongside anticipation, if I were being honest I would add. Providing my children with security, find true happiness in my career, and conquer my fear of failure are just a few things that hold my hand as I take this leap into higher education. Friends and family are surprised that I have gone back to school. In January of 2015 when I applied to South Plains College, I was working for AT&T making a good living. My mother especially couldn’t
A less than human way to live motivates thousands of people each year to embark on a journey across South America to the United States. This journey is extremely dangerous, which is why it has been compared to being as difficult as winning the lottery. During this dreadful journey, migrants are beaten, assaulted, arrested, and blackmailed. But those who do get through to the United States feel overwhelmed and thankful. Such is the case with Enrique from Enrique’s Journey. When he does get to the United States, he feels conflicted between staying in the US with his mother or going back to honduras with his pregnant girlfriend. If he stays with his mom, he’ll feel the love he never received as a child. Enrique’s mother spoils him, “Whenever he leaves the house, she hugs him.[...]
Jeannette Walls has lived a life that many of us probably never will, the life of a migrant. The majority of her developmental years were spent moving to new places, sometimes just picking up and skipping town overnight. Frugality was simply a way of life for the Walls. Their homes were not always in perfect condition but they continued with their lives. With a brazen alcoholic and chain-smoker of a father and a mother who is narcissistic and wishes her children were not born so that she could have been a successful artist, Jeannette did a better job of raising herself semi-autonomously than her parents did if they had tried. One thing that did not change through all that time was the love she had for her mother, father, brother and sisters. The message that I received from reading this memoir is that family has a strong bond that will stay strong in the face of adversity.
In my younger and more vulnerable years, my parents and I immigrated from the Philippines to America in search of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It wasn't until I started maturing did I notice the obstacles I overcame, the accomplishments I achieved, and the objectives I set for myself that significantly contributed towards the achievement of my dream.
In the beginning of September 2005, disappointment and excitement revealed on my face when I boarded the plane to move to the United States of America. The feeling of leaving my families, friends, school, clothes, and culture in Cameroon presented a hardship for me on this journey. Of course, I anticipated this new life because it indicated a fresh start. I envisioned it resembling life in movies, where everything appeared to be simple and life was simply excellent. All things considered, I was heading off to the United States, known for the American dream. To me it meant that everyone is given equal opportunity to prosper, achieve a family, and attain a successful job as long as they are hardworking and determined. I felt exceptionally honored and blessed to have this open door since I realized that it was not provided to everybody. Coming to America denoted my transitioning on the grounds that I deserted my previous lifestyle in Cameroon, began a new chapter in my life once again, and finally became a much grateful individual.
When my family and I got in the plane that would take us to the U.S., I was very excited. It was as if I had butterflies in my stomach. I was also nervous because I had heard of people that were turned away when they got to America because the government was not letting as many immigrants into the U.S as they had in the past. Therefore, my whole family was a little anxious. Two things could happen when we arrived at the Washington, D.C., airport. We could either come to the United States to chase after “the American dream”, or we could be turned away which meant that we would have to return to our country of origin.
When I was little, mother always told me, “Take on the chances that I never had and make me proud.” I want to start by attending college in order to show my mother that I will continue with the education she was not able to have. Because my mother is always my focus; I go to college to show her that I want to give back to her all these years and time she spent on me. She did not give up on me, nor did she give up on herself. I realized that my mother tried the best she could in order to give me the life I have right now. She is my role model and inspiration. I want to prove to her that raising me all these years was worth all her time and effort. As her first child, I want
Prior to departure, because fellow classmates attempted to convince me not to move to the United States, for they had met people that had struggled with the transition to another country’s educational system, the idea of moving ignited a fear within me. However,
As an only child, born to immigrant parents from Peru, my upbringing was vastly different from many of my friends and peers. My parents are not English speakers, they are not college graduates and they do not work in a corporate environment. Unable to relate to their life guidance since their experiences were not similar to my future, from the onset, I had to quickly learn to be self-reliant by developing a determination within me to overcome obstacles others normally wouldn’t encounter.
From a very young age I knew that I was going to move out of my hometown Guadalajara, Jalisco for the rest of my life, after all, my parents had given me a very unique opportunity, a U.S. nationality. My goal was to finish high school in the U.S. and one day enroll in an American college, however, my parents were not willing to let a 17 year old girl move thousand of miles away on her own, with only the support of her older sister, that lived in Washington State. My mother was the one in opposition to this idea the most, every time I mentioned even the smallest comment about me moving away, she would instantly change topics, turn the volume up, or just say she didn’t want to talk about it, I would always insist, until she was willing to hear
We did not grow up with my mom, so both sides would have to adjust on each other, and things that we plan for didn’t really go the way it’s supposed to be. It’s been four years now since the last time I talk to my mom and see her. My brother and I need to push ourselves and work hard in order for us to survive. It’s hard for us to live on our own because we don’t have family or relatives here in California. Despite of all the trials, and problems that we have to deal with, I decided to go back to school because I see it as a good opportunity for me to move forward with my life, and also for my future. I studied Medical Assisting and got my Associate Degree as well, and still continuing my education to study Nursing. I’m currently working as a Medical Assistant for more than one year in Pittsburg. Working and going to school at the same time is really a big challenge for me. It is hard but what’s keep me going is because of my family especially my grandparents. They are my inspiration and I want to pay them back all the things that they have done to us ever since we were born. I know that I’m still far from where I want to be, but I’m not that type of person who gives up
Even before arriving to the United States, the fear I felt was not having the familiarity of home (St. Lucia). Moving to the U.S meant that I had to start my life all over again. This time it would be without the unwavering support of my family and friends. Whether I succeeded or failed in school was entirely up to me. It wa...