“I will always be in your heart.” Those were the final words in the letter my father gave me at the airport. We both cried as we said our goodbyes and I embarked on my journey to my new life in America. I will never forget that day. It is ingrained in my memory as the day my life changed forever. Transitioning from South Africa to America was by no means easy. I had to get used to saying things like ‘truck’ instead of ‘bakkie’ or ‘sneakers’ instead of ‘tekkies’, and the culture and values differ in many ways. Our first stop was Dallas. Two years later we moved to Charlotte. I dearly loved the sports of my birthplace (soccer, cricket & rugby), but one of the major influences that helped me with my transition was falling in love with basketball.
I remember the first time I came to America; I was 10 years old. Everything was exciting! From getting into an airplane, to viewing magnificent, huge buildings from a bird’s eye view in the plane. It was truly memorable. After staying few days at my mother’s house, my father and I wanted to see what Dallas looks like. But because my mother was working the whole day, it wasn’t convenient for her to show us the area except only on Sundays. Finally, we went out to the nearby mall with my mother. My father and I were astonished after looking at a variety of stores. But after looking at different stores, we were finally tired and hungry, so we went into McDonald’s. Not being familiar with fast food restaurants, we were curious to try American
It runs through my veins and I cannot live without it. For a long time I did not know who I was but one day, through a basketball camp, a coach helped me realize what my identity was. He helped me figure out that i am a child of God. All my uncles played basketball along with both of my Grandfathers. For a long time I thought that basketball had to be the only thing to define me but, it does not.
In conclusion, leaving my country was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I know it’s easy to imagine yourself with different things and in different places, but when it comes to reality; it’s very hard, especially, when you decide to move to another country, and try to adjust yourself to everything new. I am very grateful for everything we have today, America is
The time was running fast and I had a couple days left to spend some time with my family and friends. At that time I realized of people I will miss, and I wouldn’t able to meet them again. Even for my parents, it was the toughest time leaving all families and friends behind and start a new life in a new place.
It was time for us to leave and board the plane to America. I was very excited to get to America, I was also anxious to see my Dad who I haven’t seen in months. The flight was long, I can remember in the air was my first time feeling turbulence, whoa let me tell you it was a scary one it felt like the plane was about to crash. I was anxious for the plane to land. When we arrived we exited out the plane and head out to the train inside the airport in order to go to U.S. customs and border protection, to get our documents sorted out, so that we could enter the country.
My ancestors moved from Canada to America, they started living in the northern areas and worked very hard to earn food. When I was small the life was very good, all the kids of the community used to play and enjoy the time, but as I started growing up I realized that life is not just about playing around. Most of the people in my community do not know the actual meaning of life and they have spent their whole life inside a specific area and with limited knowledge. I started to find opportunities to study and learn more things that no one knows. In my quest for knowledge and curiosity to know the unknown I learned many things.
Getting to the United States was very exciting, what I didn’t know was that it was so difficult I didn’t never thought I would have to go through all this again, now I didn’t plan to go back to Mexico. I was all around the place looking for a job I went to Dallas TX with my brothers but they were still doing the same selling drugs I didn’t want that anymore because I had a wife to take care of. I went to California with a couple of friends and started working in what I had experience in, harvesting. The plantations here in the United States were much bigger, we lived in a train wagon with another family this wasn’t what I expected. Long hot sunny days picking strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, whatever it was I was doing it. It was like when I
It was a Sunday morning when I woke up by the morning shiver and with the sweet smell of tea filling the room. I woke up with a yawn but still laying down because I was too lazy to get up. I stood up quickly almost losing my balance when why mom yelled my name. “Come down stairs I have good news for you” said mom. I went down stairs I saw my parents drinking green hot tea and watching news on the television. I walk toward the table distracted by the chaos of different loud noises like the news, my brothers watching cartoon, and my sister whining. I greeted my parents, as I passed them I heard someone saying “can’t wait to move” excitedly.” After finishing my delicious breakfast I ask my mom, where are we moving? “We are moving to America” with
Growing up in a different country can be quite challenging once you relocate to a different country. For me, coming to the United States was completely different and new. I was born here in Salinas, California but both raised here and in Mexico. At the age of one, I didn’t really know what went on with the world or just life itself, so I had no idea how different the U.S was from Mexico until I grew older. After I was born, my family and I went to live in Mexico to continue our life there. My hardworking parents always wanted my sister and I to have the best in anything. They worked hard to give us what we needed in order to have a decent life. Even though my parents were not born here in the U.S. they didn’t have to go through what most people
When I came to America, I had just finished 5th grade and I barely knew any English. I spend the whole summer practicing english, studying the American fashion, watching movies and traveling to amazing places. Then there was the first day of school in a totally different country. This was just the beginning.
It is through the events in the journey of life that shapes and molds who we are as people. As for me, immigrating to America was one of those milestones that have shaped who I am. Those who have had the opportunity of moving from a different country to America know what a privilege it is. I felt the same honor to know that I would be journeying to the land of opportunity. Without hesitance, I spent the last two months packing and making the final preparations before moving to a new continent. Although it was a bittersweet time, leaving my beloved family behind, I knew that I couldn’t resist the treasure that waited for me in the new land. Coming from a developing nation the high level of sophistication that greeted me on arrival to America made feel like I was in paradise.
Basketball kept me and my friends connected we watch it and play it whenever we get the opportunity.
It was about two years ago when I arrived in United States of America, and I still remember the day when I left my native country, Honduras. As I recall, one day previous to my departure, I visited my relatives who live in San Pedro Sula. They were all very happy for me to see me except my grandmother Isabel. She looked sad; even though she tried to smile at all times when I was talking to her, I knew that deep inside of her, her heart was broken because of my departure the next morning. I remember that I even told her, “Grandma, do not worry about me, I’ll be fine. I promise that I will write you letters and send you pictures as much as possible.” Here reply was, “I know sweetie I know you will.” Suddenly after she said that I started to cry. For som...
My heart was pounding as I boarded my flight leaving the Bangkok International Airport. A flight attendant in a grey dress with a red bow draped over her shoulder announced; “Welcome aboard flight AA350 to the United States.” My journey began that day.
Basketball is one of the interesting sports I have always wanted to engage myself; even as a little child. It was a dream come true when I started playing basketball in my high school.Moreover, I was very good in it, and I became the team leader. Of course, I enjoyed every bite of the time I spent playing basketball.