Although belonging in its simplest form could be the notion of being accepted within a specific setting, it is not always this easy to be accomplished.…
I talked to my great grandmother, on my moms side, and asked her many questions about our ancestors. "Most of the generations I know about have lived in New Mexico. Usually when people ask us we say Spain because we know our ancestors didn't come from Mexico. I'd say Spain" she said word for word. I also asked her how long ago they came and she didn't know so I assume they came a long time ago.…
I came from a poor, but close-knit, immigrant family that through luck and sacrifice rose to upper class too quickly. Almost a decade after amassing this mismanaged wealth, it was squandered and became the cause for many of the problems in the family, including drug dependency, abuse, and the total loss of unity that we enjoyed before the money came in faster than it could be spend. By the time I was 18, I joined the Air Force to carve my own path in life. In hindsight it’s clear now how fucked we were from the…
In the summer of 1803, a twenty-eight year old Virginian was preparing to lead a field expedition into some of the most rugged wilderness on the North American Continent. It would be a perilous undertaking. The platoon traveled by boat, horse and foot for approximately 8,000 miles- venturing beyond maps, traveling into the headwaters of the great Missouri river, across the fearsome Rocky Mountains, and through the unforgiving western plains. The crew explored an undiscovered route to the pacific and back; encountering cold, hunger, danger, and wonders beyond belief. No expedition had ever attempted such an arduous undertaking, no one thought it was possible.…
Once we arrived to Illinois we went by 26st. There my father was waiting for us outside with my cousins and aunt. The first thing I did was reach for my father. Our first few weeks in Chicago were a bit lunatic. By saying that the next day after we arrived my sister and I went to the store and a shoot broke out. My mom came into the store running to pick us up. I honestly was scared of my new home. Once school started I started to have a bit of comfort in the neighborhood. Once I went to school it hit me that I was not anymore in Mexico, for I saw a lot of diversity. From black to white, to brown people I saw and I meet. I only saw white people on TV who were another ethic than me. During kinder I learned to read, count, and learn a new language…
I am a temporary migrant. My father told me that I should extend my horizon and feel the different culture to open myself, because he knew I am unsociable. I think it is a pull factor because it's so hard for me to join the competitions in China. But I do not intend to immigrate to Canada, leaving home is not what I want even if I left home all the time.…
My father is a Sicilian combat veteran from Brooklyn and my mother is an immigrant from El Salvador. The disparity of their backgrounds is immeasurable, but their lives have impacted me greatly. They divorced when I was 3, but their relationship is unbelievably strong. I lived in a diverse environment, speaking different languages and existing in polar opposite lifestyles. The dichotomy molded me and influenced my character, perspective and state of being. Under my father’s roof, I endured a military-style upbringing-but the love was apparent. I was encouraged to play sports and excel in my academics. I am competitive in nature, and exceeding was always my aspiration. However certain events have caused me to falter, but I now understand that the duty of each human is to delegate their time for the advancement of the species and if no one holds you responsible, it is imperative that you do so.…
Growing up in an immigrant household came with many difficulties. Learning English was very easy for me because I was always in daycare but coming home was hard because I could not communicate with my parents. Trying to communicate with my parents was very difficult and frustrating. Even though it was at a young age, it was difficult to live in a household who only spoke Spanish.…
Many immigrants came to the United States for different reason and for a new opportunity. They came to America for a hope of starting a new, better life since they probably had a rough life back home, or to get away from previous problems back home. Once the immigrants arrived they were first medically examined by the medical examiner, me.…
As an Immigrant, there were many challenges I faced whether it's related to language or understanding the culture. My family moved to United States of America when I was in 6th grade. I was always told by my parents that building a successful career is very important. This idea of building a successful career never stuck in my mind until the junior year of high school when I all sudden all the teachers and counselors started talking about going to college build a career in a field that you were interested in and also important to you.…
It is hard to be an immigrant or being the daughter of one. I still remember the day when my mom left me with my uncles to come to the United States, because on that day I acted as it was a regular day. I had a different perspective about my mom years ago, I used to call her “witch” because she always wanted me to my homework, have good grade at school; while my priority as a child was to have fun (play as a little child). When me and my family went to the airport to say goodbye to my mom, every thought I was going to cry, but I did not instead I said “finally.” I always regret myself for saying that, but I was a child whose priority was to play. After days and months I started to miss my mom, I was raised with my uncle; they were nice to me…
Growing up in a community that is mostly Hispanic creates a type of shield, not allowing for different cultures or ethnicity to diversify the community. A Hispanic family living in such an isolated community takes a toll on the way we view the world. This environment has indulged my curiosity. Being the second youngest sibling of my family of seven has allowed me to learn from my older brothers, and have the privilege to be a leader to my little brother and serve as a role model to him. Though none of my family members went to college, and my parent’s highest education being a high school diploma, it hasn’t discouraged me to follow their footsteps, but rather give the encouragement to dedicate myself to be the first generation and in my whole…
The day started off as any normal day. My mother woke me up and said “we must go.” Her voice sounded very urgent for what I thought was just a trip to the grocery store. My mom laid my outfit on my bed and packed by book bag; that’s when I figured out that I was starting school. I wasn’t entirely oblivious to the fact that I was going to familiarize myself with a completely different environment, but I just thought I had a little more time to prepare. Well, it turns out that I was wrong. You see, I wasn’t your average pre-schooler who was nervous about making friends. I was the immigrant child who had never spoken a word of English.…
I belong to a community that praises hard work and intellect, always striving to earn a better life. This community is the first generation immigrant community. Since I am the oldest sibling, I am designated in the unique role in my family as a cultural advisor to American life, an overachieving role model to my younger brother, and the face of my parents’ source of pride. I view my situation not as an impediment, but as a catalyst for my business and public service aspirations in the future. Education has always been stressed even when I was in elementary school. I would spend all evening working on supplementary reading problems and critical thinking math problems, assuming that this was what my American peers did when they got home. I have…
Growing up in an immigrant family shaped my view of life. Neither of my parents achieved their goals of higher education, so they enforced their beliefs on their three children; the oldest daughter (who battles with identity issues), a son (who grew up playing basketball to express his emotions of not knowing his biological father), and last but not least, the youngest daughter (who faces an endless battle of stress and depression). As a result of my parents forcing their beliefs onto their children, a competitive barrier formed around us. As the youngest child, I had to watch my older siblings achieve the most in their schools, while I was left as the “last child” to the rest of my family members; the “last child” to achieve something. They…