Immigrant Experience

Humanity is ever so much more complicated than one could have ever imagined. Humans can thrive on change, but ultimately look for something to declare as home. In search of this home people travel long distances and risk everything they have. When an American contemplates the word immigrant, one imagines the countless people from Mexico crossing into our country or the refugees that hope to make this country their home. What eludes most of us, however, is the reality that most people were, at one point, immigrants to this country and that our forefathers came here exactly the same as refugees come today. What is brought to mind when I hear the word immigrant is hope and perseverance. I remember the countless people who have traveled here

Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to be in scrubs, the idea of working in the hospital has always been something I wanted to do. I looked up and admired physicians as everyday heroes who worked hard to rescue those in need. Growing up I volunteered in hospitals during the summers and spent every Tuesday and Thursday night during the school year at Moses Cone Hospital taking part in their Medical Explorers program, a program designed to expose one to all the different careers available in the hospital. I was on the fast track of working towards my dream until the realities of living as an undocumented immigrant became very real. After I walked across the stage in 2005, this dream became a distant memory. Fast forward 10 years later

The day my mom told me that theirs was a concert at the state fair arena I was so happy. We went to get dinner before the concert started and once we ate we drove all the way to the arena once we got there It was packed there was a really long line and so we waited and waited until finally we got our tickets I was so nervous to go in but I was ready. Once we got into the arena it wasn’t that full once I saw it but there was still a lot of people this person helped us find our seats. We were in the third row I was so excited to sit there because I wouldn’t have to walk very far to the stage.

The day of our first competition it was pouring and we were told we were going to perform inside. Everyone was excited doing their hair, putting on makeup and getting our uniforms on. We hopped on a bus and drove to the competition, unloaded, and were waiting for our instrument

Living a good life as an immigrant in America is a big challenge. In fact, getting a reasonable life is not easy in many countries around the world, but as an immigrant in the United States that involves huge determinations. Thus, anyone who decides to move to another place or community should expect to face many challenges. Most of the time, an immigrant’s reason(s) for leaving their country is based on a hard life for some without figuring out that life in the USA might be harder as well as a better life for others who may have a good life in their motherland. Generally, they are all disappointed by what they encounter. Denis Hunt, a director of Multi-cultural Human Services, a Falls Church, Virginia-based organization that helps immigrants adjust to life in the United States, said “the issues immigrants face can be even more daunting. Most immigrant parents who arrive in new communities are faced with immediate challenges to their survival, including securing a job, finding a place to live, buying food, and enrolling their children in school" (“US immigrants face new challenges”). Despite this situation, it is conceivable for immigrants regardless their origin, to live a good life in America. However, it cannot happen merely by snapping their fingers; massive efforts are required, including working hard, learning English, resolving transportation issues, understanding of the culture, and getting

Rose Drive where about 35 residents who do not have other access than SR 121 (Silverado Trail)

Marie and I had just left her house and were walking to the tryouts. It was a really quick walk because she lives only 2 houses away from the studio. This was back in August 2017, a few days after dance camp ended for the summer. We hurried down the stairs to go inside and kept talking about how nervous and excited we were the whole way down. Once we got inside of Bleker’s, we started talking to the other girls. After just a few minutes we were all taken into the dance room and together we all learned a hip hop, jazz, and tap routine. We only had about 30 minutes to learn all of the routines so we were all feeling a little rushed. Before we knew it, the dance teachers put us into groups of 3-5 girls. These groups were the people we would perform our dance routines with. My group was Meghan S, Grace, and I.

When I was 14 years old my father come to my room and told me that we were going to move to the United States. In a year, my father got everything we needed, so we can move to the United States. Our passport, the L1 that is the work visa, is the one my father got, he buy a house, and all of other stuff. The day that we travel was 2010 when I was 15 years old. We came here withouth anything we only have a house and ourselves. When we arrive home we didn’t have a bed, so we sleep in a airbed for like two weeks, while we buy the furniture. In a month we bought the beds, some sofas, a car, and some other things. A year later we have been buying a lot of new things to decorate the house. Also,

When I was 10 I was at one of my dance competitions. I was at my last competition of the year. I was doing my jazz dancer called Circus. In the dance me and my friend were getting ready to do our aerials. I was so nervous about landing it. But I went for it but something happened.

There are bombs exploding that sound like drums. Guns shots that sound like the ring of bell and the screams of the fallen soldier that sound like all hope is gone. Families are being separated and taken from one another, not knowing if they will ever see them again. They have to move to another country, and try to adapt to the new language, the new food, the new clothes, and the new people. While dealing with all that they have to try to be accepted by these new people who don’t understand them and their journey. This is what immigrants have to endure when war has struck their home. Immigrants face many challenges when they are adjusting to their new life style.

Every person, or group of persons, has an identity and a culture tied to them from the country in which they grew up. An identity is the image someone present to the rest of the world, and culture is the image which one has of his/herself. Countries are similar to a person; over its history of being influenced by other countries, it has formed an identity and culture for itself. It has been stated that the worst act performed by others on another is to take away their identity, and deny them of their culture. Immigrants in America experience the loss of cultural norms/ values, cultural practices/ traits, adjustment to a new culture and changes in identity and concept of self. It is important to note that most immigrants are from minority groups.

My dad teaching me how to drive is a dream. Seeing him come home every night from work is a dream. His attendance at my graduation later this year is a dream.

I remember my way on a road to an abandoned airport in the middle of the country. I was with my four other friends fulfilled with euphoria in the car waiting for the moment to get to a place where we felt that all of our problems will be sorted. We bought the tickets weeks before the venue and we were all counting the days back with full of excitement like little kids around Christmas and the day had come. When we got off the road the beat of the music in the background just hit our ears. As we approached to the scene the music got louder with our excitement as well and we finally got there. Hundreds of our friends were already jumping around to our special music in the hangar with the hugest smile in their face. I could feel the love in the air in the shadow of the laser lights. We were so happy that we could not describe in words. This made us feel that we don’t have to worry about anything in our life, that we part of a family where everyone respects each other. That’s what made us feel different and being part of something that not many people could tell back in the days. Can’t deny that club drugs helped to achieve this feeling and it was a massive part of it as well.

That led to working production on Black Girls Rock traveling to New Jersey solo, staying with my brother all for the dream. My first extended show. This five days were heaven having a call time, getting to know the venue staff, BET Producers and Coordinators. I'd done by now two BET Awards but the length of time was never this long and I really wanted to make a great impression on the staff there that I was hungry and willing to do what it takes to go to accomplish the task. Icing on the cake moment was when one of the young ladies being honored was a family friend so this one was extra special and seeing First Lady Michelle Obama and Tracey Ellis Ross the night couldn't get better than going to the after party where none other than Erykah Badu was the DJ!!!

When I was three years old I found a great interest in the world of Fine Arts. My mother would find me sat in front of the television watching Ballets for hours on end, my personal favorite was The Nutcracker. I remember one day while my mother was vaccuming the living room I tugged on her shirt to get her attention, I begged her to let me join a Ballet class, she decided that I should wait a year before I joined to see if it was really something I was interested in.