Personal Narrative: My Pursuit Of The American Dream

The American dream is something that everyone should believe in, I know I do. Throughout my whole entire life I have wanted to be successful. I believe in myself and know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. The American dream says that everyone should be treated equal. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Everyone is judged for their height, weight, race, age, likes, dislikes, etc. In the world today you must conform to the social norm to be considered “cool.” Part of me wants to feel that way and the other part of me just wants to be original and do whatever I want. When I was a little girl I used to perform in musical theater. I loved it so much it made me the happiest I have probably ever been in my entire life. Did everybody

America’s gift to my generation is amazing because veterans have used all their potential for us. They fought for us to be alive right now. Their gift to us is much more than I expected. I am so thankful and I appreciate all they have done for us.

When I was at the very innocent age of three, my parents decided to immigrate to the United States from Bolivia. We moved to Pasadena, TX, in hopes of pursuing the American dream. Growing up, my neighborhood was not the best environment to raise a family, however, this environment shaped me into the person I am today. My parents initially made the decision to move because my father got a job offer that was too good to decline. We were promised a house in a nice neighborhood as well as jobs for both of my parents. When we arrived after a 13-hour flight, all of the promises along with our hopes were shattered. We were taken to lower-income apartments in the middle of a sketchy neighborhood. My father’s promised job was on the night shift as a

“American Dream.” Those two words are what drove my parents to escape the challenges of living in poverty stricken Colombia. Being a first generation, young, female, Latina immigrant my upbringing has made me fortunate enough to embrace all of the opportunities available for me.

I was born in the capital of Colombia, Bogota. At the age of six, my family decided we would immigrate to the United States in search of economical stability, a better quality of life and better opportunities of education for my brother and I. My parents were ready to leave their families, jobs, and everything they knew behind. They talked about how wonderful life in the United States would be, and found comfort in the abundance of jobs, good salaries, good schools and opportunities North America would offer our family. I then believed that stepping foot on the US was a guarantee for a wonderful life, the American dream. Unfortunately from the beginning of my journey I realized life is not easy and mature immensely in the ongoing process of achieving the American dream.

My family and I migrated to the United States about eight years ago searching for our American Dream. As an eight-year-old I could not accept that this strange new world where people spoke a different language I didn't understand, where I didn't have to wear a school uniform, where I didn't attend an all girl school, and where not everybody was catholic was what I was supposed to call home. It was a gargantuan change that took a while to accept, but now that I am older I am so grateful and I know that I would go through everything again just to be where I am today, especially because I know an innumerable amount of undocumented students would give anything to be in my position.

the biggest struggle for Americans these days seems to stem from poverty, drugs, broken homes, rasicism/discrimination and so on. how lucky i am that i was raised in a loving, upper-middle class familyi’ve never had many friends. throughout elementary school, i’d spend every recess on the swingset because i didn’t want teachers seeing me wander alone and then make others kids play with me. their pity made me more uncomfortable than being alone. as time went on, things seemed to only get worse. middle school was horrible. i would come home everyday and just try not to cry. i’d never felt so alone in my life.

It is great to wake up every morning knowing my life is entirely up to me. We live in the great United States of America. Being an American means I have so many rights and doors are opened up to opportunities other countries do not have. America has given me the right to choose whatever education and profession I want.

Now, Thomas can be seen in his brown lounge chair, IV hooked to his arm, respiring slowly. The cancer slowly taking away another part of him each and every day, hoping that the chemo kills the cancer before the cancer kills him. He calls for his wife to help adjust his chair. Even after sixty-five years, she is still by his side ever since he asked her to prom his Senior year of high school. The grandson asks him if he believes he has achieved his American Dream. Thomas looks around his room. The IV slowly drips into his bloodstream and Thomas takes a deep breath, “I gave up my chance at the American Dream in order to make sure the less fortunate have a chance to be better, to have true ‘upward mobility’. My only American Dream, if I had one,

Los angles is one of the cities where people try to achieve the “American dream”. Even though the “American Dream” is different from people to people. To me, Los Angeles means a new beginning…my new beginning. I have moved to Los angles in search of success in education and life, to prove to myself that I can be independent.

Growing up on the island of Jamaica, it was never my aspiration to move to the U.S. Leaving my country was one of the most depressing experiences I have ever encountered. At least, -that’s what I thought at the time. I was saddened that I was no longer able to see the people I valued most every day. I was eager for change but at the same time heartbroken because my life wouldn’t be the same in this new world. I felt as if I was unprepared to accept new challenges and live the “American Dream”.

American dream, the idea that every US citizen should have the same equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity. Many american dreams are either easy, or hard, depending on your main american dream. Although they may be easy, hard, simple, or complexed they all need the same things to keep it going. The main thing I believe keeps it going is determination to do it. Many don’t know they use determination in every stage of life.

The American Dream is what it says; only a dream. There is no set goal for Americans because of the ever changing economy and the diverse perspectives that people have about the world. The American Dream is where everyone has equality and an equal chance to live and succeed. There are many debates about what the true definition of “The American Dream” is, but the important discussion should be whether it is only a dream, or a reality. Have Americans reached their “dream” or is it only a philosophical idea to give them a purpose of life? Some people want to make the world better, while others are satisfied with where it is today.

The American Dream is something U.S. citizens and immigrants look for in America. This ideal is supposed to be the big picture/meaning of America, where anything can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. This motto is something we Americans live by and follow. I feel like the American Dream is it’s own destination; a destination where everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, or sexual orientation, can live peacefully and achieve even the craziest of dreams through hard work. Unfortunately, I feel that the society we live in today is not the American Dream, it’s something a little more divided. People today see a person of different color, race, etc, and judge them based off acts that are committed by past criminals with violent

The “American Dream” is very overwhelming or complicated to reach; only because of it is proven that once someone reaches the so called “American Dream,” after about five to ten years later they are no longer happy or content with what they have. The only way that makes this “dream” even remotely easy is working through all of the rough times with friends and family with determination and integrity.