Personal Narrative: My Relationship With America

“Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits. We can make our new normal any way we want”. -Kristin Armstrong. When I heard this quote it reminds me of a specific time in my life when I moved to another country. There are a couple of events that helped me become who I am now.

Academically, I want to make the most of the incredible opportunity of receiving a higher education; however, I also hope to grow and develop as an individual. I will be also be joining the men's soccer team at Wofford College, which will present additional challenges as well as opportunities. College will undoubtedly present a plethora of new experiences and open a number of new doors and opportunities. I want to soak it all in and make the most of every minute. My ultimate dream is to work in a career that I feel passionate about. Ensuring that I feel strongly about my work is very important to me and I believe it is pivotal to maximizing my potential contribution to society. My greatest interest and passion currently lies in learning and better understanding politics, economics, sociology, and other social sciences. A career in public service is where I believe I can thrive and flourish. Whether it be in education, economics, healthcare, or any other outlet, I have no doubt public service is where I belong. Throughout my life, I have constantly looked to fulfill positions of leadership and I plan on continuing to do so in my professional life. As my generation becomes the leaders of America's future, I hope to be a leading figure that can assist in moving us in a promising

I woke up like any other day, same apartment with Jack next to me. With British ruling the world and us being reminded that we lost the revolutionary war every time we walk by a guard. Jack and I had a simple life. That was a joke, we both grew up in an orphanage home. Never knowing what happened to our parents. We ran away from that at age ten. We had no idea what to do next, we both hated the British and so we decided to join the Americans. They were a group of people that fought back the British rule and hoped that one day Brithishanothy(new name of America) would turn back to America. So there we were, sitting in the apartment just waiting to see if we do something exiting for once and not just take out the trash or make the warriors food.

Studying in a foreign country is an interesting experience of an individual lifetime. One tends to learn a number of things relating to ways of life in a foreign land. Social, political and economic values and aspects are usually different from one region to another. Therefore, through studying abroad one is able to learn different issues about another society such as gender and sexuality issues, social class and race/ethnicity issues. Having come from a developing country studying in the U.S.A has been a great experience personally. This paper will attempt to provide a reflection of my personal experience on studying in the U.S by comparing the history of Angola and the U.S.

Growing up in Ghana, I had heard a lot of things about the U.S. This was a country I had always wanted to visit; my prayer was answered when I got the opportunity to travel there. Arriving in a new environment came with many experiences. Adjusting with food, language and the weather was not easy. With the passage of time, however I have been able to0 adjust and fit it. This write-up therefore is to elaborate on my experiences since coming to U.S.

Stepping out of my first plane ride, I experience an epiphany of new culture, which seems to me as a whole new world. Buzzing around my ears are conversations in an unfamiliar language that intrigues me. It then struck me that after twenty hours of a seemingly perpetual plane ride that I finally arrived in The United States of America, a country full of new opportunities. It was this moment that I realized how diverse and big this world is. This is the story of my new life in America.

I felt that I could relate myself to the pilgrim she saw in her vision. I came to this country for the freedom of worship, to appreciate diversity, and to have opportunities to utilize my talents without being discriminated.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”

When I came to America for the first time, I was very rebellious, and I did not uphold the wisdom of making myself a better person. There I was, looking into the world having no idea what would be in store for me. But I always had a spirit for knowledge and curiosity.

Johnnie, Veronica, Frank et al. do me a solid with all your “knowledge” and “wokeness” step outside your educational privilege and support systems for a minute. I in no place in my post said anything about America being perfect so what you did was hijack a status about the solidarity I feel for the people in my life and in this country who very much will struggle with an intensified troubling life experience in the country to PROVE you have some kind of exceptional wokeness or understanding of America. MISS me with it. No America was not safe for everyone but we just did was extend the people who it was unsafe for. If that’s cool with you then carry on with your bullshit. I have NEVER EVER said it’s a safe place for everyone. I have NEVER

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.

Moving to the United States is a huge step for an immigrant. As an international student, I have been passing through this event that most Brazilian desire to. However, it is hard to adapt with the new culture and lifestyle, knowing that I have my own values. The “Two Ways to Belong in America” illustrates two views of getting used with this new culture, in which I identified myself with one of these ways: my nationality cannot be change with a simple paper called green card. Thus, starting a new life in a foreign country is tough because I have to find a way to readjust to this new culture, not ignoring

Some people may be confused in what responsibility even means. Does it mean be nice, make good decisions, and do what you're told? I've been taught many responsibilities throughout my life and the most important one is to try my hardest to walk in the light of Jesus. To do this I try to learn from my mistakes, treat others the way I want to be treated. Whenever I get the opportunity I bring God into the subject to try to show every one what a loving and caring father he his no matter how many mistakes you've made. I want people to know that no matter what they do or say to me, I will never deny my beliefs for God I will always shine my light and try to impact as many lives as I can. We are one Nation under God and I believe that's our responsibility to keep it that way.

America is a country of hope, but it is also a country of disappointment. Many people move here looking for a better future and a greater life, only to be surprise that it doesn't come easily. My parents are the reason why I moved out here to America thought is a better place to live and start a new life and of course it's true but through so many ways. America is where you can meet so many different types of people, yet all moving toward the same hope and dreaming to be an “America.”

As I stepped off the plane, the frigid air sliced through my face, just as the cold, harsh reality hit me: I’m an American now.