Reflection On The Day When I Came To America

Summer before junior year of high school, I was looking at a lot of standardized tests, essays, a heavier school workload, college applications, and getting a driver's license; my most immediate concern, however, was the soon to begin marching band season. Spring semester of sophomore year I had decided to audition for a leadership position in the band, and I suppose I was the best candidate because I managed to snag Section Leader for my instrument, clarinet. As the final days of July passed by, I anticipated the start of a season where I would be mentoring and teaching my fellow clarinet players the complex art of marching band. A few days before leadership camp I received a letter in the mail from the Head Band Director, Mr. Larry Brown, and immediately I knew things were not going to be what I expected.

For the majority of my life, I had been shy, even though it didn’t seem like it most of the time, I was scared to death when I met new people. I know that it sounds extremely trivial, but I feel that when you first meet someone, you’re ultimately giving them their first impression of yourself and that is a lot of pressure. It seemed almost certain that I would lead a life of being a social wallflower until March 2017, more specifically, March 28th, 2017. This day was and still is important to me because I learned how to be confident, and through my experience, it taught me something that I will hold onto forever. Prior to this day, I was an extremely introverted person and rarely went out of my way to make friends. As a volunteer at day

Life is about making choices, but some of them can even change our life. Two years ago I decided to come to America for my higher studies in Western Kentucky University. Although I knew it was really a challenge to me, this significant decision that I’ve made was going to change everything about my life and me. There are many things in life that can change the course of a person’s life. It can either make a positive impact or a negative impact on a person’s life. It’s always best to have the positive impact though. For me I have had a positive experience that has changed my life forever and that is coming to a different land and culture.

There are many significant parts of my life that have had a huge impact on my personality, but there is one that has not only affected me, but has changed me for the better. My personal life changing experience was coming to America. For me, this bridge between my old life and new life is a shaky bridge that I attempted to cross and entered a whole new realm of life which changed everything. The decision about coming to America has taught me how to respect other people, be more responsible, and be more loving towards various friends and families. It has also helped me adapt to the new life that I’m about to begin. It was so unexpected. Out of nowhere my parents broke the news: “We’re going to America!” Living in a big town of Bhopal,

All people seem to want the same basic things out of life regardless of race or religion. Universally, people want a good job, a healthy family, and a chance for their children to have a better life than the one they have. Families that already possess these things, whether through their own hard work or merely by way of inheritance, rely on the existing power structures within society to ensure that their future happiness continues . But what do people who do not belong to existing power structures turn to in order to secure these things for their families and children?

My name is Angela S. Baez, and you can call me Angela. I am from the Dominican Republic. In this essay I would like to tell you a story about my experience in coming to the USA. I was very happy when I found out my daughter and I received full residency status from the USA. We would be moving to New York City Sometimes, I felt nervous, because it was my first time to go to another country, which used a different language than my country. I also had to leave my family for a long time. However, I tried to keep strong and calm. I knew it was a good choice to move to the U.S.

I am the first generation of Americans in my family, even though my father is an American citizen, but I grew up in China. Chinese language and cultural is one of my uniqueness. This trait influenced me the most was my first year in America. The only academic course that I felt confident was math. I never need help in math, I finished all the classwork and homework at class, I got full score on the exam, even with the state exam in FL, I got 5 out of 5. However, other courses, such as science, English, history, I felt powerless. Often, I was sitting on class, but didn't understand anything about it. At the beginning of the English course, I understood most content, because I learned them in my past six years in China, but when facing the second

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

My initial attempts into meeting people were not very successful. The feeling of being alone intensified. Everyday my mother would ask my if I had made any friends at school, I was sick and tired of answering "no." The joy of actually being in a new country was slowly being overshadowed by the loneliness. A definite change in my behavior was needed. This was the turning point which motivated me to change. I started to become more self aware, started to step out of my comfort zone, started to become more social. This was rewarded when I met my current group of friends who are with me till this

My family and I came to America in the year 2003, and those few years afterward made me realized the tremendous amount of love my parents had for us. Although I was only three, I saw how my father worked long hours trying to keep a young family of five comfortable and safe. He taught me the importance of hard work and endurance. My mother taught me the importance of education. We came to America because due to her receiving a student visa to complete her Masters in Christian Theology and Social Work. She would come back to from long classes and pick us up from daycare. Although she was tired, she made sure that her family was fed and well. As soon as everyone was well, she would finish her homework. Her desk and computer were located in my

To be American to me means that I have the right to live my life the way id want to. If I have a goal or a dream I can achieve it by working hard. If I have an opinion about something I am allowed to say it without getting into trouble. I am allowed to say my opinion on anything even if it's not nice. People get to go out and make their dreams come true every day. If you work hard for what you want I think you should be considered an American. You decide what to do with your day. No one can force you to do something you don't want. Freedom is an important part of America. Freedom is what makes America

In my opinion, being an American means so much more than just living in the United States. Being an American means that you are free, able to create opportunities, able to vote for what you believe in, able to bring about change to benefit your community, etcetera. Being an American gives you the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but it also creates opportunities for injustices. While this country is not perfect, I believe that being an American is a privilege that many other people are not able to enjoy. Often times people take this for granted and unfortunately, this causes disrespect to others and to our nation. Above all, I believe that being an American is about respect.

Nowadays, education is one of the most important elements that help people to achieve the success. I have studied in Viet Nam, and I have failed in my studying. In Viet Nam, I used to think education was not essential to my life, and I did not plan anything about my academic plans. I failed in my university, and I worked in the local company in the downtown. Everything was fine, but I could not be promoted without a degree. I went to the United States of America to restart my studying. Therefore, I have planned my educational plans for next three years seriously, such as perfect my English skills, find a scholarship, and transfer to my dream university.

This novel has only increased the knowledge I have already for the immigrants that migrant to this country. All of the sacrifices humans make day in and day out to make sure their families are in a better place than their homeland. I also went through a similar experience as the Garcia sisters. Living a wonderful life in my homeland of Honduras, parents were both college graduates working in their respected professions. Oppressed by the struggles of living a life where we feared every time we stepped out of our homes. Having been kidnapped and told there would be no tomorrow unless your family pays up the ransom. Brought us to the United States of America. Living a totally different lifestyle, unlike many went from having so much to struggling to make ends meet. Fights after school with kids trying to bully me and just trying to adjust to the new surroundings. Their story definitely hits home a hard way for me.

Marching Band has been a part of my life since I was about 9 years old. “I’m with the band” has been something I’ve said since I was in the fourth grade. In 2008, my band director, Mrs. Bollaro decided she would create a Pep Band, which soon turned into the ALJ Marching Band. My oldest brother, Eddie joined, and two years later, my other brother, Giulian joined. I was always mesmerized by the pretty flags and the spinning weapons, so it was not a surprise when I decided to join colorguard. When I finally made it to the eighth grade, I was allowed to join the colorguard. From the moment I knew what colorguard was, I wanted to be a part of it. My mom, and two of my aunts were in their high school colorguards, so being in colorguard meant more than just spinning. Joining marching band meant that I was following in my family traditions, and continuing what my family had started.