They say the goal in life is to live the “American Dream” and I would say I am living it head first. It all started when the time in my life came to pick an Univeristy to attend, and boy am I ecstatic with my decision to attend West Virginia University. WVU opened so many doors for me; however, if it was not for my family, I would not be where I am today. I was very content with going to my local University and living at home because that was comfortable to me, but my family encourged me to find a new start.…
When I knew that I was gonna come to the United States for the very first time, I had a mishmash of emotions. Excitement was of course present, since I've fancied myself living the American dream. You know, the kind of life you see on TV. So, whenever I come back fresh from the States, wind blows like there's no tomorrow. All I say is how great life is in America.…
Body crouched, holding on to a miniature blanket are the memories that cannot be eased from my head. Low temperature is a constant reminder of my harsh times as a homeless child with not a thing to loose, only an empty stomach behind. Thinking that crossing over would be the most difficult challenge of the “American Dream”. My parents did not come prepared for the far more challenges to come.…
Little bit of Yankee, little bit of Ya’ll. Maybe a catchy t-shirt slogan, but not necessarily untrue. Having lived half my life in both New England and the South, I often feel like a combination of my two home experiences. This can be a little unsettling: up North, I’ve “turned Southern”, but down South, I’m definitely a Northerner. Though sometimes difficult, I’ve grown to like the alternate viewpoints I’ve gained living in different locations.…
When I started my high school, I often times stumbled upon people with different belief and experiences, but there is one particular incident that will always astonish and startles me. It was my junior year in Trinity High School, I was excited to start a new year in high school. The excitement of being an upper class was infused in my heart and my mind. As far as I can recall it, I met a colleague of in my theater class. He seemed to be amazed and surprised by everything around him.…
My life changed in a blink of an eye, the moment I turned in sixteen years old. My parents told me, that it was better for my future to finish high school in America. I was thrilled, but at the same time I knew coming to America meant starting over. Leaving my country, my family, my friends, and my culture was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. After living two years away from parents, I can say that the sacrifice was worth it.…
Coming to the United States has been the most changing experience of my life. But why there are many reasons, first of all, the decision to leave your home country, left your family and friends behind, expose yourself to a totally different culture, learn new rules, many questions start surrounding my head at the moment I realize that the decision was final and I was ready to leave. Boarding the plane and see your family happy but sad, was such a break heart moment, anxiety and tension started building up inside and more questions pop up, this is my new adventure, but how is it going to be, how I'm going to make new friends, how I'm going to live, how will be the weather, how I'm going to deal with the language do I going to like all these…
I was born in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the place where all my best memories live. My mother gave birth to her first child at the age of 18 then to me a year later, she hadn’t finished high school so she trusted my grandparents to raise us in the city while she went to work in another. There was never a dull moment in our grandparents home, we would play countless games in the water when it rained and the yard would get flooded or get chased around by our guard dog as my family would watch laughing despite my fear of dogs. One of the things I will always be grateful for is growing up in Ethiopia, my days were filled with happiness and adventure that I will forever cherish. Moving to America was a drastic change for my brother and I, we would spend countless nights crying homesick, asking to go back home.…
“Do you remember coming to America grandma?” I replied, “Just like yesterday, Clarice”. It seems just like yesterday.. It was one frigid morning in Rome, Italy. November 19, 1893 to be exact.…
I was 8, finishing 2nd grade, when I moved to America and left my homeland. I didn’t realize how much this would change my life. All I thought at the time is that I am going on a plane. Planes are cool when you’re a young child. Planes can fly.…
“W-Where am I? Oh, I just slept on my bed sideways.” I groggily got out of bed and ate breakfast. The day went by normally. When I got home from school, my whole family was gathered in the living room.…
My American Dream For centuries, people from different countries have started to migrate to the United States for a better life. This mission of being successful is known for being an American Dream. The American Dream is basically someone who is trying their hardest to become successful in life. Those who come to the United States tend to work the hardest so they can support themselves, their family, and to be happy. For example, someone who worked very hard to support their family and be successful was Notorious B.I.G.…
To be an American is to be able to choose freely. Acts of terror seem to be more and more common, according to the media. In times of terror and strife the citizens of the United States of America come together no matter what beliefs and opinions we have to defeat the opposition. Secondly, America was built on immigrants, and as such we are open to diverse races and beliefs, and Americans consider people they have just met as friends. This is what I believe is my American Identity.…
I couldn’t accept the fact that I was moving to America. I felt like I was dreaming, or like I was part of a movie or something. Despite the fact that I was still laying down on my bed, I felt like I just ran a race. My heart was beating as fast as a cheetah, and I could barely contain my excitement. When the rooster crowed, I immediately got up, took a shower, changed my clothes, and went to my luggage, which I packed the night before.…
Dreams are shaped by ideas and family shape those ideas. I grew up with the most admiring, and aggravating mother and grandparents. However, they have taught me the most important aspects of life, and have how they sacrificed their life to come to the US. Surprisedly, I actually barely found out that my grandparents were refugees and had to exile their country to come to the US. While living in their household, they have tested my patience, however they have been a great impact on my life.…