In 2009, the U.S. Census gathered that there were over thirty-three million second-generation immigrants living in America. America is a melting pot, and in this melting pot, it isn’t uncommon for these children, myself included, to lose sight of what our lives could be–and the struggles that our parents faced to ensure that we have more opportunities than they had. As I write this essay, I’m stressing over the things any other American high school sophomore faces– grades, social drama and statuses, and my follower count on Twitter and Instagram. These “problems,” if even that, are minute to what others our age face around the world. Young adults in Sudan are starving, and young adults in Syria live in the middle of a war zone. As far away They raised two kids: my 19-year-old brother, who is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia, and myself. Thanks to their hard work, I’m able to worry about the things I do. Never have I worried about not having food on my plate, about being denied my education, or being forced to leave everything I know and abandon my dreams. It’s easy to forget what my parents have done for me, for the opportunities and doors they have opened for me. There’s no way to understand your life–the privileges you hold–without understanding the past. You must be thankful for all the things your loved ones have done for you, and I’m sure that I am. I can’t imagine my life if I were in my parents’ shoes, if I faced the struggles and hardships they did, and I know I wouldn’t have the courage to be as decisive as they were and are. Their perseverance and determination make me content with my life now, knowing that it could be much worse. Their experiences motivate me to capitalize on what they gave me–to become something. I want to be sure that my parents know I’m thankful and know that I will work hard to become what they didn’t have the opportunity to. 11th Grade Columbus High School Anjali Patel 5th
Overall, my family has taught me the importance of service, education, and of tenacity in the face of adversity. My parent’s stern beliefs of never taking life for granted and to always take the step forward to establish yourself as a responsible individual created a work ethic that has solidified my character. When I imagine the hardships my parents faced to create the future where my sister and I have the opportunity to pursue
They instilled in my brain that education is the key for success and happiness, which has always made me try my best in all of my educational pursuits. I do this not only to show appreciation for what my parents have done for me, but for my own sake as well. I am fully aware that there are countless people all over the world that would give anything just to be able to be apart of this country. This gives me the motivation to always push myself to achieve the highest education possible and to go above and beyond to make something out of my
About 20 years ago my parents came to the United States from Mexico in order to give their children a better life. As I near the end of my high school career I realize now that what they wanted for my siblings and I was a fresh start from poverty and the opportunity to a higher education.
My parents want me to earn the highest degree and fulfill my career goals. It was hard for my parents to find a job due to a language barrier, and being an immigrant. Later, my dad found a job, but he was paid less due to lack of experience. It was hard for us to manage the household with single man's income with no prior earnings in dollars. This was the challenging time, because we have to start with $0 bank balance in this unfamiliar country.
My family consist of five people: my mother, father, sister, brother, and me. My dad works as a landscaper. My mom works at Ross dress for less, she works in taking out the merchandise from the boxes and putting them on the hangers, she has been working there for almost 10 years now. My parents immigrated here from Mexico to America a long time ago, before I was born, making them immigrants. My sister is 13 years old and my brother is 15. As for me, I am the oldest of my brother and sister, which means having to take up responsibility at a young age, and growing up early. Some of the responsibilities that i had to do was taking care of my brother and sister while my parents went to work, i’m the one who read all the important paperwork that would come in. I feel that even though i had to grow up early I received a little more trust when it came to going out with friends. Throughout my whole life I have only did one major move and it was from Concord to Antioch( not a huge distance), I moved when I was 6 or 7, and there wasn 't a lot to miss since I was at that stage where moving was the best part, also I barely to understood what was happening most of the time. I started 1st grade when I moved here to Antioch and the classes had already started so I was one of
My parents didn't have the opportunities that we have. Both my parents had to quit school at a young age, they had to find a job and help my grandparents pay for bills. My mom wanted to have an education she wanted her diploma but she wasn't able to achieve that goal. To her and my father is important for us to get an education for us to finish high school and go to college because they want all their kids to have a better life and be able to support our children in the future. From day one when I started kindergarten my parents push me to do my best and I don't plan to let them down.
After years of struggling my parents have reached their goal, we are finally in a stable financial situation and their kids are going to school. What I take away from my parents is hard work and consistency pay off. Many obstacles can be overcome. They have also taught me that hard times don 't last forever. I
My family’s past experiences also teach me how to live my life the best way possible. For example, my parents did not finish college, so they were not able to obtain lucrative careers. Not finishing or not even going to college can take a toll on your life. If my parents finished college our life would have been more successful financially. Although my parents did not have the best money,
Without my mother to push me at such a young age, I wouldn’t have been the student I am today. As I grew older, my mom began to further understand the pressures of school on a student with regards to grades and test scores. Since I was the oldest child, my mother and I were both learning the ways of the American education system, especially as Asian Americans. But instead of constantly pressuring me on how to do the best in school to get into the most prestigious college, my mother let me realize for myself what it took to reach my goals. All that mattered to her was I tried my best, and that doesn’t have to equate to perfect grades.
When things got tough they pushed me to be better. Without them I would have quit and I would not be where I am today. My parents raised me to be independent and to make smart decisions for myself, they also taught me the meaning of sacrifice and even the true definition of accomplishment. To me, accomplishment is not necessarily about winning, it is about succeeding in a goal you have set for yourself. I have had to sacrifice many things to be able to get the chance to reach my goal.
Being a child of immigrant parents is not easy. You are constantly living in the fear that one day you’ll wake up and you parents won’t be there with you anymore. Specially now that we have a new president, things are getting more challenging. But don’t get me wrong, I live a happy life. I am proud to call myself a Latina. Being a child of immigrant parents has taught me so much. For example, being able to work hard for what you want. At school, I always strive to get A’s. My parent’s have taught me to never settle for anything less than a B. They know that in order for me to go to college and be successful, I not only have to get good grades but work hard to get there. I love a good challenge. Sometimes it’s not about the obstacles you face,
Many people are raised up by the idea that the society they live in always needs more adjustment, and other people around them are not always friendly. I am also one of those people. Since I was little, I was taught by my father not to trust anyone around, and not to pay too much effort into any kind of relationship. Even though I might not necessarily agree with him, I still followed his advice for years. However, I always ended up feeling lonely and depressed.
At the age of____, I left everything behind in Armenia and migrated into the United States of America to start a new life. Even though I love my paternal land and do not forget where I come from, the fact that I could pursue a career and become a productive member of the society encouraged me to move to America. To my great misfortune, I was persecuted for being politically active in my own country and I could no longer fight with the authorities for violating my civil rights. I had the potential of facing more dangerous situations than I was already in at the time. I am my parent’s first child and they instilled their best efforts into providing the best education for me. They did not receive higher education and I was the first in my family.
More than twelve million immigrants will make their first stop in America at Ellis Island Immigration station in the years ahead between 1892 and 1954, at least that's what we read. Who knew a small island in the New York Harbor would become my life saver ?