Personal Narrative: My Education In America

Have you ever realized that as you get older you slowly have less and less time to do anything fun or spontaneous? For me, I may not be considered old, but lately it seems to be getting harder to do anything such as hanging out with friends, hanging out with my girlfriend, and even just watching television. As I get older it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay young. All of my time has been taken with the pressures of school, so that I can build a career, and working 2 jobs. I’ve been working at McDonalds for about 3 years and The Home Depot for almost a year now.

Transitioning to the American life as a ten-year-old child was extremely challenging. I was clueless and did not understand anything. English was painful to learn even though; I realized it must be essential to know it. Philippines was my home moreover, I missed the people, the food, and the places I have visited. School was especially a struggle to me.

America has set a precedent in global history that other countries would eventually follow. Americans themselves have been regarded as the most patriotic for their country, and egotistical at that. Now when it comes to pride and confidence, one must have something to support their claims and beliefs. In America’s case, we have one of the largest economies on the planet, and one of the strongest militaries as well. How ever, one thing doesn’t seem to add up.

The great Marcus Garvey once said that “a people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture are trees without roots”. This quotation has always stuck with me because it validates that, as humans, we all have a story to share. No matter where I go or who I meet, thanks to my story, I have the confidence to embrace who I am every single day. I am a first generation student. Both my mother and father were born and raised in Nigeria and came to the United States in 1998.

Upon meeting me, not many people know that I am a first generation American. However, they are usually interested in the orgin of my last name. I am in fact Ukranian. Both my parents and my older sister were born in Ukraine. They immigrated to America in 1992 because of religious persecution that they were facing.

I woke up suddenly; I felt as if I really was at the mercy of howling gale and waves of surf and storm. My face was wet from sweat as if I was splashed by hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of water. I was dizzy and my head was in extreme pain as my bed felt like a rocking boat. I could have sworn I was hearing waves and I could have sworn that there was a distinctive aroma of salt water filling my room. However, as I pulled my head up from the comfort of my pillow, there was nothing.

“We’re staying at a hotel this week, girls.” As I heard the words sorely coming out of my father, I was hit with the reality of where I lived and the situation the city faced. Six men had been shot countless times across the street from my house. A bloody and holey reminder was left, and up to the residents to clean up. The city was Juarez, Mexico; at some point, the most unsafe city in the world.

One day my family and I went to Great America. It was a sunny day and there was no wind, anyways I really wanted to go on a roller coaster, it would be my first time! I was really excited, I was 9 years old so it was a big deal to be tall enough to be able to ride a roller coaster. The roller coaster was named The Grizzly, I thought it was the best one to be my first, so my dad and I got in line. We were the first in line, and when we got in the roller coaster cart, we were in the first cart.

What Makes Me an American? Have you ever asked yourself “What makes me an American?”? To me, living on an Army base and hearing “taps” several times a day. And seeing the different types of army vehicles all around the base make me feel proud. I believe that being an Army child makes me feel the most “American. ”.

My Trip to America Some people think that my trip to America was dangerous because I risked my life by travelling around the world illegally and with a fake passport. Others think that it was not worth it because of the expenses. I spent almost 40,000 dollars coming to the United States. I was uncertain if I would ever get the opportunity to accomplish my goals.