Taking my very first steps into the United States at 10 years old, I naïvely thought that becoming an immigrant only meant enduring a bumpy plane ride. I was a boy, unaware of the challenging events that would significantly impact my life. Disguised in those events though, were valuable lessons that taught me about overcoming the tides of change. My first time attending a class in the United States, my heart dropped at finding out how significantly behind I was in the curriculum. Compounding to my feeling of alienation and discouragement, were many classmates that found it fun to mock me for my appearance and how I spoke. My single mother and I relocated every time she found a better job opportunity, which lead to my nine school transfers. Consequently, there were years where I commuted two hours every day to get to school and back. Moreover, I had to attend schools where students dealt and used drugs. …show more content…
I willed myself to communicate effectively. I helped my classmates see past our differences by being kind and studying with them. The two hours I spent commuting everyday was to attend the best school I could. My efforts became the genesis of my Academic Excellence and Scholar Athlete Awards, as well as lifelong friendships. Without a doubt, if I had not met such changes in my life with the same eagerness to excel, I would not be as well-adjusted of a person as I am
Immigration Over the course of the last couple hundred years, many immigrants have moved to America in hope to find life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When they reach America they find out that they don’t fit in as easy as they thought they would. In many cases, immigrant children often feel they must lose their cultural identity in order to be an American: because they have to learn to be white and fit in, because it’s a country that gives people chances, and because if they want to be successful they have to learn English.
Despite the fact that I was born in the U.S., my native language is Spanish, I was raised in Mexico, and spent half of my life studying in Tijuana. It wasn’t until the sixth grade that I decide to switch to an all English-speaking school in San Diego. I’ve since crossed the San Ysidro border every day, going the extra mile to wake up earlier, and to getting to home later. I in no way regret my decision to leave my friends, and my comfort zone, even if it might seem puzzling to many including my family. But this wasn’t always the case.
This psychological assignment requires us to break a social norm. In my case, I decided to break an appearance social norm. I thought in something weird, but at the same time really funny. Therefore, I entered to my little walking closet and I took the most brilliant and extravagant high heels shoes that I found to wear them at a place when people usually used flip flops.
Symoi Halsoll I overcame many obstacles to become this person I am today. I never knew each year things would get challenging for me that would change my life forever. My family was from Kingston, Jamaica so I really didn’t understand that much of the United States because they were somewhat learning about the country too. When attending school, I never use to fit in with the other kids; I would only have one or two friends.
One of the toughest adjustments, having been born to Mexican parents, is migrating to an unknown country where traditions and languages differ from one 's own. Though many pursue an education and strive for a better life, the purpose behind an immigrant, like myself, differs from the typical American. Immigrants strive for a life that was once impossible, going to school is not only to attain an education, but to better prove that we can also become successful regardless of our traditions and skin color. I lived in a country for over fifteen years, fearing deportation, not only losing a home, but potentially saying goodbye to a bright future. Although many feel empathy for Mexican-Americans, it is undeniably difficult to truly comprehend the immense trauma children and even adults undergo upon experiencing racism and prejudice.
People tend to romanticize the life of an American Immigrant. They say, “We are going to America, the land of the free, the land of opportunity;” and for most part I do agree, America has given me many great opportunities throughout the years, but opportunity comes at a price. My parent moved to America when I was two and paid the price of losing their ability to communicate and to see their families. Being a D.A.C.A (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) student now, you can conclude I lost that ability as well.
It was the last inning in our all-star game, and we were losing 10 to 8. Our team had 2 outs and we couldn’t get the third. Our pitcher was doing bad, throwing all balls, while all of us in the field were tired, ready to fall asleep at any moment. There goes another walk. They score again.
At first, the social peculiarity given to me by my migration status and language limitations made me a victim of bullying, which made me want to go back to the safety and similarity of my home country. However, the persistent nature engraved in me by my parents did not allow me to give in to the constant discriminatory voices that kept telling me that I would never be "American" enough.
At the age of 11, I move from California to Toronto. The move brought many hardships that still have an impact to this day. Moving meant not being able to see my lifelong best friend daily and also resulted in not having a relationship with my father, until recently. This also meant having to leave the only place I knew, and familiarizing myself with new scenery, new street names and a new house. Not only did I leave the town I grew up in, but I left what I feel was a better educational system.
The older I get, the more I realize how difficult it has become for me to deal with change. I understanding that change can be a significant thing. I am used to doing things my way. So when the time comes for a change, I do not accept it well. I have a difficult time trying to adjust to change at home and I the workplace.
The cab driver doesn’t even raise his eyebrows when a teenage girl gets in his car and gives a long-distance address. He maintains a driving pace that 's seventeen miles over the speed limit. I decide that I like him. I 'm tired of looking at trees and I don’t feel like processing what happened today, so I dig out my book.
My participation with leading change began early in my career in 2006 as a Supervisor in a manufacturing department at Karl Storz in Charlton, Massachusetts. I have had the privilege to work with a diversity of teams with a multitude of different backgrounds. My tenure with the company has evolved since I began in 1998, from assembly to leadership in a short amount of time. I adapt and promote change in a positive manner, and have learned through experience that appreciating people brings value to the customer as well as for the team.
Over coming life challenges proves to be a difficult task with a little patience, perseverance, and a bit of hard work it can be done. I know this to be true, I have lived and overcome adversity. I was raised in a dysfunctional family, my father was a Vietnam veteran with undiagnosed PTSD whom was addicted to opioids and alcohol. , he was very physically and mentally abusive My mother attended nursing college while I was an infant, and was a text book enabler.
I was totally doomed. After twelve years of living in San Francisco as an Artist, I was so sick and tired of infinite loop of mediocre daily life. Also, I was still an outsider in the country even I lived there more than 12 years because my status as an international student. There was a company which they promise me to give a support to get the employment visa but they never did. So you know what, I quit.
From Shuichi Yoshida’s Parade to Kierkegaard’s Diary of a seducer or even Lemony Snicket’s A series of unfortunate events, I’ve always tried to read as broadly as possible (even though I have a preference for non-fiction and historical fiction). That’s why when I saw on your website that there was an opening for a communications assistant role at Penguin General, I knew that I had to apply. Indeed, Penguin General with its eclecticism offers the best stories to everyone and represent every kind of individuals. Thus it fits my vision of what working in publishing means. Moreover, you published The Power by Naomi Alderman which is now amongst my favourite reads of all time.