Premium Essay

Personal Essay: Moving To America

Submitted By
Words 1145
Pages 5
Famous poet Khalil Gibran once said, “March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.” I relate to this quote because I am in a stage of my life that I cannot stop going forward, and I want to achieve the best that I can. As a result of moving to America, I learned to appreciate a trusting environment, the closeness of family, and the importance of education. As

I was born and lived twenty two years in Iran. Then my family decided to move to America. Actually, this was not a sudden decision because they were thinking about it over a decade. There are many reasons we left our country, and the main reason is me. The other reason is that living in Iran …show more content…
However, for me, it was not the same. I do love my country, but I expect so much more from my life and, in Iran, I could not achieve my expectations. For someone like me who has the chance to come to a developed country such as America, it is hard to stay in Iran, which is quite opposite .Iran is an Islamic republic. The Islamic law is enforced, and it is not just hijab. Hijab is a way that women in Islamic countries should cover their hair, hand, and body, and each country has its own way. Also, the country is not developing as it should. It is even backsliding. The economic situation is worse than ever, and most people cannot keep up with financial changes. There are not many playgrounds for people to go and spend time. The government does not care about such manners, and …show more content…
I have known many young adults who start their own lives when they turn 18. Many families stop supporting their children financially. It is hard for me to understand how a young person can manage his or her life with no support of a family. In our culture young people who are single live with their parents, and parents support their financial matters, especially daughters. I do not approve of families in America who stop supporting their children, but I am not fond of my culture either. I believe that many families in America fall apart because families stop supporting each other. On the other hand, in Iran, parents would not let the children discover a life on their own and when they start their own family, they will have many problems and difficulties. Their own family may fall apart because they do not know how to support their family and provide for them without any help from their parents. Having knowledge of all these issues has helped me to be very appreciative of my family, because they are moderate. They want us to become an active member of society and have our own income, but they will financially support us until we reach that part of our life so that we can concentrate on our education. I hope to have the qualification to do the same for my children. In addition to financial support, my family always looks out for me. They often correct my mistakes and lead me to the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Are We to Blame for Obesity?

...well as the economy. In the articles both authors show their awareness of the problem at hand but point the finger at two very different groups of people using factual and statistical evidence as well as personal opinions. Although both arguments are very valid, David Zinkzenko’s essay provides the reader with a lot more than opinion. The title in every essay brings it to life. A spunky title will keep your audience yearning to read what the writer has to say, while a boring title will readers doped up on energy drinks to get through what the writer has to say. David Zinczenko’s title, “Don’t Blame the Eater” catches the reader’s eyes. The title as a whole has the audience asking questions about the “eater”, and who blames them? However, the title of the second article, “What You Eat Is Your Business”, by Radley Blanko comes off as arrogant and insensitive to the reader. An example of a less arrogant title would be, “All You Can Eat”, this title would be more pleasing to the reader allowing them to imagine an all you can eat buffet. As a reader, I take immediate offense to the title because of the negative connotation it gives off. Without a strong claim, a paper has no foundation. Both author’s do exceedingly well when providing a powerful claim to their argument. In the essay “Don’t Blame the Eater” Zinczenko expresses his concern for obesity but argues that the consumer is not the one to blame, fast-food companies are. As he emphasizes on...

Words: 1448 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Summary and Personal Response

...Summary and Personal Response By cause of unforeseen circumstances, Suki and her family are forced to give up their "fairy tale" life in South Korea. In her essay “Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits,” Suki Kim (2011, p. 62) shares some of the struggles of fitting in that she endures after moving to America. Due to the financial collapse of her father’s businesses and the option of bankruptcy being out of the question, Suki and her family are forced to abandon their extravagant life in South Korea. After arriving in America, the family takes up residence in Queens, New York (Kim, 2011, p. 62). Suki’s new home is anything but glamorous. She describes it as “a crammed, ugly place” compared to the “hilltop mansion” where she grew up. For the first time in 13 years, she has to make her way through the day-to-day routines without the aid of the hired help. Aside from being stripped of her pampered lifestyle, Suki is now attempting to knock down the language and cultural barriers that separate her from her peers. In her new school, Suki is enrolled in an English as a Second Language class. With this class comes the opportunity for Suki to converse with fellow students in her native language. However, in the midst of these common bonds is also the obvious distinction of social status (Kim, 2011, p. 63). America is most often looked upon as a melting pot where all are welcome with the expectation of being treated equally. It doesn’t take long for Suki to realize that...

Words: 470 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Happy Detroit

...”My Happy Detroit” The article “My happy Detroit” is written by Carolyn Edgar and is from July 28, 2013. The article is a reflection on Carolyn’s childhood growing up in Detroit and the causes to the city’s bankruptcy. Detroit filed bankruptcy and many people are devolving into political causes. The city also never recovered from the riots and the white flights. Detroit is a city that is going so bad, that more and more people are moving away from it. In the article she write about the good and bad times in Detroit. Carolyn Edgar is a single mother, lawyer and a writer. Her personal work has been published widely, including Co-parenting, The Fresh Express and My Brown Baby. Carolyn’s personal essay was published in Mirror on America and Reconstruction Magazine: Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture. You can therefore say that Edgar is a very strong and independent woman, because she is not torn apart by how her childhood home is falling apart. When reading the article you notice that she uses a mixture between neutral language and high language – which makes everyone understand her arguments clearer and in that way makes the audience listen. You can tell that she is very well spoken, which also make the seriousness of her speech bigger and you can better relate to how big the problem in Detroit is. In the beginning Edgar uses a happy experience from her own childhood, “My mother’s garden was in full bloom, and it seemed everyday brought new bounty (…). Every Fourth of...

Words: 316 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Notes Of A Warrior's Son Rhetorical Analysis

...An Inevitable Transition from Vietnam to America The aftermath of the Vietnam war was tremendous. Many Vietnamese were relocated, some South Vietnamese generals taking refuge in America. Andrew Lam was the son of one of those generals and he and his family were refugees in American when Lam decided to adopt the American way of life for better or worse. In his essay, “Notes of a Warrior’s Son,” Andrew Lam uses an anecdotal style coupled with reflective diction and symbolism to justify and express his uncertainty with his own cultural transition from a Vietnamese culture, to an Americanized one. Lam began his essay by using anecdotal style, narrating the story of his father leaving Vietnam. He writes that, “he folded away his army uniform, changed into a pair of jeans and a shirt, and, now a stateless man, tossed his gun into the water” (24). By beginning his essay with an anecdote from his father he sets a more personal tone. This tone help the reader feel more sympathetic to Lam’s struggles. In this same quote he began using the...

Words: 1001 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Peer Letter

...…holding to their past…”(266). Jamieson presents a well-constructed argument by presenting the two points of view; from an American and a native speaker. Jamieson mentions, how Americans feel offended when hearing a native language assuming that if a person is moving to America, then it should learn the language and adjust to their culture. Yet, Americans are forgetting that one of their constitution laws encourages freedom of speech. Then why deprive a person from exercising their right? As Maryam Marquez introduces a new point of view as a native speaker herself she states: “ Being an American has very little to do with their language we use during our free time in a free country”(528). Although Jake Jamieson presents both views, it would be fair to say that both authors agree to the importance it is to keep and respect our culture. “ …Twenty-seven states…have made English their official language…official-English laws always seem to be linked to anti-immigration legislation, such as proposals to limit immigration or to restrict government benefits to immigrants”(Jamieson, 269). Jamieson’s argument suggests that this is not a native language problem but a cultural problem where immigrants are not wanted in America. The author Myriam Marquez in “Why and When We Speak Spanish in public,” also presents a similar point of view by stating: Throughout this nations history, most immigrants- whether from Poland or Finland or Italy or wherever else-kept their language throughout...

Words: 507 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Favorites of English Class

...Favorite Essay Of the many styles and topics of writing my English course has reviewed; the reading I found most interesting was “Being a Man” by Paul Theroux. The essay was over Theroux not liking the masculine identity or being a man in general. I enjoyed Theroux’s essay because he goes straight for the point and the topic was very controversial. Theroux’s essay is about how difficult it is to be a man in America. Men are generalized to be tough, sport crazy and unemotional. I believe that generalization is still common but has deteriorated over the decade. Theroux thinks the way children are brought up is wrong, just because a boy does not like sports does not mean there is something wrong with him. From personal experience, I know that not every little boy likes sports or has the opportunity to be active in sports. I grew up in a small apartment with my father, mother and sister. Living in a room with my sister was very hard to deal with. I had a Nintendo 64 and she had Barbie dolls. There was nowhere to play sports and no place to keep the equipment. We made do with the things we had; I sometimes enjoyed taking the Barbie dolls clothing off and she would play the Mario Brothers. Eventually moving into a house allowed me to be active in football, soccer and baseball. I believe the child’s surroundings can change their path to adulthood. Theroux expresses many things that I find insulting. According to Theroux, to be a man is to be “stupid, be unfeeling, obedient,...

Words: 586 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Summary of on the Meaning of Plumbing and Poverty

...Bryce Gray English 1103 Summary & Strong Response On The Meaning Of Plumbing and Poverty Summary In her essay “On The Meaning Of Plumbing and Poverty,” Journalist Melanie Scheller examines the cultural identity of the rural poor. The author brings the readers attention to her call to action about poverty in America while using facts and personal background. While caring for a woman in a psychiatric ward, Scheller witnesses the woman’s obsession for flushing the toilets in her unit. This memory creates an opportunity for her to write an essay about growing up in rural North Carolina. In the 1960’s the author was growing up with her mother and five other siblings, moving from place to place in search of a home where the rent was affordable. Scheller mentions how she lived in a house with five rooms, with one room in particular for her and her siblings to gather in to complete homework or watch television. Furthermore, Scheller describes how “in the South” of her childhood, if a family did not have indoor plumbing they were labeled as white trash and strongly stereotyped at school. They often had comments thrown at them such as “White-trash children had cooties- everybody knew that”(321). When Scheller is granted a college scholarship, she describes the feelings of happiness and delight she encounters when given the opportunity to use as many clean toilets and take as many hot showers as she wishes. Having this newfound privilege is a blessing but she is ashamed...

Words: 894 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Eng 115

...Week 3 Assignment 1.1 \\Eng 115 The author of the essay “Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” is Suki Kim. In the essay, Kim wants to explain her struggles. The essay discusses the struggles she had as a child being in the 7th grade and moving from South Korea to Queens, NY. She went from being rich to being poor basically overnight. Her world as she knew it was changed in an instant. Her father went from being a billionaire to having nothing. Her main purpose is to describe what she faced while trying to adapt to different beliefs and cultures. Kim talks about her life going to a new school where everyone spoke English. She noticed that even Korean American kids avoided her. She had not realized there was much diversity within an immigrant group. There was definitely a separation between the groups. Being a teenager, she was “already rooted in Korean ways and language”. Her soul was not quite American although on paper that is what she was considered. She would rather use her Hello Kitty backpack instead of one that had pictures of the Menudo boys who were popular in the 80’s. She was upset that her parents would not allow her to pierce her ears. Most girls her age had their pierced. It sounds like she struggled to fit in and still keep her Korean culture Her lifestyle changed tremendously. She went from having a chauffer to taking public transportation. She had to get used to being called an Asian when she had only heard that term in school in...

Words: 517 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Science

...Jack Royston Dr. Patricia Oman Eng 100 11/17/15   Essay 5 Attempt 2 I visited London before I came to America and it was a very emotional and enjoyable experience and I feel that it is a memorable experience as I spent time in my favorite city. I also feel that it would be relevant to other people as it is a famous city and many people would be interested in visiting it as it has many famous landmarks and buildings. I live in Essex in England, which is 30 minutes away from London by the train. I have visited London many times to visit friends, see the sights and to attend soccer training sessions. I became reasonably emotional; as it was the last time I would see London for many months. I feel that London is an amazing city and that it has so many sites to visit and I have many memories from visiting London. It is also the capital of England and it is one of the biggest cities in the world and it makes you feel like you are in an important place. I visited London with my friend that I have known for many years and we spent the day travelling around our favorite areas of the city. It was a hot summer’s day in July and I remember feeling excited the entire day and looking forward to enjoying the city. We arrived at London Liverpool Street at approximately 11:00 am and then took the tube to Oxford Circus station. We walked around Oxford Circus going into different shops and observing the busy street. I enjoyed the feeling of being able to enjoy the city as I noticed that...

Words: 2541 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Moving Away from Home

...Daniela Escudero Eng-101 Prof. David Schleicher Narrative Essay 5/27/2014 Moving to America Transformed My Life In the past I came across many changes but leaving my country was the toughest change in my life. I had to learn how to live away from people I love and how to start a new life in a new country. Immigration is a life changing experience; learning a new language, adapting to the culture and lifestyle changes are all strenuous things that were thrown at me once I became a part of this country. Even though moving away from my family and friends was a difficult decision, it changed my live for a better. It taught me how to deal with change, how to become an independent and responsible person, and how to feel this country my home. I never imagined living in another country. I remember as it was yesterday when my mom said, “Daniela, I know you do not want to leave Colombia but I have to take you with me, you are my youngest child and I will not let you here” I started arguing with her, saying that how she could do that to me when I already had plans to start college and that I was happy in my country but at the end I gave up and decided to come to America. It was February 10th, 2010, when I left Colombia and was forced to leave my friends, my grandmother, my school, my language and culture to move to this big new country to start a new life. As I took my last look at my home, I remembered all the fun times I had with my mom and sister and friends...

Words: 1284 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Essay

...company, a mining business and hotels. Then one day they lost all of their money and had to flee to America. Bankruptcy in Korea had jail time behind it, something that her father didn’t want to go through or put his family through. So they left Korea in the ‘80’s and moved to Woodside, Queens in New York. To what Suki says was an “ugly house” that a Korean family owned that ran a dry cleaners. Their sons, Billy and Andy became her playmates. Suki was picked on from the other Korean children both at home and in school. She felt out of place. Therefore the other students didn’t want anything to do with her kind. They were Koreans, but not Korean American. They would call her FOB, “fresh out the boat,” or “yellow.” Funny because they didn’t arrive in a boat, they flew here in an airplane. Even the rich Koreans that left there and came here moved to Manhattan or Westchester. The children were ashamed of her and her kind. In order for her to learn English, she would watch reruns of “Three’s Company.” “Immigration is meant to be the great equalizer, yet it is not easy to eradicate the class divisions of the old country.” (para. 7 pg. 63) Suki says that, “more brutal than learning English was facing poverty with a rich girl’s habits and memory.” (para. 11, pg. 63) Summary of Facing Poverty with a Rich Girls Habits Assignment 1.1 Summary and Personal Response – Draft Version October 25, 2013 Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits by Suki Kim The...

Words: 1360 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Analysis Of Richard Sennett's No Long Term: New Work

...In his profound essay on the economy and American labor classes, No Long Term: New Work and the Corrosion of Character, sociologist Richard Sennett uses personal accounts to target the change in America’s labor system, the corrosion of long-term work, and the lack of value placed on ethics in the workplace. Particularly, he examines the benefits of lower and middle-class life styles. Beginning with the story of his personal friend, a man named Enrico, Sennett presents an account of a low-class family in the 1970s. “Though clear, Enrico's life story was not simple.” Enrico was a janitor for the majority of his life, saved for fifteen years to buy his first house, and worked nonstop to provide for his family. The exact opposite of the American...

Words: 786 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Evolution of Selling

...The Evolution of selling The essay titled “Evolution of Selling “is based upon how selling has developed with the various key changes back into the industrial revolution era that has had an huge impact upon and led to the ways and approaches of selling today and looks into the ancient and modern methods, techniques and attitudes of selling which altogether has contributed to its modernization. The age of selling has brought about many advancements and developments in the world of Marketing through the encouragement of improving technology and people’s hard working attitude towards it, although, the question that remains is how personal selling even started at the first place? For which, Williams et al. (2001) has said in one of his books, Sales Management, that a street peddler was the first person ever who made a door-to-door sale by collecting the produce from the local farmers and selling it to the townspeople. Selling today would never have been so convincing if door-to-door selling was never introduced in the market because without understanding the customer’s needs and wants in detail by discussing with them, the company wouldn’t know what satisfies a customer, what products for whom and how they should be made according to their needs. Salespeople who earned a living only by selling products did not happen to be many in numbers until the Industrial Revolution(mid 1700s) hit England as traders, merchants, and artisans used to fill in the selling function before this era...

Words: 2052 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Personal Response Paper to Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler

...Personal Response Paper to Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler’s: Inner Contentment It is possible for one to be happy if they could not have everything they wanted and had to accept what they were given? There are many desires for things one can and cannot obtain. These desires can be good, useful, or cause problematic issues. They can lead to greed which can lead to people expecting too much in life. Even if one can obtain what they want, they may still not be happy. That brings the concept back to whether people can be happy even if they cannot have everything? Materialistic things do not fulfill peoples’ lives and are only representing temporary happiness, satisfaction, and pleasure. Eventually it runs out and the depression and lost feelings return, leaving one wondering what to buy next to fulfill that void. In Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler’s essay on Inner Contentment, they argue whether it is possible to have inner contentment. Inner contentment is not expecting things that can make one happy, but being happy with whatever is given, without expecting more. Life is just and everyone cannot have everything they want, they have to deal with what has been given and live life. In the essay, Lama and Cutler state that “The true antidote of greed is contentment” (1002). What they were trying to say was that no matter what one has, one can still be content and happy. They argue that there are two ways to be content which are: to obtain everything one wants and desires, but eventually...

Words: 973 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Welfare Reform Argument Analysis

...First, many individuals have written documents declaring their disapproval of reform. One such essay that opposes welfare reform is an essay written by Lester Spence, assistant professor of political science at John Hopkins University. In his essay, "An Argument against Welfare Reform," Lester Spence disputes that as a result of the Reform of 1996 "more harm has been done than good." Some of the issues he brought out in his essay are as follows: people moving from welfare to employment are not receiving as much money as when they were receiving welfare, medical care for children, and medical care for adults (Spence). Second, many individuals have implicated their approval of welfare reform. Not only have many approved...

Words: 1376 - Pages: 6