1/ I came to the United States on November 2007. I and my family had to wait about 10 years for the process. When my family got the mail from my grand mother ( she was living in U.S. ).She said everything done, my family can move to U.S after get Visa and interview. When we knew about that, we had 3 months to finish all of thing to ready moving to U.S. It was hard time for my family. My parents had to do some formalities for quit their job, and waited the school give they the money for quit. That's thing took much time, and we had to give some cashes to the person do that thing. We just had hard time about quit the job, and sell the house. The interview was easy, they just gave my father the picture of his brothers and sisters. They just asked my father who is that, what is his name and this one, this one, so that was all. We passed and got ready for flying next month.
The first years in U.S. it was so crazy to me. I didn't understand when someone speak English. I went to restaurant I didn't know how to order. I just pointed the food picture for the waiter understand. When I went outside, I always brought 3 things, notes, pen and electric dictionary. People who didn't understand what I said, I just wrote it down and gave to them. I spent my first year in some community centers to study English, and went to work at Vietnamese factory. The second years I began looking other jobs. It was so hard to me because no where hired me.
Finally I got a job at the Midway Stadium, I did picnic service. It was fun, but they paid not so high. Almost at this time I didn't know much what customers want, I just guested and serviced them. Sometime the customer didn't know what I did, and they laughed me. I had 3 times so fun,scare and ashamed, the first one is I serviced a drunk customer, I asked him " what do you want ? beef or chicken " but I said the sound same " bitch". He was so angry, and wanted hit me. So lucky the one stand near me, he understood what I said and he helped me explain to that guy. The second and the third are I went wrong the women restroom, and then the security came talk to me, but I didn't know how to explain for my confusing. However, the first time is hard time for me and for everybody who are immigration, I think.
2/ Do you think language unites or divides us?
Yes, I think language unites us. Let think, if I live in United States, but I don't know how to speak English. Do you think I will have many friends from other countries? or can I work at some American companies? It's impossible. In other way, if I know English, I can communicate to other people. If I speak English so well, and live in U.S., I think I am American too. I think so, if I am living U.S., speaking English, who care where I am from. In U.S. has many places they open to teach english for immigrants, why do they do that? because they want unites immigrant by language. That's why I think language is so important, it helps people come closer and unities.
I like your Blog Nhat. It is like coming to your home to visit and have a conversation with you. Your story was interesting. It reminded me of when I was in Korea. I did the same thing. I didn't know how to read the menu and say anything in Korean. I just sat at the table and waited until they brought be something to eat. How strange! Thanks for sharing! You had a funny story too about the drunk man. It made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteNhat,
ReplyDeleteYou are right!
Everyone who comes here for the first time has to go thru the same things we had gone thru.. so don't feel shame.. i am glad you have gone this far and I hope you can achieve your goals in life.
I really enjoy reading your post.
Thanks for sharing..
Itzel Ortiz
Nhat,
ReplyDeleteI love your drunk story. I was laughing so much:) You have a good sense of humor. I too think language unite us.
Best,
Chris
When I read your experiance, It remined me what was happened my first time work experiance.
ReplyDeleteay asian boy ur cool i see you men you sit right by me right i know lol but yea man i know its hard coming to america i bet everybody had dealt with the same problems but i'm glad you are here an dyou sit right by me asian boy cool loooooooooooooooooooool this is not like facebook right?
ReplyDelete