Even if people think that immigration and completely changing one’s life is easy, that is not true. I have experienced immigration and changes in my life, and I am still struggling with problems, including homesickness, making new friends, and changes in my lifestyle. I moved to Chicago alone. My parents live in Azerbaijan, so I had no one to support me in Chicago. It was hard for me as an adolescent moving across the world to live in the U.S. all by myself. However, I am glad that I decided to make a huge step to change my life and start a new chapter. I used to be insecure and lacked confidence, but Chicago has changed me. My social and mental points of view have changed.
My social point of view has changed since I moved to Chicago. I have been insecure since I was a child. I always thought that everyone judged me because of my behavior. After immigrating to the U.S., I noticed how people treat other people regardless of their appearance, personality, or religion. I experienced a lot of support from immigrants and native-born people from Chicago. From my point of view, in Chicago, some people understand and accept other people’s points of view. However, it is hard to be understood or accepted by everyone. That could be one of the reasons of being insecure or lack of confidence.
Moreover, Changing the social environment is a huge step in immigrants’ lives. Back in Azerbaijan, I had a lot of friends that I have known for a long time. Even though I moved to Chicago, my friends and I still have communication. When I planned to move to Chicago, I was scared that I would not be able to find friends in Chicago who were like my friends in Azerbaijan. I could not make friends for months and felt alone. I was not sure anymore if I would make any friends in Chicago. On the other hand, after being accepted to Harold Washington College, I finally found friends who are supporting me and being good friends to me. I am also supporting and helping them whenever they need me to. It is not easy to live alone in a foreign country.
In conclusion, it was hard to give up everything that I built in Azerbaijan for the past seventeen years. Immigration has its own negative and positive advantages. However, immigration has given me an opportunity to experience something new and create a new chapter in my life. In the beginning, it is hard but it is worth it because the U.S. is a country that can give opportunities for people who have goals and dreams.
What a great essay, Jamila! I really understand your feeling, I felt insecure in my home country too but after moving to Chicago , I felt that most people accept others regardless of their background and I felt more comfortable here, it's true being an immigrant is hard but you got this and I'm happy for you that you found lot of good friends here :)
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting point in your essay, and I agree with your experience in Chicago. When I came in United States, I had been similar felling about new place. In the beginning I felt alone, insecure and uncomfortable, but slowly I have felt comfortable and happy because I made many friends and I have stayed busy to work. I think in beginning, immigrants have faced to many problems in new country, but later they can accept all thing such as culture, community, and language.
ReplyDeleteI was also scared that i wouldn't be able to find friends in the U.S., but this is one of the adaptation step. Everything is temporary and solvable.
ReplyDeleteNice essay! I also found myself here in Chicago, is nice to just be yourself and be accepted for who you are. I am happy that you were able to find friends at Harold.
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