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DavidR Essay 4

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 3 months ago

David Romero

ENG 71

11/9/06

Essay #4

 

You never know how trials and tribulations in your life will have an effect on you. It is surprising how difficult times can have a positive outcome on your life. I was surprised with the problems I faced when I came to the United States, but have been even more surprised by the results those problems have had on my life.

 

When I was twenty years old I realized I had bigger goals to accomplish. I didn’t feel as though I would be able to make the necessary changes in Mexico. So, I called my close friend and asked him for help. I soon found myself traveling to Flagstaff, Arizona.

 

My biggest challenge once I arrived was the language. I had no idea how to speak, write, or read English. At my new job, my coworkers would ridicule me because I didn’t have knowledge of the language. Instead of helping me, they would teach me the wrong things to say to people. I cannot describe how frustrating it was to be unable to express myself! I couldn’t even go to the store alone; I couldn’t communicate. Due to my language skills I was stuck in worthless jobs, going nowhere. This was one of the most trying problems. I had moved to the United States, so I would have more of an opportunity to have a career. I was stuck in many cooking jobs. I can still smell the grease like it was yesterday. I would go home caked in it. I knew something had to change.

 

The lifestyle in the United States is almost opposite the lifestyle in Mexico. For example, children move out of their parents’ house at a much earlier age in the United States. It isn’t taboo to educate children about sex and drugs like it is in Mexico. Food is completely different. Kids also learn how to drive much younger. I didn’t know how to drive when I arrived in the United States. Therefore, my friends had to drive me everywhere. At first, my friends didn’t seem to mind. However, the more time that went by, the more it became a problem.

 

As a result of the problems I was having within the first few months in the United States, I had to make a decision; give up and go back to my family in Mexico, defeated, or learn English, the lifestyle and anything else that I needed in order to accomplish everything I wanted. I am not one to give up so, I learned English. I was able to speak English socially within six months. I kept pushing to learn more. I did not want to be stuck as a cook for the rest of my life. When I had the chance to watch TV or a movie I would turn on the subtitles in English so I could learn how to read. After meeting my wife, my English really took off! She is American and only speaks a few words of Spanish. So, it was English all the time.

 

Today things are very different for me. It took some time, but I feel that after four and a half years I am close to becoming completely bilingual. I now have a family that I am able to support with my job. I worked up to a manager position in six months within my company. I am now attending school with the goal of attaining a business degree. Then I plan on opening my own business. I have great compassion for second language learners and I know that my experiences have made me a better boss and man. I would not be in the position I am in now if I had not gone through the rough times when I first arrived.

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