Bridged Barrier

 

The term “for a better life” sounds very easy. But it is not. There are many difficulties that an immigrant family go through. Adjusting to their new home is one of them. Moving homes from up the street, to completely around that world- it has the same effect (possibly more than the other.) Trauma experienced in their country of origin. The changes that happen, physically and emotionally is very different. From the home, to food, to family, enviornment, setting, and the people whom they are surrounded with.

Language barrier is one of the main difficulties for immigrants. It is difficult to all of a sudden speak a language that is not of your tounge. This limits a person’s communication and who they are. Some people It is very hard to communicate with others, and others to communicate and even just to understand you.

A bigger barrier occurs within families. When the second generation is raised and has developed a new language, that parents have a hard time either keeping up and coping. A different level of barrier occurs that goes beyond language, it is how language is interpreted.

For some, speaking the same language doesn’t necessarily mean the information that is being given across is gotten. For some parents interpret the information totally different. For some adolescents, some may have practiced tacticst for a way to communicate with their parents. Some have to perhaps speak in English, and if the point is not across, then having to try and speak it in their own dialect may be ideal for better and more in depth understanding.

Cultural difference is also an issue. A generation that came from a whole different culture and is then living in a complete opposite is very overwhelming. How about within a family? It is very tough for the parents to see their children live a life that they feel completely alieanated from. With no full understanding, and communication parents have to deal with such unpleasant outcome. They may feel that they are being betrayed, and partially disrepsected (not only for them, as well as their own culture).

One way that this can be solved is just through communicating in the same level. People can be patient to those who are not fluent in the language, and strive to have empathy. Within family, understanding cultural difference with an open mind, and continually to communicate with the next generation would greatly benefit both parties. They could learn from each other, and share experiences and cultures so that the other know how and why it is done so.

Essence of Your World

There is about over six billion people in this world. World that consists of different countries with different cultures. Cultures that form from foundations. Foundations with music, literature, lifestyle, religion, beliefs, and many more. Some countires may be know to have more “culture” than the other, as well as people.

When a person is raised in a certain culture, they adapt and live a certain way. They are expected to follow a certain lifestyle, and perhaps have special beliefs. Some may actually believe that it is a right and only way, some just do so just because they have been raised to live their life the only way.

To those that are put in a different world- therefore different culture it can be a very difficult. There are many things that a person may have to adjust- food, language, work, communication, and many others. It is something that one have to really work on and consist patience and empathy in order to survive.

If a family were to migrate from their known home, to a wholly different world. There are many challenges they have to go through, not only the basic adjustments but also adjusting and realizing that the children they are raising are being raised in a very different world- culture. Immigrant children and adolescents need consideration and care. They are being brought up from living a certain lifestyle for a brief amount of their life, to a completely different one. It is confusing, and often very hard for both the children and parents. This can lead to creation of gap and the “unknown” within the family. With the parents not having the full understanding and knowledge of the culture, the way the children act and live could be very frustrating for the parents. This may creates some sort of disturbance within the family.

A way that his can be solved is understanding and learning a culture. Some parents may think that the lifestyle is wrong and unacceptable, but really it is just different. With the full knowledge and understanding, furstration and the feeling of loosing the culture is eliminated.

Coming into a whole new world is very scary, and intimidating. It is an unknown world for one, and is something one must get use to in order to survive. There are many adjusments that one need to overcome, and deal with in changing and living in a whole different culture.

One thing that one learns from a lifetime experience is that every culture has its own advantage and disadvantage. Its own ugliness and beauty. But the most that one can get out of it is embraced the best of each culture and gain the full values and beauty of each.

A Perfect Picture

The ideal way to leave for anywhere, anytime would be the “no rules, no requirements, no regulations” kind of requirement. Unfortuntunately, this does not come easy, especially for those who come from a foreign country. Throughout the American history, immigrants have come in and out of the country both legally and illegally.

Before the white men had set foot in America, Native Americans have already been living in America. When the Europeans set foot in American, millions of Native Americans have already occupied the land. When the Europeans started to arrive in the 16th to 17th century, they were met by the Native Americans. The Europeans were very different, basically “alien” for the Native Americans. From how they looked physically, to their language, to their food, and everything else.

Dating back decades ago, this was the beauty of no rules. A man can just take out his boat, sail into the big ‘ol blue and with luck find land, set foot, and BAM! welcome!

But today consists of many challenges for immigrants that come in America. According to the Immigration Law and US Immigration there are many things that is required, even though just to get a glimpse of a visit. Visas (conisisting of differnt kinds), green cards, work permits, monthly fingerprintin, and the list goes on..

To some, taking the risk of skipping the whole process is ideal. From the United States Immigration Supports, ther are over 10 million illegal immigrants from Mexico that currently in the U.S. The main reason is the search for a better life, acheiving the “American dream.” Many take the risk, because to some it may be the only way for a better life compared to what they have at home- even though that it may be harder for them to find and maintain jobs, and live with cautious at all times

In our society, “Americans” are those who primarily live in America. But the real “Americans” are the Native Americans. How can a European, German, Australian and many other immigrants that have decended from other countires to America look down on the other ethnicity? Is it because they may have come earlier than others? I’m sure. But really, what makes America is the variety and the citizens that it holds.

The world would be a much better place if everyone is just accepted and had empathy towards each other. The perfect picture of a whole culture is where no one is judged and ridiculed with where they come from.

Empathy is the answer to this. If everyone in this world just understood, had knowledge of other culture and where people are from.. everyone will be accepted and live in harmony.

A perfect picture.

A Lending Hand

When one is placed in a wholly different world from what they are familiar with, ,the word and the act of help is always greatly appreciated in every way- Help physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

When a family leaves their home, they leave everything behind. From the belongings and jobs they onece possessed to leaving families and friends. This makes the whole “leaving for the better” seemlike for the worst. How coult the families and friends help?

Moral support.

According to www.dictionary.com support means a person or thing that gives aid or assistance to another. Families and friends can help the ones leaving by lending assistace. For example, packing beleongings for a lifetime is very time consuming. An exta hand or two is always appreciated, thisnot only show the family and gives them the reassurrance that they care.

Moving is very emotional. Emotional for the ones left behind, and for those moving on. Many that those leave can get a negative impression. Some may feel like they have betrayed the ones that are being left behind, and even their country in search for a better life.

This is not necessarily true.

In order to stray from this, making sure that communication ad open mind is a must. Both parties can help by simply talking and having empathy towards each other.

Once a family has stepped foot onto “A Whole New World,” they are an “alien.” A foreigner.

Being a foreigner is a struggle. Many part of one’s life has changed and taken out of. But one thing that is permanent, faith and God. Having faith and reliance on God has taken out many of those who go through difficulties and help overcome challenges. People rely on god for hope and guidance. God and his word has been used as a foundation for many that start a whole new life.

For some that move ito a new country has nothing.

No moral support from back “home.”

No empathy from others.

No spiritual foundation.

This makes everything much more difficult for the family. On top of what they worry about- if it is the right decision, if they can support their family, if what they ever hoped for is provided. They will need every help and support that they can get.

Have you ever seen those families in downtown cities with a look on their face saying, “Where the heck are we suppost to go?” Bags thrown on their shoulders, maps in their left hand, and their childrens’ hand in the other? Yet we just look at them and do nothing.

Just taking moments out of their busy life just to walk across the sidewalk ad ask if they need help will be greatly appreciated. Showing them directions and where they need to go. Whatever it may be, whether they accept the offer or not, just the notion and knowing that there are people willing to help them can be enough.

So the next time you may be roaming the city of Seattle, New York, and even a small city like Blaine, have the empathy towards others and lend a hand. It is something that every one of us can do to easily help each other, making lives easier.

A lending hand goes a long way.

A Whole New World

A world where the sun shone every single day, a world where rice was served at every single meal, a world where happiness wasn’t measured by how much money one has, a world with a blanket of one certain tradition and one certain culture. That was a world where a young child with no choice was moved out into a wholly incompatable world.

In much of today’s world, many families immigrate to a wealthier country (much like America) in search of a better life. Life with better education, better earnings, and better future. Does this mean that those who have immigrated for these reasons have also forgotten their past? Of course not! It defines who they are, what they believe, and where they came from. It shapes who they are as people and who they will become.

Those who immigrate and submerge in a completely different life go through many difficulties. For many families raising children in a new culture, life becomes much more than just raising a family, more than just making sure mouths are fed, more than just living life.

It becomes trouble.

A kind of trouble that may break families and ties.

Part of me is still that “young child.” One that goes through many difficulties and conflicts being raised in a whole different culture and society by those who have lived in a complete opposite world.

In this blog, I hope to gather all my thoughts and understanding of my knowledge about young children that have gone, and or still going through the same experience as I have, and share to those that may find this useful in any way..