My Life Story As A Refugee here in America
By Pan
Young
I am a
15-year-old girl and a sophomore at Bishop Maginn High School. I live
with my mother on Morton Avenue. I came here to America as a refugee back in
2014. Yes, that means that this year on July 12th me and my family will be here
in America for five years. Now, the reason why I am writing this story is
because I want to share what happened in my life here in America, and basically
how I become who I am today.
First,
I want to share how is life here in America as a refugee. It is not easy at all.
When I first came here, I felt like I was in a different world. Everything
seemed so different — I mean basically everything: the culture, the language,
obviously, the weather, the food and much more. Even myself — I felt like a
different person living here.
I still
remember how I was struggling to speak or answer back to my teacher about how I
felt at school, or how I am doing with school and life. And sometimes you do
feel like you regret coming here since you feel like you don’t belong here
That’s how me and my mother felt at first, especially when I go to school for
the first time. Let me tell you, English is “ridiculous.” One word can have a
thousand meaning and it can be translates to many things. English is my third
language, and It took me lots of concentration and focus, trying my best to get
used to the language and how to pronounce words and learn their definitions as
well.
At Giffen
Memorial Elementary School I was put in 6th grade, based my age. I bet I was 11
years old. I still remember the first day of school here. I was sweating the
whole time and looked like I was about to cry and faint. My communication with
others was not doing well; I was very shy and intimidated. I was assigned to
English as a Second Language, or ESL, as well as regular classes. That’s where
I met the ESL teacher, Ms. Domenico. I believed she’s still there in
charge of a little higher class of students who attend ESL like fourth graders,
fifth graders and sixth graders like me.
And the
day I met Ms. Domenico, I started to see the positive side of my life. I feel
happier and more grateful to be here in America. She is one of the greatest
people that I’ve met in my life. She taught me not just English language but
many other things that had not made sense to me before then.
She
helped me to overcome my struggles and my fear of this new place and new
culture and people. She also helped me with my behavior and encouraged my
personality to come out of my shy un-outgoing personality to who I really am.
She also helped my mother, giving her ideas on places to go to get answers to
our questions. I could go to her and tell my problems and she will just help me
through it without hesitation.
I believe
that’s why you don’t judge things too quickly. I realize she showed up to me
for a reason and she assure me that I am not the only who feel and act like
this. I was just shook — my brain couldn’t process what was going on with my
life, I feel like that’s when I felt brave enough and my life started to
change I felt relieved and as time went on, before I even knew it myself,
I start to make new friends at school and not being alone.
At Giffen
I began to feel like a new me. I entered a new good chapter of my life
Bit by bit my new personality emerged, but my old self is still somewhere deep
down in me. And you should never forget who you are and who you were; that way
you will realize how far you’ve come, how much many things have happened and
changed you, and how many things you’ve achieved.
Before I
end my story I just want to tell you a short message to all the others refugee
out there those who are still struggling to get through their life. It
doesn’t matter where you came from or who you are, don’t be afraid, and don’t
be afraid to talk about yourself. I believe that you were born for a reason and
live your life according to that reason. why you were born in the first place.
And one more important thing is to love yourself. That way you can love and
take care of others.
