When I Came To America Essay

“ When I came to American in 1978, I was stunned—and exhilarated – to find out that I could walk into any library and check out books that were uncensored and read them without fear of being harassed, thrown in jail or killed “ ( Mathabane, Pg. 29). This shows he lost his freedom in Africa and in America he found the peace and ability to read anything without it being censored or fear that he would go to jail. When I read that it made me appreciate the freedom I do have, being able to go to school, read what I want at any time. This is a great pleasure to have and now I appreciate it more. People do not realized that yes America has its issues but look at South Africa they are limited to what they can do and they live below the poverty line.

When I was six years old, living in Ethiopia, my dad won an American green card visa lottery among 53,000 people. Although it was exciting news, family members were discouraged because my dad could not afford the visa processing and traveling expense. However, he found a sponsor in Seattle, which allowed him to settle in America. As soon as he found a good house and a stable job, he started the process for me and my family. Multiple errors and obstacles delayed our processing for five years.

What does it mean to be an American? Without any doubts, throughout centuries, since the foundation of this country, people have asked themselves what it means to be an American. As of today, it is a known fact that immigrants have helped with the development of this nation and discrepancies of what it means to be an American were born throughout the years. Certainly, more than one person has tried to give an exact answer to this question.

The first time I ever experienced freedom was when I came to America. Sometimes freedom ain 't really for all, you still have to follow all rules, and obey your parents. The word *Freedom* means to me is that you may have the right to do what you think is right, and you don’t really have to be one of those people out there that have no right. Even if you don’t have any right you can always dream, and experienced from the people around you, and your friends. When people always tell me what’s right, or wrong, that annoys me.

America... what does it mean? Why does everyone want to live here? What does it mean to me? The United States can be seen as a box of colorful pencils.

According to the dictionary, the definition of Americanism is a custom, trait, belief, etc., peculiar to the United States of America or its citizens. In 1776 when the United States was established and we declared independence from Britain, we got many rights and freedoms. Those rights and freedoms are still very important today to making Americans who they are and what they believe. To be an American to me is not about your ethnicity, religion, or language you speak.

American Experience Well, as many of you might already now, I am here today to give you all some basic information about the USA and the daily life in the states. You all just saw a video with typical American things to give you all a first impression about the daily life in America. Content: 1.

The first day of class, I responded to what it means to be an American, by saying that I lived in America. I was free and had the promises that were promised when America was founded by the first settlers. My answer for what makes, The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, American is no different. The novel by Hawthorne, was set in America it also had values that were American as well. “The wrong-doing of one generation lives into the successive ones (Hawthorne 14).”

As I ponder over my life, each memory seems identical to the other, and I find myself drifting through a reality of similar events that generate the same memories and emotions. Looking back further into my childhood includes memories of my homeland. I remember entering a new world at the age of five, where all of my later memories would be formed. This was when my family moved to the United States from Peru, my native country in the South. The complete change in culture and values truly impacted me when I first moved to Florida, and I reflect over the significant effect it has had on my character during the last thirteen years of my life.

“America is not just a country, it’s an idea” -Bono. America, where millions from around the world have come to create their ideal community. America was formed, and is constantly being altered by the people who run it. Many countries look at America as a standard, a standard to which they compare themselves, but why?

Have you ever thought of what makes the country we live in special? Or even what you, yourself thinks of it? In this essay, I will be explaining what America means to me. I was born in America and have spent my whole life here. Just recently I went on a trip to the East coast and I got to see many monuments and memorials that were dedicated to the events that formed our country.

Throughout my childhood I had a constant conflict inside of me. I wanted to be “popular” and just like everyone else but I never accepted me for me. Once my family broke through to me I was able to realize everyone is different and that’s ok because that’s what makes the world interesting. I learned difference is not just ok but vital to life.

Although this assignment seems, on the surface, to be a fairly simple and straightforward effort, I have struggled somewhat to focus onto one piece of music. Perhaps it is because I am older, have traveled, worked and lived in many different environments and amongst many different people and cultures. The most basic feeling that comes to me, however, is my love for our country, and the sense of belonging and brotherhood from serving in the armed forces. Growing up in a small town in rural Minnesota, my first memories of music having a connection to my sense of community and my own identity was experienced at a summertime county fair. Mixed into the sights and sounds of the people, animals, food, cut hay, straw and manure, under the hot blazing sun,

My Journey to America Moving from Nigeria to the United States permanently feels great, but at the same time it is sad leaving some of your loved ones and family behind. There are many events in life, which can change one’s way of thinking. As for me, one of the major changes in my life occurred when I moved from Africa to America. This change has entirely affected my personality positively. Why?

My family’s past experiences also teach me how to live my life the best way possible. For example, my parents did not finish college, so they were not able to obtain lucrative careers. Not finishing or not even going to college can take a toll on your life. If my parents finished college our life would have been more successful financially. Although my parents did not have the best money,