Moving to America as the Most Defining Moment in My Life

As George William Curtis once stated, "A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods." To some this statement might seem strange and contradicting the reality, but I see a substantial amount of truth in it.

These words refer to a person who was born in a certain geographic area, but at some point in life he or she stopped considering that area their country. The person no longer holds that place dear to his or her heart. Moving from ones native country to a better place may account for a person's change in loyalty.

Ukraine for me was the "area of land, of mountains, rivers and woods" where I was born and raised, but after moving to America I found myself more loyal to this country because it offered me countless opportunities and resources to become successful in life. Moving to America was a defining moment in my life that included a personal challenge, a change in my everyday life, and an opening of new opportunities.

Order custom essay Moving to America as the Most Defining Moment in My Life with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

Changing a place of home constituted a personal hardship for me in that I did not fit into the American society right away. When moving from my hometown in Ukraine, I had to leave behind my grandparents and my best friend Dasha. My grandparents were my babysitters and nearly raised me. They contributed much to my development as an individual.

My grandfather engrafted in me the love for music by playing songs for me and teaching me to play mandolin, violin, and the accordion. My grandmother has taught me many children's poems and Bible verses thanks to which I won many prizes at Sunday School competitions. I became emotionally attached to my grandparents from continuously spending time with them.

As a result, it was a true challenge for me to move to a different place without them. Dasha and I were in the same grade for all four years of elementary school that I attended in Ukraine. She tended to understand the material faster than I did and often helped me in completing my school work.

Unlike many other of my classmates, she was willing to be my friend although I was poor and did not have the fancy snacks and coloring books like other children. When I was leaving my hometown, I did not think I could ever find another friend like Dasha or cease to miss my grandparents.

Having lost the people who meant so much to me made it difficult to establish new relationships in my new place of dwelling. Another aspect that prevented me from easily becoming a part of the American society was my unawareness of what it meant to enter a completely new culture.

People around me spoke differently and for the first several months of living in the United States I found it difficult to go through a school day without being misunderstood. Another cultural misunderstanding about which I learned was that people randomly smiled at others not to laugh at them, but to express their polightness.

Being confused about why people acted in the ways that seemed strange to me also delayed my blending into the American way of life. The personal dilemma that accompanied my transition from one way of life to another was my ability to fit into the environment I found myself in.

Much more resources became available to me in America, improving my daily activities. In the American economy, even the people of lower classes generally have the access to technology about which most people in Ukraine only dream about. Shortly after settling in Pennsylvania my family was able to purchase a computer.

It was a piece of technology which we were never able to afford before. I have not used a computer unlit coming to the United States and learning how it operates was a true discovery for me. Having access to the Internet, I was able to learn more through reading articles and improve my intellect.

I also received a chance to virtually communicate with many people and make many new friends. The means of transportation for my family also improved shortly after we settled in the United States. My mother could now afford to buy a car instead of relying on public transport. Entertainment was another aspect of life that greatly improved thanks to what this country had to offer to us.

Amusement parks, centers for performing arts, and ice skating rings were considered only for the rich in my native country, but America made those available even to us, newcomers. Using all the comforts I have at hand makes me vary thankful that this country gave me so much even though neither my parents nor I were born in it.

Becoming a part of the American society changed the prospect I have for the future. If I have not moved to America, I would not have had the opportunity to enter the career of history and music education. The highest possible higher-learning institution that would have been available to me would be a vocational school.

I would have never had an opportunity to enter a university have I not moved to the United States. The official cost of universities in Ukraine is very hight along with the bribes that are needed in order to continue one's education. I am very thankful to this country for making higher education is available to people of any economic status and to the government for willing to give grants to students who truly want to learn.

Attending an American secondary school has taught me the value of hard work and the positive affect it can have on my life. I am thankful to God that I had teachers who were fair and impartial, giving students the grades they deserved.

In the school I attended in Ukraine, good grades were given to the children of well-to-do parents who contributed well to the class's budget and to the children whose parents were teachers. Such unfairness discouraged many to try hard on their school assignments and, to a certain extent, I also was one of such underprivileged students.

However, seeing how college instructors are, for the most part, just in their evaluation of students' work encourages me to work hard and achieve more. Learning English has provided me with a good practice in mastering a new language.

If later in life I ever face the need of learning another foreign language, I would already have an idea of how to go about doing it. Because of the opportunities offered to me in this blessed country I can see myself having a favorable career and future.

Changing my place of living in 2003 was a time when I had to overcome a personal discomfort, undergo a change in my lifestyle, and witness the emergence of new possibilities in my life.

I took the changing of my place of home as a challenge because I had to leave behind cherished individuals and face a culture to which I have not been exposed before. Resources like computer, cars, and places of public entertainment have improved my everyday life along with my knowledge and social skills.

In addition, America has given opportunities that include a career according to my interest, a skill in learning a foreign language, and an understanding of the worth of hard work.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer