To: Immigrants in America (Tips)
Hello, My name is Paul J. Park.
This blog is to help immigrants (from whatever country) adjust to America and it's culture.
Shall we start?
1) Learn English: They say "When you are in Rome, follow Roman's law" (or something like that). What makes you think that you can live in this country and not speak the language? I do not think they should let you take the driver test in anything except English. This is an English speaking country and you should do what the majority of people are doing. Of course, for older people it's harder to learn, I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about kids from age 5 - under 35. Learn English
2) Expect to see diversity of people: This country is known as the "Melting Pot" for a reason. You can find so many different ethnicity of people that you really need to watch what you are saying sometimes. This is not your motherland nor home country, this is place where people from all around come to live. So drop your one way views and opinions and open your mind for something new.
3) Hang with people who are not the same ethnicity as you are: First few years of my life in U.S, I did hung around with people that are same ethnicity as I am, but that was only because I didn't understand what the homework is and what the assignments were. But even then, I didn't hung around too many people of my same ethnicity. When I was in 7th grade, they put me in ESL for the first time and I hated it because class was divided into two groups; one side of Mexicans and one side of Koreans. Of course I sat next to Koreans but when they try to talk to me in class, I told them to leave me alone because I am here to learn English. I did not want to limit myself to specific groups of people, I wanted to be friends with everyone. That is why I love my friends because we are so unique and diverse. This tact can help you learn English better, learn the culture better and you can make friends outside of your comfort zone.
4) Do not forget about your roots (Your culture): This kind of opposite of the tip #3 but you should not forget where you came from. Americans find it very interesting because if you meet Americans who never left the country before, they have assumptions about your home country and sadly, they really do not know what it's like except the bullshit they get fed on by media and media in U.S is great at twisting stories. For example; people ask me where I'm from which they are asking where my ancestors came from, which is Korea. When I say Korea, 90% of time, they will ask the following question: North or South?. Which is such a retarded question if you know anything about world history or even U.S history. Don't get offended, just think they are idiots.
5) Watch lot of American TV and movies: This is vital. This can help you learn English faster by memorizing phrases and usage of the certain words. English might be easy to learn but understanding English that's spoken within country is totally different because there are Jargon(slang), metaphors, and sarcasm mixed with the cultural sense of it. TV and movie can help you understand these pivotal stuff and also, American's includes TV and movie 80% in conversations.
6) Learned the music: Music is very important in U.S. Because music, almost, marks a point in history. Listen to these artist: Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel.....and those should get you started. These artist are known musician through out the world and pivotal to American history. You might disagree but then again, you might not.
7) DO expect to be treated differently: It's true, everyone is treated equal in America.....but only on the surface of things. Trust me, you will be treated differently. Don't expect to be treated same as a Caucasian kid who's family have been in this country for generations, you can't compete, TRUST ME!. So, do not even think to measure your life with their and you will only make yourself sad.
8) Watch The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy: I know I just listed 3 animated shows but I pick these three because these animation shows the glimpse of American Culture. It's humor, so don't think it's alright to do everything day do, because IT'S NOT!. If anything, it's humor in sense of sarcasm. These cartoons point out flaws in this country and makes fun of these situations. But, South Park or The Simpsons do deliver cultural ideas and trends.
9) Drinking: Drinking in America is thick in our root. Americans do drink lot and it almost seems that, we can only get satisfaction by drinking. I'm not saying other countries don't, but it's in American Culture to drink. I'm sure, you can find a way to avoid it if you like but do assume that this country is very heavy drinking country.
10) Learn the holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Valentine's Day, Cinco De Mayo(Hispanic but it's celebrated), Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
These tips should help you get through the first few years in America. Good luck and WELCOME TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
This blog is to help immigrants (from whatever country) adjust to America and it's culture.
Shall we start?
1) Learn English: They say "When you are in Rome, follow Roman's law" (or something like that). What makes you think that you can live in this country and not speak the language? I do not think they should let you take the driver test in anything except English. This is an English speaking country and you should do what the majority of people are doing. Of course, for older people it's harder to learn, I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about kids from age 5 - under 35. Learn English
2) Expect to see diversity of people: This country is known as the "Melting Pot" for a reason. You can find so many different ethnicity of people that you really need to watch what you are saying sometimes. This is not your motherland nor home country, this is place where people from all around come to live. So drop your one way views and opinions and open your mind for something new.
3) Hang with people who are not the same ethnicity as you are: First few years of my life in U.S, I did hung around with people that are same ethnicity as I am, but that was only because I didn't understand what the homework is and what the assignments were. But even then, I didn't hung around too many people of my same ethnicity. When I was in 7th grade, they put me in ESL for the first time and I hated it because class was divided into two groups; one side of Mexicans and one side of Koreans. Of course I sat next to Koreans but when they try to talk to me in class, I told them to leave me alone because I am here to learn English. I did not want to limit myself to specific groups of people, I wanted to be friends with everyone. That is why I love my friends because we are so unique and diverse. This tact can help you learn English better, learn the culture better and you can make friends outside of your comfort zone.
4) Do not forget about your roots (Your culture): This kind of opposite of the tip #3 but you should not forget where you came from. Americans find it very interesting because if you meet Americans who never left the country before, they have assumptions about your home country and sadly, they really do not know what it's like except the bullshit they get fed on by media and media in U.S is great at twisting stories. For example; people ask me where I'm from which they are asking where my ancestors came from, which is Korea. When I say Korea, 90% of time, they will ask the following question: North or South?. Which is such a retarded question if you know anything about world history or even U.S history. Don't get offended, just think they are idiots.
5) Watch lot of American TV and movies: This is vital. This can help you learn English faster by memorizing phrases and usage of the certain words. English might be easy to learn but understanding English that's spoken within country is totally different because there are Jargon(slang), metaphors, and sarcasm mixed with the cultural sense of it. TV and movie can help you understand these pivotal stuff and also, American's includes TV and movie 80% in conversations.
6) Learned the music: Music is very important in U.S. Because music, almost, marks a point in history. Listen to these artist: Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel.....and those should get you started. These artist are known musician through out the world and pivotal to American history. You might disagree but then again, you might not.
7) DO expect to be treated differently: It's true, everyone is treated equal in America.....but only on the surface of things. Trust me, you will be treated differently. Don't expect to be treated same as a Caucasian kid who's family have been in this country for generations, you can't compete, TRUST ME!. So, do not even think to measure your life with their and you will only make yourself sad.
8) Watch The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy: I know I just listed 3 animated shows but I pick these three because these animation shows the glimpse of American Culture. It's humor, so don't think it's alright to do everything day do, because IT'S NOT!. If anything, it's humor in sense of sarcasm. These cartoons point out flaws in this country and makes fun of these situations. But, South Park or The Simpsons do deliver cultural ideas and trends.
9) Drinking: Drinking in America is thick in our root. Americans do drink lot and it almost seems that, we can only get satisfaction by drinking. I'm not saying other countries don't, but it's in American Culture to drink. I'm sure, you can find a way to avoid it if you like but do assume that this country is very heavy drinking country.
10) Learn the holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Valentine's Day, Cinco De Mayo(Hispanic but it's celebrated), Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
These tips should help you get through the first few years in America. Good luck and WELCOME TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
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