From Haiti to the USA

From Haiti to the USA

I was born and raised in Haiti. Growing up in Haiti was a significant experience. When I was a child, I used to horse-ride with my father every weekend. Those moments are unforgettable. The beauty of Haiti lies in that one does not need a lot of money to live a good life and to experience it. In the evening after all of my homework was done, I had the freedom to play with my friends and to enjoy nature. In Haiti, a tropical island in the Caribbean basin, there are no seasons; it was breezy and cool summer all year long.

 

Shortly after my mother died, I was looking for a new start. I did not know where to begin. One day, one of my older siblings explored the idea with me to move to the USA. That would enable me, she said, to soften the pain of my mother’s passing away.

I used to come to visit some of the States, but I did not like the life there. I always saw myself living

 in Haiti, because I was afraid to leave my native land, my family and friends and away from all of

 those who really love me to come to a new country where the value system is so different and where

 money seems to be the only reason people breathe. My brother is one I listen to the most. His

 opinions have a strong influence on my decisions. He convinced me to leave everything and

 everyone I knew behind for a new life in America.

 
I remember the day I left Haiti for effectively . It was December twenty third. When I got to JFK

airport in New York, it was so cold that my hands were shaking and my ears were freezing. Already,

 I was home sick.

 

 I lived with my two older sisters, Kerline and Yadlie. They were very supportive. I was doing my

 best to adapt to the new life and to adopt this new country as my own.

 

For an immigrant who had a decent life in my native country, the first years of living in the

USA were humiliating experience. I become exposed to prejudices and even racism, something that

 was not part of my previous world. People judge me based on your accent when speaking English as

if that was something negative; they look down on you based on where you come from to make me

regret you left your country. I suffered all of that. And despite the tears and the moments of anger

about my decision to have come here, I always stayed focused. I had to move on from my previous

life in Haiti. I had to move on past those sickening prejudicial treatments because I knew who I was

 and I would not allow other people who knew nothing about me to redefine me.

 

I saw many who were born in the USA, a land that offers so many opportunities, not accomplishing

anything with their lives. I realized that success is an attitude that had nothing to do with where you

 came from. I decided to push myself to the limit of my abilities. I knew I shoul be hard on my self in

a positive way, not settling for less but always wanting to go further, I would make it. One thing I like

 the most about the United States is the fact that anything is possible if you really put your mind, your

 heart and your efforts to it. There is not one dream that is out of reach.  I knew I had to stay focused

 and not let myself be distracted by the negative elements of my surroundings. Even to this day, I am

still working hard and never lose sight of my dreams. I know one day, all of them will come true as

 had many already.