A tree grows in the wild

One year ago, I still looked like a little girl with childish scent. I remember the first day when I came to the United States. Everything was extremely unacquainted for me. I didn’t even go outside, and I felt home was the most secure place where I could get all information on the Internet to see the strange environment. However, I realized these behaviors woudn’t help me to adapt to the things I was still afraid of. I changed some of my personality and improved capabilities at the same time in order to accept the new environment and create an infrangible bedrock for my future.
Communication is the first step which has become aware myself and others. I am not an extraordinary tranquil person, but I was used to working alone because Chinese traditional etiquette follows this manner. For example, people won’t greet strangers. In China they think strangers must have bad intention or malice if they come to you. Thus, when I got in touch with new friends, I used to have conversation implicitly. However, the United States shows a diverse culture. “Hey, how are you”? That’s the most hackneyed phrase. I will blurt out these words several times a day and I start loving this way to plunge into a conversation. This was helpful for me to practice speaking skills in the beginning; eventually I felt not that lonely because of the different language.

I also lost parents assistance most of time and became a very independent person with strong survive abilities. I broke away from the childish girl of my past. My parents used to spoil me so much. The important things like finding school, preparing documents were all covered by them. The reason is I think I cannot do it well and parents were not relieved if I do it. Therefore, the vicious cycle makes me not have confidence to do anything. In addition, if I did something wrong, they would say “let me do it for you”. It’s a traditional custom in China, parents will do everything for their children, and they don’t want their children to be hurt. On the contrary, I can have my own opinions, consider and can do better of them. First of all, I am alone in a foreign country; I have to do every single business myself. Second of all, I get hurt sometimes, but I have experience and lessons. That’s why people say wise men learn lessons form their own mistakes.

Having a job has also been a new challenge for me. I never had a job in China. Going to school was enough work and my parents supported me everything. The exchange rate has becomes a part of stress for me. Staying with my parents like a free meal, I stretch out my hand and somebody will send to me. I just don’t want to still walk like the past roads. I want to take some blame too because in the United States everything can happen but people need to try. So, I found a part-time job in school and when I received my first remuneration, I finally felt this is my achievement because I had been trying hard.

Looking back at my experiences, I’d like to say it was hard to adapt to the culture and manners that I brought from China. However, adjusting of these difficulties has made me feel refreshed. I am here for a new life, for a life that is totally different with my past. I have become mature because of these experiences. The goal of my future is to just stride forward.