BACKGROUND
The interviewee has requested that their story not be shared on social media.
TRANSCRIPT
TRANSCRIBED BY Tara Dorje (x 5)
What do you remember from your first few days in the U.S. when you arrived? Can you share what it felt like and what your first impressions were?
Okay, so I remember it being very hot because I arrived in Las Vegas. It was triple-digit heat! The weather was very dry. As much as I wanted to go around the city, I was just very… anti-heat! [laughs] And then I was very terrified, yeah.
Wait, what was the other part of the question?
What it felt like and what your first impressions were—I think you answered most of that.
Yeah. The food—it was huge quantities of food, which I was very surprised by. To the point where it was kind of nauseating. Very greasy as well. And then, compared to a lot of Ethiopian fruits and what I'm used to eating, which is, you know, injera every day, it was a huge shock to completely switch that diet.
What was the most memorable food?
Um… [pauses] I think eggs.
Eggs?
Yeah, because they didn't taste as… [pauses]
Normal?
Yeah, they just didn't taste normal.
Okay. So what did you do during your first week?
My first week? I stayed indoors. I arrived much earlier than my school would allow me to move in, before move-in. So I was indoors, basically adjusting to the time difference, and then just hanging out with family friends who I was staying with. And then they were the ones who moved me in later.
Was there anything that was brand new to you?
Brand new?
It doesn’t have to be in the first week.
Yeah. I guess I tried bacon for the first time.
Okay.
And then I didn't swallow it. Because in our culture, in our religion, you're not supposed to eat pig.
So how did you decide to eat it in the first place?
I was with my Ethiopian friend, who also happens to be Orthodox. She's never tried it before. She lived in the U.S. since she was 11. And then, we were just like—
“Let’s try it out!”
Yeah, “What’s the big deal? Why do people love it so much?” It's such an American thing. Everybody loves bacon. I’ve never seen anyone who doesn’t. So we both tried it, we didn't like it, and we just spat it out. That was adventurous—Oh, and sushi as well! Sushi, for the first time.
So you didn't swallow it?
No, I ate sushi.
No, no, no, the bacon.
No, I didn’t.
You didn’t?
I don't know if that makes me exempt from… [laughs]
Okay. So what were some of the biggest cultural differences or similarities you noticed?
Differences? I noticed how very independent people are and very protective of their personal space. To the point where, you know, coming from a very communal and communities-centric background, it was hard to know where you were passing a line, but it was also hard to care for somebody when you're not passing.
So learning boundaries, basically.
Yeah, exactly. So you’re always thinking, what's the best way to handle situations, because you don't want to bypass someone's personal space or boundary. And then, at the same time, you also, in our cul-, you care through certain ways. I don't know, it feels more authentic to have relationships here, as opposed to there. It just feels like there's always a boundary, there's always a barrier. So it was hard to figure out how to genuinely care for someone, and then at the same time be respectful. Yeah.
And then similarities? Uh… [pauses] I think at the moment… [laughs]
You don’t have to say any. [laughs]
I think maybe with non-Americans, or non-Caucasian cultures, there's a lot of similarities. Maybe in the way that we, I don't know, enjoy our food, or even eat food, and some of the rituals that we sort of follow. And then language-wise as well I think, a lot of community-based words. So yeah, those small things, you still find commonality, so it was easier to find that relationship or form that friendship with international students.
Okay. Is there a specific memory that you are surprised you remember? Is there anything that makes you smile or laugh or cry when you think about it?
Yeah. Um… [pauses, laughs] This is kind of silly, but I think it was like my first, second week. I didn't have earphones, and I was trying to buy some. And then my Ethiopian friend happened to have an extra one, and I thought she's just gonna give it to me. But she charged me like $6 for it! [laughs] I still think about it and am like, “That’s the time where that mental switch really happened,” because it was here.
Nothing free? [laughs]
Yeah, it was like nothing free. The smallest thing, someone will charge you for. So that makes me laugh.
And then… [pauses] Yeah, you’re kind of putting me on the spot. I'm really trying to think because it's been, what, four years? [laughs] Yeah, I'll just stick to that one I think.
Okay. Is there anything else you want to share about your first days?
Um, I don't know. I think it's just it was also more memorable because that was my first time leaving the country—no, not leaving the country, but leaving the country and then—
Living there?
Living there. And then, you know, just with the idea that you would be on your own, independent, when you're very young, at 18 years old. It was a great—I don't know, I don’t know what the right word was. It was a transition in more than one way.
* The contributor of this story has asked that their name be withheld.
