DEPARTED FROM
Hyderabad, India
ARRIVED IN
Chicago, Illinois
YEAR
2010
AGE
18
NOW LIVES IN
Chicago, Illinois
TRANSCRIPT
Hi, my name is H.A. I came to Chicago in July 2010 after graduating high school in Hyderabad, India.
I had a student visa at that time. Once landed in the airport, I displayed my visa to the homeland security agents. Then I got picked up by my cousin who came to America three years before me.
He drove me to his place in Chinatown. We went directly from O'Hare International Airport to my new place. He made me feel very welcomed. He kept complaining about his Chinese neighbors and warning me that we will be having trouble with those, quote unquote “bad neighbors”, and that we will be probably move out very soon to a better place.
On the way home, I saw so many beautiful tall buildings, like the ones in downtown. They are much, very much better than the ones in India. After a few hours of rest and eating, we took the train– the CTA red line– to downtown to see again those buildings. The fare was $2.50. It is very expensive comparing it to the price that we have in India. It's less than $0.25 American cents when converted to rupees.
We were walking the streets and made me discover my new city. At that time, I had zero friends. I knew no one except my cousin. He is my best friend. My cousin told me, “You will make a lot of friends one day. Everyone is very social and friendly.” He told me that he had zero friends when he came to Chicago on his day one.
While walking in Michigan Road in downtown, couples kissing and holding hands. I was very shocked. I experienced a cultural shock. Couples displaying affection in public is very rude and inappropriate in India. However, I am willing to adapt quickly to the culture no matter what. I want to be a part of the American society like everyone else.
And rarely, when I see an escalator in India, on this day when I saw it almost at every store we enter, the stores inside were very beautiful and well organized. The employees were always smiling and happy. They greet every single person, customer, who walks in the store. In India, sometimes store managers pick up dispute with customers over small things.
After many hours walking in downtown, we had dinner. My cousin treated me, and thanks for him. The food was very delicious. The bill was $30. I felt confused. In India, we eat only with $1 when using rupees in the Indian currency.
That day was one of my best days in my life. It is very decent memory to keep thinking about.
* The contributor of this story has asked that their name be withheld.
