Bindia's Story
My mom, my grandmother, and I came to the U.S. for more opportunities. My dad, who was originally from India, left my mom, and she did not know what else to do but take initiative and make opportunities for herself. The most difficult changes were in not knowing how to speak English.
The flag of India
I came to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was only two, but my mother spoke to me mostly in Tagalog. I remember struggling in kindergarten. My mom was also scared of getting a job and could not obtain a driver’s license. Finally, we became citizens, and things got easier. My family has no problems with the English language now, and my mother and I can both drive.
We also travel to various countries every year in places like Europe and Asia, which is something we could not do before. My grandmother finds it easier to live in the U.S., because of Medicare. That is something she could not get in the Philippines. It was not harder to live in the Philippines, but, looking back, we definitely have a lot more opportunities. I realized how lucky I am when I applied for financial aid!
I know a lot of people don’t have the same opportunities as I do, so I don’t take them for granted. Still, I think there are a lot of people who have a difficult status but who deserve the same rights.
- Bindia (California)