A Difficult Experience in my Life: Confronting Culture and Language

Journey from Vietnam to America: The Struggles of Language and Self-Discovery

Several years ago, when I was just starting out my writing assignment in English class, I was asked to write a statement of purpose about how my education journey changed me as a person. I was part of it. I wrote: “I want to use education for liberty. That explains everything.”

Well, I’ve thought about that ever since, and yes, it explains a lot to me, but for the reader’s sake, I should have written: “I want to use education to liberty myself.

” Or even: “I want to use education to change myself from English class and culture shock. My life changed in American education while I was learning English, and my experience with culture shock in college.” All of these had everything to do with who I am today.

All my life, I lived in Vietnam, and there, I received my education. When I finished high school, I decided to come to the United States to start college at 26 years old. Then, I was a freshman at San Diego City College. When I started college, it was a challenge for me because I faced many problems. One of them was that I started at a college with a different language. After that, I had to take English classes, so I could not take regular classes for my career as other students were doing. My plans became longer, and my goal of graduating in the planned amount of time was extended more because I was not prepared enough for the university’s demands. I did not expect this. I felt very frustrated because my friends in Vietnam had already finished their careers- some of them were halfway through their studies, and I had not yet started. At the same time, I was ashamed every time someone asked me what I was studying. Then, I answered English classes, for I did not know how to speak English. Likewise, I felt bad about myself for not being able to advance at the same pace as my ex-high school classmates, but I believed that it is never too late to do things in my own way and in my own time. I was doing things well in a different way. I understood that I should not compare myself with anyone and live the best I can. Then, I can learn anything that I want to.

A Difficult Experience in My Life: Navigating the Nuances of Everyday English

At that time, when I took English classes, I had many problems. I thought English was not an easy language to learn. Of all the possible problems that I experienced when I was trying to learn this language, the most difficult problem that I have encountered is that English does not seem to be spoken by Americans in the same way that it was presented in my textbooks. For instance, the first time that I asked an American classmate a question. Then, I got a strange response. The man who answered my question said something that sounded like “Do.” In fact, I was sure that I had never studied this expression in my textbooks, and I could not find anything like it in my textbooks, and I could not find anything like it in my dictionary. I was surprised to learn later from a friend that this mysterious-sounding answer was really nothing more than a shortened version of “I do not know.” Not too long after that, I had an even more interesting example of my most difficult problem in learning English.

Recently, I was fascinated by the English language in daily life. So, I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the power of language. I thought English was the tool for my new challenge to change my new life in America. The way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, and a simple truth. In fact, I use them all, and I grew up with all the English language classes. During the summer, one evening in 2016, I took a chemistry class. So, I was unable to do some chemistry homework problems, so the next morning, I asked a classmate if she had been able to do them. I was amazed when she gave the rather bizarre answer that the assignment had been a “piece of cake.” I was not quite sure what a piece of cake had to do with the chemistry assignment, so I responded that I was not quite sure that the assignment really was a piece of cake. I have learned by now that she meant that the assignment was quite easy. Overall, I am sure it is clear from these two examples what I find so difficult about the English language.

A Difficult Experience in My Life: The Journey from Struggling Reader to Passionate Learner

In retrospect, I’m lucky that I chose education over English class. At the end of my freshman year, I received good grades in all subjects except English, even though I had worked the hardest in it. The writing was difficult for me. My freshman English teacher told me that my writing was weak. When I decided to write about that experience, I wrote three drafts, making sure I did not make any mistakes. I turned it into feeling confident. When I got my paper back, I was disappointed to see the red marks again. I had made a few errors. I felt worse when I read Mr. David’s note at the bottom of the paper, asking me to see him after class. He must be pretty upset with the mistake I made, I thought. When class was over, I waited until everyone had left the room before I approached her, folding the paper in half to hide the red marks. He looked away and cleared his throat. “Now, let’s look at your paper.” I handed it to him, lowering my head. “You’re making a lot of progress,” he said. “If you’re going to succeed, you continue working as hard as you have.” He gave me back the paper and added, “Here, take it home, make the corrections, and turn it in to me next Wednesday after class.”

“I will. Thank you, Mr. David.” I said. I floated out of the room, thinking about how lucky I was to be a student in his class. He suggested that I read more, that reading would improve my writing. “At least read the newspaper every day,” he told me.” Read for enjoyment”. I had little time to read, but I did learn to read for enjoyment. Then, I had a harder time with reading and writing. I was a slow reader and often had to read each assignment twice. When we discussed the readings in class, I was surprised to find out that I had not really understood what I read. At that time, it was difficult; I had to look up many words, but I kept on reading. I wanted to learn more about Francisco’s family, who had to leave their home in Mexico to look for work and a better life in California. Saturday night, I stayed home to read more of the novel. Then, I kept struggling with the reading, but I could not put it down. Finally, I understood what Mr. David meant when he told me to read for enjoyment. I could relate to what I was reading. After I finished reading the novel, I could not get it out of my mind. I thought about it for days. I wrote an essay about what I was reading and gave it to him. He must have liked what I wrote because he gave me a good grade. My success made me happy, but this time, the grade seemed less important than what I had learned from reading the book. Then, I learned from my teacher how to write an assignment.

A Difficult Experience in My Life: Navigating Culture Shock and Embracing Growth in America

Although I have lived in the United States for almost three years, sometimes I still feel homesick and still miss my family. I think every person who has lived in a new culture has had some experience with culture shock, and I am no exception. I have had an experience with culture shock. When I first came to the United States, I was very excited. Because everything was new, everything was interesting. I enjoyed my independence from my parents; I also enjoyed experiencing new situations and making new friends. At the time, I was a student’s first year at the college. It was difficult for me because I depended on my parents for food, clean clothing, and emotional support. After a few weeks at the college, I remembered how my mom taught me how to take care of myself, and I learned to take care of these things by myself. In addition, I learned some difficult lessons as I became independent, such as bringing good things of freedom and fewer household chores.

Although everything was a little strange, I nevertheless enjoyed these new experiences. Eventually, I got used to many of the differences, but even though I was used to them, I still wasn’t comfortable. In fact, little by little, I grew tired of differences. Because the things in America weren’t new to me anymore, the difference wasn’t interesting. As a result, I began to miss things about Vietnam, such as food, friends, more and more. I soon became depressed and homesick. I stayed in my room because I was tired of speaking English all the time. Even though I studied hard, my grades weren’t good. I wanted to go home. Because of these feelings, I decided to see my consular so that I could get some advice about returning home without finishing my studies. She told me two important things about culture shock. First, I learned that any person in a new culture has a similar kind of experience and that culture shock can’t be avoided. Furthermore, I learned that culture shock is not only universal but also temporary. As a result of her advice, I realized that I should be patient and that I shouldn’t go home just yet. Then, I followed this good advice, and as a result, my culture shock has become less troublesome. In spite of the fact that I sometimes still miss my life in Vietnam, I don’t feel as depressed as I did. Moreover, I no longer want to return home before I finish my studies. I know that I can adjust to this new life.

In my conclusion, I believe that my education is never too late. The opportunities to succeed are different for me. In addition, my education has changed me into a good person. Then, I try to forget the negative things in life and focus on what really matters. So, I believe in taking time to do things, learning English, and, in time, making anything possible. In fact, my actions may be small, but over time, I can achieve big changes. In my first year at San Diego City College, I realized that I learned everything to improve my English and my experience of culture shock. Then, I learned to live with patience, to be strong, to believe in myself, and to accept the challenges of life. However, I prefer to continue with a good American education that has made me successful up to now. In fact, I hope that the success that I have had up to now by my education in this way will continue to make me successful in the future.

References

1. “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman.
2. “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri.
3. “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.

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