Rude awakenings

by PRAJWAL CHHETRI

FROM ISSUE # 135 (March 2007) | IN THIS ISSUE
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America, as I believed and still do, is the land of opportunity. It's the dream for many aspiring young Nepali students. The concept of 'Chinese food, Japanese wife and American life' intrigued me and like many, I too packed my bags and came here. In a year's time, I found out that it wasn't a piece of cake, with a cherry on the top.

After getting approval from my family, I practiced heavily for TOFEL and SAT exams, drawing mental images of what my life in the States would be like. Tall buildings,lightning-speed cars, beautiful blonde girls, all-night parties, flexible course of study, and unlimited opportunities decorated my dreams. But not once did I think America will have surprises for me.

My visa date finally arrived, and with it the approval on 22 November, 2005. Immediately I began to shop for winter and summer clothes to prepare for the Kansas weather.  My majors were thought of and everything else fit the grid perfectly. But life has a way of leaving you cold and I had to learn it the hard way.

I was enrolled in University of Wichita, Kansas and my first decision was to live off campus. Living on-campus can be expensive at times. And little did I know, that $2500 was eliminated from my scholarship because of it. Blow number one. I then realized why everyone here worked as a student. 

I had a hard time getting my social security number which was providedfor working on-campus only. A good start you would say, but when I scalded my hand with hot water  while washing dishes in the school-cafeteria, I cursed myself for not working back home. The billing system was the second blow. Living by myself for the first time, I had to take care of everything on my own. I just wished I had more practice back home. 

These weren't a part of my American dream. But the realization that I wasn't the only one kept me going. My financial shortcoming found me transferring to a community college in Brookhaven. Blow number three. Asking my parents for the money wasn't an option. I was aware of the difference in the ratio when converted in NRS. School and jobs kept me busy, which wasn't a part of my earlier dream. I would have never worked while studying, back home.

Now my dream is far behind, but they still keep me going in a way. And for all the students trying hard to get here, I have just these things to say. Don't get all caught up in your dreams. When you are finally awake, you might not like what you find.