How do we help Latin executive newcomers to adapt faster?
Have you received this year calls from friends or relatives back home saying, "You are already in the US ... can you help so and so who is trying to get settled over there... He has a degree in blah blah and a graduate degree from such and such university, etc.etc."
What do you do?
How many can you help by referring them to professionals?
How does this impact your family relationships here and back home?
What are the best ways to help these newcomers in search of the American Dream?
- Login to post comments
"Newcommer" needing help
I've been here in USA, for more than 6 years, and I feel worst than the day I arrived to the USA. I think I'm one of those you classified as "the oponent', you couldn't believe how many times I said to my husband to go back to our country. I still dream about it, but I'm realistic, and I know that is more far away each day that passing. I know that I need a change of attitude, but at the same time another question comes through my mind WHY???!!!! I always believe that I was one of those "open people", but now I don't know ....
So I really appreciate if you advice me where to go, what I have to do or read, something to help me.
American Dream
Molina:
I don't know your background and life experiences, but I understand what you're going thru. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico (a US colony), and even though we get a lot of American influence (language, culture, etc), nothing prepared me to the challenges that I faced when I moved to the US mainland almost thirteen years ago. Despite my education (BS in engineering & masters in management), I have thrived and persevered. The first years were not easy in any aspect (culture shock, language, lack of identity, feeling alone, etc) but as time passed, I started to get confidence in myself (this took many years!). Believe me, this is a PROCESS. No one comes to this country and have it easy. You're not the first one, and you will not be the last. I agree with Ingrid and Rizo that you have to set realistic expectations, and take these things one at a time. Set small goals, and start achieving them one by one. Education is also another key to success. We (Hispanics in particular) have to work harder than anyone else to obtain the same results that people who are born and raised here. This is a fact that I have lived time and time again. Still, I persevere. Today, I enjoy success in my career and economic reward, but like I said, it wasn't easy. Yes indeed, many times I wondered what would have happened to me if I had decided pack my bags and go back to Puerto Rico? Trust me, I have had several opportunities to go back. Who knows what would have hapenned, but one thing is certain, after all these years, I do not regret making a life here. Whenever I feel depressed and start thinking about family and life back home, I try to look at the big picture and ask myself, why did I come here? I also look at all the positive and marvelous things about this country (quality of life, better standard of living, educational opportunities, etc). God has opened up doors and opportunities over time. Education, perseverence, and goal seeting will help you and your family to stay in course.
Helping the newcomers in search of the American dream
I was one of them, a newcomer. I had lived in Chicago for 5 years in 1980 and came back 18 years later, and in spite of those five years of learning and absorbing the american culture, it was quite a challenge. I knew the language and I had lived an "americanized" life in my home country, but none of that counted. My first two years in the United States were one of the hardest and most difficult ones, for me and for my family.
The best advise I can give a newcomer, having been one of them, is to set realistic expectations, the American Dream does not happen overnight and realize that it is a process that requires effort and strength. Associate yourself with families who've been through that process and now are prosperous and have embraced their new life and are happy about the change, because it meant a goal met, a dream come true. Learn from them. Find a "sponsor" family who could serve as your mentor.
Allow yourself and your family if you come with them, the time you need to adapt. But also, be proactive. A succesful adaptation might depend on changes in the way you do the little things. Things that perhaps you took for granted when you lived in your home countries.
Maybe through spaces like this, an on-line support group might help. An idea could be to develop a section for newcomers only and provide information about establishing credit in the US, for example or career advise, etc.
I could help as many people as I can, I'm willing, just let me know where are they or who are they.
As far as how does this impact your family relationships here and back home? Remember the family is a system, as a system what ever happens to one member will have a direct impact on the others. Someone in the family has to lead and support the family through this difficult but wonderful process. There will be different roles that each member will assume.
One could be the supporter, the other one could be the oponent. Learn how to identify their attitudes, feelings, etc. It is possible. Seek assistance or support from the school system, or other support systems that might be available to you. You are not alone, or they are not alone. It seems that way, but it is not.
In the search of the American dream
Hi Ingrid,
I recently joined this group, and I was lucky to read your comment about what to do as new comer. I arrived 2 years ago to this country with my family, and even we have been blessed with people that have helped us to make our journey a little lighter, it doesn't mean that it has been easy. I'd had the "american" experience working for an american company that let me came at least 4 times a year during the last 7 years, what made me feel confident when I had to made the decision to come to this country with my family for personal reasons but even at the begining I felt I was an experienced in this system, I've had to learn many things almost from the scracth to find a place where to re-start our lifes and careers.
This experience has been interesting for all of us as a family and we still have many things to learn and to achieve but comments like yours help us to keep going and to foresee a rewarding future.
Thank you and please if you have any additional comment, it is welcome,
God bless you!
C Rizo