My vacation in Vietnam three summers ago made me realize the difficulty and challenge of adjusting to new surroundings, different cultures, and unfamiliar customs. I learned to truly understand and appreciate my parents’ struggle in immigrating and building a new life in America. My experiences in Vietnam and a gratitude for my parents have given me a greater value for education and a new motivation to succeed.
In June 2005, my family and I boarded a plane that took us from Honolulu, Hawaii to Saigon, Vietnam. As soon as we arrived, I noticed massive swarms of people crowding the streets. Buildings and businesses were partnered with apartments and dwellings, all competing for tight spaces. Honolulu appeared more serene in my memory; even Friday afternoon traffic seemed faint in comparison to the roaring chaos of Saigon.
In Vietnam, the western toilet I was accustomed to was replaced by an appalling, white, ceramic, oval hole in the floor. I soon discovered squatting toilets were not my only challenge. Toilet paper in public restrooms, which were usually dirty and reeking, was rare, so I had to always carry a roll. In addition, to conserve water, most homes had only showers. I could no longer take long, relaxing baths and was even scolded for showering more than once a day.
Furthermore, language proved to be an obstacle. The Vietnamese language is composed of numerous dialects, each differing in tones and pronunciation. Although I’m fluent in Vietnamese, I couldn’t fully understand what people were saying in Vietnam, much less reply in their dialects.
My vacation in Saigon was a revelation. I had such a hard time adjusting to Vietnam, that I could only imagine the difficulties my parents faced when they immigrated to Hawaii. My parents selflessly sacrificed their comfortable lives in Vietnam in search of a better life. They came here knowing they would have to learn a new language, work long hours at minimum wage, and study diligently for citizenship.
This past month, my cousin and his family emigrated from Vietnam after being on the waiting list for 10+ years. Before that, my aunty immigrated to Hawaii. She could not handle the change in lifestyle. Consequently, after only a month in Hawaii, she returned to Vietnam. Listening to my relatives’ reprimands about turning down such a great opportunity has made me realize the difficulty in immigrating to America, and also, the glorious opportunities connected with it. I am thankful to have been blessed with my parents’ strength to stay in Hawaii, despite the many struggles.
At the end of that summer, I returned home to Hawaii, carrying vivid memories of Vietnam, as well as a new sense of gratitude for my parents and a determination to succeed. I have made education my top priority in life and hope to major in pharmacy in the future. One day I hope to be the same bright light to my parents in their old age as they were to me in the days of my youth.
