Spring break is over and the final stretch of the traditional American school year has begun.  Only a few more months to go!

 

United States of America or “America”, as most immigrants would like to call it, is the land of immigrants. People living in each corner of the world may have an aunt, an uncle, a cousin or some type of connection with the people living here.
Every person who came to this country has a unique story to tell the world. These stories, for the most part, are the stories of hard work, perseverance and hope.

Here is one of such stories we came across:

My name is Virpal, I am 13 years old and from Punjab, India. My mom was granted a visa to move here five years ago, after my father passed away, but my sister and I just recently moved here three months ago. So, it had been five years since my sister and I last saw our mother. Up until three months ago, we were living in India with family. Not a day went by that I wouldn’t dream about the reuniting with my mother again.

Finally, after five years, the United States granted my sister and me permission to come live with our mother again. The day started off wonderfully, as we boarded an airplane from Delhi, India to Holland. We landed in Holland and had to board another airplane, but we didn’t realize our airplane had been delayed for four hours. We were hungry and thirsty and we didn’t have any money. It was pretty obvious that my sister and I were foreigners and while waiting in Holland, I was pulled to the side so that the airport workers could investigate a box that I was carrying. Luckily, while living in India, I took English classes, and this came in handy because the airport worker understood very little English, and I was able to tell him that the box was filled with sweets for my mother.

Four hours later, my sister and I finally boarded the plane that was to take us to the United States of America. While on the plane, my sister and I were crying because we were so tired, hungry and thirsty. Finally, we landed and I was so happy. As soon as we got off of the airplane, we were told to get in the I.N.S. line, this is the line where newly arrived immigrants check in. This felt like the longest wait ever, even longer than the 13 hour trip from India. My sister and I began to worry that our mother might think we didn’t make it after all and leave. We both began to cry with worry. Just then, an officer that worked at the airport came over and helped us find our mother.

When I saw my mother, I ran over and hugged her. I cried so hard it was the happiest day of my life. As soon as I walked out of the airport, I noticed many differences between India and America, but I was mainly surprised by how beautiful America is. I am now a 7th grade student in Fresno, California. I am in Mrs. Tracy’s class and she is helping me learn how to read and write in English. I love my new school and my new country.

Do you have a story or a unique experience to share with our readers? Please share it with us if you would like. Please share your comments about this post also.

Source: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/recent/virpal.htm