Moving to the United States for professional fellowship can be thrilling and scary at the same time! My first two learning sources in my life are my parents and teachers. But my best teacher is experience, for what I learn from the world controverts almost all that I cultured from my first two teachers. Thus currently learning a lot from my best teacher (Experience) in US
A Completely Different Place
I was born, brought up and studied in South Sudan, one of the newest developing Country in the World. I have worked for five years contributing to poverty reduction through improving communities’ livelihoods and food security situation. And then one fine day, I decided to join Atlas Corps and became a fellow with the aim of changing my perspective through gaining professional training, international exposure and volunteering. Thus moved to the USA.
As I started living in Boston, I started feeling how different it is from South Sudan. The infrastructure, the climate (first week was the worse, welcomed by winter-like weather in summer), the architecture, the population, the culture, the food, the transportation…. The list is endless… Boston is small in size and one can get away from the city without much hassle. In Boston, if am lost (which has happened twice), I find a street I recognize, I can turn down it and it won’t take too long to get somewhere helpful. My life changed (for the good).
Finding the Right Food in the U.S.
So, the first thing I had to worry about in the USA (Boston) was food. I loved our traditional food and thought I would have a tough time finding my kind of food in restaurants/groceries.
But to my surprise, I find at least several options in several restaurants/groceries. And above all, after coming here, cooking my own food has become the best option for coping.
Mingling with Local People
My second challenge was, “Will I be able to mingle with the people here?” I was used to a cosmopolitan life in Juba, South Sudan but this place is a lot more diverse than I thought.
Furthermore, people around me are so warm, sociable, considerate, and open-minded. Individuals have a fun attitude toward life; they live for today. People take care of their own work – at home (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc…) People are also very professional and committed in the work environment. Merit is rewarded and appreciated.
A Learning Experience
As a South Sudanese, I believe that my culture is the best and western culture is inferior. But I think every culture has its merits and demerits. I believe in embracing the merits of any culture. I love South Sudan. It is my motherland; my home. But for now, Boston is my second home and I love it too.
“If you want to have an endless conversation with anyone from Boston, just talk about the weather (summer or winter) and the discussion will continue for long” I have tried and it worked out :):):)