Immigration in Our Country: Interview from an Immigrant's Perspective

Hi Everyone! 
Today we have a special episode for the listeners.
Esther's dad is being interviewed on his experience as an immigrant coming to the U.S. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

Transcript

Esther Lim 0:00 

Hi everybody! This is Esther Lim.  Welcome back to another episode of Conversations for Change.  Today I'm going to be interviewing my dad, Peter Lim to continue our topic of immigration in our country. 

Esther 0:23 

Hi Dad can you introduce yourself 

Peter 0:25

Hi! This is Peter Lim, Esther’s Father. 

Peter 0:29 

I came to the United States as an international student to study English. I have been living in the United States for 22 years and I am now living in the United States as a US citizen. 

Esther 0:41 

Thank you for your introduction. I am really excited to have this conversation today. 

Could you talk about when you came to America and why you came to the US. Was there any interesting experiences that you want to share with the listeners?

Peter 0:56 

I came to the United States to study English in 2002. There were various episodes (stories) after I came to the United States, specifically many episodes about the English language. 

Peter 1:08 

One day, I planned to go on a trip to Houston. But to go, I needed my airplane ticket as well as a hotel reservation and back then there were many instances of making hotel reservations that were done by phone call.

Peter 1:23 

To call the hotel, I had to speak English well, but I was very worried because I couldn't speak English well. But, I realized that I should challenge myself so I ended up calling them and spoke in English.  When I called the Hotel, they said “Hi!” but I ended up responding like this “Excuse me, may I help you?” “Excuse me, may I help you?” “May. I. help. You.”  was all I could say at that moment. But then the hotel responded, “What I don’t understand May I help you?”

Peter 1:57 

 I thought that the front manager there knew what I was saying but deliberately pretended not to hear because English is not good because I was speaking in  Konglish. So the “May I help you” “May I help you” went on for 5 minutes but I ended up not booking that hotel. Awww, it was a difficult time and I couldn’t get the reservation is what I remember. 

Peter 2:20

So I asked my friend who was good at english later on, and he told me “Oh my God! May I help you is not something you say when you call them!” It was a very funny experience looking back now. 

Peter 2:32

There were various episodes from my lack of language problem. 

Esther 3:36

That was a really interesting story! I think that, you know hearing the story for the first time, I definitely didn't know about the language barrier that you had with the hotel manager and especially you know not being able to communicate that well. It is a funny and interesting episode. Just like the challenge that you had from that hotel manager in that language barrier,  were there any other challenges or obstacles you face to be an immigrant in a completely different culture?

Peter 3:15 

Perhaps, the problem immigrants are  facing the most difficulty is the language problem first. 

In my case, I went to study in the United States without being able to speak English properly, so I had to do all my work without the help of anybody.

Peter 3:33

Specifically,  getting my drivers license or going to the bank, taxes, electricity, and the phone bill. And you have to communicate and solve necessary tasks to live, in English to the representatives on the phone. There were so many instances where I couldn’t communicate with them so sometimes I felt it was very difficult to carry out tasks. 

Peter 3:57

In particular, something like city hall, tax consultation, or some kind of legal consultation where people use difficult English (harder vocab words), such as financial and consulting reports. It was often uncomfortable and inconvenient because it is difficult to communicate about the subject and the time it takes for things to occur is much delayed, so it is much more difficult to adjust your life. 

Peter 4:20

Another difficult thing is that it is not easy to go to the hospital when you are sick. Communication was not done properly, so there were many cases where I could not properly understand what exact disease I had and what caused me to get sick. There were cases where I had some kind of extension disease, and even if I was sickly discharged, I couldn't really judge it.

Peter 4:43

Also, through a language barrier, there are various problems such as being unable to participate in American society due to lack of knowledge about elections, voting for various elections such as the presidential election and voting even though I became a citizen. It seems that I have been through many difficulties. It seems that for the most part a lot of problems were with the language.

Esther 5:08

I would say that a lot of the challenges that you said before is a lot about language and that language barriers you said was the most difficult part because you know so much of your life is revolved around communicating with people speaking with others and expressing how you feel And I could totally understand how you trying to express yourself in a way that you're trying to get across to people and the message on the other side isn't really getting across and it can be frustrating at times.  I would say that I admire that aspect of you trying really hard in order to communicate and I can't believe that you know there wasn't translators at that time. 

 I mean right now as we have Google translate and it's sort of easier not saying it's much easier,  but there's a little bit of an easier aspect with people communicating with each other because we have a technology in our hands that are easily accessible and we're allowed to communicate with others in different languages even though I understand because we have a translator in your hands. Do you think that if you had Google translate back then it would be easier?

Peter 6:15 

Yes!  Oh, there will be a lot of things like that in the future. Even now, there are agents who do the translating on Verizon, At&t, and also  electricity consultants and there are people who are translators in banks like Bank of America, but there are not many people who meet the needs of people who are in need of a translator (sometimes not fully qualified to get the same meaning across). 

Since there are not many, it seems that a chatbot or a system such as Google Translator has been developed so that immigrants can have a conversation more easily and participate if they do it through chat in order to have a  better communication.

Esther 7:00 

Yeah and just to you know speak on more about you know your challenges I mean raising two kids must have been really challenging for you and Mom. Do you. What would you say your biggest challenge in raising kids in a different culture than your own has been like how are you able to provide you know the best of both cultures to your kids?

Peter 7:20

As I said before, the most difficult thing in raising kids is, of course, the most important thing as a parent is language problems and how the lack of understanding can affect the way you raise kids. 

Peter 7:41 

Firstly, I would want to know about what my child is like as a student at school, what kind of studies are they doing during class, and what kind of life they are living at school from  the conferences with teachers or PTA meetings to get information (getting more involved). 

Peter 8:03 

But because of the lack of communication and language challenges, it seems that there was a lack of self-confidence which made me feel that I couldn't actively participate in my child’s growth (outside of home) at first.  

Questions such as:  
What kind of education and what kind of support should be provided?   
What kind of education should be taught to make the child a necessary person within American society? 
 
were things that I couldn’t ask anybody around me. 

Peter 8:38 

Personally, I wanted to actively participate in the PTA or at the conferences at school, but because of the language barrier with the teachers, I think the part there were parts where I could not accurately understand when consulting about my children which I sort of regret. 

So it would be great if there was something that could be done for education in that area. 

Peter 9:11

I have such an idea by creating a school program for immigrant parents raising children. I think that in order for immigrants to raise their children and send them to school, it is necessary to have a conference such as understanding the school, understanding the American education system, and how to educate them.
Just like when you enter university, there is an orientation for all the freshmen, I think creating an Immigrant Parents Conference Program system to give parents advice to young children going into school on how they can prosper in their education.  I think if there is a program like that, there might be a smoother transition.

Peter 10:14

 By creating such a program,  immigrant parents to raise and educate their children by learning from them which then I think that there would be a good culture that will be formed to raise children and create support for their children when growing up as our world is changing.

So, if you run a conference for immigrant parents in Elementary School, a conference for immigrant parents in a middle school, and a conference for immigrant parents in a high school, parents will attend and discuss their children's education together with their teachers and what they would need to learn. 

If we create such a system that educates immigrant parents about the culture and learn from each other with discussions  and helps each other about what problems they have in being an immigrant, this can educate them to grow into talents who make the  Great America in American society.

I personally think that it is a program that is very good in the immigrant society and also very good in American history.

Esther 11:47 

YeahI think that's a really great idea actually. I've never really thought of that and I think if there was a program or I don't know if it exists actually in real life if there was a program for immigrant parents to have a little bit of a workshop on how you know they can you know continue and communicate with their kids as well as their teachers I think that would have been a more easier step to parenting. 

I  think  I mean there's obviously not a parenting 101 handbook on immigrant parents on how you should talk and communicate with them because every experience of immigrants are different than the level of understanding and communication is different for all different types of parents so coming here it's really brave to really you know experience that and have children and experience everything for the first time and you're going along as you know as you're growing along as the children are growing and you're really you know doing everything for the first time and I think that's really the scary part and the most worrisome of most parents.   That they're not going to be able to grow and help your kids because of the language barrier or the cultural differences between the other students but I think you did a pretty good job and considering the fact that we're also super supportive and accepting of other cultures and you know going to a school where there's so many different backgrounds and religions and different types of immigrants and immigrant parents as well and a lot of kids in my grade who are also first-generation Americans who were born here and their parents were immigrants from other countries is just really great to see them and you know to go along with them knowing that I'm not alone. There's other people and that's what makes us a diverse and accepting country where we have a country full of immigrants and we have a country full of non-immigrants.That's what makes the US so unique and special and I think that's why you know as you said before that's why you came here to study English me you know what to provide for a family here and I think that's really admirable. 

Esther 14:01 

Could you talk about how we can be loving and supportive of different cultures?  You know just knowing that you come from a background where you're moving here for  first time and you might feel isolated and alone. Others coming in for us and just being here with no family members just by themselves, having a language barrier, can feel alone so you know other perspective how can we be you know loving and supportive of different cultures and immigrants? 

Peter 14:32

Uh, the United States is a very unique country. More than any other country, the United States is a country of immigrants. 
In exception  to the original  Native Indians, many people, after Columbus came to what is known the United States showing that everyone technically related to an immigrant since it is a country formed by immigrants.

When we were asked about immigration it can be easy to just point out others who are most likely immigrants (isolating yourself from the topic since it does not relate to you) but I think the most important thing is that everyone understands, loves, hugs, and does things for each other with the idea that anyone that you meet could be an  immigrant.  I emphasize that we should love each other, understand each other, I think the most important thing is to guide and encourage that person more.

 I think there are many immigrants here, and there are some who see immigration positively and some who see it badly. 

However, when immigrants come to the United States, they bring the American Dream. They come to the United States to do good things and live hard. They also come to the country to contribute to the United States and to become successful in the United States.   

When there are jobs that people do not want to do it can be seen that  many immigrants will typically fill in those jobs. It is evident of the powerful work that the immigrants contribute to our society. In addition, many immigrants become our soldiers and go abroad to defend the country. 

Peter 16:54 

 Also, many immigrant families study here, and their children born here grow up to become  immersed into American politics, social and economic areas and active  in all fields of culture. 

Also, because they contribute everywhere,  the United States becomes one of the world's most powerful country.  I believe that the most important thing is to work together to make this Great America a better America by learning each others their strengths and weaknesses  and helping each other by giving each other what each lack uniting immigrants together. 

I think there might be people who may look at immigrants  badly, but we should look on the good side to  encourage them, love them and understand them, and help  each other grow as fellow citizens of American society. I hope that a lot of people will come out  for encouragement and support  through creating programs like I mentioned and becoming united. 

Esther 18:52 

I love that you said that we should be united as one making sure that we're all understanding and supportive of each other and I love the powerful message that you're putting out to love one another and to be supportive of one another especially as a teenager for me to growing up in a generation where I'm surrounded by so much diversity I'm grown to love one another and be supportive and I think that there's so much you know hatred within our society and there's hate on the news and social media and whatever love we can give to one another is really the best and I think that that case for immigrant parents as well is really like the best message that you can give out to them and be supportive of them because they're having you know obviously many challenges along the way and coming hear to support their families as you said and giving a better life for their children especially that's the main part and especially that they want to be the best and they wanted be the best for their kids and I think that's what's great about you know being in a country full of so much diversity and so many immigrants as well . 
Thank you again for being  on the podcast and talking about your challenges and your experiences of being an immigrant and raising your two children in the United States and making sure that they have a really diverse culture and a very appreciative view of life and is there anything else you want to say to the listeners? 

Peter Lim 20:25

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Esther for providing a place to talk about the lives and thoughts of immigrants through today's podcast, which is not enough for speak for the many different  people and experiences . And I would like to thank everyone who will listen to this podcast. It's a bit lacking, but I'd appreciate it if you could listen to the thoughts of an immigrant. And thank you to the American people and to many others. I think there are many people who have helped immigrants come to the United States and achieve the American Dream.

And I ask for your interest and encouragement for immigrants in the future, and I ask for your encouragement and support so that they can become citizens who can work hard and help the United States in American society.

Thank you so much 

~Thank you so much for listening!~ :) 

(Translation: by Esther  😊)