Adjusting to a new culture-Series No:1

  Adjusting to a new culture is a long and complicated process. There are many things that we should look in a particular culture such as traditions, holidays, values, cuisine, relationships, and most importantly the definition of friendship. Till l stepped out of my plane in Chicago, l have never thought about this new culture that l would need to adjust. It seemed like, it would be pretty much the same but even better. In my readings, l learned, it would be a period l would be amazed by every new thing l was going to experience. This period is called "Honeymoon stage." Really, everything was wonderful, new, and exciting. People looked different, nice, positive, happy, laughing and pleased to talk to me. House were big, prosperous, spotless, and accompanied with large amount of land and flower gardens nicely landscaped. This is something we never see in a big city. Everything is very contained and there seems to be no air to breath unless you want to breath to smell of exhaust in the street. They had a holiday called Christmas which was like  nothing you have ever seen if you were raised up in Eastern Europe like me. It is a huge deal. Wholesalers,retailers,and markets start preparing four or five months ago. Families get together. Gifts are exchanged. Moms make a roasted turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and lots of sweets includes pumpkin pie and fudge. Like l said before, everything feels wonderful and unimaginable like you are in another planet( Only one thing is different. That is you put on couple pounds after trying every single dessert) People were very friendly and nice which kind of surprised me in the beginning, because  I heard many stories about the ignorance and selfishness of Americans before l came. It felt really great to be there, and tell everyone back home that they were wrong. l was in this lovely place, everybody was in harmony, and they accepted me for who l am. 

 l was in the honeymoon stage about a year. By the time l was returning back to Turkey, l was speaking very good English, and thinking l am totally adjusted to my host country. When l got back from Turkey, It was time to leave my host family's home for college. l thought those people would be there for me in times of hardship. l had no idea, my experience of American culture was just about the start. Not only l saw the self-individualism, and self- interest of American people, l was also left lonely as l can ever be. My family and friends, and everybody whom l know and cherish were ten thousand miles away. There were days and weeks I was depressed and homesick and had no answers of what l was going to do. l knew one thing though, l wasn't going to give up. l had chosen to be educated in the United States. This was my biggest dream, and l wasn't going to give that up for reason of being homesick. If  I returned, some people would always say: you couldn't do it, we told you before". I said I am going to make it no matter what happens for better or for worse... I admit it. I sometimes feel very homesick, very lonely, and ask myself the same questions over and over. Is it worth? Is it worth for the sacrifices l have to give? Is it worth of being far from my family in the holidays, celebrations,  and special occasions? Is it worth of not being able to say Happy New Year and give them a hug? Is it worth of not being there to witness the important moments of my friends' lives, and cherish and share whatever life brings? l sometimes do not know the answer of these questions, but there is one thing l do know. That is I will not lose my pioneer spirit and  I will continue to pursue my dream and give whatever sacrifice is necessary in order to achieve it and make my friends and family very proud of my courage and perseverance to give a better future and quality of  life to my loved ones.....