Chinese Immigrant: Insights from Harry Zhang and Jake Li
As globalization continues to bring countries and people closer together, immigration is becoming a more frequent occurrence for many families seeking better educational opportunities for their children. For young first-generation immigrants, adapting to a new environment and culture can be a challenging experience, especially when it comes to schooling. However, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee the same journey of adaptation to an unfamiliar country, which Harry Zhang and Jake Li, two first-generation Chinese immigrants, highlight as they share their experiences navigating the South Californian elementary school environment.
Harry Zhang, who came to the United States in the middle of the school year, recalls feeling a wide range of emotions on his first day at his new school. "I felt nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once," he says. "I was looking for familiar faces, people who looked like me, and someone who could speak Mandarin." When he finally found someone who looked like him, he was initially overjoyed, but soon his doubts crept in. "I wasn't sure if they were Chinese like me, or if they spoke Mandarin, or if they would like me," he says.
Despite his fears, Harry was lucky to make a new friend who helped him adjust to his new environment. "He taught me about the language, helped me improve, introduced me to new people, and made me feel a lot more comfortable with him at my side," he explains. "I think everyone, especially in a period of adjustment, needs someone like that, and I would like to be to others what they were to me."
Jake Li, on the other hand, had a different experience when it came to language. "I started as an ELD (English Language Development) student,” he says. "But I grew up in a household where the only language [that was] spoken was Mandarin Chinese, so my English skills were definitely not up to par." Learning English from scratch had challenged Jake, and this struggle is not one that he faces alone. Jake's experience of struggling in class due to the language barrier is not uncommon among first-generation immigrant students. He described it as "the weirdest experience ever.” In class, he had trouble with even the simplest, elementary activities because it took him so long to think of the English words, and in some cases, he couldn't think of anything at all. This left him with no choice but to resort to using hand gestures as his primary form of communication.
When he finally received it, Jake's ELD Proficiency Award represented an important milestone in his academic and personal journey. After years of hard work and perseverance, Jake succeeded in mastering a new language and adapting to a new culture. He proudly recalls receiving the award in third grade, stating, "I still have that medal to this day." For Jake, the medal serves as a symbol of his determination to succeed in his new home and of the personal growth that he experienced throughout the process of learning English. As he encourages, “learning a new language in a new country isn’t always an easy thing but sometimes it's about the journey and not the destination.”
After reflection, Jake is certain that having someone to help him transition to the new language and culture would have made a significant difference. A mentor or friend who could have provided guidance and support would have helped him to navigate the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant student in a new country, just as Harry had. Unfortunately, not every immigrant has the opportunity to have such a crucial support system during their period of adjustment. The presence of a guiding friend can make all the difference in easing the transition into a new culture, making it a much smoother and less daunting experience. Without someone to turn to for guidance, navigating the complexities of a new environment can be a significant challenge, as Jake experienced firsthand. The importance of having a support system during the adjustment period cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that we do all we can to provide that support to those who need it most.
Both Harry's and Jake's experiences highlight the importance of having a support system when adapting to a new environment. Whether it's a friend who can help with language barriers or a teacher who can offer guidance and support, having someone to rely on can make all the difference.
Their experiences also underscore the importance of embracing cultural differences and learning from one another. As Harry notes, "I think it's important for everyone to be open-minded and willing to learn from others. It's what makes our world so diverse and beautiful."
In conclusion, navigating the South Californian elementary school environment as a first-generation Chinese immigrant is a challenging experience, but one that can be overcome with perseverance, a positive attitude, and a supportive community. Harry and Jake's stories remind us of the importance of empathy, kindness, and the value of diversity in our society.
Works cited:
"ELD Standards Framework Professional Develoment" ,WIDA, https://wida.wisc.edu/grow/standards.