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For many Nigerians, and some people from all over the world who have not experienced it, the burning desire is always there to visit, or live where so many have come to call, know, or accept as God’s Own Country…America.
Why such a burning desire?
Many Nigerians, who have never visited America, do not have the total picture of what life is all about in America. Just as some Americans who visit Nigeria are guilty of not presenting us with the full pictures of America, some Nigerians, when they have the opportunity to visit home, they too perpetuate or propagate this propaganda. I am sure some of you have heard from your friends such stories as how easy it is to buy your own car, own a house, earn dollars and obtain diplomas in US. However, your friends will not be honest to tell you how they go about achieving all the success.
When I was attending a secondary school in Nigeria, some of my instructors were Americans. All the American instructors, both blacks and whites, had separate and well-maintained houses; catered and serviced by Nigerians aids. The aids cut the lawns, edged and trimmed the flowers, and ran errands for the Americans. The Americans had big and flashy cars; everything about them was special and unique. If somebody had asked me that time, I would have sworn that the Americans never used toilet tissues to wipe themselves clean.
When you looked at our Nigerian instructors, they lived in boy’s quarters with their families. You could see that their standard of living was not comparable to that of the Americans. On weekends, the students were entertained with American movies. They told us stories about prosperity and the life style in America. Consciously or unconsciously, they tried to impress upon us that almost everybody was well off in America. There was a sense of contentment and satisfaction about them that defies description.
Many of us had the impression that everybody in America was rich, and they did not have to work hard for it. The Americans never trusted the students, and they took whatever we told them with a grain of salt. The students developed the notion that all Americans must be honest and should be trusted. I used to think that all the streets and roads were paved with gold and everywhere beautified with flowers and plants. Today, I believe there are many Nigerians who still have such mental pictures of what I have just described about America.
Until I came to America, I never believed that there were poor Americans. I was shocked to see some Americans, who stood by the subways and roadsides begging for quarters, and these were homeless men and women. I used to think that all Americans lived in big mansions surrounded by pretty plants and flowers. I never realized that Americans could lie, cheat, or be dishonest. You could not convince me to believe that any Nigerian would be in any position to render assistance, in any form, to an American.
There is some vital information that I will love to share with those Nigerians striving to visit America. Once you embark from your flight, you should forget about your chieftaincy, titles, degrees, regalia, etc, because you will be entering the zone of equal denominator. Your first lesson on discipline starts at the entry port. You will queue up or file out quietly, in an orderly fashion, for clearance by the immigration officials. There will be no jumping of lines, raising your voices, exhibition of any aggression, and no special treatment, unless you are a Head of State, special guest to USA government, diplomat, or criminal of severe status…. However, these are not my audience.
Once admitted into the US, your world is open to many opportunities, fun activities, surprises, temptations, regulations and even regrets. Your opportunities are limited by the type of visa you are granted. Those with student visas, as long as you abide by the immigration laws that govern your admission, you will be able to enjoy the opportunities and privileges granted to other students in this country. You can obtain your diploma in any field of studies that you want to pursue. Those who have work visas, especially people with professional skills like nurses, electricians, mechanics, and plumbers tend to do very well. Work is available if you are ready to do odd jobs. People, who tend to survive and eventually succeed, are those who make what is available desirable.
Unfortunately, rarely will you secure a job right away that is commensurate with the degree you earned in Nigerian universities. A medical, engineering or law degree from Nigerian university does not qualify you to practice here in USA. You will have to pass each State board examination to be able to practice in that State. Meanwhile, to survive, you have to take some odd jobs and bury your pride. Regrets set in when you realize that your new found country will not recognize your qualifications or status you enjoyed when you were in Nigeria. Some people will try to survive by doing two or three jobs like night security, mortician, cab driving, custodial services, aids in hospitals, newspaper delivery, garbage collectors, grocery stocker, etc. Some people who perform two or three jobs work long and odd hours (graveyard shifts: 11.00pm - 6.00am.)
Opportunities abound in America; however, you really have to work very hard and with some luck, you will be able to enjoy it. Nothing comes very easy or as we say, “There is no free lunch in America.”
America is a fun country. If you were not well equipped, advised or disciplined, you could drown in an ocean of fun activities. There is always something to occupy your time. The life-style and culture here are quite different from what you have experienced in Nigeria. It is ease for one to come here and lose focus and sense of direction. Unbelievably, many of us have experienced it in America. When it comes to sexuality, Nigerians are more conservative than Americans are. It is acceptable for boys and girls to co-habitat as roommates in America. In general, Nigerian girls dress more conservatively than their counterparts here do in USA. Relationships among males and females are open game. It should not surprise you to see boys and girls kissing passionately in public places. Even though there are places of worship on every corner of the street, it has not made a significant dent on moral standard of the youths in America. There are clubs, casinos, big malls, tourist attractions, games, church activities, and parties; you name it, here in America.
Like Sodom and Gomorrah, you will find all types of activities, life-styles, and fun activities here in America. There is never a dull moment in most of the cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Chicago, where most businesses operate 24/7. You get to choose your own timetable for when to sleep and when to go to work.
Many things you will encounter in America will surprise, amuse, and sometimes shock the wits out of you. Can you imagine visiting a home of your American friend who wants to introduce you to the members of his or her family, and those family members happen to be a bunch of DOGS AND CATS? Do not think you are out of your mind to hear or see an ordained minister trying to consummate a marriage ceremony between a “he dog” and a “she dog.” As a husband, you should expect an invitation from your doctor to observe your wife delivering your baby in the hospital. Nigerian men who are culturally very aggressive and prone to raise their voices when engaged in more lively conversation, will learn to tune down their voices when addressing law enforcement officers; otherwise you can easily get into trouble here in America. Nigerian men should know that women run most of the shows here in America, and they should humble themselves by learning how to say “YES MAM” and “NO MAM” in most of their encounter in many places of business.
I was excited and surprised the first time I saw snow in New York. Nigerians who will live in those states and cities that experience snow and cold winter like New York, Michigan, and Chicago will be surprised to find out that they can survive living in temperature ranging from zero to negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. You just have to learn how to dress properly for such adverse weather.
There is a saying that, “Fore-warned is fore-armed.” There are temptations everywhere in America, especially among new immigrants. Ignorance of the law will never set you free. For Nigerian men, women, and youths, whose blood are still on 8.5 Richter scale, be warned that underage sexual activities with boys or girls 18 and under, is unacceptable and can get you into big trouble with the law. If convicted of such a crime, it will ruin your opportunities in life here in USA. Unconsenting sexual activities among adults are unacceptable and can ruin your record for life, if convicted of such an offense. Be very careful not to get into a very intense argument or fight with anybody here, many people carry concealed weapons, and will use them when prompted. Know when to walk away or run from trouble, for your safety, and the sake of your loved ones.
Another temptation on your way is that of CREDIT CARDS. You do not need a credit card, if you do not have a means to pay for it. Banks and businesses will like to grant you loans and credit cards, and they do not care if you can pay for them. Be careful how to pick your friends. Be warned that drugs like cocaine and marijuana are illegal. When you break the laws in America, it is going to be on your record and will limit your opportunities to get ahead in this society. So try as much as possible not to get into trouble. America is a country of laws, and they know how to enforce it.
The last thing you do not want to do, is to try to bribe a police officer or any law enforcement officer when you are arrested for committing any crime; even if it is a speeding ticket. No! America is not like Nigeria, where most of the time, you can easily bribe your way out of trouble. America is a free country because of her legal system that guides and protects everybody in this society. Everybody is equal before the law; even the illegal immigrants, animals, birds, trees, air, water and land enjoy some protection under the law. You have to obey and comply with many laws, regulations, ordinances and norms of the land. When you get into any trouble, it is advisable to engage the services of an attorney.
We have our regrets too, here in America. We have expressed them when things did not turn out the way we expected them. Nigerians know how to pay homage or respect to their elders. In America, there is little or no respect for elders. As I pointed out at the beginning of this article, you may have come to this country with outstanding credentials, and surprisingly, you may not secure a befitting job that is commensurate with your qualifications. If you cannot achieve your status, frustrations will set in, and you will regret coming to America. When your wife, you brought from Nigeria, has decided to disrespect you, and determines to make your life miserable because she knows that you cannot do much to discipline her under the American legal system, it is time to regret coming to America. Alternatively, you cannot discipline your children for fear that the social service workers can take away your children and accuse you of child abuse, it is time to regret coming to America. When you and your wife work hard, and still cannot make ends meet every month because of hospital bills, school fees for the children, Federal and State taxes, rents or home mortgages, insurances, etc. you have to pay; it is time to regret coming to America. Alternatively, you get frustrated because you constantly try to prove to some Americans that you are not an inferior human being because of your skin color, accent, or your nationality, you are bound to regret coming to America.
So there are few things you have to put-up with if you really want to survive and enjoy your life in God’s Own Country…America. Next time somebody writes you a letter from Nigeria to send him or her some money, or writes to you about coming to America, do me a favor, send a copy of this article to that person.
GOD SAVE NIGERIA FOR WE ARE ALREADY BLESSED.
edes@suddenlink.net
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Posted by Robot| 19.09.2007 18:48