Looking for a better life.

         Through the ages, people have been looking for different ways to find release from the law, religion, prejudice, poverty, etc. When the new land (now known to everyone as America) was discovered, many people found it possible to immigrate. They would pack a suitcase, buy a boat ticket, say bye to their family, friends and unique culture in order to find and live a better life. If you live in the U.S.A. you already did or you will discover that the neighbor right next door came from another country. The other neighbor, who lives across the street from you, his or her grandparents many years ago came from another continent. They go to their own churches, have different customs, can speak between each other in language other than English. Everyone has a story about himself or herself, his or her parents, his or her grandparents and their journey of life to the "land of free, home of the brave".
An interesting point about America is that there are so many immigrants bringing in their own knowledge, customs, points of view. In many cases, they came alone with no one on their side being available to help. They had to adjust to new conditions, find a place to live for himself or herself and make their life meaningful. Today, they are thankful to people who help them when they needed and let them confirm what is important in life.
         Everyone has his or her personal reasons for leaving their native country. I left my country so early, that I didn't have a chance to develop a feeling of patriotism. None of my family, friends, teachers had strong enough influence on creating a feeling of love to my own country. The long history of Poland as a center of constant fight for land for centuries between two tremendous neighbors were not convincing facts for me to stay in Poland. Visits to concentrations camps during my school years, many books read in native language, the music created during the World War II didn't stay in my memory. My twenty years of interactions with unique culture, customs, native language - none of these stop me from leaving the country that I was born and raised. While writing about it, I do miss my country. But, I also know that I am now here in the U.S.A. , I am married to American citizen and I have plans for future. I am not sure how many people regret their decision about immigration to U.S.A. I know, though, it is not easy to immigrate. The culture shock, feeling of loneliness, inability to communicate fluently, are only a few reasons of why many children and adults have a tough times at the beginning of their life abroad. For that reason, having character traits such as: braveness, optimism, being open-minded with problem solving-skills usually help a lot to adjust to new life conditions.
          Desire to have a better life drives people to look for new experiences. No matter what country you come from, If you ever took geography, history or economy class, then you heard about the U.S.A. There are many stories all over the world about America. To find out how it is in real, you have to see with your own eyes. I think that everyone heard about : The White House, Grand Great Canyon, World Trade Center building in New York, Hollywood. These are the most incredible places in the U.S.A. I could hear about them through the media- TV, radio, papers, magazines. Curiosity brought many, not only immigrants, to the "land of free" .
          If you are in contact with media, you get informed about your economy situation in your native country. You can compare your national currency on daily stock exchange with other currencies to find out about existing financial advantages or disadvantages. Unemployment rates all over the world inform you about a job availability. Your neighbors' stories about life abroad gives you a clue about life there. If you have positive look at life and believe that everyone has equal chances to have better life, then you probably already had thought about immigrating. You learn a lot from traveling, watching different cultures and speaking different languages. Students, scientists, actors, musicians, business owners find themselves fulfilled after immigrating to the U.S.A. Immigrating gives a chance to be better recognized for his or her knowledge and achievements. In case of students it gives many job and carrier opportunities. For businessmen it might be an occasion to promote their businesses and possibly expand worldwide.
          Another reason for immigrating is the relationship between family members. If you celebrate every family occasion, keep your family tradition for generation and all your family members live in proximity, that would be a proof that there are very strong relationships within family. Each other's advises on something important happening in their lives and help in need is always available. In that loving family atmosphere, you have peace of mind because you can always count on someone else in case of adversity. Nevertheless, if there is a destructive family with problems of abuse, disrespect toward each other or jealousy there will be no will from anyone to keep a strong relationship between family members. Taking advantage of each other brings people away.Closeness and love is replaced for greed and rejection. No one would be able to function mentally,psychically or physically healthy in these conditions. Sometimes people decide to leave that kind of family in purpose to look for a better life.
         I have just heard on TV about hotels, where rooms are booked for pregnant women coming from certain countries. A "mother- to- be" come to a country other than native and give birth to a child who will become a citizen of a country he is born in. In future, he or she will get their social security and other benefits he or she would never get in any other country. Also, we hear about pregnant females illegally crossing the country boarder. After future mother get to her destination place, she give a birth to a child, who will make both of them legal residents of a country. These examples of behavior show a deep will of giving a child a better life. However, are these behaviors made for a right reason? and under the law?
         It doesn't matter if you are a citizen, visitor, student or you are in the process of adjusting your status. Neither matters that you are someone who crossed the law, but wasn't fully in understanding of the action you were doing. It doesn't matter even if you had been forced to make a choice between life and death and decided to cross the law in order to protect yourself. What matter is the conscience. When you realize that you did something wrong, conscience will not allow you feel comfortable. The fear of responding for your own mistake will not allow you feel free in the country you live.