by Eric Mosier
Maria glances once again at the clock; it’s nearly time for her shift to end. She is thankful for her job at the warehouse, and she could even say that she enjoyed it, but she can never wait to get home to see her family. Her four children, one of whom is in high school, are the center of her life. They are, after all, one of the reasons she came here; so that they could have opportunities that she did not. As she leaves the warehouse, family in mind, she cannot help but think of those who are still in her home country, the Dominican Republic: her husband, her father, and many of her cousins. She misses them, and thinks of them often, but she knows that they will soon join her and the rest of her family here in Hazleton.
As she drives home, Maria takes in the rows of white houses and small businesses that make up Hazleton. It is a stark contrast to her home country, a lush green land, full of beauty. It is, however, also full of poverty, government corruption, and a lack of proper education. She often thinks of home, but feels at home here as well, knowing that her children will be better off with an American education. In the Dominican Republic, the education they would have received would have been basic; they most likely would lead lives parallel to the average citizen, unless they made the risky choice to come to America alone. It’s better for them this way, coming with their mother, and with that in mind, Maria steps out of her car and walks towards the front door of her house.
After seeing her family, Maria leaves for the Hazleton Community Center, where she attends an ESL class once a week. To her, learning English is the key to succeeding in America. Her children speak it fluently now, and she could not be prouder. When she came here, she spoke no English at all. Now, she is able to carry on basic conversations and establish a real connection with English speaking Americans. For her, this is much more than knowledge of a language or a culture; it is a way for her to express herself to those different from her, and in doing so to make herself a familiar human to be related to, not an immigrant to be humored.
She enters the classroom and greets her fellow students, others who are determined to not only find new opportunities here, but to thrive and become a part of their new home. She enjoys her classes, and while learning English is challenging, she has her children to offer her help and Rosetta Stone to afford her extra strength in the language. She sits in class, eager and attentive, and for two hours her horizons are broadened.
After class is over, Maria steps out into the cool November air, reminded of the great differences between America and her home country. Despite growing up in it, she never enjoyed the hot and humid climate of the Dominican Republic. For many who come from South America, the colder climates of areas like Northeast Pennsylvania are uninviting, but for Maria it’s a welcome change. The ride back home reminds her again of change, a reoccurring theme which dances about her mind every day. The transition from the Dominican Republic to Hazleton was, although made easier by her family already here, difficult as leaving home always is. She recognizes that change as a good thing, for her, her children, and the rest of her family. She believes that they are destined for a better future now that they have found a new home in America.
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