Hard To Adjust To Life In USA?

[Snuffy]

I know that New York is the Dominican hub in the USA. There are other enclaves of Doms in various parts of USA. Being among dominicans in the USA, I am sure, makes it easier to adapt to the USA.

I would like to hear from anyone who has had a difficult time adapting to life in the USA. I would assume it is more difficult to adapt if you go to the USA and are not surrounded by other dominicans. This support systems would act as sort of a bridge into the new world.

What was your experience during that first year in the USA? Where did you live and were you among other dominicans?

Thanks.

[AZB]

When I go to USA, I get adjusted to the life there in 1 hour. I almost forget that I live in DR. I simply take my car and go to computer stores (compUSA, microcenter), walmart, malls etc. It almost doesn't feel as if I had even left the country to live somewhere else. Then after a few days, it all gets boring, the malls, the shopping, the large screen TV the restaurants and the central a/c everywhere. I begin to miss the unorganization, the car honks, my mango tree and eeven the UBH from sosua. This is when I begin to plan my scape back to paradise. I only feel free and at home when I see the monument from the sky when my delta 757 is approaching the runway at sti, flaps down, landing wheels down and over barranquita, santiago city on your left side. What a view.
I am sad to say, snuffy, you may never get adjusted to the american life again. You got the santiago fever.
AZB

[Snuffy]

AZB...It isn't me that I am concerned about. It is my wife and daughter. I am especially concerned about my wife and daughter feeling isolated. Americans simply "do not talk". Simply going next door and introducing yourself to the new neighbors is a thing of the past. Unless you are in a small town. My wife and daughter are very happy people right now and I don't want to jeopordize that so I am exploring how I might deal with this issue once we are in the USA. Any suggestions are appreciated.

And I believe you are correct. I will miss certain aspects of the DR.

[Ricardo900]

Snuffy,
If you are renting in NYC, there are Dominican areas in Brooklyn and Queens, that are relatively safe and your wife and daughter would feel at home, shopping and socializing with other Dominicans. Understand that the majority of predominant Dominican neighborhoods in NY & NJ are in poor areas of the city. If a short drive is no problem, then your options increase with better neighborhoods bordering Dominican areas.

[Snuffy]

Atlanta Georgia.

I am very familiar with New York and have Dom friends there. Yes, New York would be much easier for a Dominican.

Thanks.

[AZB]

When I will go to atlanta, I will introduce your wife to some dominicans that I know. Believe me, there is huge latino community in atlanta area.
AZB

[cdi_747]

it sounds like many of the comments here are from dominicans that are semi-americanized. i would like to hear what the transition is like from maybe a male/female that lived in some of the poorer areas in the DR and came to america cold turkey. i want to hear what their experiences were and how they dealt with it. reason being is i am curious and would like to be prepared for my fiance when she comes to live in the US with me. just want to be a little prepared for any emotional changes or cultural shock if any.

cdi

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by cdi_747

just want to be a little prepared for any emotional changes or cultural shock if any.

cdi

First of all American toilet paper is not interchangable with sandpaper, and after used, it doesn't have to go in a can.

From a practical perspective, that'll be one of her very first lessons...

[Snuffy]

Surely some Dominicans will have something to share with us.

[Chris_NJ]

http://www.dr1.com/forums/men-mars-w...can-101-a.html

Snuffy - take a look at this thread. There was some good information about the adjustment process.

I have watched over the last 2+ years as my girlfriend adjusted successfully to life in the US after living her first 20 years in DR. The most important factors in her successful acclimation have been:

1. Semi annual trips home - this way she was never more than 6 months away from seeing her family. In the beginning and from time to time subsequently homesickness can creep up.

2. Fellow Dominicans in the area - she has become friendly with the family that runs the bodega at the end of the block so that is a good support system.

3. Keeping busy - the more school work and other work that she has the more she can be a functioning member of society.

4. Willingness to try new things - there are a lot fun, interesting, cultural events and places that most Dominicans don't venture out of their neighborhoods to see but my girlfriend has been happy to explore with me and by herself.

I'll see if I come up with some more ideas on the subject later as they come to me