self essay
In 1979 when the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia caused hundreds of thousands of Cambodians to flee their homeland and head for the host countries. My parents left Cambodia and resettled in a refugee camp in Thailand as a host Country called Site II. I was born in refugee camp in Site II where I lived for the first twelve years of my life. I am majoring in social work so I can one day inspire the Cambodian people;
Especially, women and children the same way social workers inspired me as I worked my way through American culture as a refugee kid here in America.
My family arrived in the states in 1992 with literally the clothes on our back; rumors in Thailand had warned us that whatever we brought with us would be thrown out. Thankfully, there are many places that help such as Salvation Army, churches and the Catholic Charities organizations that my family was able to start our new life in a three bedroom apartment in East St. Paul, MN. Regardless of the language barrier, my parents were able to find late-night jobs to pay back our plane tickets and the stipend that started our new life in America. While working her late-night job, my mom would take some ESL (English as a second language) classes during the daytime.
When I came to America at 13 years old, I didn’t understand English. I knew some words, but when people spoke, it didn’t make sense to me. I studied hard just to speak and understand English like others, but it was hard. It was hard to find the right words sometime. It felt like I was trapped, trapped with no way to express my feelings, and I knew that people were making fun of me. I was able to release my feelings and anger with my mentors, teachers especially social workers who understood my situation.
I have had many leadership experiences during the last twenty two years. These opportunities were expanded at The Boys and Girls club in St. Paul and Rochester,
Region Hospital, Ames Elementary School, E. E Miller Elementary School,
Especially, women and children the same way social workers inspired me as I worked my way through American culture as a refugee kid here in America.
My family arrived in the states in 1992 with literally the clothes on our back; rumors in Thailand had warned us that whatever we brought with us would be thrown out. Thankfully, there are many places that help such as Salvation Army, churches and the Catholic Charities organizations that my family was able to start our new life in a three bedroom apartment in East St. Paul, MN. Regardless of the language barrier, my parents were able to find late-night jobs to pay back our plane tickets and the stipend that started our new life in America. While working her late-night job, my mom would take some ESL (English as a second language) classes during the daytime.
When I came to America at 13 years old, I didn’t understand English. I knew some words, but when people spoke, it didn’t make sense to me. I studied hard just to speak and understand English like others, but it was hard. It was hard to find the right words sometime. It felt like I was trapped, trapped with no way to express my feelings, and I knew that people were making fun of me. I was able to release my feelings and anger with my mentors, teachers especially social workers who understood my situation.
I have had many leadership experiences during the last twenty two years. These opportunities were expanded at The Boys and Girls club in St. Paul and Rochester,
Region Hospital, Ames Elementary School, E. E Miller Elementary School,