Coming to America
By Josh Pucé
My dad's and my interview
A teenager in Colombia moves to America as a foreign exchange student. He leaves his friends and family to live in this whole new world. This is the story of my father. In my interview with my dad covered the topic of him moving to the U.S. from Columbia. We discuss mainly about the differences he noticed when he first moved here. In addition, we talked about why he came to the U.S. in the first place.
Why Thomas Jefferson is my untouchable hero
A hero is someone who helps those in need and who stands up for what they believe in, no matter how difficult. My untouchable hero is Thomas Jefferson. He was an inventor, the creator of Virginia university, the writer of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States. During this time he has helped those in need and stood up for his beliefs. Thomas Jefferson has done so many things, has helped millions of people, and in the process had to stand up for what he believed in many times, and therefore is a true hero.
Just to be clear
My dad is not and never was an illegal immigrant. He was born in the U.S. and he moved to Colombia when he was seven years old from New York City. However, his parents migrated illegally from Colombia to New York before they had children. Also my dad moved to America when he was in high school.
Why should we allow illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S.
It is estimated that we currently have around twenty million illegal immigrants in the U.S. this means that there are 5000% immigrants than there were american deaths in world war two. Considering that the amount of Americans that died in World War Two is seen as a calamity, the amount of illegal immigrants in the U.S. is absurd. Because of the high immigration number, There has always been a lot of talk about immigrants. Especially because of Donald Trump’s views. There has been a big issue on what we should do with them over the past years. We should allow illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. legally because they are helpful to the economy and the majority of U.S. citizens.
What I think a hero is
Webster dictionary's definition for hero means a person who is admired for great or brave acts. However, a hero is so much more than that. To most when they think of a hero they may think of a man in a costume with a cape flying around saving a woman falling off a building. A hero is much more than that. Some may think it's a fireman running into a burning house and saving a baby. A hero is again more than that. Everyone has a different definition of a hero, but most are similar. To some a hero could be a very important and largely known person, like a celebrity. To some a hero could be someone in their everyday life, like a doctor. A hero is someone who helps those in need and who has courage and stands up for what they believe in, no matter how difficult.
Empanada
This is supposed to resemble the rich culture of Colombia that greatly effects my family. Especially the great food. This is a common Colombian food called and empanada. It is one of my family's favorites.
Palne
This plane resembles my dad leaving his entire life in Colombia to come to america for a better education and new opportunity.
American flag
This resembles America and its freedom and opportunity which my dad experienced when he first came to America.
Poem for my father
Dad you’ve always been there for me. Whether i’m confused, I scrape my knee, or get stung by a bee. You’ve taught me to sail in the sea, climb a tree, make a panini, be carefree, successfully ski, to shave if I were to ever grow a goatee. You’re a trainer and I’m your trainee. I think that we will both agree. That even when I’m thirty I will always love thee.
Arepa Recipe
An arepa is a corn patty often eaten in Colombia and other south american countries.
Step one: put 1 1/2 of cornmeal in a large mixing bowl
step two: pour 1 cup of water into the large mixing bowl
step three: add 1tbsp of vegetable oil
Step four: mix thoroughly until thickened
Step five: cook in pan until firm
Textbooks
These textbooks resemble one of the main reasons my dad came to America in the first place, a better education. He came as a foreign exchange student.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
This photo is my dad and a statue of, my untouchable hero, Thomas Jefferson at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.
Christmas 2009
My family and I during Christmas in 2009.