Voyage to America - Written in 1990

This is my personal story written in 1990. This was again originally written for an American audience. So, beware!
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Most students of the Indian universities aspire and dream about going to USA for higher education and the unique experience of living in another country. I was one such student.

My journey to America started with a trip to the US consulate in Madras for a visa. I had to wait in line from 4 A.M. so that I can be right at the top of the line when the gates open at 8 A.M. But, there were already people waiting there even before I arrived. There was not much room even to sit as the pavement was dirty. When the dawn broke, people would buy a newspaper, read it a bit and spread it on the floor so that their neatly pressed pants would not get soiled. Since then, I have gone there 3 times; but, the excitement mixed with trepidation of my first trip is unique.

After I got my visa to go to a school in Newark, NJ, I did some whirlwind shopping for shirts, everyday things, soaps, shampoos and so forth as I was uncertain of the land I was heading to. I wanted to be self-sufficient as soon as I arrived in USA and did not want to be in a position of wanting for anything. Of course, my mom, sisters and sister-in-law made sure that I had a year's supply of home-made powders and spices which are so essential for Indian cooking.

My father and mother traveled with me from Hyderabad to Bombay, my point of take-off to USA. They said many encouraging words as they fought back their tears. I hugged them, took leave and proceeded to the check-in area. I turned back to take one last look at them and bade them good bye. I did not know then, that it would in fact be my last look of my father that I ever would have. He passed away very young at 57 when I was busy studying for my Master's exams in New Jersey.

Before I landed in NYC's JFK airport, my ever thoughtful father called the son of one of his colleagues and made arrangements for this person to receive me at JFK airport. I was pretty lucky that I at least had some home to go to immediately. Some did not have that luxury. This person, Dr. Suresh, was so nice for a stranger; took me to his neat, little apartment in Roselle Park. He was very friendly and unassuming. As his wife was on vacation in India, he was alone at the time. He showed the bathroom and showed me how the faucets worked. Not that we don't have bathrooms or faucets in India, but the stuff here was pretty different and complex. We do not generally have running hot water in Indian homes, but we would have a heater which we would turn on when we needed it. He made sure that I understood that I needed to stick the edges of the curtain to the wall with some water so that I didn't make the rest of the place wet!

Just as I finished my bath, the phone rang and it was my parents. They were so concerned and I felt so far away from home. In India, parents lend their helping hands to their children unconditionally until their sons get good jobs and their daughters get married. There is also an implicit assumption that children, mostly sons, WILL take care of their parents when they are old and frail.

There were moments when I flinched from the challenges of uncertainty that lay ahead. Uncertainties like, "Where would I be staying? Who would be my room mates? How are the classes here? How will I do in my academic program? etc.," But, then, having come so far away from home, I had little choice than to jump into the fray, headlong!

After eating rice and Brussels sprouts sambar cooked by my friend, we watched some TV. There was a football game going on, on that Sunday and frankly, I could not make out the head or tail of it. I was fighting off my jet lag, just as my friend suggested, by fighting off sleep until late night.

My friend left me in the care of a group of 3 Indian students who were sharing an apartment. All were getting their Master's in Engineering. I stayed with them for a few days while I searched for my own. They were very good to have me with them and feed me though they were total strangers otherwise. When I was leaving, I offered to defray the expenses of my stay. They refused to take even a dollar from me.

One of these guys used to give me a ride to school every day. Though there were buses operating in those parts, I did not yet have the 'know-how' to move around in the creepy streets of downtown Newark. During the initial days of my stay there, I wrote a letter to my parents (Back then, I used to write very frequently!) and wanted to 'post' it on the way to my friend's car. He was walking a little ahead of me. I found a blue thing and that said it was a Mail Box. I just could not figure out how to open it and it seemed tightly sealed from all sides. I was too embarrassed to ask my friend. (You see, I have a professional degree and I should be able to figure these things out!) I did figure that out later!

The way I met my roommates is also an interesting story. I was walking on the campus trying to take care of my business and I bumped into these 2 Indian guys who seemed decent enough to share living space with. We formed a team, scoured the newspapers, called the apartment managers and hurriedly, found an apartment in a downtown area, close to our school, before the classes started.

The squalor and poverty of Newark astounded me at first. I used to think that America was so highly advanced that it did not have room for poverty. I saw quite a few pan-handlers on the streets. Mugging and crime on the streets was common too. Main, was Newark a scary place!

As all educated Indians speak pretty good English, the language was hardly a problem. But, there were some interesting experiences, because some of the terms we normally use had to be translated to American equivalents to make sure that we are understood better in this land. Thus, our language is enriched by absorbing the British (because of our colonial past), Indian and American idioms and expressions. Here are some of the interesting equivalents:
* Petrol *Gasoline (Gas) * Beggar *Panhandler * Post a letter *Mail a letter * How do you do? *How are you doing? * Second-hand * Used * Submit * Turn in

As days went by, we got around well both at school and Newark. I did let a bit of "American" accent "infiltrate" my language!

There is a lot of change in me after my 4 years of stay in USA now. These years have brought in a few changes and some challenges. I also remember some of the prejudices that I had to face as a "foreign" student. Some of the prejudices probably were not meant to be - may be! But, they were more unsaid than said. Some were sort of unhappy with our visits to this "land of promise", probably because these visits have become all too many in recent times. But, then, who is NOT an immigrant in this country?

I did not face any serious problems after that. I bought a used car which increased my opportunities for social activities tremendously. I started enjoying life in America.

I finished my Master's, went to India, got married to a wonderful girl (Who continues to be wonderful!), and came to ASU for starting on my Ph.D. My wife followed me after 2 months. Those were exciting times. After a short stay with a stranger friend, I rented an apartment, bought a new car, (O Yes! I am still making my monthly payments!!) and kept the house all decorated and beaming before my wife arrived.

We do have quite a few American and European friends apart from many Indian friends. We do visit each other's houses and taste some exotic stuff. I have tasted Mexican, Italian, Thai and of course, "American" cuisines. As you know, Chinese cuisine needs no mention because it is everywhere. I don't think I would have had such broad and wide-ranging experiences in any other country.

Coming to America presented me with tremendous opportunities in terms of education and career choice. It widened my horizons and it also enhanced my communication skills, presentation skills, writing skills. Most importantly, I continue to have a good time though I often miss India and things Indian.

-- -Krishnaprasad Kris Kamisetty,CIM Systems Research,Dept. Of IE, ASU e-mail: kamis...@enuxha.eas.asu.edu USmail: ERC 552,CIM Center,ASU,Tempe,AZ 85287-5106