Martin posted on November 19, 2009
Imagine having to leave Benson in the middle of the year to transfer schools, think about all the friends that you would miss and the teachers that were so good to you. Now imagine transferring schools and transferring countries at the same time. Does it seem difficult? Senior, Ninh Nguyen has gone through all of that.
“I came to America because my mother married an American, and I wanted better opportunities”, said Nguyen.
Besides his stepfather, mother and aunt, Nguyen did not know anyone when he arrived to America. He was having a hard time not thinking about life back in Vietnam. He missed his hanging out and playing video games with his friends back in his own country.
“I felt so lost,” said Nguyen “I did not know anybody.”
Beyond not having many friends, Nguyen faced a language barrier.
“I only knew a tiny bit of English, It was terribly hard to learn”, said Nguyen.
At first Nguyen felt out of place at Benson, it is hard to go from Vietnam to America and attempt to adapt to the different lifestyles. But it did not take long for him to break out of his box and make some friends.
“I have made some really good friendships here at Benson, ones that I will keep for a long time,” said Nguyen.
After graduation later this school year, Nguyen plans on going back to Vietnam.
- Martin O’Donnell