Life after I am back

Hi everyone,

I came back to my home country in Jan, 2011.

A little background about myself:
Unlike most of you who came to US since you are little, I came here when I was 14. I came into this country to seek for a better education which my country cannot provide. Even though I was already 14, I have no mind of my own and can't think for myself. (yes, it's hard to believe) I follow my family's wish to enter this country with a travel visa
After entering the country, the local agent help me to apply for a student visa. Because of some careless mistake, the application has gone back and forth for about 2 years (can't really remember) before they official denial my application. By that time, there is no way for me to go back to my home country and still keep a seat in school Therefore, my family and I decided to let me stay in US and finish my education.
I am actually very lucky as I get full support from my family. Although I lived with a relative while I am there, they treat me well. I finished high school education and met a lot of friends. Then go to community college and finally completed my full college education at a university.
While at high school and especially in the university, I did feel that my legal status had held me back from advancing myself. I am sure you all know what I am talking about. I didn't try to blame because I know I have no right to. I am already taking others resources, what else can I ask for?
One thing I feel very grateful is that, all my friend who know about my situation accept me. When I was in high school, I didn't know about AB540 and not brave enough to ask counselor. My friend walked up for me and talk to the college adviser at my school.
Because of this unique life experience, I become a person who afraid to speak up for myself. I don't like to meet new people. This character has a huge impact in my future life.

I have stayed in US for 8 years and I love this country. I already see San Francisco as my home. I enjoy shopping at downtown, studying and meeting friends at cafe, and visiting Fisherman Warf in summer vacation. Considering Congress will not pass the act any time soon, I have decided long ago that I will not waste my life in waiting for it to pass. There is nothing I can do in this country without my legal status.

So I went back a month after I completed my degree. I though it's easy to get back to a normal life at my home country, but it didn't. I experience what people call, the "reverse culture shock".

I don't get along well with people who live there for their whole life. We have different value about life and they are not as open-minded. The thing I missed most about US is my friends, who is always willing to come out and hang out with me. Maybe I have the naturally shy character or I am not social enough, I have not met anyone I can talk secret to in my home country.

I don't regret coming back because I have no life in US unless the dream act is passed. At least now I have a job, I can wake up everyday and be myself. Although I feel lonely here, I feel foreign here, I am still hopeful about making a new start.

I miss San Francisco, I miss the Bay Area. I don't know if I will ever have the chance to come back again. The ten year ban do not literally mean ten year, but I really hope to visit, a place where I spent my teenage.

That's really nice to hear. I'm glad things are working out quite well for you.

Hey, do you might giving me your email? Your story is just like mine. I'm thinking about going back to HK too. Might if I ask you some questions regarding life in HK?

How old are you? I guess maybe it's just me because I am not a social person. I don't like Korean star or whatever. But yes, do come back and experience a different life.

Congrats on making the tough decision. But I've always wondered this about the people going 'back' - how well do you know the native tongue? My vocabulary's pretty bad, and I can barely read

Thanks for sharing your story. If you came here at 14 and already don't feel like you belong back in your home country, I can only imagine what it would be like for someone who came here at 4 years old. Having said that there are worse places than HK in the world...at least you didn't go back to a country at war or full of poverty and I'm guessing you can visit the US at some point. At least you can travel around in Asia and Europe

I'm also from Hong Kong and plans to return after college graduation. Did you continue graduate school or are you currently working?

I am turning 22 this month and I feel old. I'm not a social person too. I'm not interested in Korean pop but I like hip-hop and jazz. What degree do you have? And what university did you attended?

Well, that's the thing. They don't value going to grad school as much. Even I want to study a master degree, my brother ask me not to because he wants me to earn some money for the family.

Living in HK is not bad. Yes I went to US when I was 14, so English is my second language. But still, it takes sometime to adapt to the culture here. I already went back for more than a year now, hopefully it work out better later.

I have a degree in molecular and cell bio, which is sort of useless because most of the sci industry located in mainland China, or if not, they are situated in place like tai po industrial estate or some inconvenience location. It take me an hour and a half to go there and the pay is not great, so I would rather work in an unrelated field.

WHat is your situation?